Herbal Vaporizer Risks

Herbal vaporizers are designed to help people quit smoking. Their manufacturers often claim or imply that herbal vaporizers are a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. However, this form of smoking is not without risk either.

Function

• Herbal vaporizers heat herbs to the point of combustion, at which point they can be inhaled along with water vapor. However, the health ramifications of inhaling herbs has not been studied extensively.

Significance

• Because the herbs are heated directly, users inhale about 5 percent of the tar and carcinogens they would take in from a regular cigarette. Some vaporizers do not involve tar in the process at all.

Types

• Herbal vaporizers can be used as a substitute for smoking. There are also herbal vaporizers designed to help people inhale medicinal herbs. Both of these options could potentially irritate the respiratory system.

Effects

• Herbal vaporizers resolve the problem of breaking a smoking habit by allowing the user to still smoke. However, they also come with some of the same detrimental aspects, although in much smaller quantities.

Warning

• Do not inhale herbs via herbal vaporizer without consulting a physician. While medicinal herbs can be administered in this way, you could inflame your lungs and throat or the herbs could react badly with prescription medication.