Can you smoke flowers?
Humans have been fascinated by smoke ever since we came across fire. Perhaps it’s because of the solemnity we pledge to flames and their capacity of transforming everything back to ashes, changing alchemical structure of things, and creating thick clouds that we honor through ritualistic celebrations.
Amongst these sacred practices is smoking dried flowers. In the case of lavender, hemp, mullein, and rose, burning and inhaling its petals is an act of honoring nature through pulling in and breathing out the different beneficial molecules that mindful smoking can deliver.
Flowers smoked for centuries:
One of the oldest medical bodies of knowledge, Ayurveda, recommends smoking certain herbs and flowers to treat a variety of ailments. Known as dhumpana, the practice is recommended to happen daily if one wishes to maintain their doshas balanced (using a filter and unbleached and organic rolling papers is recommended).
The hemp flower has been smoked since 2727 A.C., when the folk Chinese Emperor, Shen Nung, included it in one of the earliest medical books to ever exist. Egyptians user to smoke blue lotus to enhance their dreams, similarly to the use the Aztecs gave to the Calea Zacatechichi plant and flower as a way to promote lucid dreaming while treating insomnia.
Even nowadays, water with flower extracts are sprayed over burning rocks in sweat lodges to release terpenes and flavonoids that members inhale as part of a healing journey. One of the most popular flowers in this scenario is mullein, traditionally consumed as a lung tonic, recommended by Native American cultures as an expectorant and diuretic. Klip Dagga, a flowering plant in Africa, has been consumed forever in the continent by those looking for a happiness boost (it’s also a natural antihistamine that can be used as a sedative if consumed in high doses).
Are there risks and benefits?
Although there are risks associated with inhaling the smoke from combustion, if done consciously, using appropriate filters or properly cleaned pipes, smoking certain flowers can promote health benefits that range from relieving muscle pain, soothing menstrual cramps, increasing libido, and combating depression, to name a few.
What flowers can be smoked?
What flowers can be smoked?
There are many flowers than can be smoked. The most common and accessible ones are these. You can also plant some of these medicinal flowers in your garden.
-Lavender
-Rose
-Mullein
-Chamomille
-Blue Lotus
-Cannabis
-Calendula
-Jasmine
*Herbs can be smoked as well: Rosemary, mint, sage…
What flowers can NOT be smoked?
Even though flowers are pure and natural, there are some plants and flowers that are toxic to humans and animals. It is best to avoid smoking, eating or drinking them altogether. Some of these include, but are not limited to:
-Oleander
-Daffodil
-Lily of the valley
-Rhododendron
-Azalea
These just name a few. Always do your research before ingesting or inhaling herbs and flowers.
How to smoke them?
We recommend creating a ritual. This is something we are very passionate about. We try to ritualize life with every action we take in our daily schedules. The most important thing is to create time and space for yourself. Whether it’s five minutes or one hour, gather your flowers and herbs, sit comfortably on top of a cushion or with your legs crossed in lotus pose, connect with your intention (gratitude is the most healing one) and begin choosing the dry flowers and herbs you want to use for your pre-roll. Once you have separated them, you can grind them to make them a bit smaller, or you can also use a mortar for this (Valeria adores using her mortar to add more mindfulness to this ritual). Once you are ready to roll your pre-roll, make sure to use organic hemp paper and filters to avoid inhale toxic fumes. Be present, connect with the medicinal and spiritual benefits of the flowers with each inhale. Enjoy the magic!
Anything else to have in mind?
Yes, always choose organic and pesticide-free flowers and herbs. Whether you are smoking them or making an infusion with them, if they’ve been sprayed with toxic pesticides, you will ingest those toxins. This is why we created our own medicinal garden in our home. You don’t need a big space for this. You can create one in your kitchen, balcony, patio or garden.
Lastly, if you want to learn more, join our Slow Living Retreats. We will talk about medicinal herbs and flowers and will teach all participants how to make pre-rolls, infusions and their own garden.
