The Benefits of CBD Tea and How to Make It at Home

There are many different ways to consume cannabis, and today you can do so without feeling the effects of THC at all. Cannabidiol, a.k.a. CBD, is becoming increasingly popular in today’s cannabis market, and brewing some CBD tea is one of the most favored ways to consume this beneficial cannabinoid. 

CBD is one of the most prominent cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. With no psychedelic properties, CBD provides consumers with certain benefits of cannabis and none of the high. Just as there are many ways to consume cannabis, there are a myriad of methods for consuming CBD, from tinctures to skin creams to CBD-infused tea. 

History of Cannabis-Infused Tea

Humans have been infusing tea with cannabis for several centuries. Cannabis tea was recognized in history as early as 2737 B.C., when Chinese Emperor Shen Neng used the mixture to treat gout, malaria, rheumatism, and bad memory. While these teas were likely infused with THC and therefore psychedelic, CBD tea today is non-psychedelic and very simple to make.

Cannabis-infused tea and beverages in general were a staple throughout history, from the Chinese Empire to the popular Indian aphrodisiac bhang, which was introduced to Indian culture during the B.C. years and continues to be a staple in the country today. 

With cannabis increasingly legalized throughout the U.S. and CBD widely available in most states, CBD tea is becoming more popular among cannabis consumers. While most forms of cannabis-infused foods or beverages are somewhat taxing to create, CBD-infused tea is simple, straightforward, and packed with benefits. 

Benefits of CBD Tea 

CBD tea is the combination of tea leaves and CBD oil, which is derived from the cannabis plant. There are several recognized benefits to CBD, both mental and physical.

• CBD may help relieve anxiety and/or stress. One of the most widely-recognized benefits of CBD is that it may help to relieve anxiety and reduce and manage stress. A 2011 study revealed that a 600 mg dose of CBD oil made a huge difference on patients with social anxiety when public speaking, one of the most common fears in the world. 

• CBD may help people with neurodegenerative disorders. Like other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, CBD interacts with the brain’s CB1 receptor, which may provide relief to patients suffering from diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or multiple sclerosis. 

• CBD contains anti-inflammatory properties. A 2016 study done on rats with joint inflammation revealed that CBD appears to have a positive effect. By applying the cannabinoid in topical form, the joint pain and swelling was significantly reduced, with no recognized side effects whatsoever.

• CBD may help those with epilepsy. Whether you suffer from epilepsy or another type of seizure disorder, CBD may provide some relief. Epidiolex is the first FDA-approved medicinal treatment to contain elements of the cannabis plant. After an extensive amount of research on CBD and how it affects children and adults who suffer from seizures, it’s been determined that the cannabinoid appears to have a largely positive effect and significantly reduces seizure episodes in patients. 

• CBD is great for pain relief. One of the most common ways CBD is utilized is to relieve pain. From arthritis to chronic pain, CBD has shown its ability to soothe consumers and reduce the aches and discomfort because of its anti-inflammatory properties. 

How to Make CBD Tea

More tea brands are coming out with CBD-infused lines and flavors, but CBD tea is quite simple to make on its own: all you have to do is add a few drops of CBD oil to your tea of choice. 

The availability of CBD oil is dependent on where you live, and also depends on how the cannabinoid was sourced. Since cannabis is federally illegal, some states have restrictions on the sales of CBD that was extracted from the cannabis plant. However, if your CBD was sourced from hemp, which is federally legal (although still heavily regulated), you’ve got nothing to worry about.

Once you’ve acquired your CBD oil, it’s as easy as adding a few drops to your hot, soothing beverage. Depending on your needs or preferences, the right dosage of CBD will vary, so it’s best to start off light if you’ve never used CBD before. One to five milligrams is a great starting point. Pay attention to how your body responds to this amount and adjust accordingly. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that CBD does not blend well with water, so it’s best to include some sort of fat in your beverage. This will also help with your body’s absorption of the cannabinoid. Try brewing your tea with something rich like coconut milk or coconut oil. 

The Best Ways to Enjoy CBD Tea

Now that you know how simple it is to brew up a nice cup of CBD-infused tea, here are some of the most popular ways this special beverage is enjoyed:

• CBD + Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is recognized for its soothing properties, so combining it with this soothing cannabinoid will have a very relaxing effect. This is great for a pre-bedtime cup, or any time you need to relieve pain, stress, or just kick back. 

• CBD + Green Tea

Green tea is sort of a go-to when you need something healing. It contains a wide variety of health benefits, from lowering the risk of heart disease to reducing inflammation or improving brain function. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD blend well with this type of tea. 

• CBD + Ginger Tea

If you prefer your tea with a kick, combining CBD oil with ginger tea may be the way to go. Ginger tea is great for the digestive system and is often utilized for cramps or stomach pains. Like green tea, it also helps decrease inflammation. Try brewing your ginger tea with some CBD oil, and maybe some cinnamon and coconut milk for added flavor and body.

• CBD + Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is great for digestion, pain relief, and oral health and hygiene. The strong peppermint flavor blends well with CBD oil, and the two work in tandem to relieve pain and provide an overall soothing effect.

The Best CBD-Infused Tea Brands to Try

While it’s easy enough to brew some CBD-infused tea right from home, there are quite a few brands on the market that are worth trying if you don’t have access to CBD oil--or just want to try something different! Here are some of the best CBD-infused teas on the market:

• Buddha Teas

Buddha Teas have a large variety of CBD-infused teas to try. From chamomile to matcha green to peppermint, they’ve got all the classics. One of their most popular flavors is CBD Golden Milk, a CBD-infused take on their classic flavor, referred to as the “nectar of the gods.”

• The Brothers Apothecary

Based in Portland, The Brothers Apothecary offers an even wider variety of CBD-infused teas, and it doesn’t stop there. The brand has several CBD-infused products, from honey to skincare to tinctures to lip balms. 

• Glow Water

Glow Water offers four different types of CBD teas, each geared towards a different purpose: Calm, Restore, Rise, and Sleep. 

• Green Roads

Sourced from hemp plants, Green Roads provides a variety of CBD- and/or hemp-infused teas and other CBD/hemp products like coffee, muscle cream, or capsules. Their chamomile CBD tea is incredibly popular and recognized for its soothing properties. 

• Pure Science Lab

Using advanced engineering methods to extract and formulate, Pure Science Lab has CBD-infused tea down to, well...a science. They offer a variety of CBD-infused gummies and chocolates, but their CBD pomegranate tea is one of their most popular products. Made with dried pomegranate skins and manuka honey, this tea is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that are only enhanced by the presence of CBD. 

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