You may have seen an influencer puffing away on a lavender and weed blend, came across an Etsy page that sells herbal cigarettes, or visited a coffeeshop in Amsterdam and saw the tobacco-free mix in a jar and wondered what it’s all about. While once a “hippie” pastime, smoking herbal blends has been making a comeback recently and the cannabis community is hopping on board. There are several reasons smokers are turning to non-psychoactive herbs including potential therapeutic benefits, finding a non-tobacco alternative, having easier access or cheaper smoking material, and adding herbs to marijuana to elevate the overall smoking experience. Lavender and weed are a popular combination, though many other herbs are also used in bong bowls and joints around the world. If you’ve ever been to Amsterdam for example (highly recommended for any cannabis enthusiast), you’ll notice a jar of dried herbs on the tables of the coffeeshops. Smokers in the Netherlands hardly ever smoke joints made with straight cannabis, so the herbs are there to add into joints when rolling since it’s illegal to smoke tobacco indoors. Ready to delve into the world of smokable herbs like lavender? If you want to know more about smoking lavender with weed and how to do it, this article is for you!
Why do people smoke lavender?
The lavender plant is part of the mint family that’s native to India, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East and North Africa region where the people have used the botanical for ritualistic and therapeutic purposes since at least 1,000 B.C.E. when it was first documented. There are 45 species and more than 450 varieties of lavender, with certain types favored over others for use in landscaping, drying, cooking, and extracting essential oils. The most popular today are Lavandin, English Lavender, Spanish Lavender, Portuguese Lavender, and French Lavender. While smoking lavender with weed won’t boost psychoactive effects, it does add a wonderful fresh, floral flavor and scent that’s slightly sweet and citrusy. Smokers add ground lavender to tobacco, cannabis, or create their own unique herbal blend using other botanicals. Some stoners use lavender simply because they love how the plant complements marijuana when smoked, while others believe strongly in lavender’s therapeutic benefits as some essential oil is consumed when lavender is smoked. Members of the 420 community who prefer a tobacco-free alternative to add to their joints or blunts often use lavender or other herbs that don’t contain nicotine. Lastly, some smokers say they add lavender to their pipes because it makes the smoke smoother and less harsh on the throat.
Will smoking lavender get you high?
Smoking lavender by itself will not get you high or cause any psychoactive effects. Cannabis enthusiasts trying to get blazed in a new way will combine lavender and weed for other benefits. Despite having a strong scent that’s used for aromatherapy purposes, lavender doesn’t overpower the flavor of dried herb and instead compliments it nicely. This weed lavender combo boosts calming effects, giving each hit a slightly sweet, fresh, floral flavor with an earthy or woodsy undertone.
Is it safe to smoke lavender and weed?
Dried lavender leaves and flowers are not toxic when smoked or eaten, but it is not safe to smoke any type of essential oil including lavender. With that being said, whenever anything is inhaled, including marijuana, tobacco, or herbal cigarettes, it does come with inherent risks since the body and lungs are exposed to smoke, pollutants, and potential carcinogens. Anything that produces smoke during combustion (burning) will release carbon monoxide, tar, and other harmful compounds. Studies using dry herb vaporizers show that the device can eliminate much of these contaminants since there is no combustion involved (vapes use convection or conduction heating mechanisms), however the safest way to consume lavender and weed is orally or through topicals without exposing the lungs to smoke or vapor. Options include lotions, salves, capsules, oils, tinctures, patches, and edibles. Again, it’s not safe to smoke lavender essential oil or any type of essential oil and only dried plant material should be smoked.
How does lavender affect the body?
All plants including cannabis and hemp naturally produce a chemical compound called terpenes. These compounds give fruits, leaves, and flowers their delightful aromas and flavors, which are designed to keep pests away and entice pollinators to the plant’s flowers. Each cannabis strain is so unique in part due to their specific terpene profile that dictates the strain’s flavor profile and scent. The main terpene in lavender, mint, and sage is linalool, which gives the plants their characteristic aromas. Linalool is also found in cannabis, though it’s rarely the most prominent terpene. Some cannabis strains that are high in linalool include Lavender Kush, Zkittlez, Amnesia, Haze, and Kosher Kush. Botanicals that are high in linalool are often used for aromatherapy purposes, anxiety and stress reduction, or for its anti-epileptic properties. Several clinical trials were completed that suggested lavender helps with anxiety disorders and improved symptoms like restlessness, mood disorders, and sleep issues. Overall volunteers in the study experienced an improvement in overall wellbeing, mood, and quality of life with very few adverse reactions reported. Keep in mind that all of these studies were done using lavender oil taken orally, which is a much better option if you’re smoking lavender with weed solely for medicinal purposes. We were unable to find any peer-reviewed scientific studies that confirm the same benefits of lavender oil apply to the plant when smoked, however it’s suggested by many users that lavender may help with:
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety
- Hair loss
- Mood issues
- Headaches
- Side effects of chemotherapy
- Acne
- Burns
- Eczema, dry skin, and other skin conditions
- Wound healing
What part of the lavender plant is smoked?
Like cannabis products, lavender also comes in many different forms such as dried flowers, essential oil, topicals (oils, creams, salves, lotions, etc.), capsules, tea and infusions, edibles, as well as various types of beauty products. When smoking lavender, you’ll want to use the dried leaves or flowers and grind it up with an herb grinder just like with a cannabis nug. If you’re planning to smoke lavender and weed together regularly, it’s a great idea to grow your own lavender if you live in an arid, mediterranean-like climate that supports it. This way you can control what’s used during the growing process and ensure there’s no pesticides or other contaminants in the smokable material. Never, ever smoke or vape lavender essential oil or any essential oil for that matter since they transform into abnormal compounds when heated or burned and are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to the body when inhaled. Herbs should only be smoked in its dried form.
Best cannabis strains to smoke with lavender
Whether it’s balanced effects, potency, or flavorful smoke you’re looking for, each smoker has their own preferences when it comes to choosing a cannabis strain. Many people use lavender products to relax, unwind, and get ready for a restful sleep. That’s why the plant pairs so perfectly with indica strains that can help to calm the body and mind. For chilling out after a long day, try pairing lavender with Northern Lights, Girl Scout Cookies, Garlic Cookies, Wedding Cake, or Sunset Sherbert. If your mind is racing and you want to start getting ready for bed, Ice Cream Cake, SFV Kush, Granddaddy Purple, or Hindu Kush are great options to smoke with some dried lavender. For little to no psychoactive effects, a high CBD strain like Harlequin or ACDC are just what you’re looking for. Strains high in linalool like Zkittlez, Lavender Kush, Amnesia, Haze, and Kosher Kush will bring out the lavender flavor even further if you’re in search of a tasty puff.
How to smoke lavender and weed?
Smoking lavender with weed is a fun and easy way to spice up a monotonous smoke session or relax even further with a nighttime, calming strain. Most people either sprinkle dried lavender on a packed bong bowl or pipe or add it into a joint or blunt before rolling it up. Dried lavender smokes great with other herbs like mint, tobacco, and cannabis, so be as creative as you want and experiment with the unique aroma and flavor of different types of blends. Here’s how to smoke lavender and weed:
Equipment:
- Herb grinder
- Rolling tray
- Favorite cannabis strain
- Dried lavender leaves and/or flowers
- Smoking device (rolling papers and filter, blunt wrap, dry herb vaporizer, bong, or pipe)
- Lighter
- Optional: Other dried herbs or tobacco to create a unique blend
How to smoke lavender and weed step-by-step
- If you have a lavender plant, you’ll want to cut a few branches containing leaves and flowers. Tie the branches together in a bunch with twine and hang it upside down in a shady, dry spot. Depending on the humidity of the air, the lavender will take between 5 to 10 days to completely dry out and be ready to smoke. If you already have dried lavender, skip to step 2.
- Clear a workspace and start by collecting the necessary equipment. Choose a nug and some dried lavender leaves or flowers to prepare. You’ll want to have a ratio of no more than 15% lavender to 85% marijuana, however if it’s your first time smoking herbs, just use a small pinch to test out how you like it.
- Working over the rolling tray to catch any small pieces that fall, grind up the cannabis flower like usual. Then empty the grinder and separately grind up the dried lavender.
- Pack the bong bowl or pipe with cannabis, adding in a little lavender as you go. Remember not to exceed 15% lavender overall. You can also just add a small sprinkle to the top of the bowl. These same rules apply when filling the oven of a dry herb vaporizer. If rolling a joint or blunt, take a pinch of ground lavender and spread it evenly across the length of the smokable and roll it up as usual.
- That’s it! Time to light up and feel the calmness roll over your body with a hint of sweet floral flavor and aroma.
Other ways to enjoy lavender and weed together
There are more and more cannabis users who choose not to smoke, but still enjoy getting high. Edibles are one of the more popular methods of consumption that doesn’t involve smoking and it’s also possible to consume lavender in various ways too. These are just a few different ways you can partake in lavender and weed.
- Edibles - Weed edibles are actually a lot easier to make at home than most stoners think and you’ll save a ton of cash too. However it does take some time to perfect an infused oil or butter recipe if you don’t have a machine to do it for you, but once you do, cook it up in large batches to have some on hand at any moment, and the options will be endless. Add lavender in its plant form (i.e. dried flowers or leaves), not essential oils, which can be toxic in large doses, to any weed edible recipe.
- Tea - A great bedtime tea to promote relaxation is a mix of cannabis and lavender flowers. You can also use lavender tea and mix in some marijuana infused honey or sugar if you have it, or even drop in some full-spectrum CBD oil for a wholesome experience.
- Topicals - There’s a wide range of cannabis topicals available such as lotions, bath bombs, salves, oils, creams, and more that absorb right through the skin. These products are better suited for small, targeted areas such as a sore back or tight neck muscles rather than full body and mind relaxation. Add in a few drops of lavender essential oil, which is known for naturally reducing inflammation and pain, to a store bought or homemade cannabis lotion you already have.
- Aromatherapy - The earthy, floral smell of lavender makes it one of the most popular for aromatherapy purposes and will immediately begin to relax you or at least remind you of a soothing spa day or massage. Use a diffuser with lavender essential oil or spritz the room with a spray to set the mood for your smoke session while you’re packing a bowl or rolling a joint. There’s also cannabis and hemp essential oil made for aromatherapy purposes that can be paired with lavender in a diffuser.
Other herbs you can smoke with marijuana
While tobacco and cannabis may be the most commonly smoked plants in the world, there’s been a resurgence of herbalism and many people in the 420 community are delving into the world of smokable botanicals beyond the cigarette and joint. There are countless herbs, all with unique properties, that have been smoked recreationally, used for ceremonial purposes, and consumed for their therapeutic benefits since ancient times. How do you think medicines were made back in the day? Some dried herbs are more ideal for smoking with cannabis than others and can enhance flavors, reduce the harshness of the smoke, or even elevate a high further. It’s also very easy to grow most of these herbs right in your home garden without drawing unwanted attention like a marijuana plant might do. These are just a few other herbs that pair great with marijuana besides lavender that you can explore:
- Mint - A relative of the lavender plant, a refreshing sweet mint flavor has always been a classic addition to cigarettes and joints, creating a unique smoking experience that’s bursting with flavor. Mint has a very potent aroma and taste, so only add a sprinkle or not more than 15% to a bong bowl. If you’re looking to simply enhance the natural menthol flavor of a strain, try smoking dried mint leaves with cannabis strains like Mint Chocolate Chip, Animal Mints, and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies.
- Blue lotus - Also called Egyptian Lotus, this blue water lily has been ingested for centuries because of its mildly sedating effects. The blue lotus is also used in ceremonies to bring on lucid dreaming since it naturally contains apomorphine and nuciferine, two very mild narcotics. Don’t worry though, you’d have to smoke a ton of this stuff to achieve those effects, however some smokers say they do have more vivid dreams. Add up to a 50/50 ratio of blue lotus to cannabis flower.
- Blue vervain - This botanical, native to Europe and Asia, is said to lower stress levels, quiet mental chatter, help with depression, ease tension, reduce nervousness, and boost mood. Blue vervain is still used today in many homeopathic medicines and is said to be a potent anti-inflammatory with antibacterial, analgesic, and antispasmodic properties. Add up to 25% of dried vervain flowers to your marijuana blend.
- Chamomile - A dank cannabis flower will overpower the mild flavor and scent of chamomile, but smokers say they still feel its calming, stress relieving effects. These relaxing properties can enhance the properties of a nighttime indica strain. Add up to 25% dried chamomile to a bowl or joint for the perfect evening blend.
- Lemon balm - For a beautiful aroma and sweet, citrus flavor, sprinkle some lemon balm on your next bong bowl. Part of the mint family like lavender, lemon balm has slight sedative and calming effects with a flavor that pairs perfectly with a bright sativa strain. Test it out with Super Lemon Haze, Tangie, or Lemon Thai to bring out the natural citrus flavor even further. Use up to a 25/75 ratio of lemon balm to cannabis for the best experience.
- Rose petals - Dried and ground rose petals are typically smoked simply for its beautiful sweet, floral flavor and strong aroma, though some people say it also has slightly uplifting and aphrodisiac-like properties as well. Users suggest adding just a sprinkle that makes up no more than 10% of the smoking material since it can be overpowering. A pinch of rose petals is great for combining with other herbs on this list for more depth.
- Damiana - Native to the Caribbean, southern Texas, Central and South America, and Mexico, Damiana has been used by indigenous peoples as an aphrodisiac since ancient times. Most users say it also has uplifting, euphoric effects that boost creativity, open-mindedness, and imagination, while adding a slight hickory-smoked flavor to each bong rip. Create a cannabis herbal blend that contains up to 25% damiana.
Now that you know all about lavender and weed, why not pick up a few new smoking accessories and try the winning combination for yourself? Visit our online smoke shop for great prices on luxury vaporizers, dab pens, unique bongs, flavored rolling papers, tobacco-free blunt wraps, automatic herb grinders, rolling machines, and more!