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Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) Dried Herb
The traditional uses of this great herbal smoke are more extensive than virtually every other herb we offer.  It's rich and varied history in ritual spans the globe.  In Pre-Columbian times the Aztecs used mugwort as a ritual incense. Mythologically speaking, Mugwort is dedicated to Artemis and Diana, and was well known for it's use in helping to alleviate pain in the body, while enhancing psychic powers and lucid dreaming in the mind.

In witchcraft traditions, it has long been used to induce lucid dreaming and astral projection. (It was one of the nine sacred herbs given to the world by Odin.)

In Korea, mugwort is said to have different medicinal properties depending on the season. In some areas, the plant is so strongly psychoactive that individuals gathering the plant have passed out just from dermal contact with the plant leaves. Mugwort is often used to ward off evil spirits in spiritual rituals.

The Ainu tribe of Japan drink a tea made of mugwort before beginning divination in order to expel evil influences.  It is also used as an incense by Nepalese and Indian shamans, who say that it wards of demons and other evil spirits.

What we find most intriguing is that Mugwort was called the "Sailor's Tobacco" as Mugwort not only had a very tangible effect from smoking it, but it was used as a tobacco substitute when tobacco could not be found.  We agree that this is a great base for any smoking blend, and it's no doubt that's why SweetSmoke Herbs has decided to use it as the basis of their flagship LUCID HERBAL SMOKING BLEND.

Read in-depth details about Traditional Uses, Traditional Preparation and more at Mugwort at Entheology.com.
Baheda (Teminalia belerica) Dried Fruit
Baheda fruit is from a large tree found throughout India. The fruit is gray in color and sweet in taste.

Baheda is traditionally combined in Ayurveda with the fruis of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) and Harada (Terminalia chebula) to create the famous Indian formula known as “Triphala” (‘three fruits’). Triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation consisting of three fruits native to the Indian subcontinent: Amla (Emblica officinalis), Baheda (Terminalia belerica) and Harad (Terminalia chebula). Recommended and used more often than any other Ayurvedic herbal formulation, the combination of the three fruits has a synergistic effect to bolster the digestive systems and many other body systems.

In Ayurvedic terms, Triphala, used in moderation, is said to have a beneficial effect on all three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha— the three energies of the body believed to regulate all function. It is most well-known for its gentle effects on the digestion and cleansing the build up of toxicity. Ayurveda also views Triphala as a nourishing supplement known for its ability to rejuvenate healthy tissues, thus one is allowed to age gracefully. Modern scientific examination shows Triphala to be an excellent detoxification formula.

Baheda fruit is traditionally used in Ayurveda to help nourish and cleanse the digestive system.*

The best way to prepare Baheda fruit is to make a strong decoction (using a coffee filter press if possible) with boiling water.

Use 1/2 oz per 4 cups of water to make a tea. Half a cup is equal to a single serving.

If using prescription medications, seek the advice of a health care professional before using this product. Not to be taken during pregnancy or if breastfeeding. Not for use by persons under the age of 18 years. Keep out of reach of children.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.

Cactus - T. Peruvianus (Peruvian Torch)

Peruvian Torch (Trichocereus Peruvianus) is probably the best-known cactus of this group of cactii and is a fast grower providing beautiful blossoms, doubling its size each year!  It's said to have a much higher alkaloid content than San Pedro as well. To cultivate, simply place the seeds on top of a sandy soil, easily found at any local nursery or Home Depot.  Then, simply sprinkle a light layer of soil over the top of that to cover the seeds.  Give your cactus seeds only shaded or fluorescent light only for the first 6-12 months.  After that, there's no way to give these cacti too much sun!  Although deserts are known to be dry,  the humidity for germination should be around 70-80 % and can easily be accomplished by creating a small terrarium.

Wooden Box - Ganesh Hand Carved (4"x6") Beautifully hand carved wooden box from India.
Hand-Picked Singing Bowl (12" w/Mallet)

This is a large 12" singing bowl for the clearest and richest tone available, with the longest decay time of any other singing bowl we offer.  There are larger singing bowls, but after they get larger than 12" in diameter, the cost goes up considerably, and the gain in both tone and sustain of the sound does not increase enough to justify a larger bowl. 

We hand select this bowls for tone; so be very careful with which singing bowl you choose to purchase...there can be a VAST difference in quality with singing bowls. Look HERE for more info.  We feel that we excel in choosing singing bowls for both their tone and their craftsmanship, partly because several of the people on our staff use these very bowls in their meditation practice, and these are no exception.  All bowls are hand-beaten into shape for a tone that is noticeably clearer and lasts longer than any bowl made by any machine.   They are also a lovely reminder of the energy that these bowls provide, while not taking up much space in one's environment.

Using Your Singing Meditation Bowl: Find a quiet place. Set the bowl on its pad. Take a calming breath and gently strike the edge of the bowl with the baton. Relax, focus on the resonating sound, and bring your awareness to the present, allowing all else to fall away from your mind except the sound of the resonance of the metal of the bowl. Continue to concentrate as the sound gently subsides. Rest in the tranquil moment that follows.

Repeat this exact ritual until you have reached the time you set aside for yourself for meditation.  What we love most about Singing Bowls, is that unlike a mantra which is repeated to oneself and can more easily lend itself to the mind wandering, this is a physical activity that you are engaging in.  This physical activity, although mindless, forces your mind to stay with what you're doing a little more easily, making it even more likely that you will grow in skill in your meditation practice.

This hand-hammered 12" singing bowl is carefully crafted by artisans in Nepal. It is hand tuned for clarity before leaving their workshop.  As all of our products from Nepal and Tibet, these are Fair Traded, and profits from these bowls go directly to helping to Free Tibet.