Humans have been using herbs for medicinal use and nutrition since time immemorial. Archeological excavations dating back 60,000 years ago reveal evidence of the use of medicinal plants, such as cannabis, ephedra, and opium poppies. Typically, humans harvested the flowers of these plants and dried them for later use, but to use the herbs, they first had to dry and grind the flowers. Crushing the buds from herbal flowers dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period (45,000-20,000 BD), but the design, form, and function of herb grinders have evolved since then. As we read thoroughly in this article, we’ll uncover the history of the weed grinder and herb grinder.
Shedding herbs and cannabis using grinders is a satisfying activity for any weed enthusiast. At first glance, most handheld grinders found in weed dispensaries and smoke shops look identical, and the fascinating thing is that their design has remained almost unchanged for decades. What most users don’t know is that the history of the weed grinder we know today has been around since the turn of the 20th century. Knowing the history of the weed grinder can help us develop a greater appreciation of these fantastic little machines every time we break down those buds.