Lavendar is perhaps best known for its association with aromatherapy. But did you know you can smoke lavender in herbal cigarettes?
Can You Really Smoke Lavender?
The calming scent of lavender has long enticed people. From lotions and bath bombs to essential oils, it seems like there’s nothing you can’t get in a lavender scent. But if you like smoking weed, you may like smoking lavender, too.
Can You Smoke Herbs, Really?
Yes, you can! Herbal smoking has been in practice since humans began practicing herbalism. Yes, if you are smoker, there are other ways to get a buzz on! No herbs really come close to the impact that a high-THC pot toke experience, but smoking herbs effects are wide ranging so there's something for everyone.
History of Smoking Lavender
Lavender has an extensive history of use across the world both medically and aromatically.
The plant belongs to the mint family and was thought to originate in North Africa and the Middle East though today you can find species of lavender all over the world. We have records of lavender use in herbal, medicinal, and spiritual ceremonies dating back as far as 2,500 years.
Long before research proved it, people believe in the medicinal powers of lavender to calm and ease the mind, reduce anxiety, and soothe insomnia.
Today, lavender dominates the aromatherapy and spa market. From face masks to deodorants, salves, and essential oils, lavender is everywhere in our world-- including smoking blends.
You can smoke lavender on its own, in an herbal cigarette smokable blend, or mixed in with your cannabis flower as a base herb.
What Does Lavender Taste Like?
Lavender’s taste isn’t as strong as its aroma. The scent is strongly floral, but the taste is closer to incense, slightly minty, deeply smoky, with hits of earthiness.
Benefits of Smoking Lavender
Thanks to the popularity of aromatherapy, the medicinal properties of lavender have been well-researched. Lavender is best known for the linalool terpene which contributes heavily to the aroma, but pinene and limonene are also present in high qualities, two familiar terpenes for marijuana lovers.
It’s important to note that most of the research done on the benefits of lavender is around topical products and essential oils, not combusting the dried herb. Scientists remain unconvinced that the health benefits transfer over, but anecdotal reports from stoners around the world insist that it does. Additionally, many aromatherapy studies center around inhaled lavender, which is exactly what you’re doing when you’re smoking it.
- Inhaling lavender can help reduce stress and anxiety, what scientists call an “anxiolytic” effect. Lavender influences the parasympathetic nervous system. In fact, lavender may be one of the most ;powerful anxiety relievers found in nature.
- Lavender can have a sedative and relaxing effects on the body, which can help you decompress and even promote restful sleep.
- Studies of lavender essential oil and topical lavender have found the plant has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation throughout the body, which can help reduce pain. It can also help with headaches.
- Lavender also has anti-microbial properties, which promote wound healing.
Linalool is a common terpene found in commercially grown cannabis, which has the same effects in your favorite buds as it does in lavender. If you’re looking to amplify the effects of linalool or increase the terpene profile in your joint, rolling with ground lavender is a great way to go.
Adding lavender to your cannabis or herbal blends may help if you are stressed out, in pain, or unable to quiet your mind enough to fall asleep at night. Lavender is not intoxicating and won't get you high. Because of this, it is a non-addictive plant. Which makes it a great choice for a nicotine-free, but still cigarette-like, herbal smoke.
How to Smoke Lavender
To start lavender smoking, you need the dried plant, which you can either grow yourself or purchase. You can just purchase lavender or you can begin to explore the delightful world of herbal smoking blends.
Is Smoking Lavender Safe?
Is smoking lavender safe? The shortest answer is “probably.” While smoking anything comes with inherent risks to the throat and lungs, there are no well-documented adverse effects or health risks to smoking lavender.
Growing Your Own Lavender
Lavender should be harvested during full bloom. For wild lavender, this is in the late spring and early summer.
Once you’ve harvested the lavender buds, they need to dry, just as cannabis does. You can’t smoke fresh herbs – the moisture content is too high to effectively burn. So, you need to dry and cure lavender just as you would for homegrown pot.
Bind the stems of the flowers together and hang them upside down to dry in a cool, dark, temperature-stable place. The drying and curing process can take anywhere from 1 – 2 weeks. From there, store your lavender in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. (the same place you store your weed should work.)
If you don’t want to grow your own, you can pick up a bouquet of lavender flower when it's in season at a local market, and dry and cure it yourself.
You can also create your own herbal mixtures, and the process isn’t too different from growing your own weed. These herbs can be planted outside during the appropriate growing season, or in a planter grown alongside your cannabis in a grow tent. These herbs need to be dried and cured before they can be ground up and tossed into your bowl.
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Other Smokable Herbs
Smoking herbs is part of a traditional practice called herbalism, which uses plants and herbs to create medicine - herbal medicine. Lavender has a long history in the practice of herbalism, as does cannabis. If you smoke weed with intention, you’re actually practicing herbalism!
Herbs, like cannabis, have a measurable biological effect on the body, due mostly to their terpenes. With an understanding of different herbs, their active ingredients, and their benefits, you can actually customize your cannabis routine to include different herbs based on how you’re feeling and the benefits you’re seeking.
Other herbs you can smoke include:
- Mullein
- Rose petals
- Peppermint
- Mugwort
- Calendula
- Chamomile
- Damiana
- Echinacea
- Gotu Kola
- Hibiscus
- Holy Basil
- Jasmine
- Lemongrass
- Blue Lotus
- Lemon Balm
- Raspberry Leaf
- Skullcap
- Uva-ursi
- Passionflower
- Blue Cornflower
Tobacco can also be mixed in, but keep in mind that there are often other chemicals mixed into a commercial cigarette. So, if you want to add a nicotine buzz to your smoking blends, stick with homegrown tobacco for a true spliff.
If you’re interested in harnessing the power of plants like lavender, but don’t want to worry about a garden, you can buy pre-made herbal smoking blends. These blends are often marketed as pre-rolls and usually formulated with a few different, but complementary, herbs for specific intended effects.
If you’re buying a premade herbal blend, always confirm the ingredients in the blend. Ensure that the package is resealable so you can keep your herbs fresh and free from mold.
FAQs About Smoking Lavender
What herbs can you smoke?
There are over 63 herbs that are smoked around the world with various effects due to each plant's unique chemical composition. Mullein, Mugwort, Damiana, Calendula, Hops, Skullcap, and Passionflower are all commonly found in herbal smoking blends.
Can you really smoke lavender?
Yes! You can smoke dried lavender and people have been doing so for hundreds of years. You can smoke the dried flower as well as the leaves and stems. Do not smoke lavender oil.
What does it feel like to smoke lavender?
For many people, smoking lavender brings a sense of calm and relaxation. Your day just melts away, and you’re able to be present. It can reduce anxiety and help center me.
What is a girl blunt?
A “girl blunt” as popularized by the song by artist Leikeli47 is a cannabis and herbal blend wrapped up in a blunt wrap (traditionally a tobacco wrap, but today rose petals, tea and hemp wraps are also popular and good replacements for tobacco products.)
What does lavender do when you smoke it?
Lavender adds an aromatic boost to a bowl, joint, or blunt. You’ll smell and taste the herb while you smoke, and you may notice pain-relieving effects, feel relaxed or calm afterward.