About this episode
An herbal smoking blend may not sound like your cup of tea – and it isn’t! – but it’s still an effective method of working with medicinal plants. When smoked, herbs have rapid effects on the lungs and the central nervous system, including antimicrobial, astringent, relaxant, and nervine or anxiety-reducing activities. This traditional practice is still relevant today. But of course, some people need help to quit smoking, not reasons to start! And herbs can help here as well, by reducing cravings and addressing the original reasons one started smoking in the first place. They can also help one cut down on smoking tobacco or cannabis by enhancing the desirable effects of those plants and reducing their undesirable ones. In this episode we’ll talk about all these aspects of smoking, share some of our favorite plants to include in herbal smoking mixtures, and guide you through some practical considerations when trying this on your own. Herbs discussed include: mullein , lobelia, skullcap, evening primrose, vanilla , uva ursi, tobacco, cannabis, pedicularis, catnip , damiana, tulsi, mugwort , bittergrass. Mentioned in this episode: Medicinal smoke reduces airborne bacteria. Nautiyal, Chandra Shekhar, Puneet Singh Chauhan, and Yeshwant Laxman Nene; Journal of Ethnopharmacology 114, no. 3 (December 3, 2007): 446–51. The effect of chewing gum flavor on the negative affect associated with tobacco abstinence among dependent cigarette smokers. Cohen LM, Collins FL Jr, Vanderveen JW, Weaver CC; Addict Behav. 2010 Nov;35(11):955-60. Puff Herbal Smokes – Boutique herbal smokes, pre-formulated for you by a trained herbalist. (Coming soon!) Howie Brounstein’s ebook, Herbal Smoking Mixtures – a classic guide to working with herbs as smoke. A must-read if you’re interested in this topic. If you’re a regular listener, by now you’ve heard us talk about our podcast supporters – and maybe you’re wondering how to become one, yourself! Well, let me make it easy for you – all you need to do is click this link to support us at $5/month , or this one to support us at $10/month . At either level you’ll get immediate access to our weekly supporters video series. These exclusive videos come out every week and are only for our supporters. So if you’d like to help us keep our podcast, free clinics, scholarships, and other projects going strong – and get some goodies for your generosity – we’d very much appreciate it! As always, please subscribe & review our podcast so others can find it more easily. Thank you!! Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas . Support the show You can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!