Both tea and cannabis have a rich history dating thousands of years, with their origins tracing back to China and Central Asia, respectively. It was with the help of colonizers that both these cultivable plants spread to different parts of the world and became highly prized commodities.
Drinking tea has many health benefits thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Similarly, many studies have shown cannabis consumption can help relieve chronic pain and manage stress.
Many companies have recently started pairing tea with cannabis to deliver multiple benefits in one approachable product.
CBD is one of the many naturally occurring chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, contained in the cannabis plant.
The compound has been linked to health benefits such as aiding in managing stress, anxiety, and depression, reducing chronic pain, and as a possible treatment for epilepsy and seizures.
In fact, there are many studies that have found CBD to have excellent therapeutic and healing properties.
This article includes a comprehensive guide to CBD tea and cannabis use in order to boost your health and improve your overall well-being.
Benefits of CBD Tea and Cannabis
CBD tea and cannabis individually can deliver numerous health benefits that are enhanced once they are combined during everyday use.
It is important to note that CBD isn’t the same as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a compound found in the cannabis plant responsible for the “high” sensation often associated with cannabis consumption.
Therefore, the main difference between CBD extract and cannabis is that the former is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating despite both products being derived from the same plant.
Benefits of CBD Tea
It influences the body’s internal response by interacting with certain receptors to improve the function and behavior of the nervous system.
This is why CBD tea can help manage stress, anxiety, and depression as it increases the level of serotonin in the body. It may also alleviate chronic pain symptoms, especially those associated with arthritis.
Additionally, CBD tea has also been widely known to help deal with sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
It also supports gut health and heart health since CBD combined with tea delivers added antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to improve digestion and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, respectively.
Benefits of Cannabis
Just like CBD, cannabis also affects the brain to influence the body’s neural communication network.
A pro tip is to use a cannabis stash box so that your cannabis is stored in a dry and dark place to retain its potency and flavor for long-term use.
Understanding CBD Tea and Cannabis Pairings
CBD tea and cannabis pairings depend on the type of tea and the strain of cannabis. These have different flavors, smells, and subtle variations that make all the difference in terms of their ability to provide benefits and enjoyment to the user.
What Tea Variety to Combine With CBD
In order to get the best CBD tea experience, you need to know which type of tea will work best for you.
Generally, all six types of teas come from the camellia Sinensis plant, and differ according to how they are grown, harvested, and crafted. A basic list of the types and hints of flavors for each type of tea is listed below:
Black Tea – As one of the most popular types of tea in the world, black tea goes through a complete oxidation process to yield a strong, full-bodied flavor that includes a smoky or malty tone. White Tea – This is the least processed of all the tea varieties and has a very delicate, subtle, and often floral or fruity flavor. It is great for someone looking for the maximum number of antioxidants and the least amount of caffeine in their cup of CBD tea. Green Tea – Widely consumed as an after-food drink, green tea is unoxidized and contains little caffeine, as opposed to black tea. It usually has a nutty, grassy, or earthy flavor. Oolong Tea – Lying within the spectrum of black and green tea, oolong delivers a bold roasted and nutty flavor. Pu’er Tea – A type of fermented tea originating from the Yunnan province in China, Pu’er carries a rich fruity and earthy flavor. It is usually classified into either raw Pu’er tea which has an earthy flavor, or cooked Pu’er, which has an earthy and mushroomy flavor. Keep in mind that this is one of the most expensive teas on the market. Herbal Tea – These are mixtures of different dried leaves including chamomile, hibiscus, rooibos, lemon verbena, and mint, which means that their flavors are often complex and different from the previously mentioned tea types.Depending on your personal preference, you can choose from a wide variety of tea to combine with CBD. To prepare the perfect cup of CBD tea, allow the leaves to brew for at least 5 minutes and consider adding some turmeric, honey, ginger, or lemon to accentuate and heighten the flavor.
Choosing the Ideal Cannabis Strain
Just like CBD tea, cannabis has numerous cultivars that are derived from two primary categories, namely indica and sativa.
While dispensaries are usually in the business of creating and experimenting with new strains to create hybrids that are genetically different, it is best to know what kind of cannabis strain you consume. A general rule of thumb is that indica is more calming while sativa is more energizing.
Some common cannabis strains and their benefits are highlighted below:
Blue Dream – This is a sativa-dominant strain often used for pain and inflammation as well as improving overall mood. Purple Kush – This is a pure indica strain that may reduce pain and spasms and help uplift one’s mood. LA Confidential – An indica strain, LA Confidential is known for its sleep-inducing effects. It may relieve symptoms of chronic pain. Golden Goat – This is a sativa-dominant strain that can enhance creativity and alleviate stress. Maui Wowie – This is a sativa strain that may relax the user and reduce stress while improving productivity. Northern Lights – An indica strain, Northern Lights may help reduce stress, insomnia, pain, and depression.Other famous strains include Acapulco Gold, Soul Diesel, White Widow, Bubba Kush, Afghan Kush, Golden Goat, Super Silver Haze, Pineapple Express, and Fruity Pebbles. Depending on whether you need an energy boost, a pick-me-up, or pain-relief, you can choose the strain that works best for you.
The way to combine these things is by looking at the benefits accrued from each type and strain, respectively, and balancing it out. For example, if you opt for black tea, which contains caffeine, you may choose LA Confidential to give you a good, relaxing buzz.
Since this isn’t an exact science, you may need to experiment and try out a few combinations before landing on the ideal CBD tea and cannabis pairing.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the types of CBD tea and cannabis strains is essential to get the intended health benefit.
We advise buying both products from known retailers that have a transparent manufacturing process so that you are aware of the efficacy of what you buy.
So next time you want to relax and de-stress, pair the perfect cup with cannabis and enjoy yourself to the fullest!