Hemp tea is an infusion made from the leaves, flowers, or seeds of the hemp plant. It’s well-known for its potential calming effects on the heart and mind. Many people who use other of its products or add its food into their diet also enjoy it as a warm cup of tea.
Still, many people doubt whether it is safe or even legal to consume given that it comes from the same plant as cannabis (“marijuana”). But it doesn’t contain THC (the psychoactive compound found in marijuana) in high amounts, so it doesn’t induce a “high” feeling. Instead, it’s rich in cannabinoids like CBD (cannabidiol) known for its potential relaxing or calming effects.
What is hemp tea?
Hemp comes from the cannabis sativa plant, and many people use it for several culinary and personal care products.
You may have even eaten hemp seeds or used a hemp-based soap before as part of your skincare routine. The tea is brewed similarly to other herbal teas and can be consumed for its calming effects. It can be enjoyed in both hot and cold temperatures. Some people like to add flavoring or sweetening agents to their tea, like honey, lemon, or sugar.
Does hemp tea contain TCH?
This is one of the most common questions many people have regarding hemp tea, whether it contains tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH). The answer is yes, however, it contains very low levels of TCH often below the legal limit of 0.3% in many countries. So you’re not going to feel high like you would after smoking or ingesting weed.
Many people tend to confuse hemp with cannabis, but they really aren’t the same thing. Both are rich in cannabinol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is often used to reduce anxiety, alleviate pain, and help improve certain aspects of heart health.
While hemp contains some amounts of THC, weed still takes the lead. The amount of THC it has is not enough to promote psychoactive effects or get you high like weed would. However, the exact THC content can vary based on factors such as the hemp strain used and the part of the plant (leaves, flowers, seeds) included in the tea. But still, it’s normal for it to have higher levels of CBD (cannabidiol) and minimal THC, so it doesn’t induce psychoactive effects associated with marijuana.
Because of this, it is grown for recreational purposes and healing purposes, such as for making teas, using it in the kitchen, and personal care.
Uses and potential health benefits of hemp tea
Most of the time it is used to help promote calmness to the mind and body. This is possible due to the non-psychoactive CBD and other bioactive compounds it contains.
Keep in mind that hemp tea contains very small amounts of CBD than the amounts research discovered in analyzing its effects. Therefore drinking hemp tea alone may not produce strong effects.
According to some studies it offers the following health benefits:
Relaxation
The presence of CBD in the tea may help promote relaxation and stress relief without the psychoactive effects of THC.
May help promote sleep
CBD can help calm the brain and may be used to improve your sleep patterns. In fact, some studies have found that CBD may improve sleep quality among people dealing with Parkinson’s disease.
Pain relief
Hemp tea’s cannabinoids may have pain-numbing properties, potentially helping alleviate mild to moderate pain.
Anti-inflammatory properties
CBD is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially aiding in managing inflammation-related issues.
Anxiety relief
Some studies suggest CBD’s potential in reducing anxiety symptoms. In one study, participants were given either a 150 mg, 300 mg, or 600 mg dose of CBD prior to public speaking. And those who got the 300 mg dose experienced the most significant change for reducing anxiety, than those with other doses and placebo. But keep in mind that most hemp tea contains less amounts of CBD than the amounts used in the study.
Rich in nutrients
Hemp tea might contain beneficial nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which are beneficial for the body.
May support heart health
CBD and other compounds present in hemp may help reduce high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease. They may also contain anti-inflammatory activity, which can benefit the heart and improve the respiratory process.
Caffeine-free
Most beverages high in caffeine can cause restlessness and interfere with night sleep, but hemp tea — caffeine-free, wouldn’t give such results but offer calmness and relaxation.
Potential side effects of hemp tea
New foods affect everyone differently, so if you’ve never taken hemp tea, you might want to slowly introduce it to your diet and take it in moderation.
In most cases, hemp and CBD are largely considered safe with a low risk of serious side effects. However, some people have complained of tiredness, diarrhea, and unintentional changes in appetite after consuming CBD.
You might also want to be careful or better still avoid taking hemp tea as the CBD in it could interact with certain medications like digoxin for example. CBD may also interact with medications used to manage seizures and electrical activity in the brain, like clobazam, which is used for epilepsy.
Furthermore, CBD may interfere with medications like antidepressants and pain medications.
Some other possible side effects include:
- drowsiness
- digestive issues
- Psychological effects
Additionally, hemp may reduce potassium levels, you should avoid it if you’re using diuretics, which can also promote potassium losses. Diuretics like furosemide reduce the amount of fluid in your body.
Everyone reacts differently, which is why it is best to speak with a healthcare professional before adding hemp tea or other sources of CBD to your diet or health routine.
What does CBD do to our brains?
CBD activates specific neurons and receptors in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin. So when someone consumes CBD, it binds to these receptors and specific neurons, it’s like a key fitting into a lock. And when this happens it affects the brain. Here are 4 things that it affects:
Reduces blood flow
A study published by the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2010 showed that CBD reduces blood flow in areas of the brain that are linked with anxiety, and the reduction in blood flow calmed the participants down and changed the way they responded to anxiety.
It manages pain
Some scientists have found that CBD changes the way your receptors respond to pain signals it receives. This makes it easier to control pain and manage inflammation in the body.
Additionally, they also found that CBD caused the body to produce more natural cannabinoids which made it easier to manage chronic pain symptoms in people.
CBD reduces oxidative damage
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, and the way in which our bodies manage this oxidative stress plays a huge role in our overall health. Some research found that CBD acts on the receptors in the brain to decrease the level of oxidative damage. And when this happens, it helps the body produce more antioxidants that help the body heal, release tension, and also help release stress from the brain faster.
CBD contains antipsychotic properties
The research found that CBD can help reduce psychotic symptoms in those with mental disorders such as schizophrenia, and with these properties, it was discovered that CBD is actually able to boost the overall mood of its users.
There are many effects that CBD has on the brain and the body, and there are still many ongoing studies concerning CBD. Always remember to consult with a healthcare professional if you intend to use it for health reasons.
Where to buy hemp tea?
Hemp tea is available in various places. You can either buy the pre-made hemp tea bags, dried hemp leaves, or buds to make your own tea. You can get loose hemp leaves for tea and purchase some fillable, so you can keep them in it.
can find both of these options at many online retailers, just check their website as they often offer a wide selection of hemp tea. There are also specialty stores that will sell the exact ingredients you need. At grocery stores find hemp tea by checking the herbal teas and coffee section.
Some other places you can buy them are:
- Health food stores
- CBD distributors
- Local farmer’s market.
Ensure to buy from reputable sources to ensure the quality and authenticity of your hemp tea. Reading reviews and checking the product’s certifications can also help you buy the right thing.
How to make hemp tea
Making hemp tea is quite easy, and it’s even easier if you’re familiar with preparing other types of herbal tea.
Your two besties in the preparation process will be water and hemp. The hemp can come in the form of dried leaves or ground hemp flower buds, you wouldn’t need these types if you already bought the pre-made hemp tea bag that’s ready to steep.
The first thing to do is to boil your water. Then pour it into a mug, and put your tea bag, allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes before taking it out.
If you’re working with dry hemp leaves or buds, all you have to do is place them in hot water and boil briefly, you can add any sweetening agent you want, and then strain out the the solids.
Here’s a more detailed recipe guide
Ingredients
2 grams of dried hemp leaves or buds
1 cup (of about 240 ml) water
1 tablespoon (15ml) of lemon juice
You can add a pinch of cinnamon or 1 tablespoon (15ml) of honey or other sweeteners of your choice. Keep in mind that these are optional.
Directions
1 . First, boil your water in a teapot or saucepan on the stove.
2 . When your water boils, add hemp and a pinch of cinnamon (optional) into the water.
3 . Allow your water to boil for an extra one minute.
4 . Then let the water cool a little before adding honey or lemon.
5 . Strain your tea into a mug to remove solids and enjoy.
Not to worry, however, if you choose to make your hemp tea, the end result will be healthy and flavorful.
Take away
Hemp tea is an herbal infusion derived from the leaves, flowers, or seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. Unlike marijuana, hemp contains minimal amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound, and is also rich in CBD (cannabidiol) and other cannabinoids.
This tea is made by steeping various parts of the hemp plant in hot water, which contains compounds believed to offer potential health benefits. Many people testify to its calming and relaxing effects, due to the presence of CBD, which may aid in reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and potentially supporting sleep quality.
The taste can vary depending on the parts of the hemp plant used and any additional herbs or flavors included in the blend. Some like to add hemp seeds, leaves, or flowers, while others blend hemp with complementary herbs like chamomile or mint to create unique flavors. A lot of people take it for its purported health benefits, as it is believed to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anxiety-relieving properties. However, while most people testify on it’s benefits, scientific research on hemp tea’s health effects is ongoing.
