Although smoking cannabis is arguably the most popular form of ingestion, digestible alternatives are important for those who can’t or prefer not to smoke. And if even an edible is too much to stomach, cannabis-infused tea might be a better option for you.
If you haven’t had the best experiences with edible highs and you’re worried about getting too stoned, fear not. It’s easy to adjust this recipe for the amount of THC you’re comfortable consuming — if any. Whether smoking triggers respiratory issues or you just don’t like the lingering smell, a soothing cup of cannabis tea is an alternative every connoisseur should know how to brew.
History Of Cannabis Tea
Cannabis or marijuana tea is believed to have originated in Jamaican and Indian communities. It even has its own name in India: Bhang, a popular option for natural health benefits and celebration purposes. In Jamaica, it’s not uncommon for pregnant women to sip the tea for its help relieving stress, anxiety, and nausea.
Marijuana-infused tea consumption has been recognized by consumers as a stress-reliever and overall wellness booster. It’s been popularized in the medical marijuana community for those who opt-out of smoking, and it’s surprisingly simple to make.
Benefits Of Drinking Cannabis Tea
The benefits of smoking cannabis are widely-discussed throughout the communities that continue to warm up to legalization, but smoking still comes with a risk. Cannabis tea is a great way to get all of the recognized benefits of the cannabis plant without the potentially negative side-effects of smoking. Here are some of the ways your body may respond to drinking cannabis tea:
- Pain Relief
Cannabinoids, the compounds found in cannabis such as THC and CBD, are understood to provide pain-fighting properties.
- Improved Mental Health
Studies have shown that cannabis contains powerful neuroprotective properties and can play a major role in regulating emotional behavior.
- Anti-Inflammation
Cannabis is known to contain anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in the cannabinoid CBN.
- Supporting Lung & Heart Health
While smoking may not be easiest on the lungs, it’s not necessarily all bad. Unlike tobacco, cannabis acts as a bronchodilator, and ingesting it in the form of tea is your safest bet. It also helps to open the arteries, which may help prevent high blood pressure.
- Eases Nausea
Cannabis has famously been used to treat cancer patients, particularly because of its ability to curb the nausea associated with chemotherapy. This can also be beneficial for people who suffer from nauseating migraines.
- Long-Lasting Relief
The effects of cannabis tea will last much longer than smoking. While the high from cannabis tea takes longer to hit your body (about 30-90 minutes for onset), it also lasts longer (up to 8 hours).
Now that you’re aware of the currently understood benefits of taking your dose of marijuana buds in drink form, it’s time to learn how to brew a cup of cannabis tea. There are quite a few variations to try when it comes to making cannabis tea, but we’re going to start with the most straightforward approach.
The effects of cannabis are not water-soluble and neither is THC — the plant needs to be activated in order to achieve its psychoactive effects, but make sure you know your limit. Here’s a quick and simple recipe to get you started with your brew:
Cannabis Tea Recipe
Serving Size: 1 cup of tea (Wait at least two hours before consuming more)
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
Cannabis Tea Ingredients:
- ½ gram of cannabis flower (can use more or less depending on your preference)
- ½ teaspoon butter (can substitute with milk or coconut oil)
- 1 empty tea bag (or tea ball)
- 2 cups of hot water
- Sugar or honey to taste (optional)
Directions:
- Select your finest cannabis buds and grind ½ gram of flower — fine but not too fine.
- Mix your ground cannabis with the butter, milk, or oil in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add the cannabis mixture into a tea bag or tea ball.
- Bring two cups of water to a boil.
- Place the tea bag into the boiling water. Reduce heat and let simmer for at least 30 minutes.
- Strain the tea bag and remove it, letting the mixture cool before serving.
Cannabis tea on its own doesn’t necessarily have the best natural flavor, so it’s important to find a recipe or regular tea combination that works for your tastebuds. You can always add different herbal teas and spices to the mix for enhanced therapy or taste. You can also substitute cannabis oil for ground flower — just make sure you measure carefully.
For any weed tea recipes you decide to try, we highly recommend you “start low and go slow” so that you can experiment and find something that delivers the best results, rather than consuming too much at once and having a bad experience.
If you have any specific recipes, methods, or tips for consumption you’d like to share with the Green Flower community, please let us know in the comment section below!
