Since the dawn of time, people have existed alongside plants and learned to consume many of them for recreational and medicinal purposes. 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, can be mixed together to change the flavor and effects. Mixing cannabis with all these 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, 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 cannabis. It’s been used for centuries in Eastern countries, but has only recently hit the mainstream in western society. The FDA and DEA has warned people against kratom use, but as we all know, what the government says can usually be taken with a grain of salt.
Scientifically, there is no reason to believe that kratom is dangerous or doesn’t offer any medical benefits. It’s full of alkaloids, which have been studied individually have showed anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesics, local anesthetic and pain relief, neuropharmacologic, antimicrobial, antifungal, and many other activities
Alone, kratom offers a mild high which can be stimulating when consumed in low doses and relaxing in higher doses. When paired with cannabis, however, these plants are said to compliment each other and kratom can significantly boost the effects of weed.
Lavender and Mint
Both lavender (Lavandula) and mint (Mentha) 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% cannabis 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% 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. If you really want to sleep soundly, use a nice strong indica in your mix.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum, 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), making it good for treating depression and anxiety. Because of its mild effects and the fact that it has very few known negative reactions, it’s often prescribed as a mood stabilizer for children. Both cannabis and St John’s Wort are worthwhile remedies for a large number of different mental health disorders.
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, Turnera diffusa, is a shrub with pretty yellow flowers that’s native to South Texas, Mexico, and South and Central America, and the Caribbean. It’s typically used as a stimulant, but it’s also said to be a potent aphrodisiac, and can aid with weight loss.
Another legal plant with and one that’s growing in popularity, just like cannabis, Damiana is often used as a substitute or alongside it. The flavors blend well together and people enjoy the energetic, yet relaxing high they experience when combining these two herbs.
Damiana has no known moderate to severe interactions with other medications. It is considered to be generally safe.
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. This could make the difference between finding the perfect new herb to add to your wellness routine, and getting ripped off on a product that’s expired, improperly labeled, or just bunk.
Secondly, don’t use too much too fast. It’s best to start by incorporating small amounts of these supplemental plants into your cannabis flower to see how your body reacts. Too much could ruin what would should be a nice, relaxing experience.
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.
