The History of Cannabis in Women’s Health and Childbirth

A plant that’s been with us long before the stigma.

Cannabis has a long, rich history woven into women’s health and birthing traditions around the world. Long before it became controversial or criminalized, it was simply a plant—one that caregivers, midwives, and healers turned to in times of pain, transition, and recovery.

When we talk about cannabis today—as doulas, as parents, as people seeking comfort and care—it’s worth remembering: this isn’t new. It’s ancient. And it belongs in the conversation.

🌿 Ancient Roots: Cannabis in Traditional Healing

Across cultures, cannabis has been used in reproductive care for centuries.

Ancient Egypt: Texts dating back to 1500 BCE mention cannabis used for easing childbirth and menstrual pain.

China: As far back as 2000 BCE, cannabis was listed in medicinal texts as helpful for gynecological issues, including during labor.

India: In Ayurvedic medicine, cannabis (bhang) was used to calm the nerves, ease pain, and support postpartum recovery.

Greece and Rome: Midwives used cannabis-infused poultices and teas to relieve labor pains and speed recovery after birth.

These weren’t fringe uses—they were part of everyday medicine, passed from generation to generation by midwives, mothers, and healers.

Ancient Beginnings: Cannabis in Early Civilizations (Pre-1500 BCE)

Cannabis has a storied history as a medicinal plant, with its use in women’s health dating back thousands of years. In ancient Mesopotamia, around 2000 BCE, cannabis was valued as a medicinal and ritual plant. Referred to in some texts as “azallu” or “kunubu,” it was used in healing practices and religious ceremonies, often linked to deities like Ishtar, the goddess of love, fertility, and healing. While direct evidence of cannabis for women’s health is limited, cuneiform tablets suggest its use for pain relief and calming effects, which may have extended to menstrual discomfort or childbirth. These practices, often passed down orally by healers, highlight cannabis’s early role in holistic care, setting the stage for its use in reproductive health across ancient cultures.

In ancient Egypt, cannabis appears in the Ebers Papyrus (circa 1550 BCE), one of the oldest known medical texts. This document lists cannabis as a remedy for "cooling the uterus" and aiding in labor. Egyptian women reportedly used cannabis preparations—possibly as a vaginal suppository or ingested concoction—to alleviate labor pains and facilitate childbirth. Archaeological evidence supports this: traces of cannabis pollen have been found in Egyptian tombs, suggesting its widespread use. Queen Hatshepsut (reigned 1478–1458 BCE), a prominent female pharaoh, may have overseen the integration of cannabis into the Egyptian pharmacopeia, potentially using it herself for menstrual or childbirth discomfort, though this remains speculative.

Across the ancient world, in China, Emperor Shen Nung’s pharmacopeia (circa 2800 BCE) documented cannabis as a treatment for "female disorders," including menstrual pain and reproductive issues. Known as "ma," cannabis was valued for its sedative and analgesic properties. While specific references to childbirth are less clear in Chinese texts, its use for pain relief likely extended to labor, given the cultural emphasis on herbal remedies.

Classical Antiquity: Greece, Rome, and Beyond (600 BCE–500 CE)

In classical Greece and Rome, cannabis continued to play a role in women’s health. Greek physician Dioscorides, in his De Materia Medica (circa 60 CE), described cannabis as a remedy for various ailments, including uterine pain. Roman women of the elite, from roughly 600 BCE to 500 CE, reportedly used cannabis to ease labor pains, a practice possibly borrowed from Egyptian or Middle Eastern traditions via trade routes. Soranus of Ephesus, a 2nd-century Roman gynecologist, recommended cannabis for uterine conditions, though he cautioned against overuse due to its psychoactive effects.

A striking archaeological find from this period comes from a 4th-century CE burial site near Jerusalem. In 1992, researchers discovered the remains of a 14-year-old girl who died during childbirth. Ashes containing THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) were found in her abdominal area, suggesting she inhaled cannabis smoke—likely through burning it in a tent or enclosed space—to manage labor pain. This evidence provides a rare glimpse into the practical application of cannabis in childbirth during late antiquity.

Medieval and Early Modern Europe: Herbal Traditions (500–1500 CE)

As Europe entered the medieval period, cannabis remained part of herbal medicine, often preserved by women healers and midwives. In the Old English Herbarium (circa 1000 CE), cannabis is recommended mixed with lard to relieve swollen breasts, a common postpartum issue. Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th-century German abbess and herbalist, documented cannabis in her Physica, noting its warming properties and potential to ease pain, though she warned of its potency. Her work reflects a broader tradition of women as keepers of botanical knowledge, including cannabis’s use in obstetrics and gynecology.

In the Islamic world, cannabis featured in medical texts like the 9th-century Al-Aqrabadhin Al-Saghir from Persia. This pharmacopeia cites cannabis as a remedy to "calm uterine pains, prevent miscarriage, and preserve fetuses," highlighting its role in prenatal care. These practices likely influenced European medicine during the Crusades, as knowledge exchanged between cultures.

Renaissance to Victorian Era: Cannabis in Western Medicine (1500–1900 CE)

By the 19th century, cannabis gained prominence in Western medicine, particularly for women’s health. In Victorian England, Sir Alexander Christison’s 1851 study praised "Indian hemp" (cannabis) for increasing uterine contractions, dilating the cervix, and hastening labor without inducing sleep—key advantages over anesthetics like chloroform. His findings built on earlier work by Sir William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, who introduced cannabis to Western medicine in the 1830s after observing its use in India for menstrual and labor pain.

Queen Victoria (reigned 1837–1901) famously used cannabis tinctures, prescribed by her physician Sir John Russell Reynolds, to relieve severe menstrual cramps. Reynolds also advocated cannabis for "spasmodic dysmenorrhea," noting its efficacy in his writings. This royal endorsement elevated cannabis’s status, though it remained a discreet remedy due to social stigma around women’s health.

In the United States, the 1854 Dispensatory of the United States listed cannabis as a labor aid, capable of hastening childbirth without anesthesia. Across the Atlantic, a South African herbalist in 1906 was documented using "dagga" (cannabis) to stupefy patients during labor, a practice rooted in indigenous traditions. These examples illustrate cannabis’s global acceptance as a childbirth aid before modern prohibitions.

🧵 When Stigma Took Over

Cannabis wasn’t demonized until much later—often for reasons tied to racism, colonialism, and control.

In the U.S., the early 20th century saw a shift. As Western medicine became more institutionalized and white male-dominated, traditional and plant-based practices—including midwifery and cannabis use—were pushed aside or criminalized. By the 1930s, cannabis was painted as dangerous, with a wave of fear-based propaganda that had more to do with power than public health.

What got lost in the process? Generations of wisdom. And the autonomy of people—especially women and birthing folks—to care for themselves with the tools that had always supported them.

20th Century: Prohibition and Decline (1900–2000)

The early 20th century marked a turning point as cannabis faced increasing regulation. In the United States, the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act effectively ended its legal medical use, including in obstetrics. Until 1942, some physicians still prescribed cannabis for labor pain, as noted in historical records, but prohibition erased decades of knowledge. The 1936 film Reefer Madness and subsequent anti-cannabis campaigns further demonized the plant, overshadowing its medicinal history.

Despite this, anecdotal use persisted. In Jamaica, anthropologist Melanie Dreher’s 1990s research found that women using cannabis during pregnancy—while avoiding alcohol and maintaining nutritious diets—gave birth to infants with cognitive advantages compared to non-users. This challenged emerging narratives of cannabis as universally harmful, though such findings were controversial and understudied due to legal constraints.

💪 The Quiet Return: Cannabis and Birthwork Today

Now, we’re seeing a return. Not a trend—but a remembering. More birthworkers, doulas, and parents are openly talking about how cannabis can support:

• Morning sickness and hyperemesis

• Anxiety and mental health

• Early labor relaxation

• Postpartum rest and healing

• Chronic pain from birth injuries or caesarean recovery

It’s not about replacing medical care. It’s about expanding our options—and trusting people to make informed choices about their own bodies.

Modern Era: Revival and Research (2000–Present)

The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw a resurgence of interest in cannabis for women’s health, driven by legalization movements and scientific inquiry. Today, the endocannabinoid system—receptors throughout the body, including the uterus—is recognized as a key player in pain regulation, explaining cannabis’s historical efficacy. CBD (cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive compound, is widely used for menstrual cramps and endometriosis, with anecdotal reports supported by its muscle-relaxant properties.

However, cannabis use in pregnancy and childbirth remains contentious. Modern studies, like those from Kaiser Permanente (2009–2017), show rising prenatal cannabis use—up from 1.9% to 3.4%—often for nausea or stress. Yet, research links prenatal exposure to risks like low birth weight, preterm birth, and neurodevelopmental issues, prompting organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to advise against it. A 2022 study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that children exposed to cannabis in utero had higher fat mass and glucose levels at age five, raising further concerns.

Conversely, historical advocates argue that past use—often lower-potency and less frequent—may not mirror today’s risks, given modern cannabis’s higher THC content (up from 4% in the 1990s to 12–30% today). Dr. Ethan Russo, a prominent cannabis researcher, suggests that THC and CBD could treat gynecological pain, but stresses the need for controlled studies, especially given ethical barriers to researching pregnant women.

🫶 Harm Reduction, Not Hype

As a cannabis-informed doula, I don’t tell anyone to use cannabis. I offer space for conversation. I listen. I share evidence and history. And I support harm-reduction decisions that center safety, autonomy, and nonjudgment.

Because the truth is: cannabis has always had a place in reproductive care. It’s just been silenced.

Now we get to bring that truth back into the light—with care, with nuance, and with full respect for every parent’s journey.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to hide your use—or your curiosity—you’re not alone.And you’re not wrong for wanting relief, rest, or a softer way to move through it all.

I’m here if you need a safe space to ask questions, explore options, or just feel seen.

— Kat Cannabis-informed doula | Honoring the old ways while making room for your truth |