Herbal tea has become a staple drink for the health-conscious. This trend of drinking herbal tea has become so popular, that coffee shops across the world have introduced them in their menu. Among the different varieties of herbal tea, hemp tea is the star these days due to the many health benefits it provides. Added to this, the medical world is also appreciating and exploring the variety of health benefits it has. So it is time to ditch caffeinated drinks and move to hemp tea.
What is Hemp Tea?
Tea originated from Asia and spread all over the world and has now become a popular beverage. Hemp tea leaves can be derived from leaves, dried flowers or trims of the cannabis plant. Depending on the strain and its processing, it is either green or brownish in color.
The plant is harvested when the plant is matured and the cannabinoid content is at its highest. This cannabinoid content is what makes the plant beneficial. It is non-toxic and non-psychoactive and has little or no side-effects. CBD is not water-soluble and it needs a source of fat for it to become effective. Even at its highest CBD, hemp tea has less than 0.2% of THC which means the ‘high’ is not felt after drinking. This tea is legally sold in many countries after passing safety standards. Hence it is safe for consumption and aids in better functioning of the body.
Hemp Tea Chemistry
Raw cannabis contains Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, THCA and Cannabidiolic acid, CBDA. These are the substances that later form into THC and CBD which are known for its psychoactive and medicinal properties. When the cannabis plant is harvested and dried out, the THCA and CBDA convert into non-acidic THC and CBD and these form the hemp tea leaves. When these leaves are heated it provides the maximum effect as most of the TCHA is converted to THC and CBDA to CBD. The CBD is known to have properties that can treat a wide spectrum of health issues from autoimmune diseases to digestive problems.
Hemp’s History as a Medicine
Hemp and cannabis have been used as medicine for years. It was used as a medicine for headache, blood clot removal, digestive problems, pain after child-birth, etc. Chinese practitioners also used it as an anesthetic. Anesthesia is also referred to as Mázui which translates to hemp/cannabis. It was believed that cannabis and hemp have diuretic, antipyretic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and even antiepileptic properties. In the 1900s many medicines started using cannabis as a secret ingredient, and sometime later people started abusing it as IV drugs. That along with a few other factors led to the prohibition of the use of cannabis.
In the 1990s, the discovery of the endocannabinoid system and the isolation of the cannabinoids as separate entities led to cannabis being relooked for its medicinal properties. Many kinds of research were conducted to find its benefits which only confirmed what was already known for millions of years. A majority of the health issues can be resolved by hemp but it is essential to use the full spectrum of cannabinoids as they work best when they are together and not isolated.
Despite cannabis and hemp being known for millions of years as a medicine and even after science proving the beneficial effects there are still myths around cannabis. It is because of the abuse of cannabis as people link it to getting ‘high’. But that effect is only when it is smoked and not when it is brewed like tea.
Types of Hemp Tea
Hemp tea can be made using leaves, flowers, seeds, buds, stems, and stalks and is dependant on the type of cuttings you use.
CBD Tea
This is a type of tea that can be made by adding CBD to the regular tea. CBD tea bags are also available. CBD tea provides all the benefits that are got from mature hemp tea. You can find more info here regarding the different flavors people prefer. Some of the benefits include pain relief, reducing migraines and improving the functioning of the body.
Young Hemp Tea
This is made from dried clippings of the young plant. It can be used as a vitamin supplement as it has low CBD content than a mature plant. Young hemp tea offers the following benefits:
- Increases RBC count
- Detoxification of the body
- Regulates the immune system
- Regulates the hormones
- Prevents aging
- Strengthens the bones
- Helps people with insomnia
- Promotes better oral health
High THC Tea
The buds are used to make this tea. Buds are cut into small pieces and baked using butter, milk or coconut oil so that THC is activated. The psychoactive elements of the plant can be experienced when drinking this tea. Benefits of this tea are:
- Provides neuroprotective properties
- Reduces symptoms of autoimmune diseases
- Reduces inflammation
- Regulates appetite
- Helps with digestive problems
- Reduces chronic pain
Cannabis Root Tea
Tea is made from the cannabis plant’s fresh roots. It also offers all the benefits of other hemp tea. Spices like cinnamon or anise are added to this tea as it has a bitter taste. Hemp roots offer many benefits like:
- Protects the liver
- Prevents the formation of tumor
- Kills cancerous cells
- Acts as antibacterial
- Used to make medicines for psychiatry
- Reduces respiratory issues
Mature Hemp Tea
This is made from the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. Since it uses older plants it has much higher levels of CBD than young hemp tea along with chlorophyll and vitamins. It gives all the benefits of CBD but without giving the ‘high’ effect. Some of its benefits are:
- Reduces nausea
- Increases appetite
- Improves heart and lung health
- Boosts GI functions
- Provides relief from chronic pain
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Herbal teas like hemp tea offer numerous benefits and many people are gaining awareness of the same. For those who are worried about the presence of CBD, it needs to be understood that CBD is what helps. It is the main reason for the drink gaining a wellness-tea status without giving a ‘high’. Include it as part of your routine to lead a healthier life.
