Queen Victoria's relationship to hemp extract, particularly in the form of cannabis, is noted primarily through historical anecdotes and some documented evidence suggesting that she used it to alleviate pain. Here’s a detailed explanation:
Queen Victoria and Cannabis
Queen Victoria, who reigned over the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901, is often cited in discussions about historical uses of medicinal cannabis. The most commonly noted aspect of her relationship with cannabis is its use to alleviate menstrual cramps and other pains.
Physician’s Recommendation
Queen Victoria’s physician, Sir J. Russell Reynolds, prescribed cannabis for her, and he was an outspoken advocate for its medicinal use. Reynolds wrote in 1890 in the British medical journal “The Lancet” one of the most respected medical journals, about the benefits of cannabis, stating, “When pure and administered carefully, it is one of the most valuable medicines we possess.” This statement from a leading physician of the time, who also served the monarch, strongly supports the notion that Queen Victoria used cannabis as a medicine.
Cannabis for Menstrual Pain
The specific detail that she used it to relieve menstrual cramps is widely reported, though direct primary sources often remain elusive or indirect. The understanding is based on historical context and secondary sources that reference her physician’s advocacy and prescriptions. Cannabis tinctures were quite common in the 19th century and were used to treat various ailments, including menstrual pain, which gives credence to the accounts of its use by Queen Victoria.
Cultural and Historical Context
**Medicinal Use in the 19th Century:** During Queen Victoria’s time, the use of cannabis for medical purposes was common in the West. Cannabis was included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia from 1851 until 1942, signifying its accepted medical use for various conditions and symptoms including pain relief, muscle spasms, and convulsions.
Decline and Prohibition
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the use of cannabis began to decline in medicine, largely replaced by other substances whose dosages could be more easily quantified. Cannabis eventually became associated more with its psychoactive effects than its medicinal benefits. This culminated in various laws across the world restricting its use, making it illegal in numerous countries by the mid-20th century.
While there is no disputing that Queen Victoria’s physician prescribed her cannabis, and he publicly endorsed the drug for its analgesic properties, much of what is specifically claimed about Queen Victoria’s personal use remains part of a broader historical narrative. This narrative illustrates the changing perceptions and uses of cannabis, from a commonplace medicine in the 19th century to a controlled, often illegal substance in the 20th century, and now back toward medicinal acceptance in many parts of the world in the 21st century.
