5 Reasons Why Herbal Smoking Is Better Than Tobacco Fillers

Herbal blends are probably the newest craze in the health and wellness industry. These products continue to garner recognition for their wide range of medical applications. Although their actual pharmacological benefits vary depending on the specific ingredients, most herbal blends may offer relief from pain, anxiety, insomnia, and erectile dysfunction.

Herbal blends are also noted for their ease of preparation. Many of these products can be prepared at home using essential ingredients, especially if you already have the plant growing in your home wellness garden.

Another thing users love about herbal blends is that these products come in all shapes and sizes. Typical formulations include herbal teas, edibles, topicals, inhalable, and smokables. Whichever way you choose to consume herbal blends depends on your desired effects.

In this post, we examine the top five reasons to consider herbal smoking blends over tobacco fillers.

More About Herbal Blends

Herbal blends are products formulated with several herbal extracts, typically used for therapeutic purposes.

As we’ve already pointed out, the same health benefits of a herbal blend depend on the specific herbs in the product. However, most of these products are generally used to improve pain, anxiety, and insomnia. 

Some herbal blends may also aid blood circulation. That makes them suitable for use in managing disorders like hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and even erectile dysfunction.

But herbal blends aren’t just consumed for their therapeutic benefits. Some may also induce psychoactive effects, which makes them a favorite for recreational users.

What Are Tobacco Fillers?

Tobacco fillers refer to the leaves commonly used in the body of a cigar. The stuffing can be handmade or mechanically prepared in tobacco manufacturing companies.

Like all tobacco extracts, tobacco fillers contain several compounds, including the highly addictive chemical nicotine.

Reasons Herbal Smoking Is Better Than Tobacco Fillers

Herbal Smoking Is Less Addictive

The primary reason to switch from tobacco fillers to herbal smoking is that smokable herbal blends are less addictive.

Even herbs widely considered addictive, such as marijuana, are not even half as addictive as nicotine. According to studies, cannabis users are less likely to become dependent on the herb, with the risks of addiction as low as 9%. That’s in contrast to nicotine, which has every tobacco user hooked to the herb.

The nicotine in tobacco fillers causes addiction by stimulating the brain receptors responsible for releasing dopamine, the pleasure hormone. Long-term use increases the number of nicotine receptors, rendering the user’s brain incapable of releasing dopamine on its own.

Herbal Smoking Is Less Harmful

Addiction isn’t the only reason to make a switch from tobacco fillers to smokable blends. Herbal smoking has also been shown to be less harmful than tobacco smoking.

According to the American Heart Association, nicotine may throw your blood pressure off balance, thereby opening you up for arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and other blood disorders. The fact that nicotine binds directly to brain receptors implies that the chemical may also cause long-term brain damage.

On the flip side, the only major health concerns with smokable blends come from the actual combustion process during smoking. The method may have you inhale poisonous gases like carbon monoxide and heavy metals like lead. But even then, the risks of toxicity are fewer compared to smoking nicotine.

Herbal Smoking Offers Numerous Therapeutic Benefits

If you’re not motivated enough to give up smoking tobacco fillers due to nicotine’s addictive nature, perhaps knowing that the chemical offers ZERO health benefits might help you change your mind.

Numerous studies have debunked the popularly held belief that nicotine cures anxiety. The chemical may only produce temporary relief from stress.

On the other hand, smokable herbal blends come with an array of health benefits. Some of the conditions you may relieve by smoking herbal blends include pain, stress and anxiety, insomnia, blood circulation disorders, inflammation, and nausea. 

Numerous Herbs to Experiment With

Another reason to consider herbal smoking is that there are plenty of herbs to experiment with. That’s in contrast to tobacco fillers, which are entirely made of tobacco products.

Common herbs you’ll find in smokable blends include;

• Mullein
• Coltsfoot
• Sage
• Damiana
• Skullcap
• Lobelia
• Hops
• Blue lotus
• Thyme
• Uva ursi
• Marigold
• Lavender
• Passionflower
• Marshmallow
• Catnip
• Mugwort
• Chamomile
• Raspberry

With such a huge collection of herbal extracts, it’s understandable why smokable blends come with powerful therapeutic benefits.

The element of variety is also a bonus for smokers who prefer changing their flavors often. Remember, most tobacco fillers are primarily formulated with just one flavor – tobacco.

Herbal Smoking Is Becoming Trendier

Some 249 billion cigarettes were sold in the United States in 2017, representing a 3.5% decline from the 258 billion sold the previous year. This decline was largely attributed to increased awareness of the toxic effects of cigarette smoking.

The COVID-19 pandemic might have worsened the situation after medical researchers classified tobacco smokers among the ‘high-risk group.’

On the other hand, herbal extracts have continued to gain recognition. Doctors worldwide have been encouraging people to consume herbal blends to mitigate some of the symptoms of COVID-19.

Final Word

There are numerous reasons to give up tobacco fillers for herbal smoking.

Besides most smokable herbs being non-addictive, these compounds also come with a cocktail of health benefits.

Plus, there’s a wide range of herbs to experiment with.