Brown Bear Herbs' Herbal Smoking Blends

How I do plant meditations. How to meditate. Meditation, inner peace and outer peace. How I work with herbs, people, flowers, etc. A little about me and my path with healing nature medicine. Bonus: an alternate version of the original sin. Question to ponder: Could apple flower essence be a remedy for the other version of the original sin? If this topic piques your interests, be sure to also check out my Plant Meditation Club! Things and people I mentioned: The Fairies Oracle deck by Brian Froud with text by Jessica MacBeth Shri Anandi Ma, meditation teacher Matthew Wood, Herbalist Scott Kloos, Herbalist Sorry for the poor sound quality :/

I want to write about the deaths of Black people and intersectional feminism.  None of my work is intended for unsupervised consumption by people under 18. Warning: this piece discusses murder, rape and porn.

Safety First: Many customers have expressed concerned about taking California poppy in regards to drug tests. After several years of working with this plant, I have not had anyone test positive on a drug test, nor have I heard of this happening with other people in regard to this plant. I consider this to be a nonissue when the plant is used in moderation. All my dosage recommendations are low to moderate. Per herbalist Matthew Wood, this poppy is not depressing or narcotic in its effect. 

Historically (and even in present day) it has many uses that relate to life or death situations. It has been used for many respiratory illness including whooping cough (it does tend to be more for wet coughs than dry coughs like coronavirus), for MRSA, for nightmares, and to prepare for the battlefield. 

Why is Catnip a lovely herb for humans? Nepetalactone does not usually have as extreme as an effect on humans (though maybe we just need to try more of it). It does however, have a mildly sedating effect and can be helpful for headaches and insomnia.  

For 2020, my goals are to contribute more to conservation in order to offset the carbon footprint of my business. I am curious to learn exactly how much different environmental efforts effect the sustainability of our life on Earth. 

Most people say they smoke to help manage their stress. Yet, we all know smoking is super stressful for your body. Eek! Make 2020 the year you quit tobacco for good.Not sure which smoke to help with your stress? You can always try our sampler pack and see what feels best to you: Take it Easy: this one is really great for work stress and tobacco withdrawal symptoms.Gentle & Protective: use this one for emotional or psychic overwhelm. It feels like your fairy godmother is standing by again.Sexy Smokes: The herbs in this blend are supportive for healing from trauma. They are centering, grounding, earthy and remind you your body can be a yummy place to live.The Social: are you using substances to deal with stress? If you feel like you can't make it through the night without something from the outside to keep you together, try this one.Clear Mind: are you under pressure to produce creatively? Deadlines for papers looming? This is your smoke.I personally enjoy all of the blends at different times. Grab a sampler pack, My New Ciggies, and always have your needs covered. Or, feel like someone else's fairy godmother when you hand them a magical ciggie. Best! Lily

Meet our new seasonal organic herbal smoking blend. It's my very own take on a lucky smoke. Until now the only "lucky" smokes out there were made with tobacco to ensnare you in addiction, which really only brings luck to the tobacco industry. In our blend we use herbs that have been traditionally used to enhance luck & the message of spreading the wealth.

The beauty of rose is not just in the gorgeous blooms and fragrance, it is also in the thorns. My favorite heart remedies have thorns. I believe that herbs heal us by teaching our bodies their wisdom. It is the very protection of these thorns that can give a person the security to truly be their most beautiful self. All admirers: approach with respect and care. 

Gotu Kola is an herb long used to support brain health--both emotional and cognitively speaking. This herb has been used in India, China, and Indonesia for thousands of years and in Europe since the 1880s. It has a well-earned reputation as a supporter of mental clarity, for easing depression and anxiety, increasing memory, having antiaging properties and generally reducing stress. There have been some scientific trials (on anxiety, improving memory and insomnia) that are starting to back up all the historical case studies. While it is not recommended for folx under 18, there is at least one story of someone living to the ripe old age of 200 with the help of this herb.

This is one of my favorite herbs for transformation and support. Historically, yerba santa had three primary uses: treatment of lung ailments, treatment of alcoholism/drug dependency, and energetically supporting Phoenix-like transformations...helping us rise from our ashes.

Skullcap is in the class of herbs known as nervines (medicines used to calm the nerves). It has been used historically to soothe long-term stress of any kind. That means many people throughout history have used it successfully to help recover from psychological stress (worry, anxiety), insomnia, physical strain (think recovery from a long-term illness or even the continuous stress of a smoking habit!), etc.

The Origin of Sexy Smokes When I first started making smoking blends, people asked me to make one with Damiana. Damiana is a popular smoking herb, historically used as an aphrodisiac. People seek out aphrodisiacs for numerous reasons. Sometimes folx just want to feel more sexual because sex is fun! Maybe they aren't feeling sexual enough because of health issues, stress or other people's opinions.

Throughout history, it's been noted that mugwort's properties grow in strength along with the moon's phases. This herb is known to promote dreams of clarity and of the natural world. It also tends to make people feel more ethereal. 

Linden is an herb to cherish. I loved researching it because everyone wrote such sweet things about it, like: "it gladdens your heart," "a hug in a mug," (tea) a "great herb for at the end of a stressful or disappointing day" and... per Robin Rose Bennett, "Linden opens the emotional and spiritual heart… linden has a divinely inspired way of opening you to the bliss of your true multidimensional nature." I think I want to merge with this herb! Historically linden has been used for health problems related to anxiety, such as insomnia, anxiety, hyperactivity, etc. 

Astral in Body is made with Mugwort, Yarrow, Blue Vervain, and Mullein. Yarrow is a potent herb. It is excellent for the blood and strengthening your defenses against the flu. It also helps heal holes in your energetic field, which is particularly important if you enjoy using mind-altering substances, which can leave you more open to other energies coming in. If you partake, yarrow could be beneficial to include in your health maintenance routine.

The gentle and protective smokes were so smooth and calming. Reminded me of my old habit without the disgusting things that came with a real cigarette. And when your finished there are kind words on a small paper roll. Such a nice touch.

Lately I have been getting a lot of questions about where I am getting my herbal knowledge from. At the same time my ancestors have been asking me to tell my story, which is also our story (my ancestors and me). I am happy to share my experience of herbalism:

Customer feedback on Gentle & Protective herbal cigarettes: It was not only calming but it was also...a feeling of being safe? I totally understand the "protective" part of the name now! 

My husband is using TAKE IT EASY to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. He’s been smoking a pack a day for 40 years—but none for the past 72 hours—and he can’t believe how easy it has been. The others times he tried to quit, he was never able to last a single day.

Our little strip of stores was featured on Travel Portland, see original post here.  The article is on the “Mystic District”: "A single block in Northeast Portland that’s home to a trio of shops with magical supplies galore. Whether you’re curious about crystals, dreaming of a new divination deck, or just looking for a sweet-smelling bar of soap, the Mystic District is sure to meet your needs and spark your imagination."

Happy Pride! Here is the DL on my Trans is beautiful healing essence. It contains:Calla LilySpecial (Starry False Solomon's Seal)Shungite QuartzAmethyst It's helpful for lots of people but especially for trans folks.

Big tobacco has been targeting the LGBTQ community as well as African Americans. These populations also show an greater tobacco addiction rates. Here's some info to get you motivated to quit smoking tobacco. 

"Brown Bear smokes were exactly what I needed at the time. These smokes not only allow you to help break a dirty habit, they allow you to go further into self and connect with who you truly are. My lungs, my mind, and my heart are much clearer and happier."  -Margaux Muller