Herbs to Mix With Weed: 16 Smokable Herbs Worth Trying

The best herbs to mix with weed include raspberry leaf, damiana, mullein, lavender, hops, mugwort, chamomile, mint, rose and passionflower. They can slow the burn, smooth out the smoke, tweak the flavor and even add mild effects of their own, and plenty of smokers mix them in to either amp up or mellow out their high.

If you want a joint that really packs a punch, you can add wax, hash or kief. To take the edge off, a lot of people cut their weed with tobacco, but that's not your best bet. If you don't smoke cigarettes, it can taste nasty, and on top of that it's harmful.

The better move is to use nicotine-free herbs that play nice with cannabis. Some herbs help a joint burn slower, the way tobacco does. But the really cool part is that many herbs that are pleasant to smoke can also bring their own therapeutic or psychoactive effects, and many even share some of the same terpenes as cannabis.

So mixing certain herbs with weed can do more than improve the flavor of your buds: it can complement their other effects or even bring new ones to the table. That's why smokable herbs and flowers are the way to go.

Smokable herbs: what should you keep in mind?

• If lavender in the bath helps you relax and a cup of chamomile tea makes you sleepy, smoking them can have a similar effect. Plants are magic, and working smokable herbs into your cannabis ritual shows just how creative we can get.

• It's worth pointing out that smoking anything can harm your body, so make informed choices. Look for organically grown smoking herbs so you don't add chemicals and toxins to your weed.

• A good rule of thumb when mixing cannabis with natural smoking herbs is to start low and go slow, which is solid advice any time you try something new. If you're using a premixed herbal blend, 25% herbs to 75% cannabis is a reasonable place to start. As always, experiment a little at a time to find what works for you.

The best herbs to mix with cannabis

Rolling a joint with aromatic herbs can help your weed burn slower, the way tobacco does. But the amazing thing about medicinal smoking herbs is that many of the ones that are nice to smoke can also offer their own therapeutic or psychoactive effects and share some of the same terpenes as cannabis.

Mixing certain herbs with weed doesn't just improve the flavor of your buds; it can also complement their other effects or bring new ones. Lavender in the bath can help you relax and chamomile tea can make you drowsy, and smoking them can work in a similar way. Plants are magic, and adding smokable herbs to your cannabis ritual is a great way to get creative.

If you're looking for natural herbs to smoke, here are our picks for mixing with cannabis:

Raspberry leaf

Raspberry leaf has been used as a medicinal tea for hundreds of years, and it makes a great smoking herb because it's so neutral: its balanced taste and smell won't overpower your weed, so it's perfect when you want the flavor and aroma of your buds to shine. Plus:

• It burns slowly, which makes it perfect for a joint you're passing around the circle.
• Raspberry leaf pairs well with any strain, so try it with your favorites.
• It can be especially handy with extra-potent THC strains, since stretching them out can help keep the high from getting too intense.

Chamomile:

Chamomile and cannabis together can bring you a few different benefits. On its own, chamomile may help with digestion and relaxation.

Damiana:

Damiana may promote relaxation and euphoria, and it's been used as an aphrodisiac. In fact, it was a go-to herb for boosting libido and fertility.

It's known for lifting your mood and helping you relax, creating a mild sense of euphoria and boosting creativity and imagination. Mixed with cannabis, it's one of the best smokable flowers for letting go of tension.

Echinacea:

Echinacea may help ease pain and reduce inflammation, and some of its compounds are thought to interact with the endocannabinoid system.

Eucalyptus:

Eucalyptus has a sharp, menthol-like flavor and may help you feel like your lungs are opening up.

Basil:

Smoking basil may help ease stress, and some people say it lowers cortisol levels.

Hops:

Hops are a cannabis cousin that share the terpene myrcene, and they may enhance relaxation. Besides giving beer its bold flavor, hops have been used for centuries for holistic purposes. And since they belong to the Cannabaceae family, the same as cannabis, they're easy to smoke. Plus:

• Their terpene profile is a lot like many cannabis strains, and the flowers are loaded with myrcene, which brings a relaxing, sleepy effect.
• Adding dried hops to your joint gives you an extra-relaxing effect that deepens the high.
• On the exhale, you'll get a pure hoppy flavor with hints of juniper berry and pine. It's thick, citrusy and full-bodied.

Lavender:

Weed and lavender is one of the best-known combos. Lavender is pleasant to smoke thanks to its fresh, light, aromatic flavor. Its lovely scent comes from the terpene linalool, which also shows up in some cannabis strains and is known for its anti-anxiety effects. That's why cannabis and lavender are considered a great mix for deeper relaxation, or for pairing with linalool-rich indicas to max out that lavender note.

Because the flowers are so delicate and tiny, you can roll lavender into a joint without grinding it, which is part of why it's one of the best-known smokable flowers. The combo is also more subtle than you'd expect, given how strong lavender usually smells. In fact, a lot of people smoke lavender specifically to smooth out harsh smoke and make it much easier on the throat and lungs.

Mint:

Mint adds a fresh flavor and may help clear your airways.

Mugwort:

Mugwort tastes a bit like sage and may promote rest, creativity and lucid dreams. It's a spicy, aromatic herb with mild psychoactive effects of its own (only when smoked). In low doses, it's said to sharpen thinking and spark creativity.

It has a sticky, cotton-like texture that makes it easy to roll, since the weed clings to it.

Its spicy, nutty flavor brings out the taste of cannabis and can also smooth out the smoke so it's less harsh on your throat. It's a great pick for winding down before bed.

Passionflower:

Passionflower contains a group of compounds called harmala alkaloids, which may help balance your mood and can even boost some of weed's euphoric effects. It was also commonly used as an aphrodisiac, although its name actually comes from the Passion of Christ, not romance. This all-natural flower calms the nerves and acts a bit like a sedative, which makes it a beautiful match for a cannabis high, especially to balance out potent high-THC strains that some people find too racy. Passionflower also has a warm, clove-like flavor that pairs perfectly with spicy strains dominated by caryophyllene, the peppery terpene, like Hash Plant. It has a sweet taste and may also amplify or stretch out a high.

Rose:

A few petals add a delicate floral aroma and flavor. Dried rose petals are a great way to upgrade the taste and fragrance of your mix. Dried roses have long been used as an aphrodisiac, so they may offer a mild euphoric lift and a happy mood, along with a sweet, aromatic, smooth smoke. Rose burns slowly, so it pairs great with cannabis for a smooth, even burn that doesn't go out too easily. Just crumble the petals with your fingers, no grinder needed. Its flavor profile goes well with any strain that has floral or citrus notes, so it could be a fun addition to your favorite Diesel.

Rosemary:

Rosemary contains the terpene beta-caryophyllene, which may help with inflammation and stress. It's a familiar herb you'll find in plenty of gardens and great dishes. Besides tasting great, rosemary has been linked to better cognition and memory thanks to its active compounds. This aromatic herb may also help with inflammation and immune function.

Sage:

Sage may promote relaxation, help with digestion and stimulate appetite. A little goes a long way.

Yerba mate:

Yerba mate, the South American tea herb, doesn't change the flavor or add an extra effect, but it's a nice alternative to tobacco.

Mullein:

Mullein has properties that may cut down on some of the coughing that usually comes with smoking, and it reduces dryness. If smoking weed is too harsh on your throat, mullein is a great addition. In fact, it's been smoked for centuries for its soothing effect on the lungs. It's also said to have sedative and diuretic effects. Mullein smells a lot like black tea, and when you smoke it, it gives off a campfire-like scent. Its flavor is very light, with woody notes and a hint of cedar. It's a mild herb, and while it has a decent amount of flavor, it gives you a well-balanced smoke and burns evenly. It works with sativas that keep you focused while you study, or with indicas to switch off after a long day.

Mixing weed with tobacco: is it a good idea? 

Mixing weed with tobacco, in a spliff for example, is common among some smokers. Some people swear by it, but combining the two comes with real downsides for your health.

First off, tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can do real damage to your body. Mixing tobacco into your weed raises the risk of nicotine addiction, which can make it harder to quit smoking down the road.

On the other hand, some fans of spliffs argue that tobacco boosts the effect of weed. Their reasoning is that tobacco contains alkaloids like nicotine that act on the central nervous system and can intensify the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

That said, smoking any plant, whether it's tobacco or cannabis, means inhaling toxic and carcinogenic substances that can damage your lungs and respiratory system in general. And tobacco on its own comes with serious health risks, like a higher risk of heart disease and cancer.

Instead of mixing weed with tobacco, there are healthier alternatives. Some smokers use herbal blends made with hops, mullein or mugwort in place of tobacco. These blends, known as tobacco substitutes, can give you a similar smoking experience without the nicotine and its risks.

Bottom line: mixing weed with tobacco is a personal choice, but it's worth thinking about the potential health downsides. Going for healthier options, like tobacco substitutes made with hops, mullein or mugwort, can be a safer, more mindful choice. Stay informed and make smart decisions about your health.

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