Hemp is a type of cannabis plant. However, it’s very different from the cannabis that clinics like Alternaleaf use in medicine.
The cannabis plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, or compounds, that interact with receptors in our cells and alter the release of chemicals in the brain. Two of these compounds, that you’ve probably heard of, are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is psychoactive and cannabidiol (CBD) which is non-psychoactive.
The hemp plant is rich in CBD. When we talk about CBD flower (flower that contains high amounts of CBD and lower amounts of THC) these typically come from hemp plants, as they don’t produce a lot of THC.
However hemp, and therefore hemp tea, contains .03% or less THC. This low THC content means it’s unlikely it’ll cause the ‘high’ feeling cannabis can be associated with. And it’s these low levels of THC that make hemp an ideal plant to add to tea.
Hemp tea is the same as any other type of herbal tea. Dry hemp leaves, flower buds, seeds and even parts of the root are steeped in boiling water before being strained. The infused boiling water that’s left is then obviously the hemp tea that some people drink to calm the heart and mind. One of our favourite brewing hemp tea tips is to add honey, lemon or sugar. This can make the tea a bit sweeter.
We have lots of info on the history, law and regulations of hemp in the UK, but will be focusing on uses of hemp tea below.
Nutritional Profile of Hemp Tea
It’s not just CBD that makes hemp tea a great hot drink to enjoy pretty much any time of day. It also contains essential nutrients, including protein and fiber, that can contribute to your overall health and well-being. It can benefit your immune system function, digestion, and cardiovascular health. The vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, iron, and magnesium, can help with your energy production, and bone health. The antioxidants can also help reduce the risk of oxidative stress and chronic diseases.
Top Health Benefits of Hemp Tea
CBD is part of the reason why hemp tea could have some health benefits. We have lots of information on these here, but some of CBDs potential benefits, and therefore potential uses of hemp tea, are:
- It promotes relaxation and reduces stress
- Aids digestion
- Has anti-inflammatory properties
- Boosts immunity
- Improves skin health
- Supports heart health
- Supports better sleep: There’s research to suggest that hemp seeds can feature high levels of melatonin, the compound that helps the body regulate the sleep-wake cycle. CBD has also been known to promote sleepiness at higher doses. There’s also no caffeine in hemp tea.
While there are lots of studies that explore the potential impact CBD can have on our health, it’s important to be aware that hemp tea will likely have significantly lower levels of CBD than prescribed CBD oils and medical cannabis. Therefore some of the above effects may not happen when drinking hemp tea on its own. Prescribed CBD is also regulated, so you can trust that the contents are reliable, unlike over the counter CBD products which are unregulated
If you find hemp tea isn’t having a significant enough impact on your body, consider joining a licenced clinic like Alternaleaf. You’ll be able to discuss the symptoms or condition that you’re trying to target with one of our clinicians, who will then be able to prescribe much higher levels of THC and CBD medication if necessary. They’ll also be able to advise if drinking hemp tea alongside medication would be beneficial to you.
Types of Hemp Tea
So, we’ve covered some reasons why people drink pure hemp tea - tea with dried parts of the hemp plant only. But, if you find you don’t like the flavour of hemp tea - some say it has a slightly bitter or earthy taste - you can drink it with other ingredients. Things like ginger, lemongrass or camomile can be added to create hemp tea blends. Not only can this change the taste, but it also means you’re consuming the additional benefits of whatever you’ve added.
Potential Side Effects of Hemp Tea
It’s very unlikely you’ll experience serious side effects after drinking hemp tea. There are only trace levels of THC, so you won’t experience a ‘high’, and hemp and CBD are considered safe to consume. But, some side effects that are known to happen after consuming CBD, and therefore may be experienced after drinking hemp tea include:
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Changes in appetite
It’s also important to keep in mind that if you’re taking any other medications you might want to speak to your clinician. This is mainly to check that the two are okay to consume alongside each other. Asking a professional is always best if you’re worried or unsure about anything.
Summary
Hemp tea can be purchased over the counter in supermarkets due to the little to no THC content. There’s also the option to make your own at home and add in other beneficial ingredients like ginger or camomile. It’s naturally caffeine-free and rich in CBD, which is why hemp tea for relaxation and hemp tea for better sleep is so popular.
However, there can be much lower levels of CBD in hemp tea than there are in cannabis products that are prescribed by clinics like Alternaleaf. So, whilst there are potential benefits, more research is needed to discover the extent of those.
If you’re looking for further relief for conditions such as chronic pain, insomnia, and more, medical cannabis has been prescribed for these. It may be worth beginning your journey with Alternaleaf, so you can start moving towards a better you, today.