Many medicinal herbs, including chamomile, rosemary, thyme, cannabis, valerian and passion flower, may be more effective in treating health symptoms when smoked, or vaporized, through the bronchial capillaries than with tinctures, glycerites or food through the digestive system. Consult with your holistic care provider for a complete list of herbs that can be safely vaporized.
Top Calming Herb for Children
Chamomile is a flowering herb with calming or sedative-like qualities. Commonly used in infancy and with children, chamomile is considered by herbalists to be one of the most gentle herbs for the nervous system; reducing colic, sleeplessness, nightmares, chronic crying and anger.
Top Relaxants for Adults
Passion flower and valerian promote relaxation for adults when vaporized. These powerful herbs affect the nervous system and should not be vaporized if driving or operating heavy machinery is required.
Aromatherapy Herbs
Aromatherapists encourage the use of vaporized lavender and vanilla bean for relaxation, ylang ylang as an aphrodisiac, rosemary or thyme for bronchial ailments and lemon balm for clarity. Herbalist, Susan Weed, cautions that herbs vaporized for aromatherapy reasons should not be ingested or taken directly into the lungs unless advised by a health care practitioner.
Medicinal Benefits
Herbs that are intended for medicinal use may be effectively vaporized to eliminate risks associated with smoking. Medical cannabis users can improve their health by switching from smoking to vaporized herbal blends recommended by their caregiver. According to neurologist, Todd Feinburg, any medicinal herb may have cognitive side effects; caution should be used when vaporizing any herb.
Misconceptions
Though vaporizers can be used for tobacco or hallucinogenic herbs, many people who wish to use vaporizers have legitimate health concerns that are treated by their physicians who recommend the use of an herbal vaporizer for their condition. Stigma can be reduced through the understanding that herbal vaporization offers people with a range of symptoms great relief from debilitating pain and other chronic conditions without the unnecessary side effects common with pharmaceuticals.
References
- "Rosemary Gladstar's Family Herbal: A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality "; Rosemary Gladstar; 2001
- "The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines"; Matthew Wood; 1997
- "Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychology"; Todd Feinburg and Martha Farah; 2003
- "Healing Wise"; Susan Weed; 2003
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