Pipe Smoking Herbs

[Noir]

I hadn't seen a thread dedicated to the smoking of herbs yet, so I thought I'd start one in case anyone might be interested in learning about it.
Feel free to share your opinions, experiences, or insights.

Smoking herbs safely and enjoyably comes from learning about the herbs themselves. I always suggest you study on any possible side-effects and reactions and experiment mixes to your own personal tastes. Get yourself some good medicinal herbal books that give thorough knowledge and information on each herb you are thinking of using.

Smoking plain herbs is nowhere near as bad as smoking cigarettes, for obvious reasons. Inhaling any kind of smoke is can be somewhat damaging to your lungs, but smoking some herbs can also have their benefits like helping to clear the lungs of mucus during cold and flu.

If you’ve never smoked anything before, your first time is probably not going to be very pleasant, in all honesty.
If you’re only smoking herbs without a filter once or twice a week, it is relatively safe. Just always buy your herbs organically or grow and dry your own.

You can really use any pipe you wish as well, I use a small glass one.

The benefits of smoking herbs varies between them and would depend on your ailments. For instance, peppermint improves blood circulation and is calming/relaxing. Mullien can ease a sore throat and ease a chesty cough. Scullcap can treat insomnia and help with anxiety.

It is always best to check and double check any herb you are thinking of ingesting, as well as looking at any possible drug interractions.

When in doubt, don’t smoke it.

A few of the herbs you need to be very careful about smoking if you have any existing medical conditions, are wormwood, scullcap and mugwort. Some of them can also be quite bitter, so adding a little peppermint smoothes out the flavour and makes it more enjoyable.

Heres some smokable herbs that are great for relaxation:
- Catnip
- Mugwort
- Damiana
- Lavender
- Motherwort
- Mullein
- Scullcap
- St Johns Wort
- Wormwood
- Blue Lotus

And these herbs make for a nice “sweet blend” and peppermint is nice to add into any mixture or more earthy tasting blends:
- Lavender
- Mugwort
- Yarrow
- Rose Petals
- Chamomile
- Marsh Mallow
- Mullein
- Raspberry Leaves
- Catnip
- Lemon Balm
- Blue Lotis
- Damiana
- Passion Flower
- Nettle
- White Lily

[Norse_Angel]

I always smoke mugwort before committing to any type of divinational art. I've always found it to be a great way to calm my mind, and it has major effects on my meditations, and readings in general. Would recommend.
Skul!

[ashemonster]

What would you recommend as the best way to prepare herbs for smoking from fresh-picked?

[Wenny]

Marking my place so I can print it out when I get home.

[Noir]

What would you recommend as the best way to prepare herbs for smoking from fresh-picked?

Firstly, you want to make sure that the herbs and plants you’re picking are totally free from pesticides and other nasties. If you’re not sure, don’t use and look for a source that offers organic.
Don’t harvest too late. Harvest while leaves are still in the growth stage and while the buds are yet to open. You also don’t want to over-dry them. If you do this, the mixture will not be as enjoyable to smoke. If you find you have over-dried your herbs, give them a quick sprits with water or a home-made mixture, for instance, if I’m making a sweet blend, I may want to make an infusion of apple in the water and spray it very lightly with that.
You also want to make sure your herbs are being dried correctly. If you suspect mould of forming or starting to grow, throw out the entire batch.
When you’re ready, store them in air-tight containers.

If you’re not used to smoking, you should start small to experiment with different flavours. A small pipe with a small bowl is good for this purpose.

[Doc_Holliday]

I always smoke mugwort before committing to any type of divinational art. I've always found it to be a great way to calm my mind, and it has major effects on my meditations, and readings in general. Would recommend.
Skul!

I agree, I've only smoked it a few times but I've had positive experiences.

[Azvanna]

Where is a good source to check both desirable and undesirable side effects of smoking a herb?

[ashemonster]

If you’re not used to smoking, you should start small to experiment with different flavours. A small pipe with a small bowl is good for this purpose.

I am very used to smoking. I'm excited to try this with my little wooden pipe once I can dry some herbs from my garden.

[Noir]

Where is a good source to check both desirable and undesirable side effects of smoking a herb?

You going to have to look at medicinal herbal books. Smoking herbs can also cause interactions with certain medications as well as side-effects. I suggest if anyone is on any medication, that you consult your pharmacist or doctor before attempting to smoke any herb.
As a starter, I suggest looking at the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier.

[Norse_Angel]

Adding to the list, I had the mad idea to smoke rose petals. They were dried, and I've been using them in different rituals and tonics, but never occurred to me to try smoking them. I crushed them up with my pestle and mortar, until it became powder. Putting the powder into my pipe, I didn't know what to expect. Oh, by the gods, the taste is miraculous. Absolutely astounding, and a very clean smoke at that. Was not harsh one bit. Would recommend to everyone.