Herbal extracts come in all shapes and sizes. Whichever shape you prefer depends on your desired effects.
For example, you can use herbal extracts as edibles if you are looking for long-lasting benefits. The effects of edible herbs can be felt for up to 72 hours.
Oral tinctures are another popular way to consume herbal extracts. These products are usually administered sublingually (under the tongue).
Some herbal extracts are also available in the form of topicals intended for topical use, inhalables intended for use with a vaporizer, and smoking products that you smoke as you would a regular cigarette.
In this post, we limit our focus to smokeable herbs. The article is about what smokable spice mixes are, what the benefits are and how you can prepare these products at home.
What are smokeable spice mixes?
The term "smokable spice mix" is best explained by defining the individual words that make up the phrase.
- Smokeable – That can be consumed by te smoking.
- Herbs – Consisting of an herb.
- Mix – A combination (in this case a combination of herbs).
Based on the above classification, a smokeable spice mix formulated with more than one herb and intended for smoking.
Choosing the best smokeable spice mix
Smokeable spice blends are some of the most common products you will come across when looking for spice blends. It is important to do your own due diligence before choosing these products.
The most important consideration is to check the specific ingredients or spices in the mix. Now a variety of herbs can be used to make smokeable spice blends. These plants are usually selected for their therapeutic properties and overall aroma. Some manufacturers may also use psychoactive herbs to target recreational users.
You have more control over the specific spices you want to include in a smokeable spice mix when you prepare these blends at home.
For homemade smokable blends, you should focus primarily on the freshness of the raw materials used. In addition, you should insist on harvesting the specific plant parts that have the highest medicinal value. These can range from the bark and roots to the leaves, flowers and even trichomes (as is the case with cannabis).
Preparing smokable spice mixes at home
Compiling therapeutic herbs
As we have already emphasized, the most important consideration when selecting the herbs to include in a smokable herbal blend is to choose plants with high therapeutic value. The possibilities here are virtually limitless.
Frequent smokable herbs are mullein, mint, sage, skullcap, cannabis, kratom, just to name a few.
These herbs enhance its powerful medicinal properties. Some of them may also contain additional psychoactive abilities. It all depends on the specific effects you desire in the herbs.
Compose carrier herbs
Also known as base herbs, carrier herbs improve the bioavailability or absorption rate of the various beneficial compounds in a herbal blend.
Most therapeutic herbs can also act as carrier herbs. Others include mashed banana extracts, ginger powder, ground mint extracts, and desiccated coconut.
Assemble aromatic herbs
As the name implies, aromatic herbs are used to enhance the flavor of your smokeable spice mix. Again, many of the plants listed above can add fragrance to a spice mix.
But if you're new to smokeable blends, the following aromatic herbs may get you started;
- Lavender
- Camille
- Peppermint
- Munt
- Laurel
- lemon balm
- rosemary
- Basil
- Munt
- pineapple sage
Like carrier herbs, aromatic herbs are also packed with compounds that can enhance the overall medicinal effects of the selected therapeutic plants.
Dry and crush the herbs
After isolating the specific herbs you want to use in making your smokeable spice mix, the next step is to dry the herbs.
You can then gently crush or break the herbs with your fingers. You don't have to grind them into a very fine powder, though.
Mix the three spice categories
The next step is to mix the three spice categories. There is no standard ratio to follow here.
However, the therapeutic herbs should be the dominant type, followed by the aromatic herbs and carrier herbs.
Roll into a joint
Make a cigarette roll from the herbs. There are plenty of papers to experiment with.
A traditional rolling paper would suffice. You can also go to a spice shop further down the road and buy some high quality rolling papers.
The process should not be difficult to draw. But if you're struggling to get a unified connection, don't hesitate to take inspiration from YouTube tutorials.
Light your cigarette and go away
If everything looks good, light your cigarette and enjoy your puffs.
Why smoke herbal extract mixes?
There are several health benefits to enjoy from smoking spice blends. It all depends on the specific herbs in the blend.
The following are common medical conditions that you can relieve by smoking herbal blends:
- Acute and chronic pain
- Respiratory disorders such as stuffy nose
- Stress and Anxiety
- Inflammatory conditions
- Sleep disorders such as insomnia
- Physical fatigue and mental breakdown
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures and Muscle Spasticity
Another advantage of smoking herbal blends is that smoking starts relatively faster. Effects can normally be felt within five minutes.
Closing comments
Smokeable spice mixes offer several health benefits. Some of these blends may also contain psychoactive properties, making them suitable for both medical and recreational users.
The best part is that spice blends are quite easy to prepare at home. All you have to do is find the right ingredients.
However, remember that smoking carries inherent dangers. So moderation is key.
Sources include HerbalAcademy (EN), MeoMarleys (EN), ModernFarmer (EN), rooted (EN), weed maps (EN),Yahoo(EN)
