Hemp tea – preparation, effects, origin.

December is around the corner and with it the cold frosty days. I’m sure we can all agree that one of the best solutions is a thick blanket and a mug of hot tea, the smell of which you can smell from the door. But have you tried hemp tea?

Hemp powder a.k.a. hemp tea – the source of the perfect tea experience.

Hemp tea is made from hemp dry matter containing the leaves, seeds and flowers of Cannabis. Cannabis Sativa is a variety of hemp also known as technical hemp with a high CBD (cannabidiol) content, which is also grown in Slovakia. Did you know that every part of this plant can be used for something different? While the stalk is used to make fibres for textiles or paper, the roots clean the soil of toxins and heavy metals. The leaves are great for tea or smoothies and the flowers contain the most CBD. Hemp seeds are among the most nutritious, with the highest protein content, making them one of the best meat alternatives. They are also used to make milk, flour and oil. Hemp fibre is also used to make bioplastics or to insulate buildings. Hemp is a unique plant that we can draw from, from milk production to house building, personally, I don’t know of a more versatile plant!

Hemp tea, like all hemp food products, has very many benefits and can help with a variety of problems. It contains a number of CBD – cannabidiol molecules that interact with our endocannabinoid system in the body and its receptors.

Its specific smell is due to terpenes, which, together with cannabinoids, are found on the surface of the whole plant, but especially around the female flowers. However, they are also found on other well-known plants. You will have no problem imagining the smell of pine or lemon. Terpenes such as pinene or limonene are the cause of this, and there are many more in cannabis.

Young hemp tea is also the best supplement of vitamins and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a natural source of antioxidants that help fight unstable electrons in the body that result from oxidation and can cause various diseases. Chlorophyll is almost identical in structure to hemoglobin in our bodies. It can therefore carry oxygen very well and also increases the body’s ability to produce haemoglobin. It promotes faster regeneration of the body, increases immunity and slows down the aging process. It also has antibacterial effects, counteracts viruses and modifies intestinal peristalsis.

Thanks to its CBD content, hemp tea has even more benefits. It improves sleep and combats various sleep problems. It has a calming effect and so helps with stress or different types of anxiety (such as the social anxiety that many of us experience after a prolonged lockdown). CBD interacts with the serotonin receptors in our brains, which regulate our mood.

How to prepare hemp tea?

Pour boiling water over the tea bag or tea grounds and leave to infuse covered for 5-10 minutes. Please refer to the packaging of the product purchased for the exact dosage. Strain the tea, and add honey or sugar to taste. It is also recommended to add a few drops of oil or butter or cream to soften the taste but also for better absorption of the cannabinoids. Depending on your preference and experience, you can add cinnamon, lemon or orange peel or combine with another type of tea.

Why is cannabis tea infused with hot water?

Like most teas, the hot water is used to activate the CBD molecules, and to leach out all the components of the plant. With cannabis, this is even a little more important. CBD doesn’t just occur in the plant. It is preceded by CBD acid, which is converted into cannabidiol through heat treatment. However, both have very beneficial health effects. Studies show anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial effects. They are also attributed with beneficial effects for colds, flu or calming stressful situations. If you prefer cold teas, we recommend pouring hot water over them and then adding ice cubes or waiting for the right temperature for you.

How to increase the effects of hemp solids?

For an even greater effect, you can add a few drops of CBD oil to your tea. This not only has a number of positive effects in itself, but it also helps to better release the cannabinoids in the tea, as they bind to the fats and so help the body to absorb them. You can add, cream, milk or butter or coconut oil.

You can also try brewing cannabis tea. Add the tea powder to boiling water, cover with a lid and boil for 15 minutes. A shorter time will not allow all the components to be released, while a longer time will not alter the brew, noted laboratory tests in a study (Hazekamp, 2011). However, such an extract is very strong, with a distinct taste. Strain the tea and add honey, milk or mix with another favourite tea for a milder taste. From experience, hemp tea is excellent in combination with sage or mint tea.

Effects of cannabis tea

1. Insomnia
   You will be familiar with the effects of lavender, lemongrass or camomile – all of these herbs help with insomnia. Hemp extracts – specifically CBD cannabidiol – have the same effects. The latter regulates our sleep-wake cycles and so helps to improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia problems.
2. Nausea and indigestion
   One of the other benefits of the CBD content in hemp tea is relief from nausea, abdominal muscle cramps and stomach cramps. And you might not believe it, but this is also due to the receptors that secrete serotonin, which helps relieve pain.
3. Inflammation
   Scientists have also confirmed some support for chronic inflammation, thanks to the CBD content of hemp tea. The anti-inflammatory effects can also help prevent problems such as high blood pressure. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), scientists agree that the CBD content in hemp tea can reduce inflammation.

Does cannabis tea have side effects?

Each type of tea is suitable for a different health problem, and especially with herbal teas you should be careful with the dosage, because the old saying applies here too: too much of anything is bad for you.

Cannabis tea can cause a slight reduction in blood pressure and subsequent nausea or slight dizziness, so be careful to drink it only in small amounts or in combination with other teas if you suffer from low blood pressure.

Hemp tea contains no caffeine, unlike green tea for example, so it is excellent before bed and is not subject to any of the negative effects that caffeine can have on our bodies.

Sources:

https://www.tea-and-coffee.com/blog/hemp-tea-benefits
Hazekamp, A.,(2011). A review of cannabis tea. Leiden University. Netherland
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277299844_A_review_of_cannabis_tea