Health Benefits of Using Vaporizers and Recommended Temperature Settings
Disclaimers: Using a vape gives you the Health Benefits of enjoying dry herbs without inhaling harmful. The information presented here is for consideration purposes only. It does not signify a recommendation by Vaporizers Direct, LLC, that you should try vaporizing these plants and herbs, and does not represent scientific studies conducted in a properly controlled environment. Seek professional advice from a medical doctor before using a vaporizer. Some plants which can be vaporized may not be legal in all states. Consult a law enforcement agency before trying to obtain, possess or vaporize any plant or herb which can not be purchased at a grocery or natural foods store. Vaporizers Direct, LLC, only supports legal use of vaporizers.
One of the biggest health factors with smoking is the fact that smoke contains harmful carcinogenic tar. Vaporizers not only remove tar and smoke, they also transfer more of the active ingredients. Because the smoke is removed, and only virtually transparent vapor remains, first time users often are perplexed by this system. After a couple of uses, it becomes clear that the clinical tests for this product have all been true. Vaporizers have eliminated the number one health concern associated with smoking!
The primary requirement of a vaporizer is the capacity to maintain the temperature just above the point of vaporization in order to obtain an optimum level of both efficiency and flavor, along with minimized production of harmful substances. Vaporizers are designed to heat material to temperatures of 130° to 230° C (266° to 446° F) where medically active vapors are produced, but below the threshold of combustion where smoke is formed.
Few studies have been done on the benefits of vaporizing herbs– presumably because patents cannot be placed on herbs so there is no financial gain for the herb growing industry in sponsoring a study. Despite that, users of this form of aromatherapy would agree that vaporized herbs are indeed providing health benefits. The Extreme Q, V-Tower and Zephyr Ion Vaporizers are truly convection vaporizers, and will give you true ‘vapor’ as opposed to a mix of vapor and combusted material. Beware of vaporizers that use metal bowls or other heaters that create smoke without air flow. Air is the key to vaporization; if your herbs are “vaporizing” without air flow, you don’t have a true vaporizer.
In tests, the vapor has always been found to consist overwhelmingly of the major active components, whereas the combusted smoke contains over 100 other additional chemicals, including several poly-nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carcinogenic toxins that are common in smoke.
One intriguing, underlying question that helps fuel development of this device is whether the respiratory hazards of tobacco smoke are primarily due to toxic byproducts of combustion, not the active ingredients in the plant. The early studies suggests that many of the respiratory hazards of smoking tobacco can be eliminated. Vaporizers appear to significantly reduce many of the hazards versus smoking tobacco, but more studies are needed.
Considering preliminary studies and experience, a vaporizer may also eventually represent a superior alternative to the nicotine patch, although study of this application has never sustained any momentum. Note that vaporizers are consumer products. They are medical devices and are not FDA approved.
Vaporizers may reduce harmful toxins from smoke, as well as reduce potential toxins from a wide variety of other medicinal and herbal substances. However only recently have studies analyzed the gas phase of the vapor for a wide range of toxins from various types of plants. Research is therefore only in its fundamental stages.
Tests do already indicate that most vaporizers completely eliminate three specific toxins present in tobacco smoke (naphthalene, benzene, and toluene) in the solid phase of smoke vapor. The studies used a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) to examine the gas components of the vapor. Early tests also indicate that vaporizers are effective for much more than tobacco and simple herbs. The device shows potential as an alternative for transfer of not only plant materials but also a wide range of medicinal compounds.
Vapor (gas) has long been accepted as an effective means for transfer of several kinds of medicinal compounds. Vaporizers provide the most basic and inexpensive way for accurately turning compounds into gas. More advanced methods of heat control and density control over the vaporized materials will surely follow.
Vaporizers are also excellent for releasing aromas and aromatic flavoring from spices, potpourri style plant materials, or incenses. They releases the pure aromatic essence of the spice or other essential oils or plant materials which can potentially be used for a wide variety of applications from flavoring foods to creating aromas for ambiance or air freshening. The unique feature of vaporizers in these applications is the purity of vapor transferred.
For these reasons, vaporizers, like The Extreme Q Vaporizer, and Zephyr Ion Vaporizer are the top recommendation of herb retailers and dispensary owners.
These commonly found herbs are popular with vaporizer users for their possible health benefits:
- Clary Sage- aids in sleeplessness
- Eucalyptus- opens nasal passages
- Jasmine- feel confident
- Lavender- relieves headaches, stress
- Lemon- refreshes and stimulates the mind
- Peppermint- helps with fatigue
- Roman Chamomile- relaxer and sleep aid
- Rosemary- anti-depressant
- Sandalwood- stress reliever and anti-depressant
- Ylang Ylang- reduces stress and tension
Next, we have compiled a list of herbs with more potent effects:
Catnip vaporizes at a very low temperature. A mild buzz is associated with catnip much like the effect of cannabis.
Damiana vaporizes at a temperature of 150c to 175 c (302f to 347f). Damiana is known to be an anti-depressant and it also strengthens the nervous system. In addition, Damiana is considered an aphrodisiac to be taken before sex.
Passion Flower vaporizes at 100C to 150C (212F to 302F). Passion flower is very mild in taste and effect. Passion flower is used to treat opium withdrawals.
St. John’s Wort vaporizes at (100C to 150C) 212F to 302F. St. John’s Wort can be used as an anti-depressant.
Wild Lettuce vaporizes at 100°C-125°C (212°F – 257°F). Wild Lettuce has been compared as a less potent opium. Dreams have been known to be more intense with Wild Lettuce.
Moving on, we’ve compiled a list of herbs to substitute for tobacco. Here are the best tobacco substitutes:
- Bearberry leaves
- Buckbean leaves
- Chervil leaves
- Coltsfoot leaves
- Corn Silk
- Dittany leaves
- Eyebright leaves
- Life everlasting leaves
- Marjoram leaves
- Mullein leaves
- Raspberry leaves
- Rosemary leaves
- Sage leaves
- Wood betony leaves
- Yerba santa
Adding aroma to your tobacco can be achieved with these herbs:
- Allspice berries (spicy aroma)
- Licorice root (sweet)
- Cascarilla bark (musky)
- Melilot flowers (vanilla)
- Cubeb berries (spicy)
- Sassafras bark (sweet)
- Deers tongue leaves (vanilla)
- Thyme leaves (incense)
- Eucalyptus leave (menthol)
- Tonka beans (vanilla)
- Lavender flowers (very fragrant)
- Woodruff leaves (vanilla)
Lastly, we have made a list of legal and common herbs to provide a punch to your tobacco. Use in moderation as with all herbs.
- Boldo leaves (rather harsh on the throat)
- Ginseng leaves
- Hydrocotyle asiatica minor (narcotic in large doses)
- Passionflower leaves
- Poppyheads and leaves (white poppies are illegal; however, red poppies are legal with a mild effect)
- Wild lettuce juice (aka lettuce opium)
- Yarrow leaves