Rolling a joint with is tobacco is pretty common practice. No matter where you go in the world, someone, somewhere will be rolling the mix. It’s no surprise really, it can prolong the life of your smoke, add flavour, and should you be so inclined, give you a hit of nicotine.

If you want to avoid tobacco but still enjoy the smoking ritual, it’s easiest to go pure. Well dried bud makes for a great joint, but it quickly gets expensive as you need a lot of material. The following are the 10 best herbal alternatives for tobacco.

1. Damiana

Damiana makes for some good lovin’! It is a South American herb well known for its aphrodisiac like qualities, as well as its ability to induce a mild euphoric high. This makes it pair perfectly with marijuana, and is ideal for those intimate smokes with your significant other.

2. Wild Dagga

Known as Wild Dagga, translated ‘wild cannabis’, Leonotis leonurus is a herb reputed to have very similar effects to cannabis, albeit less psychoactive. As you can imagine, a cheaper herb with similar effects can make a very nice alternative for smokers who don’t have the materials to make a pure marijuana joint, and want to bulk them out with something similar. It certainly isn’t the same as cannabis, but can be much more preferable to tobacco.

3. Blue Lotus

Originally hailing from the River Nile, blue lotus is an ancient herbal intoxicant that was used as a party drug by the ancient Egyptians. What makes using blue lotus as a tobacco alternative so interesting is its wide array of effects. It is sedating, sexually stimulating, and euphoric all at the same time. It adds a whole new dimension to your joint, and can be equally enjoyed with both friends and loved ones. 

4. Passionflower

Although not particularly strong by itself, passionflower is an ideal match for a cannabis blend. It has the ability to be both sedating and mildly euphoric at the same time, making for a great end of day smoke – when you need to kick back and unwind. As you can imagine, this perfectly complements both indica and certain hybrid varieties of cannabis.

5. Skullcap

Skullcap is an excellent tobacco alternative for those looking to take things down a notch. It is well known for its ability to calm nerves, anxiety and stress, making it a great accompaniment for indicas and other relaxing, end of day strains – or for those times when things are just becoming too much.

6. Catnip

Also known as catmint, Nepeta cataria does more than just drive cats loco. When smoked as part of a marijuana blend, Nepeta cataria can enhance the sedating effects of your high. On its own, it is known to relieve stress and anxiety without actually causing any intoxication. So whilst it may not get you higher per se, it is definitely a must have for anyone wanting to push their relaxation to the limit. 

7. Greengo

Greengo is an excellent choice for those looking for a ‘healthier’ alternative. It is a mix of papaya, mint, hazel leaf, and eucalyptus. It contains no nicotine, isn’t addictive and smoking it produces less tar than tobacco. What makes it even better is that it perfectly complements the effects of marijuana, boosting and reinforcing them!

8. Sage

Last but not least comes sage. Sage is a very common garden herb often used in cooking. Depending on the type of sage you go for, you will likely get varying effects. The best to get is white sage, which is known to be both relaxing and euphoric. It is also pretty easy to get hold of, making it a great for really bulking out your joint. Just make sure that you do a bit of research on any variation you get, as there are lots of them, and some can make you feel ill.

So there you have it! For those of you trying to move away from tobacco whilst you blaze, or simply fancy adding something else into the mix, there are many options available. The great thing is that all of these herbs are legal in the majority of countries (but do check where you first!), are often cheaper than tobacco, and are just as easily obtainable on the internet. So get out there and get experimenting, your new favorite tobacco alternative could be just around the corner!

9. Mullein

Also known as Verbascum, mullein features in many tobacco blends as an active herbal ingredient. It acts as a great base, producing a light smoke, a subtle flavour, and a slow burn. It has been used for a very long time as a herbal remedy, and smoking it can help clear out the lungs (in smokers), encourage lymph circulation, and even sooth a sore throat.

10. White Lotus

Considered to be very similar to blue lotus by many, white lotus can induce a heady, floaty euphoria when smoked. As such, it complements those heady, hazy, sativas and hybrid strains very well as part of a smoking mix.

			Written by: Zamnesia Occasionally we have persons contribute to our blog here at Zamnesia. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, making their knowledge invaluable.
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