Throughout history, people have taken (and even smoked) herbs to produce aids to ailments and assist altered states of consciousness. Although some in modern times seek hallucinogens for pure recreation, many still use these plants respectfully on their journey to spiritual knowledge, health, and well-being.
There are a variety of medicinal uses for utilizing herbal mixtures too. One can use calming or tranquilizing herbs to relax physically or mentally. Even the milder herbs are useful during meditation and vision quests. Some herbs can be ingested for calming the lungs or to aid in breaking down mucus through tea formulas and tinctures.
Curious about what the power of herbs can do for you? Check out its many benefits below:
You Can Regulate Your Own Dosage
You can always buy small amounts of each herb, brew them up in different cups, set all the cups in front of you, grab some spoons and start smelling, looking, and tasting each of them to see what you think. However, the base of a herbal blend will bethe primary herb you’ll be using - called your base ingredient or primary ingredient. There are two things to consider when trying to decide what your dosage to your base should be, look and taste.
Remember that all herbs look and taste different. Before you ingest anything to start, ask yourself what you're looking to get out of it? Do you want something strong and bold? Do you want something light and helpful in a relaxing formula? Whatever you decide on is what should go into the base of your blend in the largest amount.
Quick Tip: Keep notes on each of the herbs so when it comes to blending time, you know what each base will be like and you can later recreate them!
You Can Smoke Them
Yes, believe it or not, there is such as a thing as herbal smoking blends. The herbs in these blends have been formulated to provide holistic health benefits for the body and the mind.
With the array of blending options, you can have an aromatic blend of flavor while gaining all of its synergistic effects. Not to mention, smoking blends also goes well independently or with cannabis too.
They Support Mental Health
Certain flavoring herbs pair well with supportive herbs.
For example:
Lavender – Promotes relaxation and eases anxiety or tension
Rosemary – Stimulant, sativa-like, promotes clarity
Rose – Herbal and flowery taste, mildly sedative
Peppermint – Great taste, adds balance to blend
They Promote Physical Health
Adjunct herbs have a supportive role of specific health benefits. For example:
Thyme – Lung health, soothes a sore throat and good source of Vitamins A and C
Passionflower – Nervous system health, eases and lowers blood pressure
Thinking about brewing up your own herbal smoking blend or herb tincture, make sure to share with me your recipes below!
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.