Light Up that Herbal Blunt for Some Smokin’ Health Benefits

by Cherry Pincha on Feb 27, 2023

Light Up that Herbal Blunt for Some Smokin’ Health Benefits

Head over to TikTok and you’ll see many in the wellness community rolling a herbal joint for health benefits. Let’s be blunt (pun unintended) about smoking herbs that is a practice as old as time, and is used for spiritual, recreational and even medicinal reasons. With the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine well-documented, we are seeing a widespread resurgence in herbal smoking blends. The good news if you like to light up is that Ayurveda has long since prescribed herbal cigarettes as a treatment modality. Here’s a little more on Ayurvedic herbal smoking.

What is Dhumapana or Ayurvedic Herbal Smoke?

‘Dhumpana’ (or ‘Dhoompaan’) literally means ‘to inhale smoke.’ This Ayurvedic smoke inhalation through the mouth and nostrils and exhalation through the mouth is a form of treatment. Dhumpana is usually suggested to those with respiratory or phlegm/mucus related disorders like cold, cough, asthma and even COVID-19.

Ayurvedic herbal smoking helps with sinus congestion, improves vision, promotes hair growth, stokes the digestive fire and relaxes the mind. Dhumpana can be advised for various illnesses caused by the vitiation of the Vata and Kapha doshas. These are generally diseases that affect the hair, head, nose, teeth, throat, jaw, shoulders and chest. The heat from the smoke increases Pitta dosha, which counteracts the coldness of the Vata and Kapha doshas. This heat and smoke rushes through the head and chest regions, having a cleansing action on the airways.

The Many Benefits of Smoking Herbs

While health benefits are some of the top benefits of smoking herbs, herbal cigarettes are also environmentally-friendly. Here are other reasons that’ll convince you to give smoking herbs a try:

Tobacco- and nicotine-free cigarettes

Herbal smoking blends make for tobacco-free cigarettes that are fresh and flavorful without the harmful effects of regular ciggies.

Natural quit smoking products

Ayurvedic herbal smoking is one of the best approaches to smoking cessation while helping with withdrawal symptoms. Some herbs like lavender can relax you and take the edge off the craving for stimulants.

Safe for passive smokers

A regular cigarette emits more than 4000 chemicals that can be carcinogenic and burden your respiratory system, in fact, your entire body. Ayurvedic cigarettes are completely safe for you and your loved ones who are exposed to passive smoke.

Boosts wintertime immunity

Dhumpana with expectorant herbs like turmeric and camphor are an excellent way to boost the body’s defenses against upper respiratory tract infections. They can also help fight off colds and wet coughs in winter. See below for DIY Ayurvedic herbal smoking remedies for cough and cold.

Rejuvenates the body and mind instantly

Herbs that act as nervine tonics soothe the nervous system to calm frayed nerves and fight fatigue. Smoking helps ingest the herbs in a way that gives maximum bioavailability so the good stuff moves through your bloodstream quickly to energize you immediately.

Fights bad breath and no foul smell

Herbs like rose petals, cloves, licorice and cardamom can give off a pleasantly fragrant aroma when smoked. This is why herbal cigarettes can give you a sweet smelling breath unlike tobacco cigarettes. The aromatic smoke wafting around your home acts as incense (no more smelly furniture).

Purifies your aura and your home

Much like smudge sticks and stovetop potpourris, you can burn herb bundles made with resins, camphor, herbs, coconut husk, hemp, coffee and ghee. Herbs like camphor have high UV absorption maxima that energizes our energy field and cleanses our chakras.

Bonus Benefit for Singers and Speakers: Improves lung function

As the key benefit of Ayurvedic smoking is that it dilates the airways and improves lung function, it opens up the throat. Herbs like licorice have been smoked for thousands for years as throat cleansers and help enhance sonority in the voice. A complete win-win for singers and speakers!

How to Craft Your Own Herbal Smoking Blend

All herbs that we use orally can also be taken via Ayurvedic herbal smoking. Here’s how to make your own medicinal fumes.

Carom seed cigarette

There are a multitude of ajwain cigarette benefits like antibacterial and antifungal properties, improve cholesterol levels and may lower blood pressure. Make these carom seed cigarettes with some all-natural hemp fiber based rolling paper or rice paper and carom seeds. Simply place the seeds on the paper and roll it up.

Brain boosting cigarette

Brahmi is an Ayurvedic brain tonic that has been used by students to enhance memory and learning. This herb is known to improve alertness, enhance logical thinking and reaction time. It also has mood-enhancing and anti-inflammatory benefits. Crush two tablets of UMA’s Brilliant Brain Herbal Supplement and mix with ghee to make a smooth paste. Place this paste in a rolling paper or dried leaf (ideally use pesticide-free tendu, bacopa or bhringaraj leaves). This is the best Ayurvedic cigarette for stress.

Turmeric smoke stick

Take a piece of dry turmeric and coat in ghee. Burn over low flame and extinguish it. Inhale the fumes to clear the respiratory tract.

Cooling camphor smoke

Camphor is excellent for respiratory problems, an antibacterial substance and relieves skin irritation. Heat a small spoon over a flame. Turn the flame off and place a few crystals of Bhimseni camphor on it. Inhale the fumes. Note: Camphor is flammable, so only place the camphor once the flame is off and won’t burn.

How to Use Ayurvedic Herbal Cigarettes

Always close one nostril and inhale Exhale through the mouth. Then, repeat for the other nostril. If it’s not possible to close your nostril, you’d still always ensure that you inhale through the nose, never your mouth.
Moderation is the name of the game when it comes to Dhumpana. 3-4 times a day is ideal, never more.
Indications that you are practicing dhumpana incorrectly are dry cough, chest pain, lightheadedness, profuse bleeding, excessive thirst or your senses feeling agitated. Other contraindications can be found here.

The advice in this column is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease, or affect the structure or function of the body. The information herein does not constitute medical advice. Anyone suffering from a medical condition should consult with a physician. User reviews do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results—what works for one may not work for another.

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Light Up that Herbal Blunt for Some Smokin’ Health Benefits

What is Dhumapana or Ayurvedic Herbal Smoke?