Weed stems aren’t the first things we think about when choosing material for edible cannabis. After all, these pointy, crackly tidbits are total write-offs with no real use, right?

Well, hold on.

Before you drop all the stems in the nearest trash can, consider using them to make cannabis stem tea.

What is Weed Stem Tea?

Weed stem tea is a type of cannabis-infused tea made using the stems of the cannabis plant. It’s a fantastic way to make use of leftover plant material that would otherwise be discarded, making it both sustainable and environmentally friendly. Unlike bud-based tea, cannabis stem tea offers a milder experience, capturing the essence of cannabis without the intense effects. This makes it an excellent option for those new to cannabis or anyone looking for a gentler, more manageable experience. By turning what many consider waste into a delightful beverage, weed stem tea embodies the spirit of sustainability and resourcefulness.

How to Make Weed Stem Tea in 5 Easy Steps - Potent Recipe - The Bluntness Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Benefits of Weed Stem Tea

Weed stem tea comes with a host of benefits that make it a worthwhile addition to your cannabis repertoire. One of its primary advantages is its calming and sedative effect, which can help alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation. Additionally, it may provide relief from pain and inflammation, making it a versatile option for both medicinal and recreational use. The effects of stem tea largely depend on the strain used, allowing you to tailor your experience to your needs. Beyond its therapeutic benefits, weed stem tea is a great way to reduce waste by utilizing leftover plant material, promoting a more sustainable approach to cannabis consumption.

How Do You Make Good Stem Tea?

You don't have to be an expert to make cannabis tea. It's actually one of the simplest cannabis products. Best of all, you use leftover material that would otherwise get thrown out.

Ultimately, brewing good cannabis stem tea is about following a few easy steps and - more importantly - having fun while you're at it.

What You Need to Easily Brew Stem Tea

Just like any other food or drink, the key to making excellent stem tea begins with equally excellent ingredients. Technically, you could make weed tea from any leftover stems. However, you should pick a strain potent enough to suit your needs from a source you trust.

The following amount of stems makes three to four cups of tea. Feel free to play with the ingredients to find your potency "sweet spot."

Here's what you'll need to make weed tea:

• At least 1/4 cup of cannabis stems (up to 2/3 cup for additional potency)
• 3 cups of water
• Coffee filter, paper towel, cheesecloth, or reusable tea bag
• Kettle or saucepan

Don't Forget the Binding Agent

You also need a binding agent to extract the CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids because they’re not water-soluble. You need one of the following:

• 1/4 tablespoon of unsalted butter, cannabis butter, or coconut oil
• 1/2 cup coconut milk, coconut milk butter, half-and-half cream, or whole milk
• 2-3 tablespoons of alcohol (any hard liquor).

Spice Things Up With Optional Ingredients

Cannabis tea is a great drink on its own, but the earthy, "hempy" taste is sometimes a bit much. If you want to spruce up your infused tea, add any of these simple ingredients and tweak the drink to your taste.

• Tea bag (any flavor, like chai tea, orange pekoe, or chamomile)
• Lemon
• Honey
• Raw sugar
• Stevia

Once you have your weed stems, binding agent, and optional ingredients (if any), it's time to make some awesome weed tea.

How to Make Cannabis Tea from Leftover Stems

Now that you're all set up, it's time to add everything together. Just follow the next few simple steps, and you'll be sipping on some amazing stem tea in minutes!

Step 1: Grab Your Stems

At this point, you can choose to either grind your stems or leave them alone. Grinding helps increase the stems' surface area but doesn't do much - if anything - to improve potency. If you'd rather not spend time grinding the leftover stems, break apart the bigger pieces with your hands and call it a day.

Step 2: Prepare the Water

Pour the 3 cups of water into your kettle or saucepan. Add the milk, oil, or butter, and then bring to a boil.

IMPORTANT: If you use alcohol as the binding agent, don't add it until Step 3. If you do, the alcohol will boil away and become useless.

Step 3: Add the Weed Stems

Heat the mixture until it boils. If you are using a THC strain, this will influence the psychoactive effects of your tea. Now, it’s time to add the weed stems directly into the boiling water or suspend them in a reusable tea bag. Let the water boil for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Once the boiling time is up, remove the kettle or saucepan from your stove.

If you choose alcohol for the binding agent, now’s the time to add that in.

Step 4: Strain the Tea

If you used a tea bag, there's no straining necessary. Your tea is ready and you're good to go.

For the rest of you, use a rubber band to secure your coffee filter, paper towel, or cheesecloth around a mug or other container (you may need to stack additional paper towels, depending on how thick they are).

Slowly pour your tea onto the filter, paper towel, or cheesecloth, then discard the plant material left behind.

If you brewed with a kettle, secure your filter around the spout and pour as normal.

Step 5: Spruce Up and Enjoy!

You now have some perfectly-strained stem tea. Just add a regular tea bag, honey, milk, sugar, and anything else to make this recipe your own.

Bonus Tips for Making Strong Stem Tea

Take your recipe up a notch with a few simple tips and tricks.

• You can add decarbed shake, trim, or ground flower to your stems in Step 2 for added potency.
• Make your weed tea stronger by increasing the boiling process to 15 minutes. This gives time for more cannabinoids to activate and mix with your binding agents.
• Reuse your vaped herb along with the stems. Vaped herb is already decarbed and contains a decent amount of THC and/or CBD, as long as it’s a golden brown color.
• Consider the benefits of consuming cannabis in tea form, such as mild and gradual effects, pain relief, digestive aid, and stress reduction.

How to Make Weed Stem Tea in 5 Easy Steps - Potent Recipe - The Bluntness Photo by Dominik Martin on Unsplash

Stem Tea FAQs

Does Stem Tea Actually Work?

Yes. Weed stem tea works. As long as you follow a few easy directions, you'll get a perfect batch every time.

Can Stem Tea Get You High?

Yes, stem tea can get you high, as long as it has a decent amount of THC. However, some weed strains are high in CBD with little THC. You won't get high, but you'll still enjoy the benefits of CBD.

How Long Does a Tea High Last?

A stem tea high lasts anywhere from four to eight hours, like with most ingestible cannabis.

What are the Medical Benefits of Weed Tea?

Weed tea offers a slew of medical benefits. Historically, it's been used for chronic pain, nausea, sleep, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and even labor pain (in the case of ancient India).

Can You Make Weed Stem Tea Without a Binding Agent?

No, you can't make stem tea without a binding agent. Cannabinoids aren't water-soluble, so they need something fatty (or alcoholic) to be drawn into the cannabis tea when you boil the mixture. Without this key ingredient, you won't get high or experience any other effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, weed stem tea is a delicious and healthy way to consume cannabis. With its milder effects and sustainable production process, it is an excellent option for those looking for a gentler cannabis experience. By using leftover stems and stalks, weed stem tea reduces waste and promotes sustainability. Whether you’re looking for a calming and sedative effect or relief from various conditions, weed stem tea is definitely worth trying. So why not give it a try and experience the benefits of weed stem tea for yourself?

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