Since the dawn of time, people have existed alongside plants and learned to consume many of them. Typically, consume meant to eat, but it often also referred to the act of smoking these plants.
Many commonly smoked herbs like kratom, lavender, damiana, and of course, cannabis and hemp (the most popular) can be mixed together to change the flavor and effects. Mixing buds with different herbs can can intensify the experience as well as provide some added health benefits.
This is because every plant that has an aroma, has a unique terpene profile, that as we now know, can have profound effects on the human body. Let’s take closer look at some of the most popular combinations of herbs and hemp and what they can do for you.
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KRATOM
Kratom, botanical name: mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical evergreen tree from Southeastern Asia. Kratom is one of the most popular herbs to be consumed either alone or alongside hemp or cannabis. It’s been used for centuries in Eastern countries, but it only recently became more mainstream in western society. The FDA has warned people against kratom use, but those FDA warning are often taken with a grain of salt.
Alone, kratom offers a mild “high” which is on par with the relaxed feelings people experience when smoking hemp flower and much less intense than smoking regular cannabis. When paired, however, they’re said to compliment each other and kratom can significantly boost the effects of hemp.
Of course, the results will vary from person to person. I personally believe that hemp and cannabis will always be superior to kratom, but many who can’t smoke weed for whatever reason opt to use kratom as a substitute.
LAVENDER AND MINT
Both lavender and mint are extremely popular herbs that are used in everything from cooking/baking, to aromatherapy, to personal hygiene. Although the flavors are different like day and night, the effects are relatively similar. Both plants are actually related. Lavender is a scented, flowering species of Lamiaceae plants, which is more commonly known as the mint family.
About 75% hemp and 25% supplemental herbs would be is the ideal mixture to start with, then you can make adjustments as you see fit. That way the taste of mint or lavender won’t be too overbearing and you’ll be able to more closely monitor the effects.
Another popular combination is 50% hemp or cannabis, 25% lavender, and 25% percent sleepy time tea (a combination of mint and chamomile). It’s smooth and has a subtle yet delicious flavor. Use this combination before bed to sleep peacefully throughout the night.
ST JOHN’S WORT
St. John’s Wort is a member of the Hypericaceae family that originally hail from parts of Asia and Europe. It’s a fairly invasive species that has spread throughout the world and currently grows wild in many different regions.
St. Johns Wort works as a very mild monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Because of it’s mild effects and few side-effects, it’s often prescribed as a mood stabilizer for children. Both hemp and St John’s Wort are worthwhile remedies for depression and anxiety.
When combined, patients feel almost immediate relief that lasts for hours. St John’s Wort is known to exacerbate the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), but hemp is proven to help improve symptoms of those disorders. Using them together could create a good balance, although it’s not proven.
DAMIANA
Damiana is a shrub with pretty yellow flowers that’s native to South Texas, Mexico, and South America. It’s typically used as a stimulant, but it’s also said to be a potent aphrodisiac.
Another legal plant with effects similar to those of cannabis, Damiana is often used as a substitute or alongside it, or hemp. The flavors blend well together and people enjoy the relaxing feelings that come along with this combo.
Final Thoughts
When trying out any new herbs, there are a few important things to bear in mind. First and foremost, always purchase high-quality products from reputable vendors. Secondly, don’t use too much too fast. It’s best to start by incorporating small amounts of herbs into your CBD hemp buds to see how your body reacts.
Now get to experimenting! Maybe one of these mixtures will provide you with the relief (or the high) you’ve been searching for. Comment below with any of your own fun combinations you’d like to share with the world.
NOTE: These are not medical statements. These herbs have not been thoroughly researched or approved for use by the FDA. All information in this article is anecdotal.
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