What Is a Herbal Vaporizer?

How Vaporizers Work

• Vaporizers work by heating the herb with warm air just below its combustion level.The herb's essential oils begin to boil and the active ingredients in the essential oils are turned into a gas, or vapor, which is then inhaled. Vaporization temperatures vary for different herbs and generally fall into one of three categories: low temperature herbs such as passionflower, chamomile and sage vaporize up to 302 degrees Fahrenheit; medium temperature herbs such as damiana, red and prickly poppy and ginkgo vaporize at temperatures up to 347 degrees, and high temperature herbs such as kava kava, licorice and hops vaporize up to 392 degrees.

Vapor vs. Smoke

• Depending on the herbal vaporizer used, harmful toxins and smoke byproducts, including naphthalene, benzene, toluene, are greatly reduced or eliminated. Fewer toxins equal less throat irritation so the user can hold the vapor in the lungs longer allowing for more absorption of the active ingredients. Additionally, less herb is needed because it isn't being burned.

Heating Methods

• Herbal vaporizers use two types of heating methods to create vapor: convection and conduction. Conduction vaporizers heat the herb through direct contact by utilizing a heating element that transfer heat to whatever the heating element touches. Convection vaporizers are designed to use warm air to heat the herb's essential oils to a desired temperature. Conduction herbal vaporizers are generally less expensive and simpler in design, but less efficient. Convection vaporizers heat the plant material more evenly with better temperature control.

Different Types

• The balloon-style vaporizer is the most efficient type of vaporizer that automatically heats the herb evenly at the perfect temperature and sends the vapor to a balloon-style chamber. Some models allow the balloon to detach, giving the user freedom to walk around with the vapor. Direct inhale vaporizers provide the freshest vapor because it doesn't mix with oxygen before being inhaled. However, finding the right inhalation to temperature technique is essential and different for each user. Someone who inhales slowly doesn't require as much warm air because the heat is in contact with the herb for a longer time period, whereas someone who takes short puffs needs more heat because the herb isn't in contact with the warm air for long. Portable vaporizers are convenient for travel because they are small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and use either a rechargeable battery or lighter as the heating source.