What to know about CBD tea

WHAT TO KNOW

about CBD TEA

Author: Elizabeth Venter

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of more than 100 chemical compounds found in cannabis plants.

Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive making it appealing to those looking for relief from symptoms without the mind-altering effects of cannabis or other side effects related to some pharmaceutical drugs.

Emerging evidence points toward the possible health benefits of CBD oil and its use in certain products, including tea.

What is CBD tea?
CBD tea uses various concentrations of CBD to induce relaxation or support other purported CBD health benefits. Teas come in a variety of formulas and flavours and include additional ingredients to improve health, such as mint for congestion or chamomile to aid sleep.

Although cannabidiol tea is not a medication or a supplement, hemp and other cannabis products have been used by traditional healers for thousands of years to manage many health conditions.

Medical marijuana is becoming increasingly popular as complementary medicine to aid chronic illness symptoms. Although cannabis (or marijuana) may potentially improve some symptoms, many people are hesitant to smoke it. There are, however, other ways to administer medical marijuana, including in tea form.

Different types of CBD teas
CBD tea comes in a wide variety of flavours, allowing consumers to choose the variant that best suits their needs.

Additionally, some teas or tea components may have additional health benefits. Green tea, for instance, is an antioxidant, and studies have shown it may help with numerous health conditions, including cancer, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.

Cannabis tea and Chronic Illnesses
Here are some of the ways cannabis tea can help relieve the symptoms people with chronic diseases live with.

- Pain relief
For centuries marijuana has been associated with pain relief. Researchers have found that the cannabinoids in marijuana dampen pain signals by binding to the pain receptors in the central nervous system (CNS).Unlike opiates such as morphine or codeine, which can be addictive, cannabis has no withdrawal symptoms. The effects of cannabis-infused tea are longer-lasting and more efficient than smoking because the effects are delivered to the whole body through the digestive tract

- Reduces inflammation
It has been found that medical marijuana reduces inflammation associated with many autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. It also helps to strengthen the body's immune system making it less likely to attack itself.

- Mood enhancer
While smoking cannabis may produce mind-altering effects that most people are wary of, drinking cannabis tea can help with stabilizing mood and helping to relieve emotional symptoms associated with chronic illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

- Promotes digestive health
Many chronic illnesses present symptoms which affect the gastrointestinal system. Cannabis has improved digestion and relieving symptoms such as cramping, stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, constipation and acid reflux.

- Protects the brain
Studies of cannabis's effect on the brain have found that the drug has a neuroprotective effect and appears to slow down or even block the beta-amyloid protein build-ups associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

- Stress relief
CBD is known for its anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. The compound can elevate the general relaxation effects of the tea, and it works as an adaptogen to eliminate the impact of stress on the body and mind.

Though evidence exists to support the health benefits of CBD for specific symptoms that do not respond to traditional medicine, it is always best to consult with your doctor before using any cannabis products.