The art of letting go

I started smoking cannabis at a young age but picked up on it heavily in my adult years. At one point in my life, I was a heavy smoker smoking 2-4 times a day by myself. Mentally it was great, I was able to create A LOT. Constantly pumping out different paintings and drawings, but physically it started to take a toll on me. Things came to an end during a period of my life when I realized I needed to stop and grow beyond where I was at. It has now been five years and counting that I no longer indulge in what was once my favorite relaxation method. Once I stopped smoking cannabis, I became interested in learning more about herbal blends.

Herbal blends became a huge interest of mine. Researching and learning the different types of herbs. The variety of herbs that can be created and smoked is endless. This method has been used for thousands of years to treat conditions and provide relief from certain symptoms. Some of them are even legal to use in some countries, while others aren’t. You must be knowledgeable of the herbs you are mixing to use in your blends as some herbs have some serious side effects if used improperly or incorrectly.

While learning and trying different herbal blends, furthering my education and knowledge of the many ways to use herbs was very important to me. Books were purchased and I enrolled myself in the herbal program at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. There I learned about herbal tinctures, herbal teas, vinaigrettes, honey, blends, and much more. From there The Garden of Taurean was created. Listed below, are a few of my favorite herbs and brief information on the ways to use them.

• Peppermint

Peppermint leaf is a great remedy for coughs and colds. This herbal plant also helps with headaches, insomnia, muscle pain, digestion, and anxiety. Peppermint aids with blood circulation and relaxes the nerves. It is also a purifier that rejuvenates and restores both your mind and body. This leaf is great to help with better breathing as it assists with clearing out your lungs and respiratory passage. You can smoke this herb in a blend, or drink it as tea to enjoy the benefits.

• Mullein

Mullein can also be smoked as it has a long history of being used as a natural remedy for coughs and lung problems, as well as asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis. A mixture of mullein leaves can be made to help with these conditions or just to relax and calm your nerves.

• Lavender

Lavender, also known as Lavandula angustifolia, is one of my favorite herbs that smells wonderful. It can be added into a blend as it helps with relaxation and sleep. It can also be used to aid with anxiety, headaches, and muscle pain.

• Rose Petals

If you’re looking for a way to relax and get away from the stress of the day, rose petals are the perfect solution. They can be used in many different ways:

• For tea, simply steep some dried rose petals in hot water and drink as you would any other tea. It will smell wonderful and taste very floral with a hint of sweetness from the honey that can be added to it!
• As a massage oil, you mix together 2 tablespoons each extra-virgin olive oil and almond oil with 5 drops each vitamin E & F carrier oils until thoroughly mixed together. Then add crushed up dried petals at least 1 hour before use so they have time absorb some moisture into their cells.

• Mugwort

Mugwort, also known as Artemisia vulgaris, is a flowering plant that grows in Asia and Europe. This herb has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions including insomnia and anxiety. The leaves make an effective tea that you can use to treat symptoms such as stomach cramps, menstrual pain, headaches, and colds.

Mugwort has a bitter taste but it’s not unpleasant once you get used to it. You can drink mugwort tea several times during the day or before bedtime if you are having trouble falling asleep at night due to stress or anxiety.

Herbal Pre-roll: your way

You can enjoy the benefits of herbs when you smoke them. It’s pretty simple when creating your herbal blends. How to start:

• Base: 2 tbsp of your base herb (mullein, marshmallow, cannabis)
• Supportive: 1 tbsp (thyme, rosemary, rose)
• Flavor: 1/2 tbsp (spearmint, lavender, peppermint, chamomile)

Below, I listed my favorite blend to help you with winding down after a long day.

• 2 tbsp mullein
• 1 tbsp rose/passion flower
• 1/2 chamomile or lavender

blended herbs used to create herbal pre-rolls

To sum things up

If you are looking for a new way to enjoy the benefits of herbs, then it would be worth trying smoking them or creating a tea. It is important to know what you are getting yourself into before starting this type of activity because it can be dangerous if done improperly or without proper knowledge about how it works. The quality of the herbs is very important especially if you are smoking them!

This article is not meant to persuade or influence the idea of smoking but to provide information for alternatives to smoking tobacco or cannabis. Herbal pre-rolls are meant for recreational use or ritual practices. Before trying, please consult with a qualified herbalist or healthcare practitioner if you are thinking about creating your pre-rolls. If you are pregnant, nursing, or, using medication, please consult with your doctor before use.