I have a great interest in snuffs used by ancient cultures/very old snuff recipes/snuffs made with entheogenic herbs. I have access to many different herbs of high quality, and my herbal collection is quite extensive. I am an ordained interfaith spiritual minister and prepare herbal medicines (ceremonially) with great care, as the plants must be worked with as allies. Would any forum members be interested in these types of snuff? I could even make custom snuff blends infused with different herbs based on requests from forum members (for different spiritual effects if you believe in that sort of stuff) I am only interested in trading materials or snuff, I could not do this for profit. Also, I am not sure if I am allowed to talk about the more “mind opening” shamanic snuffs. Could someone clear that up for me?

I have similar interests myself. However due to the public nature of this site discussions of this nature will probably be sunk. Even though things like sage, gotu cola, saffron, nutmeg, dagga, and ava are mostly legal. The implication that illegal produce can also be used as snuff is too great.

Should I remove the “mind opening” part? None of the herbs I work with are illegal by the way.

From what I have read on the topic, the amounts of the legal herbs needed to open the mind would be more than one could reasonably be expected to take if you are talking about taking it in a traditional “snuff” kind of way. Eating is a different story but the nose is only so big. That said the most mind opening snuff, and one of the more “mind opening” experiences I have had is with NTSU. I am sure the Africans probably still use if for shamanic purposes, I wouldn’t be surprised. There is snuff, and then there is NTSU. Take 3 big pinches per nostril, and feel the incredibly warm glow as time stands still and your perceptions fuse into one! Do that a few times in an evening and you will be unable to fall asleep for hours. On a related note, regarding legal, safe “shamanic” experiences, I highly recommend Yerba Mate. But not te watered down yuppie stuff in the teabags. It’s much better and stronger if you get the actual 1Kg ground leaves in any South American supply store or on the net and enjoy the traditional way steeped in a gourd and drunk through the special filter straw Bombilla (see wikipedia text and pictures). The first time I saw it, I thought the Argentinians whom I kept company were doing something not “Kosher”. Then one explained to me that “no esta una droga”, what it was, and that it was safe, and legal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba\\_maté Looks sketch, but it’s wonderful. It’s basically an herb rich in many different methyl-xanthines. While not as “stimulating” as caffeine, it provides a focus and calm to keep you going like no other. You shouldn’t drink it after 6pm because you’ll be up very late. It’s great to be passing the gourd around the circle of friends until 5am along with mixing Fernet con Coca (Cola, the soda) all night long. Have great memories of the stuff. If only I had some NTSU back in the day to share…

@nicola Yerba Mate is great stuff. Way better than coffee. I don’t really understand why you’re comparing it to a shamanic experience though.

I am comparing it to a shamanic experience because the life I was living was so transcendental to my previous existence, or the existence anyone usually expects to have. As a youth, I had become bitter, angry, lonely and frustrated. I was well on my way to becoming an “ugly American” despite having had such rich heritage and roots. Then I decided to leave it all behind for a while, and what seemed just like a few vacations ended up turning into a 5 year long period of a spiritual journey of self discovery that helped me mature in a way so I could live the rest of my life in a way that I could be happy. I could write for days on end about my days as a younger man travelling the world and meeting people, seeing places, trying new things, learning new languages. From rubbing shoulders with billionaires and famous people to living in neighborhoods with houses that don’t have running water and people throw their trash in the streets, everything in between. Mostly it was the experience of literally being surrounded (in many places and continents) by people of whom I had never even heard of their customs, and leaving more than a few times fluent in their language and in love with one of their fair maidens. So yes, while Mate does have it wonderful effects which you appreciate, when combined with the cultural and sensory overload that awoke me to my senses and imbued me with a love of life, it was shamanic. And it brings back happy memories! I like Rosamonte and CBSe`. Which ones do you like?

That was beautiful.

Newtosnuff said “Yerba Mate is great stuff. Way better than coffee. I don’t really understand why you’re comparing it to a shamanic experience though.” I say… you are not knowing in the ways of the Shaman.

Whoops, didnt mean to whisper this. Nicola said “when combined with the cultural and sensory overload that awoke me to my senses and imbued me with a love of life, it was shamanic.” I have not had the oportunity to combine the drink with the “cultural and sensory overload” that nicola did. I understood what he meant when told his story. I was being real brief in my last post, but what I was trying to say was that someone should not get their hopes up that drinking a cup of tea will give them the type of experience that nicola had. Perhaps yerba mate just does not like me though, who can really say.

Okay I clearly don’t know a lot about this topic and certainly can’t speak to the shaman or cultural etc things said here (though I do have some severe sensory issues due to a disability I have, that part I can relate to in my own way at least) but here’s what little I have: I think there are a lot of legal and interesting herbs that can me made into herbal (non tobacco) snuffs for various reasons. I know there’s all kinds of ethnobitanical or homeopathic or whatever (non doctor prescribed) good stuff out there that do have there benefits, theres “Lobelia’ that depending on how you use it can help if you want to help your lungs our or even try a natural quit nicotine plan and some mood altering (mostly in a positive way) stuff out there, some of which is well known, St John’s wort and Kava Kava and then you have Kraton and Kanna (or something like that) etc Now, some of it is just scamming and con-artist stuff to be sure, if you see some place that is literally selling a tea or herb they promise will just make you perfect in ever way plus get up and serve you breakfast in bed, well there’s that old adage 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” But here really is a lot I think, to be said for a lot of this ‘non western medicine’ and I’ll admit I’ve gone on big web searches wondering 'what else is good to make into a snuff" (meaning of these legal and interesting herbs for all sorts of things). On at least one other thread people have talked about this sinus clearing herbal snuff that is availble on a website (and I purchased some of that, ended up the shipping doubled the cost and I am still waiting on that just to have it around and see what its like if/when I get a cold/stuffed up) so we do already at least somewhat talk about these things, and I don’t know the rules of this forum about this, but I would take a guess (and that’s all it is) that if you’re taking legal and medicinally and respectfully about it all etc (the way I guess I’d suppose a person who can write about being a shaman and cultural things etc and like newtosnuff there appears to be doing) that it’d be alright to talk about my vote is I’d welcome and find that kind of discussion interesting to read (snuff is snuff afterall. doesn’t HAVE to be tobacco and besides I have a theory that nicotine actually gives us benefits, is medicinal, the native Americans certainly seemed to think so… I think it has mild pain relief and its been proven that people who are/have been smokers are less likely to get Alzheimer’s than non/never smokers) But its best to check with the site owner, see if here’s rules about this written anywhere etc,

If someone could make a blue lotus snuff that would be interesting

I have some dried blue lotus flower petals in my herb chest, I wonder if they would have any positive effect used as as a snuff if ground up really nice and fine. I have no idea. One of the things that I find confusing is that no one has ever bothered making a snuff out of the dried flowers of the tobacco plant, as well as the essence, which I hear that with more than a few varieties smells wonderful. It wouldn’t need to be all flower, either, I wonder if a snuff could be made composed say from 30% flowers and the rest from stem/leaf and then infused using more flowers for a strong scent as well? I would take it home and toot it in a heartbeat! Or try to, at least. I have some sinicuichi powder extract and kratom resin around as well, but I really don’t know how well the former would lend to tooting, and the latter is much too sticky(the smell is interesting, though). I’m certainly not admin, but all of the herbs mentioned here are legal here in the united states, and we’ve had threads discussing non-tobacco snuff before and herbal snuff is available in the shops that house our beloved tobacco snuff as well- made from many of the very brands often discussed here!

There are already hundreds of snuffs using herbs and such that we are already using. Bergamot, Rose, Lavender, violet being a few of the most popular and powerful. It may be that we are not sensitive enough to notice or appreciate their effects but they do work and are very practical. More powerful plants should be used under supervision and during times of retreat including proper preparation and recovery times. Not too practical for most of us. One thing most important here in this forum is the use of tobacco. All else takes second chair.

@Juxtaposer: I think many of the users here are sensitive enough to appreciate their effects, I can recall a few users who have mentioned they like to take a lavender snuff before bed to help them sleep. I like ones with geranium for the simultaneously relaxing and clarifying effect the smell has. (And what more powerful way is there of smelling a perfume than sniffing it directly into the nostrils/sinuses!)

Toques use natural stuff for all their flavors (including their lavender etc). I personally can’t quite take those floral/fruity ones because my nose is just not built to take it, but apparently those who use those Toques are getting the real deal along with their tobacco.

Yopo!

Hell, some people here tried tomato snuff. That didn’t work. I think we’re onto something with the sensitivity. I think the human body would need amounts larger than those found in traditional snuff preparations to achieve the desired effect. I guess we’d also need to define those effects, or at least what we are shooting for. Maybe an extract would need to be part of the prep. I don’t really know enough about these herbs yet. I am experienced with Kava and things like that but to me they’re mild. Probably 'cos I get real good weed. If the expectation is just to get high then I think it’s a waste of time, but if there is a goal, an intended consequence that could cause conciously dormant parts of the brain to become active then I’m interested.

Generally, one bowl will produce a sense of calm. Two bowls will give you the impression that you are a ranking member in the ISTA, so yes , there is some merit to these experiments.

Can someone recommend a good lavendar snuff? I would for sure enjoy that.

Wilson’s - But I was thinking of McC’s Violet. That one is real nice too.

I know the native Africans used weed (or dagga) for making snuff before they were introduced to tobacco. I have two plants growing very nicely and I’m going to use it for making snuff. I will, however, treat it the same as tobacco as I’m not interested in drugs. I’m a recovered alcoholic as most of you know and I never wanna be hooked onto anything again. If I find it intoxicating, I will just dump it. Problem is I won’t be able to share it with our members as I won’t dare putting it in the post.

@wickedkitchen: Tomato leaf snuff does work, at least in the sense of providing nicotine. In its pure form I found it to be too earthy, but it mixed well with Rooster.

I will also recommend Wilson’s Lavender. I find it extremely relaxing.

Peppermint is also very powerful. Do some googling for some basic ideas on specific effects of herbs @. Pieter; If that is Lions tail or Lions ear, you will not enjoy the withdrawal symptoms. Of course that is only my opinion.

I ordered a tin of the Wilsons Lavender, thanks guys and very favorite snuff is the Windmill Pepermunt, I love the peppermint scent, it just makes me feel vibrant and alive and happy. I would not want to run out of my Pepermunt

@Newtosnuff- What do you know about calamus root? I’m having a hard time finding out why it is banned by the FDA. I know it makes a good tobacco substitute. It is used as snuff in ayurvedic circles.

@ Juxtaposer, Here in Holland calamus root is used in the preparation alcoholic herb drinks. Can’t imagine why it is banned by the FDA. It is also mentioned in historical snuff recipies. Jaap Bes.

Calamus root is still freely available in the US. The only ban is on calamus as a food additive; you can still purchase as much as you please. One of the two species which goes by the name ‘calamus’ (acorus gramineus, not acorus calamus) contains a compound called beta-asarone. Beta-asarone was linked to liver cancer (if memory serves me) when given in astronomical quantities to lab rats. The real reason is that the FDA never saw a power-grab that it didn’t like, and take immediately.

Same with Tonka beans. You can buy them but a food maker can’t use them for ingredients. I obtained some awhile back and the packet reads, “To be used only under the supervision of an expert qualified in the appropriate use of this substance. Not recommended for internal use. The FDA strictly prohibits the use of Tonka in food products.” I use these under the supervision of an expert: the collective wisdom and knowlege of this forum.

Oh, naturally. Let’s not forget those godawful smarmy ‘Sweet Surprise’ commercials put out by the high fructose corn syrup industry. Gah…