How To Make Tobacco Alternative From Smokable Herbs?

Although there has been a decrease in tobacco popularity in recent years, it’s still one of the major preventable causes of premature death worldwide. According to a report by WHO, Tobacco smoking leads to approximately 6 million premature deaths every year. Nowadays, herbal cigarettes are used as a less harmful alternative for addictive substances like tobacco or nicotine. By gradually replacing tobacco with smokable herbs, a smoker can efficiently start their detoxification process. 

If you’re looking to transition to a less addictive alternative to tobacco, this article provides you a step-by-step guide about making a herbal cigarette. 

Choosing the right blend

The first step of crafting an alternative with herbal tobacco made from smokable herbs is to choose the right herbs. You require these herbal blends in three capacities:

Herb base 

The base herb accounts for more than half of the total blend. And, herbs you use for the base should be light and smooth. Besides, the most popular base or carrier herbs include:

• Mullein
• Red raspberry
• Damiana 
• Coltsfoot

Secondary herbs

Secondary herbs play a supportive role for your lungs and nervous system. Here, you get multiple options to choose from. Experiment with different blends to figure out what works the best for you. Here are a few varieties to choose from:

• Horehound
• Mullein
• Hyssop
• Thyme
• Marshmallow
• Lobelia
• California poppy,
• Chamomile
• Uva Ursi
• Hops

• Skullcap
• Passionflower
• Mugwort
• Catnip
• Damiana

Flavoring herbs and spices

The herbs that come into this category are generally potent and heavily flavored. Herbs and spices in this category include:

• Angelica
• Peppermint

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/peppermint-medicinal-plant-2496363/

• Spearmint
• Monarda
• Sage and thyme
• Lavender
• Clove
• Licorice Root
• Lavender
• Anise

Preparing the recipe

The amount of herbs you add to the blend depends on your preference. Try different ratios and maintain notes to keep track of what works for you. For starters, you can use this formula:

• Base herb(s)- 2 Tablespoons 
• Supporting herb(s)- 1 Tablespoon 
• Flavoring herb(s)- ½ Tablespoon 

Creating the blend

After deciding on the recipe, the next step is to mix ingredients and create a blend. It generally involves four steps:

• Drying your herbs: If you’re crafting the blend from scratch instead of purchasing dried herbs, you need to dry the leaf and petals before mixing them. Hang the herbs after tying them in small bundles for a couple of days. You can also use the microwave at a low temperature to get the desired results. Be mindful not to make them too dry, or your blend might burn up fast.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/tee-herbs-mix-medicinal-herbs-1680885/

• Grind your herbs: Rub the base herb gently, so they become fluffy and hold on to other ingredients. Crush any bigger leaves or petals into small particles. You can use the grinder or pestle and mortar as well. Combine everything by evenly mixing it in a bowl.

• Add moisture: Adding moisture to the blend makes it more palatable and helps them burn properly. Since readymade dried herbs lack any moisture, they might get inflamed too quickly. You only need to sprinkle or spray water on the amount you’re going to use immediately. Storing herbs with excess moisture may lead to mold accumulation. 

Rolling your herbal cigarette

So you’ve selected the herbs, come up with the perfect recipe, and created a mind-blowing blend. You must think you’re done with all the essential steps. However, that’s not true. 

Even with the perfect combination of herbs, your herbal cigarette remains incomplete without the right roll. And though it sounds complicated, you can easily roll your herbal tobacco following these steps:

1. Choosing the right rolling paper and filter is imperative. Avoid any chemical base rolling paper and filter since you will inhale the burned paper along with the herbs. You can go for natural alternatives like smoking papers made of flax, rice, and hemp.

2. Spread the herbal blend on a rolling paper laid on a flat surface. You can also use a cigarette roller with a filling tray for this task.

3. Roll the paper lengthwise, starting from the shorter side to envelop the blend in the paper. Use your index fingers and thumbs, so it doesn’t get crumpled. Make sure that the roll is tight. Dampen the extra slip that remains at the end, and seal the edge properly.

You can easily insert the tube in the paper with a cigarette roller and fill it with herbs.

4. If you’re using a disposable filter, insert the paper roll into the filter.

If all this sounds too complicated for you, you can always go for the various pre-rolled cigarettes available in the market.

Conclusion

Smoking herbal plants have been a part of the history of almost every culture worldwide. In the modern era, it’s a sustainable and healthier alternative to tobacco. However, many mainstream smokable herbs have also been found to consists some toxic components. Hence it is essential to make an educated decision regarding the herbs you’re using in your smoking blend.