Cart 0
The Original Healers
Before prohibition, before stigma, before politics—there were women and plants. Across centuries and cultures, women have been the quiet architects of healing, leaning on nature’s apothecary to soothe, restore, and protect. Cannabis was one of their most powerful tools. Midwives used it to ease labor pains. Herbalists infused it into tinctures for menstrual relief. Priestesses burned it in sacred rituals.
For thousands of years, cannabis was a trusted ally in women’s health and spirituality—until history took a turn. Prohibition severed this connection, silencing generations of wisdom. But today, women are reclaiming their place in the cannabis space, reshaping the industry, and rewriting the narrative.
Ancient Roots: Women as Healers and Herbalists
The first recorded medicinal use of cannabis dates back to Emperor Shen Nong in 2900 B.C.E., but its legacy stretches across civilizations. Women in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and India turned to cannabis for pain relief, reproductive health, and spiritual ceremonies.
Greek and Roman women used cannabis poultices to ease inflammation, while Scythian women—nomadic warriors of Central Asia—steamed cannabis in ritual baths. Egyptian priestesses harnessed the plant for both medicinal and mystical purposes. In every corner of the ancient world, cannabis wasn’t just a remedy; it was a ritual, a right, a part of everyday care.
Women’s Role in Cannabis Throughout History
By the medieval and Renaissance periods, women healers were still using cannabis, but the world around them was changing. The Catholic Church and ruling institutions cracked down on midwives and herbalists, often branding them as witches. Plant-based medicine—including cannabis—was pushed underground.
Fast-forward to the 19th and early 20th centuries, and cannabis reemerged in Western medicine, often marketed toward women. Queen Victoria’s physician famously prescribed cannabis for menstrual pain, and early medical professionals advocated for its therapeutic potential. It was a moment of resurgence—until prohibition arrived.
The War on Cannabis and Its Impact on Women
The early 20th century saw cannabis criminalized, demonized, and erased from mainstream medicine. Women, especially women of color, were disproportionately affected. The traditional roles of female herbalists and healers were dismissed, replaced by stigma and fear.
But prohibition couldn’t erase the plant’s power—or women’s connection to it. The counterculture movements of the 1960s and ’70s saw a resurgence of women embracing cannabis, not just as a personal choice but as a political statement. By the 1990s and early 2000s, women were at the forefront of medical cannabis legalization efforts, fighting to bring plant medicine back into the light.
Women Shaping the Future of Cannabis
Today, women aren’t just reclaiming cannabis—they’re leading it. Scientists, entrepreneurs, and activists are shaping the future of the industry. Dr. Sue Sisley is pioneering medical cannabis research. Wanda James made history as the first Black woman to own a dispensary in the U.S. Countless female innovators are developing cannabis products tailored to women’s wellness—because who understands it better?
CBD and cannabis-based products are redefining self-care, offering natural alternatives for menstrual relief, menopause symptoms, mental health, and relaxation. The plant that supported women for millennia is back in their hands, this time with modern science to back up ancient wisdom.
Coming Full Circle
Women have always been at the forefront of plant medicine, and now, history is coming full circle. The cannabis industry is evolving, but its roots remain the same—deeply connected to women’s health, empowerment, and advocacy.
Supporting women-led cannabis businesses and organizations isn’t just about economic equity; it’s about honoring the legacy of the healers who came before. The future of cannabis is female. But really, it always has been.
BLNCD Naturals is a woman-owned cannabis wellness brand. Visit our website to learn more about our products and vision: www.blncdnaturals.com