THE CURRICULUM

The 25 Herbs

25 herbs. Every one chosen for a reason. These are the building blocks of every blend in the book. Learn them and you can craft anything.

Spanish missionaries in Baja California documented indigenous people smoking damiana mixed with sugar water as far back as the 1800s. They called it a love herb. The missionaries were not impressed.

01

Damiana

BASE

A smooth smoke that relaxes the body while gently stimulating the mind.

02

Marshmallow Leaf

BASE

The quiet stabilizer. Valued for the velvety softness it brings to a blend.

03

Mullein

BASE

The backbone herb. Adds air, supports an even burn, and creates space for other herbs to shine.

04

Nettle

BASE

Brings structure and an earthy freshness to any blend without adding extra flavor.

05

Raspberry Leaf

BASE

The steady anchor. Neutral flavor, clean burn, easy to blend with everything.

06

Catnip

MODIFIER

One of the most misunderstood herbs in the H25 set. For humans its value is quieter and more useful than you think.

07

Chamomile

MODIFIER

A gentle floral tone with an apple-like aroma. Shapes the middle of a blend and smooths transitions between herbs.

08

Dandelion

MODIFIER

Often overlooked and underestimated. A mild bitterness that balances overly sweet or floral herbs.

09

Holy Basil

MODIFIER

Warm, spiced, with subtle clove-like notes and a reputation for emotional balance.

10

Horehound

MODIFIER

A strong, distinctly bitter modifier with one of the oldest records in herbal tradition. Best used with a light hand.

11

Lemon Balm

MODIFIER

The rare combination of lifting and smoothing in the same aromatic note. Known in European folk medicine as the happy herb.

12

Mugwort

MODIFIER

Traditionally regarded as a plant of intuition. Best used intentionally and kept to around 5% of a blend.

13

Peppermint

MODIFIER

The sharpest lift herb in the H25 set. Bright, crisp and immediately recognizable. Changes a blend faster than almost anything else.

14

Plantain

MODIFIER

The quiet smoother of the H25 set. No loud flavor, no dramatic aroma. Its job is to make the whole blend feel noticeably gentler.

15

Red Clover

MODIFIER

A rounding herb that brings soft body, gentle sweetness and a light floral aroma. Balances dry or overly sharp blends.

16

Sage

MODIFIER

A structure herb. Dry, savory and unmistakably herbal. Shapes the middle and finish of a blend more than it builds body.

17

Blue Cornflower

FLAVOR

The elegance herb. Adds a delicate floral lift and striking visual color without a loud flavor or heavy aroma.

18

Calendula

FLAVOR

The warm bright finisher. Gentle, slightly floral, with a flavor that is warm and clean and a visual impact that is immediate.

19

Eucalyptus

FLAVOR

The sharpest top-note in the H25 set. Clean, cool and intensely aromatic. Use with restraint. Restraint is the whole technique.

20

Lavender

FLAVOR

The soft floral finisher. Can make a blend feel instantly more gentle and complete. Use lightly or it tips toward soapy.

21

Lobelia

FLAVOR

One of the most intense herbs in the H25 set. A pretty little flower that in a blend is not here to be pretty. Handle with intention and a light hand.

22

Rose Petals

FLAVOR

Brings polish to a blend. A soft floral lift, gently sweet in small amounts, and visually beautiful in any mix.

23

Rosemary

FLAVOR

The crisp savory finisher. Pine-herbal and unmistakably bold. Sharpens the finish and has been known to awaken the mind.

24

Thyme

FLAVOR

Assertive, savory and unmistakably herbal. Works best as a quiet anchor that gives a blend depth without taking over.

25

Uva Ursi

FLAVOR

Brings dry, tobacco-like depth into the H25 set. Resinous, earthy and distinctly astringent. Use with intention and start very low.

Want the full picture?

Full herb profiles, blend ratios, 10 recipes and the complete 3:2:1 system. Everything is in the book.