hemp, flax, numb
麻 centers on the hemp plant and its fibers, used for making linen-like cloth. The sense of numbness likely comes from the tingling sensation associated with hemp or from the texture of coarse hemp fabric.
麻 originally depicted hemp plants hanging under a roof or shelter, combining 广 (building) with 林 (plants), representing the processing of hemp fibers.
Under a roof 广, two trees 林 are actually hemp plants being dried and processed. The fibers from these plants make linen, and handling the rough fibers can make your hands feel numb.
For マ, imagine a mother (ママ) weaving hemp fibers under the shelter: ママ -> マ, and the hemp cloth takes shape.
cannabis (Cannabis sativa); hemp (plant)
narcotic; drug; dope
mahjong; mah-jongg
anaesthesia; anesthesia
paralysis; palsy; stupor
hemp
linen robe
sesame seeds
Ma Gu; legendary Taoist immortal with long talon-like fingernails
hemp cloth; linen
bamboo shoots boiled, sliced, fermented, dried or preserved in salt, then soaked in hot water and sea salt
measles
mala (spicy and numbing seasoning)
hives; nettle rash; urticaria
flax (Linum usitatissimum); linseed
Siebold's arrowwood (Viburnum sieboldii)
flaxseed; linseed
mahuang; ephedra
wild sesame (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens); oilseed perilla; egoma
hemp seed