Experiencing herbs through smoke with Lian Bruno of Puff Herbals
There are many ways to incorporate herbs for self care. One of those ways is through smoke.
Meet Lian Bruno, owner of Puff Herbals, and a clinically-trained herbalist with a background in ethnobotany and an interest in psychoactive plants. She's also a Cancer Sun, Scorpio Rising, and Aquarius Moon.
"I completed a three-year clinical herbalism apprenticeship at CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism in 2016. While studying, I had my friends try all the herbal preparations I was making, but the smokes were the only ones they kept asking for."
After seeing clients and selling smoke blends around town for a few years, she founded Puff Herbals in 2019 on the belief that working with herbs through smoke can be a vital and legitimate part of a holistic wellness practice.
"I write all of our blog posts and I've had work published via DoubleBlind, HerbRally, and Flower Press among others. In 2020, I was honored to receive the Cosmic Sister Emerging Voices Award."
Lian tells us more about Puff Herbals and how to incorporate herbs through smoke in your self care practice.
Q. What's the origin story behind Puff Herbals?
A. The first time I ever smoked anything was a week before I left home to go to college. I asked my friends if we could smoke together so that I’d know what it was like.
We were hanging out in a park but I was CONVINCED we were in a giant bowl of cereal. I loved it. I became a typical stoner in college and continued smoking into my adult life.
On my 23rd birthday, I had a psychedelic mushroom experience at the beach where I felt a strong connection to my late Chinese grandfather. Later that week, I enrolled in a kung fu school and committed to learning herbalism.
I enrolled in a three-year clinical herbalism apprenticeship in 2014 and eventually learned that a lot of the herbs we had been learning about in school were smokable. I began “tossing salads” of herbs, experimenting with different flavors and effects. While in school, I had my friends try all the herbal preparations I was making, but the smokes were the only ones they kept asking for.
In 2016, I had the opportunity to sell products at my local annual herbalism conference and marketplace. I was selling herbal cigarettes for 50 cents each, and there was a huge line out the door the entire weekend. I did a few more markets before I had to call it quits in order to focus on finishing my masters degree.
After I got my degree, I decided to revive the idea of selling herbal cigarettes, but this time I’d really focus on building a brand rather than just vending at markets here and there. And in the summer of 2019, I launched what is now Puff Herbals.
Q. How is plant medicine beneficial?
A. Herbs are any plant whose medicinal, nutritive, or ritual qualities improve health in the mind, body, and spirit. I feel that the most potent plant medicines, however, emerge from herbs that encompass more than one of these therapeutic categories.
The strength of such herbs (and fungi) lies in their ability to address multiple aspects of well-being, embodying the true essence of holistic health. By intertwining the spheres of the mind, body, and spirit, the interconnectedness of our being, herbs can help us recognize that improvements in one area can positively influence others.
In a world where we often isolate symptoms and conditions, herbalism reminds us of the power and potential of interconnected healing.
Q. How can people start working with herbs through smoke?
A. If you already smoke something, start by sprinkling in a bit of flavorful herbs like peppermint or lavender.
Notice the difference in taste, the difference in the way you feel. Do you like these flavors? Do they make you perk up a bit, do they make you feel more light, soft, or gentle? How do you want to feel when you smoke? Is there anything about smoking what you normally do that you don’t like? What does your ideal smoke feel like?
When you take a step back and ask yourself these types of questions, you’ll get a sense for what you’re looking for in a smoking ritual. From there, you can do a bit of research into what herbs can help facilitate this practice.
Q. If you had to pick just three, what are your must-have herbs for your personal practice?
A. Chamomile, holy basil, and skullcap. All three are smokable.
Follow @puff.herbals to learn more about the brand, and enter our Chill Starter Pack Giveaway on Instagram for a chance to win a pack of Sleepy Spliffs, among other great prizes.
Want to try different blends? Use code ALLISWELL to save 10%.