Is it permissible to inhale vaporized dry herbs such as lavender, peppermint, rose, etc.?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu 'alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.  

In principle, it is not permissible to consume something which causes bodily harm or has the potential of causing bodily harm[1] irrespective of the method of consumption. 

There are currently two prevalent inhalation methods: smoking and vaporization. Many people hear of vaporizers and instantly think of e-cigarettes or vape pens. However, vaporizers are quite different from e-cigarettes and vape pens.

E-cigarettes and vape-pens are devices that work by heating a liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales and exhales. The e-cigarette and vape-pen liquid typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, and other chemicals.

Many answers to questions on e-cigarettes/vapes remain unanswered and are unknown by medical experts themselves. However, the harms of nicotine are very well known and accepted. Therefore, rendering usage of any form of nicotine based product impermissible.

As for nicotine-free fluids, researchers still don't know the long-term effects of vaping such fluids. Studies have shown that e-cigarettes and vape-pens are not free from releasing active ingredients without toxic by-products. However, not all experts agree on its harms. Therefore, even though the harms of nicotine are not present, there is a fear of potential bodily harm of the chemicals in the liquids, rendering them impermissible for consumption. 

Dry herb vaporization devices, however, do not include such liquids, rather dry herbs are heated by precise temperature control, efficiently releasing active ingredients without toxic by-products. The use of a high-quality vaporizer device eliminates the respiratory disadvantages of smoking and the inhalation of compounds from e-cigarettes and liquid vape-pens. Dry herb vaporization is not done only for flavor but therapeutic benefits as well, such as headache relief, alleviating cold and flu symptoms, etc. Therefore, if one does not use cannabis or any other herb which can cause any form of intoxication or bodily harm, it will be permissible to vape such dry herbs. 

Accordingly, it will be permissible for one to inhale vaporized dry herbs such as lavender, peppermint, and rose.

And Allah Ta'āla Knows Best

Ibn Aḥsan

Student - Darul Iftaa

New York City, New York, USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

(2021-01-09)