Millions of people around the world drink tea every day. Many do it because it’s a healthy and comforting way to start the day, while others sip tea because they like its taste and soothing effects. If you’re one of the millions who love this beverage, you might be interested to learn how CBD can upgrade a simple cup of tea.
In this article, let’s go over CBD tea, its potential as a natural wellness enhancer, and how to best enjoy it on your next tea time.
What is CBD Tea?
Cannabis-infused tea is not a modern invention by any means. Evidence suggests that it has been around for thousands of years. Back then, the ruling Chinese emperor combined tea with cannabis extracts to cure various ailments, such as gout, cognitive deficiencies, and rheumatism. While this is not the same CBD tea that we have these days, it’s remarkable how early medical experts have long recognized the therapeutic effects of the cannabis plant.
Unlike its ancient counterpart, the cannabis-infused tea that we have today has probably much less THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). The authorities and experts highly discourage the consumption of THC, especially in large amounts, because it can alter the mind and not always in a pleasant way. Instead of this psychoactive cannabinoid, several wellness companies have developed and promoted CBD tea as an excellent substitute.
CBD—which stands for cannabidiol—refers to the other major plant compounds naturally found in cannabis. It has the same ability to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the body, thus bestowing it with similar health and wellness benefits as THC. Though many still want to experience the “high,” many consumers have turned their attention to CBD because of these properties.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has declared CBD legal at the federal level in 2018 as long as it is derived from hemp and contains no more than 0.3% THC. Afterward, the popularity of CBD surged across the country, leading to the creation of numerous products containing this cannabinoid.
It’s no surprise when brands started offering different ways to prepare CBD tea. Some encourage the traditional way of combining CBD oil with a cup of tea, while others have taken it upon themselves to design CBD tea blends to join the ranks of our favorite tea flavors.
Is CBD Tea the Same as Hemp Tea?
Not necessarily.
CBD tea consists of tea and CBD concentrate. The latter may either be CBD oil or water-soluble CBD. Moreover, CBD tea varies depending on the type of extract used. Full-spectrum variants have cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other natural elements in the hemp plant. Broad-spectrum is similar except for the absence of THC. The total removal of all compounds except for CBD results in an isolate extract.
In comparison, hemp tea may be brewed using hempseed oil, hemp flower buds, or hemp leaves. More often than not, there is little to no CBD in this type of tea. So, while hemp tea has its nutritional value, you can’t expect it to produce the same effects as CBD tea.
Differentiating CBD tea from hemp tea cannot be done by simply relying on what the product label tells you. Look for a COA (certificate of analysis) indicating the cannabinoid profile, potency, and purity of the CBD tea. Ensure that the product testing conducted to produce the COA was done per batch and that the results originated from a trusted third-party laboratory specializing in cannabis products.
Benefits of Drinking CBD Tea
CBD tea can be a great way to take cannabidiol, especially if you already have a regular tea lover. However, for those who need further convincing, here is a quick rundown of the best things about adding CBD tea into your routine.
Familiar
Compared to CBD capsules, gummies, or vape pens, embracing CBD tea may feel like a natural step for millions of tea drinkers worldwide. Preparing a cup of CBD-infused tea does not have to be complicated too. However, while the process may not throw your routine into disarray, the impacts of drinking tea on your health and wellness can be life-changing.
Convenient
If you purchase CBD teabags, you can brew a cup whenever or wherever you are without attracting unwanted attention from others. Conversely, you may also prepare CBD at home and pour it into an insulated tumbler or bottle so that you can have a sip anytime you want.
Variety
CBD tea comes in numerous flavors and blends. Finding the perfect profile for you will be an enjoyable affair because you’d get to taste a wide variety of CBD tea. You can also enjoy it hot or cold, depending on your preference.
Healthy
At the moment, we don’t have extensive data from objective studies on the therapeutic benefits of CBD. This hasn’t stopped wellness enthusiasts from trying CBD products, though. Therefore, most of the supporting evidence on the positive effects of CBD can be found from the anecdotes and product reviews of actual CBD users.
That being said, here are some of the science-backed potential health benefits of cannabidiol:
- Reduces inflammation in different parts of the body
- Helps in managing anxiety and the related mental disorders, such as social anxiety or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Promotes relaxation and provides relief from stress
- Reduces pain due to arthritis
- Regulates the natural sleep-wake cycle
We need more clinical trials with human participants to truly understand what CBD can do for us. Since the outlook for the future development of cannabinoids in the market remains positive, everyone who believes CBD could be an excellent health and wellness solution continues to be optimistic that further studies will give more weight to their positive experiences.
Essential Tips to Enjoy CBD Tea
Though preparing CBD tea is relatively straightforward, there are some things you can do to make it more appealing to your tastes and enhance its potential health and wellness benefits.
Add Extra Fats to Your Cup of Tea
CBD doesn’t blend well with water. Aside from affecting the appearance and mouth feel of the tea, it will lower your body’s absorption of CBD. To counteract this, consider brewing your tea with fatty liquids, such as milk or coconut oil. Otherwise, look for water-soluble CBD so that you can just stir it in without much trouble.
Go for CBD Isolates if You Don’t Like the Natural Grassy Taste
Full-spectrum cannabidiol extract has a strong, almost pungent taste. People who cannot stand this opt for CBD powdered isolates because the manufacturing process can leave them tasteless and odorless.
Experiment With Different Kinds of Tea
The combination of CBD, tea leaves, and other herbs significantly increases the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD tea. Below are some of our recommended blends that you can look for among the growing number of CBD tea brands or try making on your own.
Chamomile Tea – Widely known for its soothing properties, chamomile will be a fantastic choice for your CBD tea if you’re seeking relief from pain or stress. The inability to fall or stay asleep may also be remedied with a cup of CBD chamomile tea.
Ginger Tea – This type of tea works well for digestive issues, such as stomach cramps, constipation, or acute pains. Together with CBD, drinking this beverage will help you manage better the inflammations in your gut. The best time to enjoy CBD ginger tea is in the morning for an energy boost or in the afternoon to keep you from feeling lethargic.
Green Tea – Even without adding CBD, green tea is famous in its own right. It has demonstrated its ability to reduce inflammations, facilitate the body’s healing, lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and improve our cognitive abilities. Combining green tea with CBD will be incredibly beneficial because of their similar therapeutic effects.
Hemp Tea – You might assume that mixing CBD with hemp tea will be redundant, but as discussed earlier, the latter usually does not contain enough cannabidiol to activate its effects on the body and mind. Therefore, adding a few drops of CBD oil into hemp tea will allow you to enjoy the said benefits while getting to drink caffeine-free tea. This makes this combination an ideal beverage to wind down before bedtime.
Again, brewing these tea blends in your kitchen is a relatively easy process. Nonetheless, we encourage exploring what CBD brands offer these days to simplify things for you and find exciting new CBD tea flavors to try.
Feel Free to Add Natural Flavoring or Sweeteners
Popular examples include lemon slices, cinnamon, and honey. Other than improving the taste, these ingredients will bring added health benefits to your cup of tea. Case in point, honey is considered a superfood because it can help you recover faster from an illness and strengthen your body’s natural defenses.
Final Thoughts
We’re lucky to witness the creativity and innovation of wellness companies when it comes to CBD and other cannabis-derived products. CBD tea has lots of potential as a natural way of improving our health and lifestyle. Exploring the different flavors and blends have also been made easier with every new release of CBD-infused tea from the leading brands.
