The Ancient & Modern Ritual Of Smoking Herbs

There’s something fascinating about the alchemy of herbs and smoke. Part of it is visual. We can see the plants undergoing a fiery physical change as they are transformed into smoke and ash. It is also something that we can experience with our bodies, providing an opportunity to commune with nature. This ritual of smoking herbs from nature offers tastes and textures all their own, and it resonates with mankind on an emotional and physical level.

The History of Smoking Herbs

​North American indigenous communities smoked around 100 different plant species, according to Brownstein and his colleagues at WSU 1 (1)

Archaeological investigation has linked the first smoking pipes, made of copper, to Egypt around 2000 B.C. The pipes were found inside of tombs, next to mummies, though it’s not clear if the pipes were used for religious ceremonies or were recreational. Romans, Greeks, Celts, and Nordic tribes also smoked pipes, probably having picked it up from their travels east. Hippocrites – the Greek who gave birth to medicine and the Hippocratic Oath – prescribed “smoking herbs in a pipe” to treat female maladies. Another Greek, Herodotus, known as the “father of history,” noted Iranian tribes smoking “burning leaves” in 500 B.C.

In fact, many plants have been smoked for thousands of years by shamans, medicine men and herbalists. Some popular herbal plants to smoke include:

• White Sage leaves
• Mullein leaves and flowers
• Damiana leaves and flowers
• Lobelia flowers
• Mugwort leaves
• Motherwort leaves
• Spearmint leaves
• Skullcap flowers
• Red Raspberry leaves
• Rose petals
• Catnip herb
• Hops flower
• ...and of course Cannabis.

 
More than just flavor
 
In many cases the herbs above were smoked for their flavor, however all of the herbs above also offer medicinal properties. Many cultures smoked specific herbs for specific reasons. Whether for ritual or spiritual purposes or for their therapeutic properties, herbs have been a part of human history and culture since the earliest historical writings. Herbs were considered both as food and as nature’s medicine cabinet.
 
 
Synergy and the effects of medicinal herbs 
 
In the realm of herbalism, a concept known as synergy refers to the benefit of using more than one herb at a time. When different herbs are combined, they may offer a greater effect than when taken alone. In archeological digs from various cultures, pipes were often discovered with traces of mixed herbs offering us clues into how these were once used. 

Today herbalists use their modern knowledge of medicinal herbs to select these pairings. This is what most Sun God Medicinals products are based upon, selecting the right herbs for specific body needs.
  
 
Looking for a whole new smoking experience? 
 
Look no further than our Cannabis and Herbal Blunts! Combining cannabis crystals - such as kief and live resin cannabis oils- premium cannabis flower; and of course six select medicinal herbs with specific body actions blended for a custom experience for the consumer. 

To create these products, we choose to support local Southern Oregon farms and processors, and feature medicinal herbs that grow naturally here in Southern Oregon. With love and respect for our environment, this product was made with responsible packaging, including a fully compostable box and biodegradable plastic tube.

Our Hypnos Sleep Cannabis Infused Herbal Blunt is formulated for sleep support by harnessing bioregional herbal allies such as hops and lavender plus the addition of strain specific indica cannabis to help the body unwind.* This product aims to please from the unique flavor to the synergistic effect which comes from the combination of medicinal herbs, our infused herbal blunts offer a unique cannabis experience unlike any other. 
 
What's inside - 1/8 gram kief, 3/4 gram whole indica flower, mullein, skullcap, catnip, lemon balm, and hops - all lovingly rolled in a natural hemp blunt wrap.
 
What's outside - 1/4 gram oil, lavender flower buds.
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Our Heka Visionary Cannabis Infused Herbal Blunt is formulated to help open the mind! A smoking experience aiming to relax the inner spirit in preparation for enhanced perception, mind expansion, and vision quests. Bioregional herbal allies from Southern Oregon like motherwort and damiana to alter perception and enhance euphoria, plus sativa cannabis to help awaken and feed the mind.*
 
What's inside - 1/8 gram kief, 3/4 gram whole sativa flower, hops, motherwort, nettle, mullein, and damiana - all lovingly rolled in a natural hemp blunt wrap.
 
What's outside - 1/4 gram oil, rose petals.

From the herbs and cannabis inside, to the delightful and visually beautiful coating of herbs on the outside, our blunts are truly next level. Combining the cannabis you know and love with bioregional medicinal herbs from Southern Oregon allows you to experience the synergistic effect for yourself - while enjoying a truly unique smoking experience.
 
When herbs work together they do truly amazing things.

References

* (1) https://news.uchicago.edu/story/what-plants-were-smoked-pre-colonial-north-america-ancient-pipes-hold-clues