Category: Smokable Herbs Tobacco Alternative

Wild Lettuce was historically smoked as an alternative to using Opium in the 19th century. 

The relaxing euphoric feeling makes falling asleep much easier when you smoke, sip, vape or steamed it. Wild Lettuce has a mild sedative effect which makes it great for anxiety. Used as a tea, smoke or tincture to treat insomnia.

Medicinal Effects

Wild Lettuce is a tall, leafy plant with small bright yellow flowers. Its best known medicinal property is its mild sedative and pain reliever effect. The leaves and stems has a milky substance called Lactucarium, considered similar to Opium. Eventhough the substance contains no actual opiates.¹ These effects earned wild lettuce the common name of “Opium Lettuce”.

Terpene Profile

Its analgesic and spasmolytic properties makes Wild Lettuce a tranquilizer. It contains sesquiterpene lactones lactucin and lactupicrin (lactucopicrin); b-amyrin, germanicol, and lactucone. All which studies have shown to help with asthma, cough, insomnia, headaches, pain, sore muscles and menstrual problems.² 

Wild Lettuce In History

The Egyptian fertility god “Min” was  the god of Magic Plants. The Egyptians illustrated him with stalks of Wild Lettuce and celebrated him in festivals. 

Wild lettuce is found as an ingredient in many European potions and rituals. The Emperor, Augustus of Rome, was said to have been cured of a serious ailment by an infusion of Wild Lettuce.

In the mid 19th century, the industrial trade of Lactucarium flourished as it was a common medicine for headaches and as a cough suppressant.³

Blends with Wild Lettuce

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The Blue Lotus Herb is one of the most beautiful plants highly admire by all the ancients.

Blue lotus herb is a sight to see. No mud no lotus is a true testament to the polarities in this dimension. When sipped in a tea, used in a bath or smoked, Blue Lotus has a calming, euphoric and aphrodisiac quality. The sedation feeling give you sense of peaceful relaxation. This plant originates from North and Central Africa. You cam find Blue lotus along the banks of the Nile River in Egypt.

Historical Use

Egyptians and Mayans use all the different color Lotus as part of funerary ceremonies to reach higher levels of consciousness. Ancient Greek and Roman priest ncluded Blue Lotus in their spiritual practices. They believed to be the plant that Lotophagi ate in “The Odyssey“.

In many religions, the Blue Lotus herb represent symbols of eternal life, revival and reanimation. The sun-god Ra was born from a Blue Lotus, and in its glory flowers bloom from 8 am to noon. Blue Lotus is a symbol of death and resurrection of Osiris. According to Buddist legend, Gautama Buddha‘s first steps made lotus flowers appear everywhere he stepped.¹

Anti-Aging

Ancients have been using Blue Lotus as a rejuvenating herb. Modern science catches up thru studies showing its high antioxidants and anti-aging agents. It reduce symptoms like loss of elasticity, acne, pores, wrinkles, fine lines, and blemishes². Making the petals of the Blue Lotus highly used in herbal baths and teas.

Main Active Substances

The two main active substances in Blue Lotus herb that are responsible for the flower’s various effects are the alkaloids nuciferine and aporphine. Nuciferine, activates serotonin and dopamine receptors.³

Nerol and Terpinolene are the main terpenes that can exhibit a sedative effect. Blue Lotus herb is an effective treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks.³

1. Neroli: Neroli is known for promoting a relaxed and slightly hypnotic feeling and can be a helpful catalyst for lucid dreaming and sparking creativity. It aids sleep due to its soothing qualities and functionality as a natural tranquilizer.

2. Terpinolene: Studie show Terpinolene contributes to cerebral stimulation. Terpinolene heightens your energy which increases productivity and focus.

Blends with Blue Lotus

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Used as medicine for centuries, providing high levels of vitamins and other nutrients.

The entire raspberry plant was used by Natives of the Americas to treat a number of illnesses. Raspberry roots, leaves and bark were all used to treat different ailments of the digestive and intestinal tracts.  Roots were used to treat diarrhea while raspberry leaf tea was used as a diuretic and to calm nausea and vomiting.¹

Its smoked, its fluffy texture produces a calming effect on the nervous system. And a tea, tincture or bath, the high level of vitamin A, C, potassium, calcium and phosphorus assist during painful menstruation or child birth as well as shown to tighten the skin.²

TERPENE PROFILE

One of its main terpene is terpinolene that can exhibit a sedative effect when consumed in a sufficient dose. This makes it effective in the treatment of conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks.³

CHEMICAL BREAKDOWN

Additionally, raspberry leaf contains tannins, flavonoids, ellagic acid, vitamin A, C, potassium, calcium and phosphorus that have shown to help with diabetes, menstrual disorders, fertility disorders, diarrhea and others.⁴

OUR BLENDS WITH RASPBERRY LEAF

Smoke Skullcap for a calming and relaxing effect to your senses.

History of Skullcap

Skullcap has been show to treat anxiety and insomnia. A native North American perennial herb of the Lamiaceae (mint) family (View our Skullcap IGTV).  Cherokee smoke skullcap in ceremonies to mark the transition of girls to womanhood. The flowers look like ‘skull cap’ helmets worn by European soldiers. There are more than 300 known species. Ayurveda uses Skullcap cooling and bitter quality to treat muscle spasms and nervous headaches.

Medicinal Benefits of Skullcap

When you smoke skullcap, it enters the bloodstream quickly. It provides calming benefits similar to a Sativa. Helps to rejuvenate the central nervous system when used also as a tea, vape or bath.

Skullcap helps to enhance mood and reduce anxiety. Its active constituents baicalin and baicalein bind to the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor.

Studies show American skullcap has significant antioxidant effects. It may help protect against disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, and depression.

Flavonoid Profile of Skullcap

Three flavonoids are the major active components of skullcap: baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin. Clinical studies show each component to have physiological effects.

Blends with Skullcap

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If images of roasted marshmallows over a campfire come to mind, your not wrong!

The original marshmallow was the root of this plant. Todays marshmallows are all synthetic candies. But the leaf, stem and root of the Marshmallow plant holds a smilier texture along with a mucilaginous consistency. Its botanical name, Althaea officinalis, refers to ‘althos’: Greek for ‘healer’ while the name marshmallow, however, refers to its preference for growing in marshes and other damp areas throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

This “slippery” herb as it was referred to by the Greeks and Egyptians can treat coughs, sore throats, bronchitis and other throat/chest inflammations. As a smoke, it is sweet and soothing to the throat and chest due to the mucilagenous properties that sooth the mucus membrane in the respiratory tract. Also used in Ayurveda to boost kapha (by adding wetness) and reducing vata (dryness).

Its smooth fragrant smoke produces mild relaxation and is considered a psychoactive herb due to its terpenoids. Additionally as a vape, bath or tea, it also soothes the mucus membranes of the gut lining, throat and lymph nodes. Marshmallow extract is often included in natural cough syrups and throat lozenges and has long been used to treat pertussis (whooping cough) and bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes).

OUR BLENDS WITH MARSHMALLOW

Smoking Damiana has been documented by Spanish Missionaries to Western Clinical scientist.

Damiana as a Smoke

The first time I met Damiana was on a hot humid day in Costa Rica. It’s small shrub with tiny yellow flowers only grow in Central and South America. Mainly used as a tea by the natives of these areas for its relaxing effects. Its anti-anxiety effects is what makes this plant an effective herbal smoking herb without the narcotic effects of Cannabis.

History of Damiana

Damianas aphrodisiac properties have been studied on animals and humans by many clinical studies. Mayans have used this plant for centuries to relax men and women in regards to opening their hearts to intimacy. It helps men with impotence being a bladder tonic. For women it increase sexual desire by decreasing vaginal dryness).¹

Smoke Damiana as an Aphrodisiac

As a tea, vape, bath or smoke, Damiana is felt as an uplifting and euphoric experience. It relaxes the reproductive organs. It is a wedding tradition in Mexico to give a new bride a bottle of Damiana liquor to encourage fertility.2

Clinical Studies of Damiana

Damiana might ease anxiety and lower blood sugar levels. Damiana fights against bacteria. One study found that a mixture of damiana with other supplements — yerba mate and guarana — helped with weight loss³.

Blends with Damiana

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Specifically curated in Brooklyn to balance YOUR world 24/7.

The following herbal trios are our personally recommended formulas to tackle your morning, evening and night. You can use all the organic, chemical-free herbal blends as a ritual smoke (alone or blended with other herbs), warm/cold tea, dry herb vape or herbal face steam. All you will need are Hemp Rolling papers and a Tea Ball Infuser. 

🌱BASIC BALANCE 🌱

Control that monkey mind. SYNC up a smoke meditation ritual, get to work with FOCUS tea and let go of the days heady tension with a CALM facial steam bath.

🌱BODY BALANCE🌱

Is your body not listening to you? Gently AWAKE to tea as a coffee alternative, CENTER for a midday smoke meditation and get some rest with a SLEEP herbal bath.

🌱EMOTIONAL BALANCE🌱

Are your emotions taking over? Get your day started with a SUN facial steam bath, find guidance with a MOON smoke mediation and RELAX with tea to end your day… this too shall pass.

Each 10G tin provides the following amount to fine tune your 24hr day with plant intelligence:
~ 12 Therapeutic Teas | 1 Tsp/Cup ~
~ 2 Facial Steam Baths | 1/8 Cup/Steam ~
~ 24 Herbal Rolls | 1/2 Tsp/PreRoll ~

Is it safe to smoke herbs? Here are my thoughts …

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A post shared by Tea, Bath & Smoking Blends (@dropping_seeds) on Jan 8, 2020 at 12:57pm PST

If you are reading this then it means you are currently a smoker. If we dissect why you started, we’d probably attribute it to stress, peer pressure, a familiar smell, social use while drinking, and oral fixation. Whichever way that you were introduced, you received “some” of the benefits of the tobacco. You kept trying and alas you can’t stop. Realize that you are NOT still smoking for the original reason, especially if you are smoking commercial cigarettes.

I bet if I handed you real pure organic tobacco, you would really enjoy it and you wouldn’t take more the 3-4 puffs due to its potency. You’d be satisfied with the nicotine content. Nicotine is an alkaloid that in lesser doses produces a relaxing and stimulating effect, and increases the level of dopamine and serotonin. Unfortunately the cigarettes most of us are used to smoking have modified tobacco, and loads of additives that keep us entangled in a dysfunctional way (Learn more about the dangers of commercial tobacco).

If you’re ready to reduce tobacco use or fully commit to quitting commercial cigarettes then you need to first give nicotine less control over you. Attempts at ending cigarette addiction often leads to frustration, because withdrawal from nicotine is very difficult to deal with. Most methods either have a form of weaning (using nicotine chewing gum of patches to control the urges) and therapeutic approach that requires a psychological commitment and sometimes hypnosis. DroppingSeeds QUIT herbal blend assists in healing nicotine addiction and supporting the organs afflicted by excessive tobacco smoke. Lobelia acts as a non addictive nicotine substitute reducing the withdrawal symptoms. Mullen and Lobelia both aid in rehabilitation of the trachea and bronchial damage accumulated over the course of the cigarette habit. Additionally, having the option to prepare QUIT as a tea, bath, vape, or a smoke gives you the versatility of use appropriate for your lifestyle.

If its cannabis you want to reduce or cut back on on then DroppingSeeds artisan herbs are a great resource. By mixing our intentional blends with your marijuana you’ll get less of the THC “high” and more of the specific properties of the plants in your favorite DroppingSeeds herbal blend. Each of our blends are crafted to compliment marijuana by allowing the cannabis smoker, vape head, and cannabis-cuisine chef to select a desired state of being and achieve it, instead of simply feeling stoned. Among the many benefits of this match made in heaven is that you will spend money, by consuming less ganja while finding new ways to enjoy your favorite herbal blends.

Start by asking yourself – Do you REALLY know what you are doing when you smoke plants? Whether you’re using Tobacco, Cannabis or Chamomile, you are “communing” with the plant by burning it. In plain english, you’re experiencing the chemical reactions that the plant has with your body when you consume it. Be it smoke form, tea form or bath form this remains a fact. Your bio-chemical response will differ subtly depending on whether you inhale, ingest or envelope the plants properties through your pours.

Let’s step back in and deal with some interesting points about smoking rituals. Since man harnessed fire we have smoked plant matter, albeit less recreational as we do today. The majority of indigenous cultures around the world perceived the act of Smoking is a way to travel from this dimension to the spirit dimension, this includes smudging. As smoke diffuses in the atmosphere it’s presence is acknowledged by it’s odor. It is still there, because you can smell it, although the form has changed. As the gaseous elements of the solid substance dissolve into you or your intention will go into the spirit realm for the spirits to listen to.

The properties are of the most legally smoked plant (Tobacco) is meant to ground the body (tobacco has been used medicinally for millennia as a probiotic, digestive, calming agent) and connect with the ancestors (the ones buried below your feet in the ground …) When you are “grounded”, it allows you to see things clearer… Ask any smoker, especially a chronic one and see how stress is a trigger for picking up a cigarette. (the second trigger is the addiction of the synthetic chemicals in a commercial cigarette, so stress or no stress, your body feigns for the synthetic chemical which we’ll get back to in part 2)

So why do you want to ‘smoke’? Tea or a bath are excellent ways to get the benefits of your plant material. Whether it’s Tobacco, Cannabis or Chamomile, you truly have more options than merely smoking. You could have a cup of tea, take an herbal bath, vape, smudge, create edibles or spray mist etc. In fact smoking decreases the potential of the plant’s affects in comparison to just about every other method of preparation.

Unless you are already coming from a smoking background, why not leave the act of smoking to those moments you really want to send your prayers and wishes to the spirit realm? In fact I strongly recommend that all your smoking moments if any should be made intentional with prayer or mantra.

Or invest in a dry herb vaporizer and protect your lungs from tar build, and lung tissue damage caused by inhaling hot gases. No need to start a routine that can be damaging. There is enough air pollution causing damage to your lungs already. I strongly enjoy vaping over smoking because you have a more intimate experience with the herb’s taste and smell that you miss out on when the herb turns into ash.

But what if you already started the habit of commercial cigarettes and or cannabis… read part 2.

Even though its call Passion flower, its main energy is to bring calm and peace.

First discovered in Peru in the 17th century and named for its resemblance to the crucifixion of Christ. The Peruvians used the flower as a sedative. While the Aztecs of Mexico use Passion flower as a remedy for anxiety and insomnia.  Once it spread to Europe, it was used to treat restlessness and agitation, along with other ailments like indigestion and seizures.

 When smoked, passion flower promote well-being, calm, and relaxation along with decreasing anxiety and insomnia. Scientists believe passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain cells, making you feel more relaxed. Its flavonoids and alkaloids are believed to stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) in the same way as MAO inhibitors

When we were inspired to make a SLEEP blend, Passion flower spoke to us for its  nerve calming abilities that soothe the nervous system, ease an anxious mind, relieve headaches, and promote restfulness. Encouraging a lovely nights sleeeeep so sweet dreams!

OUR BLENDS WITH PASSION FLOWER

Our ancestral romance with inhaling plant fumes started 7,000 years ago. Very likely the first plant to be burned and inhaled can be tracked back to humans inadvertently inhaling fumes off of burning vegetation. Imagine a small bush burning during a campfire … Imagine a strong wind bring the fumes your way… Imagine that you’ve never casually smoked a cigarette or cannabis before … And the burning plant you’ve smelled is filling you up with sensations and moods in the unique way that plants do.

Indigenous healers on every continent used fire and burning specific plants to purify themselves, the ones they treated, and sometimes whole societies. Natives of the Americas say that smoke connects to the air and therefore with “Great Spirit”. Great Spirit is comparable to Brahma in Hinduism as the entity that contains all entities. The act of smoking is still used by traditional Indigenous healers today in rituals to connect breath to Great spirit.

In Western history, just recently, some centuries-old pipes found in the garden of William Shakespeare still contain traces of cannabis, according to South African scientists who examined the relics with forensic technology. Makes you do a double take when thinking about his work…

Although smoking a plant is the least efficient method of consuming most plants for their healing properties, it is often the most rapid method of experiencing the sensation of the plant. With all this in mind, each of our blends are crafted with sensitivity for creating a balanced state of mind if you inhale, ingest or absorb the plants properties through the skin. When smoking Dropping Seeds blends with tobacco or medicinal cannabis you may feel that the cannabis and or tobacco heightens the characteristics of the herb in the blend. Have fun exploring and note that we only encourage vaporizing and smoking for those who prefer to smoke responsibly.