Power of Plants Article: Historical Approaches to Substance Use Disorder

Q: What are Brown Bear Herbs’ herbal cigarettes?

Brown Bear Herbs herbal cigarettes are tobacco-free and nicotine-free smoking blends made from organic or wild-crafted herbs such as mullein, lobelia, lavender, and other botanicals. They are crafted to provide a smoking alternative with herbs that address the underlying reasons you smoke. They contain NO addictive ingredients. When you use them you can smoke herbs that are likely to be more supportive (based on historical use of the plants) while at the same time breaking your addiction. When you break your addiction, you can quit smoking altogether or use our products to smoke when stress or social situations arise. Our herbal cigarettes are a risk-reduction method of quitting tobacco and nicotine products. They are also enjoyed by people who need to stop marijuana use for work or other restrictions.

Q: How are your herbal cigarettes different from traditional cigarettes?

Unlike tobacco cigarettes, Brown Bear Herbs products include no tobacco and no nicotine (also NO CBD, NO THC, and NO marijuana). They use natural herbs to create a smokeable blend that may satisfy the psychological and behavioral aspects of smoking, such as the hand-to-mouth ritual and using herbs that have been historically used for physical anxiety symptoms (Take It Easy), feeling overwhelmed (Gentle & Protective), focus and anxiety (Clear Mind), as well as social confidence (Sexy Smokes).

Q: What other products do you offer besides herbal cigarettes?

We also offer loose herbal smoking blends, roll-your-own herbs, pipes for herbs, teas, tinctures, gem, animal, and flower essences, other wellness products, and herbal consultations to support various goals, including emotional wellness, spiritual balance, and lifestyle transitions.

Q: Can herbal cigarettes help me quit smoking tobacco?

Many customers report that using our blends helped them to quit tobacco. The specific blends include herbs historically used to address different aspects of why people smoke (social anxiety, focus, physical addiction). Smoking the herbal cigarettes replaces the ritual of smoking tobacco while avoiding nicotine, and therefore breaking the addiction. It is also possible to use the roll your own herbal smoking blends as tea. Brown Bear Herbs is a small company and we have not gone through the FDA approval processes. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Q: What herbs are used in your products?

Blends include organic or wildcrafted herbs such as mullein, raspberry leaf, lobelia, damiana, and mugwort these are selected based on traditional use as smoking herbs, herbs for dealing with addiction, and herbs for stress support. Suppliers are based in primarily Oregon, and herbs are sourced organically or wildcrafted (and tested).

Q: Why smoke mullein? Why is it in all your blends? Is mullein a filler?

Great question! My herbal smoking blends are formulated to be as easy as they can on your lungs. Mullein is an herb that was traditionally smoked for lung health in multiple cultures. I find that adding mullein to any smoking blend makes it more comfortable on your lungs. It is not a filler, it is an amazing herb with a great track record. You can watch my video for more information https://brownbearherbs.com/blogs/videos-and-blogs/mullein-quitting-tobacco

Q: How do you smoke Brown Bear Herbs' herbal cigarettes? Do I inhale?

Smoke Brown Bear Herbs' herbal cigarettes like you would a normal tobacco cigarette. Many currently available herbal smoking blends are pretty harsh and are not intended to be inhaled--rather they are smoked like a cigar. Ours should be as gentle or more gentle compared to regular tobacco cigarettes and more gentle than marijuana. Do NOT hold the smoke in like you would marijuana. This style of smoking is very hard on your lungs and part of the reason why marijuana tests as worse for your lungs per inhalation than tobacco(!).

Q: Are herbal cigarettes safe to smoke?

Herbal cigarettes are dangerous to your health. They produce tar and carbon monoxide. While our products contain no tobacco or nicotine, nor marijuana or any of its derivatives, inhaling smoke of any kind carries health risks. This is also true for cooking at the barbecue, sitting by the fire, etc. Brown Bear Herbs' herbal cigarettes are a risk reduction method of quitting tobacco, and can be a supportive choice for reducing or eliminating marijuana from your lifestyle. I don't encourage any habitual smoking, but am happy to offer a less risky smoking option when you need to (like stage or movie smoking) or want to quit.

Q: What are good options for smoking for film and acting productions?

To protect the health of actors and other people working on film or theater productions, tobacco and marijuana are not allowed indoors and often in production in general. Clear Mind is the top choice for prop cigarettes. It is a light smoking blend, making it easier on actors' bodies and those getting the secondhand smoke. The herbs in it are formulated to help creatives do their work. Clear Mind has been used as a smoke producer in major productions (like Oppenheimer movie) to stand in for cigarette, marijuana, crack smoke, and more! I love making prop cigarettes to spec for movies. If you have a project that needs a certain look, or lots of loose material, please reach out.

Q: Are your products regulated or approved for smoking cessation?

Herbal cigarettes are not regulated as medical products nor approved by government agencies for smoking cessation. They are offered as supportive alternatives, not treatments.

By Lily Michaud in Nov 3, 2026

Check out my article published in Power of Plants Magazine, from the UK's National Institute of Medical Herbalists below. I discuss Japanese Arrowroot (aka Gégēn or Kudzu), Chrysanthemum, Yerba Santa, Angelica, and Fox.

Get the full copy of Issue 17 here.

addiction
substance use disorder
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Power of Plants Article: Historical Approaches to Substance Use Disorder

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