Burning Botanicals: The Art & Tradition of Herbal Smokes
Smoking isn’t very cool these days, but it remains one of the most efficient methods of ingesting medicinal and psychoactive plants.
Humans have been burning and inhaling plant matter for at least 7,000 years (likely much longer).
In all that time, we’ve developed a keen understanding of which herbs can be smoked and which shouldn't. We also now know that the overconsumption of smoked herbs (of any kind) is bad for our health.
This doesn’t mean smoking any amount is a death sentence, but it does mean we have to be conscious of why we’re smoking — and how much. The unconscious, compulsive use of any substance, smoked, drank, injected, or otherwise — is detrimental to our health.
In this piece, I’ll explore the role of smoking herbs in traditional and modern herbal medicine, explore the therapeutic potentials (and risks), and briefly examine 80 individual herbs that have traditionally been smoked ceremonially or as a source of medicine. I’ll finish with some simple guidance on preparing your own herbal smoke blend.
The High Bioavailability of Smoked Herbs
From a herbalists perspective, there are two main issues when it comes to smoking herbs. The first is that the intense heat destroys many of the plant’s active ingredients. Second, the smoke only remains in the lungs for a few moments before it's exhaled and blown away — wasting everything remaining in that smoke forever.
Despite this waste, the amount of active ingredients that transfer from the dried herb to the blood and organs is much higher as a smoke than through oral consumption (teas, capsules, powders, etc.). An even better method is to use a vaporizer instead because less of the active compounds are wasted this way.
Bioavailability is a concept used to measure how much of a substance enters the body through different routes. Intravenous is, by far, the most bioavailable (100%) and topical right down at the bottom (1–3%). Smoking, snorting, and oral bioavailabilities fluctuate depending on the plant and its active ingredients.
Let’s take THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), for example — these cannabis-derived substances have had a ton of research to compare the smoked effects versus oral effects. Researchers have discovered that the bioavailability of THC when smoked is about 10–35% and CBD 11–45%.
Comparatively, the oral bioavailability of THC and CBD are 4–12% and 6–10%, respectively — about half overall.
Inhaled herbs kick in very quickly too. The first effects kick in within about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and peak effects settle in just 3–5 minutes later.
The other benefit, from a traditional medicine perspective, is that it adds a drying and heating action to the medicine — this is useful in medical systems that rely on the philosophy of hot and cold, dry and moist principles when diagnosing and treating health conditions.
Traditional Use of Smoking
Despite the stigma, smoking has served an important role in herbal medicine for thousands of years across just about every indigenous culture worldwide. From native american tribes to ancient civilizations in Egypt, Greece, and China — each culture has developed its own unique practices and beliefs around smoking.
The elusive, ethereal nature of smoke is believed to facilitate a connection with the spirit realm. Once you exhale the smoke, it gently fades away into nothingness. There’s a certain mystical feel to it that makes this a reasonable conclusion to draw.
Here are just a few examples of how various cultures around the world applied herbal smoke as part of their spiritual and medical practices.
Native American Traditions
Evidence of indigenous groups in North America smoking herbs dates back at least 5000 years. Tobacco holds the most significant place of honor, but over 100 other herbs have well-documented use in the Native American pharmacopeia. Herbs like sage, cedar, mullein, and sweetgrass have been used in traditional smoking blends, burned as incense, and used for both medicinal and spiritual purposes.
The ceremonial peace pipe consisted of a custom blend of herbs, usually based around tobacco, and was used by warring tribe leaders to forge peace.
Smoking was employed in sweat lodges, vision quests, peace ceremonies shared with neighboring tribes, and other rituals. The smoke from sacred plants like tobacco, mugwort, and sages was used for both purification and divination.
African Traditions
Countless cultures have occupied the massive land mass of Africa over the years. Some anthropologists believe human beings originated from Africa more than 200,000 years ago. Pinpointing specific cultural uses in this region is particularly difficult because of this immense diversity.
Nevertheless, there are some great examples of herbal smoking in this region by certain groups.
For example, in West Africa, the N'tabanokò (Cola cordifolia), Ganianka (Combretum mole), and Nèrè (Parkia biglobosa) all burned or smoked a variety of local herbs (such as Daniellia oliveri, Guiera senegalensis, and Piliostigma thonningii) for spiritual and medicinal uses.
In Southern Africa, the Zulu and Xhosa tribes used dagga (Leonotis leonurus) — which has similar effects to marijuana — in both social and ritual contexts.
In East Africa, the Maasai and Samburu used khat and tobacco for various ceremonial and social purposes. Khat contains a powerful class of stimulants called cathinones (the inspiration for modern-day bath salts). It's normally chewed but can also be smoked or consumed as tea.
Aboriginal Australian Communities
For Aboriginal Australians, smoking has a profound cultural influence. One herb carries particular significance here — a plant called pituri (Duboisia hopwoodii). This herb is a member of the same family of tobacco (Solanaceae) but is not a true tobacco. It contains up to 8% nicotine, which makes it roughly equivalent to conventional tobacco (Tobacco nicotiana) contains between 3 and 10%.
The Dharawal people, an aboriginal group living in the coastal regions of New South Whales, smoked many local herbs, such as eucalyptus, acacia, melaleuca, and pituri during initiation rites, healing ceremonies, and as a symbol of respect and connection with the land.
Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians were particularly fond of burning aromatic herbs during religious and funerary rites. The Ancient Egyptian pharmacopiea contains an impressive list of herbs that have medicinal and spiritual benefits when used as smoke.
For example, blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) was used for its sedative and mild psychoactive properties. It was used to put religious figures in a trance-like state.
For congestion, they inhaled the fumes of various local herbs, such as Ammi (AKA khellin from Visnaga daucoides), using a hollow reed.
The Egyptian pharmacopeia mentions other herbs, such as frankincense, myrrh, and kyphi (a blend of juniper, myrrh, and honey), which were used as incense in temples and during meditation to purify the air, elevate the soul, and communicate with the divine.
Ancient Greece
The Greeks were one of the few cultures that smoked herbs recreationally. They held social smoking sessions at symposiums and gatherings, often incorporating psychoactive herbs containing opium (Papaver somniferum), lobelia, rose petals, and hops.
Some reports even suggest the Greeks would infuse powerful psychoactive (and toxic) herbs such as henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) and mandrake (Mandragora officinarum).
These symposiums were used to deepen philosophical and spiritual conversations, enhance social bonds, and stimulate creative thought.
The smoking practices of the Greeks spread far and wide to other parts of Europe and the Middle East, along with the expansion of new trade routes, conquests, and cultural exchanges.
Ancient China
In ancient China, smoking was deeply entwined with traditional medicine and spiritual practices — especially within Taoism and Buddhism. Herbs like mugwort and lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) were smoked for their medicinal benefits (mostly used to improve respiratory issues and chronic pain), as well as for their spiritual symbolism.
Amazonian Traditions
Amazonian shamanic practices prominently feature tobacco and other plants in ayahuasca ceremonies for healing, divination, and communication with spirits. Tobacco, in particular, is revered as a sacred plant with significant medicinal properties.
Some shamans even specialize in the healing use of tobacco — called tabaqueros. This sacred herb is thought to cleanse the body and spirit, protect against negative energies, and serve as a bridge for communicating with the spiritual world.
Other herbs reportedly used by smoking include ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi), chacruna (Psychotria viridis), mapacho (a strong variety of Nicotiana rustica tobacco), and wilka (Anadenanthera peregrina), Ajos-Sacha (Mansoa alliacea) and mango leaves (Mangifera indica).
Nepali Traditions
In Nepal, smoking has cultural and religious significance, especially within Hinduism and Buddhism. It's employed in rituals, ceremonies, religious festivals, and medicinal purposes, such as treating respiratory issues and relieving stress.
Cannabis use has been recorded in ancient texts dating back more than 2000 years. A hash would be prepared by rubbing the leaves and flowers in the palm of the hand until it formed a thick brown paste. This paste was smoked during religious festivals for spiritual awakening and to honor the gods.
List of 80 Smokable Herbs
African Dream Herb (Entada rheedii) — Used for lucid dreaming; smoked or made into tea.
Angelica (Angelica archangelica) — Flavoring for herbal smoking blends; orally used as a herbal bitter.
Bay Bean (Canavalia rosea) — Euphoric effect when smoked; potentiates psychoactive herbs.
Bitter Grass (Calea zacatechichi) — Enhances dream vividness and recall; used in religious ceremonies.
Blue Lotus Flower (Nymphaea caerulea) — Mildly euphoric, induces sleep and vivid dreams.
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) — Relieves pain; contains active ingredients for immunomodulatory effects.
Broom (Cytisus scoparius) — Uplifting feeling; common allergies.
Calamus (Acorus calamus) — Relaxing; used in smoking blends for sleep.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) — Slows burning rate; adds nice color to blends.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) — Mildly psychoactive; euphoric and uplifting.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) — Psychoactive effect; used sparingly in blends.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) — Relaxing; smooths other herbs' harshness.
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) — Used to wean off nicotine; mild tobacco-like effects.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) — Adds flavor and sweetness; provides pain relief.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) — Used in small amounts; potent anti-inflammatory.
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) — Used for sore throats; cools smoke.
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) — Adds floral flavor; no significant effects.
Dagga (Leonotis leonurus) — Legal high similar to marijuana; higher risk of side effects.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa) — Aphrodisiac and oneirogenic; calming action.
Datura (Datura stramonium) — Powerful deliriant; poisonous; use cautiously.
Elephant’s Head (Pedicularis groenlandica) — Muscle relaxant; sedative qualities.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) — Supports other herbs; warming sensation.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) — Smoked for flavor; leaves used, not seeds.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) — Nootropic and neuroprotective effects; calming.
Guamura (Cecropia mexicana) — Calming and mildly euphoric; used for flavor.
Hasana (Cestrum nocturnum) — Used for flavor; safety debated.
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) — Lowers blood pressure; improves blood flow.
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) — Contains medicinal cannabinoids; non-psychoactive.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) — Adds color and relaxation; gentle febrifuge.
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) — Revitalizing and relaxing; replaces tobacco.
Hops (Humulus lupulus) — Sedative effect related to hemp and marijuana.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) — Treats gastrointestinal pain; minty aftertaste.
Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) — Aphrodisiac and mild sedative; strong flavor.
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) — Antidepressant and mood-enhancer; unique effects.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) — Stimulating or sedative effect; not pleasant smoked.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) — Used for relaxation; mix with other herbs.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) — Uplifting; used in smoke mixes.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) — Citrusy, uplifting effect; enhances euphoria.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) — Intensely sweet flavor; can add harshness.
Linden Flower (Tilia spp.) — Adds sweet flavor; reduces anxiety.
Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) — Resembles tobacco; helps quit smoking.
Maconha Brava (Zornia latifolia) — Euphoric effect; similar to marijuana.
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) — Popular psychoactive herb; various effects.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) — Antimicrobial; used as a sleep aid.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) — Soothes smoke; mildly sweet flavor.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) — Anti-inflammatory and analgesic; for arthritis or joint pain.
Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida) — Anise-like flavor; enhances other plants' effects.
Mint (Mentha spp.) — Smooths out harshness; various types available.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) — Supports heart conditions; mild euphoria.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) — Induces vivid dreams; mildly psychoactive.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) — Soothes lungs; regulates harshness.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) — Revitalizes body and lungs; regulates smoke.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) — Hallucinogenic in large amounts; use cautiously.
Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum) — Euphoric and analgesic; highly addictive.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) — Alleviates lung infections; strong aroma.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) — Antimicrobial and neuroprotective; potentiates other ingredients.
Pituri (Duboisia hopwoodii) — A nicotine-containing alternative to tobacco; found only in Australia.
Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) — Reduces harshness; sweet aftertaste.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) — Smoothes flavor; anti-inflammatory.
Red Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) — Calming and euphoric; mildly psychedelic.
Red Spinach (Amaranthus dubius) — Adds Earthy flavor; little health or psychoactive benefits.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) — Calming; slow burn and dense smoke.
Rose (Rosa spp.) — Uplifting scent; aphrodisiac and euphoriant.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) — Alleviates sore throat; strong taste.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) — Used ceremoniously; treats lung conditions and psychological issues.
Salvia (Salvia divinorum) — Strong psychedelic; intense hallucinations.
Sinicuichi (Heimia salicifolia) — Mildly euphoric and inebriating; a bit psychedelic.
Skullcap (American) (Scutellaria lateriflora) — Supports neurological system; improves focus and stress resistance.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) — Aids tobacco cessation; manages depression.
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) — Earthy flavor; mild sedative and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) — Stimulant; sharpens focus and improves clarity.
Uva-Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) — Produces a "high" comparable to alcohol; used ceremonially.
Warrior’s Plume (Pedicularis densiflora) — Improves circulation and vitality; moderately harsh smoke.
Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa) — Euphoric and psychoactive; sedative and pain-relieving.
Willow (Salix spp.) — Contains salicylic acid; pain-relieving and fever-reducing.
Wireweed (Sida acuta) — Contains ephedrine; boosts focus and reduces appetite, but use cautiously.
Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis) — Premier nervine; treats neurological disorders.
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) — Contains thujone; neurotoxin and deliriant, use with caution.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) — Guides and potentiates effects of other herbs; bitter flavor.
Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis) — Smokable caffeine source; enhances focus and attention.
Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) — Clears respiratory infections and allergies; synergizes with other ingredients.
→ For a more comprehensive explanation of these herbs, their uses, and their history — check out the full post on Tripsitter.com.
How To Make Your Own Herbal Smoking Blend
Now that we've explored the individual ingredients, let's discuss the thought process of preparing a custom smoking blend for yourself.
Step 1: Pick Your Base
The base herb will make up the bulk of the mix and allow the rest of the herbs to burn more slowly. A good base is nice and fluffy and should produce a smooth smoking experience.
My favorite base herb is mullein, but raspberry, marshmallow, tobacco, hemp, and damiana are also great options.
The base should make up around 40–80% of the smoking blend.
Step 2: Choose Your Leading Herbs
The leading herbs are the herbs that do most of the heavy lifting in terms of effects. These are often psychoactive ingredients, but they can be any herb that delivers the desired effects.
The leading herbs you choose will depend on the desired outcome of the smoke blend.
Aim to include between one and three leading herbs for best results.
Choosing leading herbs:
For psychoactive effects — Marijuana, dagga, damiana, wild lettuce, uva-ursi, salvia, sinichuchi, and blue lotus.
For dream enhancement — Calea, African dream herb, blue lotus, wild lettuce, mugwort
For lung support — lobelia, hyssop, rosemary, wood betony, sage, red clover, Mexican tarragon, lavender, and oregano.
For cognitive health & focus — Gotu kola, yerba maté, tobacco, passionflower, ginkgo
For energy & weight loss — wireweed, tobacco, yerba maté, kratom, ginger
For sleep support — lavender, jasmine, blue lotus, red lotus, poppy, hops, mugwort, catnip, chamomile, wild lettuce
For stress & anxiety — damiana, skullcap, rose, passionflower
For pain & inflammation — willow, marijuana, poppy, kratom, hemp
For mood & depression — Kanna, lemon balm, motherwort, skullcap, St. John’s Wort
Step 3: Add Some Flavoring Herbs
Many of the medicinal herbs you can use to prepare smoking blends have a pleasant taste on their own — but a few are either too bland or impart a bitter or acrid flavor. It’s a good idea to add some flavoring herbs regardless to make the blend more enjoyable and eliminate the risk of leaving a nasty aftertaste in your mouth.
In many cases, the choice of flavoring herb and leading herb can involve the same plants to avoid having to complicate the formula more than necessary.
Some excellent flavoring herbs to consider include rosemary, lemon balm, mint, jasmine, lavender, ginger, sage, or Mexican tarragon.
Unless you’re able to overlap your choice of flavoring herbs with the leading herbs in the formula, aim to include around 5–10% of the mix as the flavoring agent. Some herbs, like cinnamon or clove, call for even less — just a slight sprinkle is all you need here to impart a powerful flavor profile into the blend.
Step 4: Mix Everything Together
Once you’ve decided what herbs you’re going to use, all you have to do is weigh out the proportions and mix everything together.
You can eyeball the proportions, but I prefer to weigh everything out and keep notes so I can alter the blend in the future depending on how I like the taste and effects. If you keep track of your recipes, it’s easy to adjust on future batches.
To mix, simply add everything to a ziplock bag or glass jar, leaving a little bit of room at the top. Seal the container and give it a really good shake until everything is evenly mixed.
It’s important to only use herbs that are completely dry, or you could end up with some molding and rotting during storage.
Step 5: Store in a Cool, Dry, & Dark Location
If you want your blend to remain potent for a long time, it’s essential to store everything properly.
Store your blend in an airtight container somewhere out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources. I prefer using glass jars with rubber seals for storing my herbs. I usually leave them in a cupboard or drawer where they’re protected from light.
If stored incorrectly, your herbs will gradually lose their potency and could become harsher and less enjoyable to smoke.
Smoking Blend Starting Recipes
If you’re just starting, here are a few recipes you can follow. I recommend you adjust these formulas until you find a mix that works well for you.
Smoking Blend For Stress
This is a fantastic mix to ease anxious minds.
The skullcap and gotu kola offer most of the relaxation effects.
While linden flower & damiana help improve the flavor, Raspberry also helps cool the smoke & even out the burn of your mix.
Herbal Smoking Blend For Pain
Cannabis offers significant pain relief — hemp can be swapped for marijuana if you don't want the psychoactivity.
Blue Lotus & blue vervain tackle more chronic nerve or inflammation-based pain, while cinnamon & ginger brighten the mix's flavor.
Herbal Smoking Blend For Sleep
Every herb in this mix has helpful sedative effects — all are traditionally used for insomnia.
Even some of the herbs here that are primarily added for flavor (lavender and chamomile) also offer notable calming effects.
Herbal Smoking Blend For Lucid Dreaming
This mix is much less overtly medical, but the ability to lucid dreaming is much more useful than you might expect.
Lucid dreaming can be used to explore the unconscious or simply have some fun while you sleep. There are a surprising array of smokeable herbs that can be used to facilitate conscious dreaming.
Wrapping Up: Herbs You Can Smoke
Smoking medicinal herbs has fallen out of favor in recent decades. The demonization of tobacco cigarettes is likely to blame, and while it’s true that excessive, unconscious smoking of any plant is undeniably harmful to health, there’s a case to be made for the responsible, moderated use of smokable herbs.
No other method of consuming herbs (short of injection) kicks in as quickly as smoking. Within just a few seconds, the active ingredients are already moving through the microcapillaries in the lungs to the bloodstream.
There’s also something therapeutic about the act of smoking itself. It’s a practice we, as humans, have been doing for thousands of years.
If you’re interested in preparing your smoking blend, I encourage you to play around a little bit. Learn about the principles of balancing medicinal action with smoke or flavor regulators. The combinations are endless, and most of the herbs on this list are readily available (and legal) worldwide.
Just be aware of which herbs to use more cautiously or avoid altogether, and be conscious about the art of moderation and balance.
Further Reading
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