Queen Victoria's Cramps and the History of Medicinal Cannabis in Europe
The relationship between cannabis and women has existed since the Victorian period, perhaps even earlier
Published on 08/19/2021
Curation and editing Sechat, with information from Blog Cannabis
August 19 is considered National Historians Day in Brazil and is a great opportunity to remember how cannabis has helped women throughout human history deal with medical conditions related to the female physique.
Cannabis has been helping millions of people worldwide, especially women, and it is not a recent development. Documents advocating for the plant's medical benefits first appeared in 2900 BC in China, but medicinal cannabis in Europe owes much to a renowned Irishman. Born in 1809, Dr. William Brooke O'Shaughnessy invented a modern treatment for cholera, installed the first telegraphic system in Asia, contributed to inventions in underwater engineering, and indeed was a pioneer in the use of medicinal cannabis in Europe. Inspired by the use of cannabis in Ayurvedic and Persian medicine, O'Shaughnessy conducted the first clinical tests with the herb, treating rheumatism, hydrophobia, cholera, tetanus, and seizures.
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HOW DID THE QUEEN GET TO KNOW CANNABIS?
Queen Victoria, a symbol of modesty and conservatism (although she does not deserve that reputation), may have received cannabis to relieve menstrual cramps. Her personal physician and the source of cannabis was Sir J. Russell Reynolds, who wrote in 1890 that:
When pure and administered carefully, cannabis is one of the most valuable medicines we possess.
Sir J. Russell Reynolds
It is believed that she suffered from menstrual pains, and Reynolds, it seems, prescribed her cannabis tinctures, liquid concentrations of the drug that were the most common means of administration (and many other things) at the time. Cannabis tinctures are currently undergoing a renaissance in medicinal cannabis centers and places where the drug is legal. They are administered through a dropper under the tongue and in small amounts to feel the effects. We can only hope that this helped Victoria overcome her difficulties.
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QUEEN'S MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
Victoria is undoubtedly the most representative figure of the spirit of the 19th century. In fact, her reign lasted 64 years, 1837-1901, a longevity record for a British monarch that only the current queen, Elizabeth II, has surpassed. In fact, to this day, the second half of the 1901 century is known as the "Victorian Era".
The irony of history is that this queen, whose name became synonymous with puritanical conservatism and modesty, was actually an independent woman who, contrary to the codes of aristocratic families in Europe, married for love with Prince Albert. Together, they had 9 children and lived in perfect harmony until Albert's death.
From the medical and historical records of Queen Victoria, we know that she suffered from menstrual cramps, which were particularly severe. That is why sometimes she was forced to postpone or avoid certain official events.
Furthermore, at some point, her pains ceased to make her suffer, although there is no unequivocal and absolute historical confirmation of this fact, the hypothesis considered the most likely is that this relief would have come due to the use of cannabis.
The reason there is probably more than an inkling of truth in this hypothesis has more to do with the identity of her personal physician, Sir John Russel Reynolds - than with the proliferation of rumors and gossip of the time.
ANALGESIC AND CALMING AGENT
Reynolds, who, like many British scholars at the time, was spending his time in India. As a result, he was exposed to the cannabis plant and especially its uses in popular medicine in the East. Reynolds studied the plant for 30 years and was very excited about its full potential and all its uses in the medical field. Among other things, he stated that “the plant is effective in cases of muscle cramps and menstrual cramps”. Therefore, it is logical to think that his most important and famous patient, who suffered from this problem, could have benefited from this drug.
What Reynolds discovered in the 19th century is still relevant today and is confirmed by many researchers. For example, in a study conducted in 2018 by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Researchers asked a sample of 192 women if they had consumed any substance from the plant to relieve menstrual pains; 170 responded that they had used it, and among these, 152 said yes, cannabis helped reduce menstrual pains. The participants said that the most common forms of consuming the herb were smoked or taken orally.
It is worth noting that there are still many studies on the relationship between cannabis consumption and relief of menstrual cramps, and a study conducted on a group of 47 women aged between 17 and 29, regular cannabis consumers (for at least one year), revealed changes in hormonal secretion; however, what this changes is only to make menstrual cycles more frequent, nothing more than that.
Almost everything we know about medicinal cannabis supports the hypothesis that even for the modern woman, medicinal cannabis can alleviate labor pains, although today it is not a recommended indication.
No doctor in Western medicine today would prescribe medicinal cannabis to a pregnant woman. But it is noted that in many cultures around the world and throughout history, since the early 19th century, cannabis has been used and considered an acceptable way to treat pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea.
