Harmony Herbals FAQ: Everything You've Ever Wanted To Know About Sacred Herbs, Legal Highs and Using Plants for Natural Mental Health

What are herbal highs?  

I provide safe, non-addictive, plant based products that increase energy, happiness, passion and euphoria without side effects and/or nasty come downs or hangovers. Absolutely no chemicals are used and everything is sourced directly from nature.

These products are designed specifically for enhancing your mood and energizing your body while helping you dance all night long, socialize, and enjoy music and sensual pleasures. Herbs can also be sustainable every-day alternatives to modern day drugs such as coffee, tobacco, cannabis, alcohol and prescription drugs.

What herbs do you work with?

As a herbalist I specialize in natural alternatives for mental health and physical vitality. A large portion of Harmony Herbals is also dedicated to Entheogens (a psychoactive substance used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context) and sacred herbs such as Wild Dagga, Blue Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Kanna, Kratom and Damiana. Many of these are popular today under the heading “legal highs” and are sold out of various headshops. To me, the use of these herbs is much deeper than just getting “high”. Just as LSD is used both as a party drug and for various forms of psychotherapy and emotional work, the gain you can achieve from plants that alter your consciousness depends on your intention and the meaning you attach to their use. (This is a good time to note that I am not against drugs or alcohol!) Entheogens have been used in a ritualized context for thousands of years and both their spiritual and medicinal significance is well established in anthropological and other scientific studies. I believe that these herbs and the other herbs I work with-such as Ginseng, Maca, Saint Johns Wort, Skullcap, Rhodiola and Licorice-can positively alter our experience of our lives by positively affecting our minds and bodies and connecting us to our deeper, naturally content selves.

So…Do they work?

Absolutely. The herbs that I source are potent and effective with noticeable effects on the mood, energy level, sex drive and general well-being.

How will I feel? How strong are they?

These products are gentle but noticeable; Potent, yet balancing and pleasurable. There is no loss of control or overwhelming effects on consciousness. Many induce a mild euphoria, a decrease in anxiety and a boost in energy and well-being.  This boost in mood and elimination of nervousness and fatigue helps you to enjoy social and sensual situations without overwhelming your body with chemicals or drugs which will cause imbalance in the long run.

Are there side effects?

Compared to alcohol, party drugs or prescriptions these herbs are gentle and balancing with little or no side effects. Of course they must be respected as the strong plant medicines that they are and some herbs are not for everyone. For example, even natural stimulants can make those prone to anxiety feel uneasy and many herbs are best not combined with alcohol or other drugs. Always ask me if you have a question or concern.

What are the benefits versus other stimulants, drugs and alcohol?

You have probably noticed in your own life experiences that the consumption of drugs, alcohol and even coffee can cause imbalances in your body and emotions. Many times this leads to a vicious circle of consumption, where we try to self-medicate due to the experience of these subsequent lows in our mind and body. This is often called “The Come Down”, and can last for days, weeks, or even permeate life to the point where when we are not on our drug of choice, life feels un-pleasurable.

With these herbal alternatives, my goal is to bring a noticeable, positive and long lasting change to your general state of mind and wellbeing. When we are feeling happy, healthy, energetic and connected to the world around us, everything is more enjoyable. While these products can be taken on the night of a party or a festival to induce pleasure and energy, they also can be used on a longer timeframe to rebalance our system. The key to these different effects is often dosage, and I’m happy to let you know how to use the herbs to achieve your desired effects.

How do I take them?

I create my products in a few different formats: Extracts (also called tinctures), Teas, Powders and Capsules, and Smoking Mixtures.

Extracts: An herb is made into a liquid product by soaking it in a medium like grain alcohol or glycerin to extract its active components. This creates a liquid which is a stronger, more concentrated version of the herb and its effects. With extracts you then need to take less quantity, and the effects are more potent and fast-acting. Extracts are best taken directly in the mouth in dosages from 30 drops to 2 teaspoons.  Some don’t taste delicious so you may want to have some water or juice handy as a “chaser”. If you are sensitive to alcohol, tinctures can be added into tea or boiling water to evaporate the alcohol. The tea is then enjoyed as a drink. This is a great method for pregnant women and children.

Teas: Teas are dried forms of an herb or a blend of herbs which are then added to boiling water, steeped for 5-10 minutes, and enjoyed as a beverage. A great ritual with benefits such as relaxation and hydration, teas are a little less potent but are often more enjoyable to take if you like the process and the taste!

Smoking Mixes: These are blends are made specifically from herbs that are medicinal and pleasurable to smoke, imparting relaxation and also therapeutic effects such as clearing mucous from the lungs and providing healthier alternatives to chemical filled cigarettes. They are rolled in a paper and smoked, or used in a pipe, bong or vaporizer (healthiest alternative). They can be used along or as a “spliff” to help you cut down on the amount of other herbs such as cannabis and tobacco. Definitely our most popular product, they are non-addictive, smooth to smoke and have gentle effects depending on the particular blend. Golden Smoke is a great every-day smoke, while Entheo and Medulla are loved for their calming and creative high. Dream Smoke is a beautiful relaxing smoke and in combination with Dream Herb is used to work on lucid dream states and other dream work. All my herbs are organic and wild-crafted wherever possible, supporting small scale farmers and growers.

Where do I find you? 

Learn more about all the products & buy online at www.harmonyherbals.com or www.etsy.com/shop/harmonyherbals!
Stores:

~Urban Shaman, Vancouver, BC

~Avalon Books and Metaphysical (located in Market Square, Johnson Street, Victoria BC) has recently acquired my line of smoking mixes, teas and tinctures! Pop by and say hello and check out their amazing line of incense, crystals, books, jewellery and everything else delightful.

Look for me at the Sunset Room (www.sunsetlabs.ca), events around Victoria, and at Festivals throughout BC this summer! 
~Order our products online at www.harmonyherbals.com or through Etsy!

~Connect with the Harmony Tribe, learn about our herbs and keep up to date on fun events at www.facebook.com/myharmonyherbal

email: info@harmonyherbals.com

Looking forward to talking to you soon! Until then. Adieu!