Hookahs originated in the north western provinces of India along the border of Pakistan nearly a millennia ago. These hookahs were simple, primitive, and rugged in design, usually made from a coconut shell base and tube with a head attached. They were originally designed to smoke opium and hashish. The hookah made its way through the Persian Kingdom, which also included Pakistan, Afghanistan, much of Middle Asia and Arab parts of Northern Africa. The first tobacco used in a hookah was called tombeik. Tombeik is a dark tobacco grown in modern day Iran. The tombeik was rinsed and packed in the large older style bowls where hot coals were applied directly to the wet tombeik, giving it a strong flavor.
About 500 years ago, the hookah made its way into Turkey. There, it endured a surge of popularity among the upper class and intellectuals and changed in design. The hookah grew in size and complexity and became similar to the designs we are more familiar with today. Brass and glass were added to the design and less wood was used. Intricate paintings and mosaics were added for beauty and elegance. The popularity of hookahs grew with hookah coffee shops in Turk society two to three centuries ago. A hookah bar waiter was treated similar to a chef because of the preparation for hookah smoking. The packing and moisture was a skill, and it was considered rude to touch the coals. Hookah smoking migrated south into the Arab world from Turkey to Lebanon and Syria where it got the name argile. It then spread into Egypt and Morocco, where it is known as shisha. It is also know as the hubble bubble in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Today, hookah bars are social places where many people get together to discuss politics and local events.
Most hookah smoking countries serve Naklia shisha. Naklia shisha is a combination of tobaccos, honey molasses and dried fruit. The smoke is filtered through ice cold water to make the smoke cool and soothing.
Hookahs began growing in popularity in the United States and Europe during the 60's and has become increasingly popular ever since.

Hookah Tips...

• Shisha tobacco can be stored at room temperature, but must be kept in an air tight container to prevent it from drying and losing its flavour. Shisha will last even longer if refrigerated in an airtight container.
• Placing ice cubes in the base of your hookah and getting the water ice cold before smoking can make for a smoother, more mellow, enjoyable smoking experience.
  Liquids other than water can be used as well. Milk & cream will cause the smoke to be much thicker). Experiment with juices, wines, liquors and other liquids. Try mixing lemon juice, orange juice, or other flavours into the water to enhance the taste of your hookah smoking experience.
• Combining shisha with honey can provide a satisfying hookah smoke. You can even Squeeze a lemon or lime in the summer.
• Shisha tends to clump up because of it's consistency & moistness. After packing the bowl, be sure to stir up the shisha or crumble it up in your fingers to spread it evenly throughout the bowl.
• Use a charcoal screen to cover the bowl or aluminum foil.
  
  - Use a small square of aluminum foil, big enough to cover the open top of the bowl.
  - Wrap the foil over the top of the bowl so that the surface is tight (it helps to make sure the reflective side is facing down so that it directs more heat from the charcoal).
  - Use something pointed (i.e. a toothpick or a pipe poker) to poke a bunch of small holes in the foil. This will allow the heat to transfer to the tobacco more quickly.
  - Hold down the foil on top of the bowl with the palm of your hand and blow through the bottom of the bowl. Release your hand and blow just a little longer. This will prevent shisha from getting into the holes of the bowl and will make your hookah pull better.
  - note: Aluminum foil or charcoal screens are NOT actually necessary. Using foil or a screen is to prevent the charcoal taste from contaminating your shisha as well as preventing the ash from falling into and mixing with the tobacco. Using a hookah without any foil or a charcoal screen will char the tobacco around the charcoal, effectively creating a shield between the coal(s) and the shisha anyhow.
• There are many types of coals used for hookah smoking. My Tobacconist Smoke Shop sells Premium Quick-lighting charcoals. Hold the coal with the tongs provided with your hookah. Be sure to light the charcoals OUTSIDE. They will create an immense amount of smoke as they light.
• Place the charcoal on the foil or charcoal screen once it is fully lit.
• Combining different flavours of shisha can be very satisfying. Banana and strawberry is very good, so is lemon and mango. Mint mixed with other flavours provides for a cool refreshing taste.
• When finished smoking, be sure to blow out any lingering smoke from the hoses. This will extend the life of the hose and help prevent inhaling unpleasant surprises.

Burning homeopathic herbs through the process of combustion is an ancient practice. However, releasing the active ingredients of homeopathic herbs does not have to occur with combustion.

Vaporizing has the same effect as smoking, but does so without any burning. Vaporizing eliminates combustion by-products as well as unwanted odors.

By-products resulting from combustion include tar, ash, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other carcinogens. Inhaling smoke exposes your lungs and throat to high amounts of heat. This is damaging regardless of what you may be smoking.

Combustion is also known to decrease and destroy a large percentage of the active ingredients contained in homeopathic herbs. Some studies have shown that 25-50% of the active ingredients contained in tobacco are destroyed by the act of combustion itself! So not only does smoking create many unhealthy and unwanted side effects, but a large percentage of the active ingredients are lost in the process. Additionally, smoking blocks taste and destroys many of the natural flavors of your tobacco and smoking blends.

Vaporizing warms your tobacco or smoking blend to a temperature below the level of combustion. Since vaporizing does not use a flame or fire to ignite the material, none of the active ingredients are lost in the process. More natural taste and flavor and none of the harmful effects of smoking!!

Pure vapor contains little to no tar and is much cooler to inhale into your lungs than smoke. Pure vapor has practically no carcinogenic elements making it a healthier alternative to smoking!

The vapor itself is slightly visible when exhaled and does not create a smell like smoking does. There are usually no odors at all in pure vapor.

HOW TO WORK YOUR VAPE:

1. Plug in and turn on vaporizer.
2. Turn to a high temperature setting and allow the vaporizer to heat up... usually 5-10 minutes (3-4 minutes with the SSV).
3. Grind your tobacco or smoking blend and pack into the bowl-end of the wand so that it doesn't fall out. Atleast enough to cover the screen.
4. Set the temperature to the optimal vaporization temperature.
5. Hold the bowl-end of the wand against the heater cover or for box type vaporizers, place the ground glass bowl onto the heating element.
6. Inhale slowly to allow the air to heat before passing over your tobacco.
7. When the tobacco has been fully consumed, there should be some discoloration but none should appear burnt.