Humans have been smoking plants since around 5,000 BC. Reasons for smoking over the centuries range from religious ritual, medicinal healing, reduction of stress and anxiety, to smoking for pleasure.
Korey Brownstein, a researcher from the University of Chicago, has found that North American indigenous communities smoked around 100 different species of plants. So out of all of these plants, many of them being non-addictive and perfectly legal in all states and many other parts of the world to smoke- why do we only hear about smoking either Tobacco or Cannabis? The short answer is capitalism, colonialism and globalization.
But we’re not here to talk about the history of smoking, or all of the social disparities perpetuated by big Tobacco and Cannabis. And we’re certainly not here to say that smoking Tobacco or Cannabis is bad. Both plants have been cherished by many cultures all over the world for their medicinal and ceremonial use. But you came here to find out how to use herbal smoking blends to quit smoking, so let’s get to it.
It is important to note that it may take a while or even a couple attempts before you are completely able to kick your habit. But that’s okay, there is no need to beat yourself up about it. Compassion for ourselves can be a great place to start when trying to heal any aspect of ourselves.
The methods of using herbal smoking blends to quit Tobacco and Cannabis are very similar. However, if you are quitting Tobacco, you will want to start by learning how to roll your own cigarettes, either by hand or using a little rolling machine. You can buy crutches or filters to insert into your handmade cigarettes to help filter the smoke, just like your usual cigarettes. Plus you’ll have more control over what is actually inside your cigarettes, no more fillers and harmful additives. After you get comfortable with this step you’ll continue to the method below.
- Start by replacing 1/4 of the usual amount of Tobacco or Cannabis with your herbal smoking blend of choice. Smoke this proportion of Tobacco or Cannabis until it becomes natural.
- This first step might’ve taken you a week or several to get used to, but once you feel comfortable with that blend, you’ll replace 1/2 of the usual amount of Tobacco or Cannabis with your herbal smoking blend.
- After taking a week or several to adjust to that amount, replace 3/4 of the Tobacco or Cannabis that you’d usually smoke with your herbal smoking blend.
- After you get acclimated to that for a week or more, try rolling with just pure herbal smoking blend. Smoke until you no longer have the urge to smoke Tobacco or Cannabis, or as long as you feel is right for you.
You may not be at the end of the road yet, as progress is very rarely linear. But you’ve finally made it to maybe your first day, week, month without smoking a single joint or cigarette. And that’s something to celebrate.
I’m so excited to share these herbal smoking blends with you! I hope you enjoy them in good health, no matter what reason you decide to smoke.
Sources
- https://news.uchicago.edu/story/what-plants-were-smoked-pre-colonial-north-america-ancient-pipes-hold-clues