We are well aware that herbs are beneficial to maintain a healthy lifestyle and they are also known to either improve, or cure numerous common ailments. However, for literally hundreds and thousands of years and the only way to introduce a selection of herbs into the body would have been by smoking. But, fortunately, there is a far healthier and more modern approach and this is, of course, vaporization.

Advancements in modern technology have made vaporization a far more effective technique to introduce herbs into the body. Vaporization is able to activate herbal substances by using a low temperature and therefore allowing for the essence of that specific substance to be preserved. For many years we have lost a large majority of the benefits that herbs can offer by burning them off during the smoking process. Unfortunately the combustion of herbs will actually destroy up to 50% of the active ingredients. This, in turn, will release carcinogens and harmful toxic elements such as tar and carbon monoxide.

There are various effects that tobacco smoke may have on the respiratory system and these include:-

- Severe irritation of both the windpipe and voice box

- This can lead to reduced lung function and also a swelling and narrowing of the lung airways. This will cause excess mucus to build up in the lung passages and can lead to breathlessness

- Poisonous substances are more likely to build up as the actual clearance system of the lungs will be impaired

- You are far more likely to suffer from symptoms such as coughing and wheezing and this can lead to an increased risk of lung infection

- The air sacs of the lungs may be permanently damaged

As mentioned, the main advantage of using a vaporizer to consume herbal substances is the fact that it is heated at a far lower temperature. This will ensure that your product does not combust and will therefore not produce any harmful by-products. The vapour that is produced is far cooler than smoke and less likely to cause damage to be sensitive areas of your lungs and throat tissue. You will also find that the active ingredients from your specific blend will be released into the bloodstream in their purest form.

There are various blends that you may wish to use in a vaporizer and these can typically be prepared very easily and consumed with the minimum of fuss. One of the most relaxing concoctions you can make will use chamomile, lavender, valerian and wild lettuce. Simply make a blend of equal parts of lavender, valerian and wild lettuce and add three times as much chamomile. A fantastic formula for those of you who suffer from asthma attacks is a mixture of lavender, hyssop and spearmint.