Hemp tea & CBD tea: effects, ingredients and how to prepare them

Introduction

Hemp tea, particularly when made from CBD flowers, has become more popular in recent years because of its many health effects, flavour and simple preparation. Although it comes from the hemp plant, it contains little to no THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. Hemp tea may help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep and relieve pain. 

In this article, we’ll look at its history and various health benefits, discuss possible side effects and explore ways to prepare it. 

Contents

1. What is hemp tea?
   1. History of hemp in Germany
2. Flowers vs leaves – the differences
3. Effects of hemp tea
   1. Sleep
   2. Anxiety
   3. Pain
   4. Heart health
   5. Effects of CBD tea
4. Hemp tea ingredients
   1. THC content
   2. CBD content
   3. Antioxidant effects of hemp tea
   4. Other ingredients
5. Possible side effects
6. How to prepare hemp tea
1. Simple tea
2. Hemp tea with caffeine
3. Hemp tea for sleep
7. Buy hemp tea
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

1. What is hemp tea?

Hemp tea is an increasingly popular drink made by infusing the dried flowers or leaves of the cannabis plant. It originally comes from Asia, where it was valued for its medicinal properties thousands of years ago.

Each variety, whether made from flowers or leaves, has its own flavour profile and health benefits. You can brew it hot or cold. It also tastes delicious with honey, lemon, mint or Guayusa.

From supporting sleep to relieving anxiety and pain and supporting heart health, hemp tea naturally offers many positive effects. Hemp also contains a wealth of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. More on that later in the article.

1.1 History of hemp in Germany

Anyone who has looked into the history of hemp knows how widespread this crop once was. Hemp was cultivated in Germany as far back as the Middle Ages, mainly for its fibres, which were used to make ropes and textiles. In the 20th century, changes in legislation and public opinion led to restrictions on hemp cultivation. More recently, renewed appreciation of hemp’s many uses, applications and effects has helped this once-widespread industry recover.

When choosing hemp tea, it’s important to pay attention to quality. It is considered high-quality if it comes from organic farming or contains no pesticides or other harmful chemicals.

2. Flowers vs leaves – the differences

Each part of the plant has its own unique mix of cannabinoids and terpenes, leading to differences in flavour and therapeutic effects.

Hemp flowers are generally richer in cannabinoids, particularly CBD. Hemp tea made from flowers often has a stronger flavour and may have a more intense effect. This effect is often described as calming and relaxing, making the tea a popular choice for people experiencing stress, anxiety or sleep problems.

Although hemp leaves contain fewer cannabinoids than flowers, they are still suitable for tea. They contain a variety of other beneficial compounds, including terpenes and flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The leaves have a lighter flavour and offer a great way to enjoy the health benefits of hemp more subtly.

3. Effects of hemp tea

Hemp tea may have a range of therapeutic effects thanks to its various ingredients, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and terpenes. These range from supporting sleep to relieving pain. 

3.1 Sleep

Some studies have shown that CBD may help relieve sleep disorders and improve sleep quality. The effects of CBD tea may be especially useful for people with insomnia, restlessness at night or other sleep problems.

3.2 Anxiety

The anxiety-relieving properties of CBD hemp have led to the tea often being used as a natural treatment for anxiety. It may help calm the nervous system and bring about relaxation.

3.3 Pain

Hemp tea may also help relieve pain. In particular, people with chronic pain report that the tea helps reduce their symptoms. Studies suggest that CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

3.4 Heart health

This fascinating plant may also support heart health. Its antioxidant compounds may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

3.5 Effects of CBD tea

CBD tea is a specific type of hemp tea made mainly from hemp flowers, which have a significantly higher CBD content than leaves. The flowers are known for their calming effects and may help with a range of complaints, including anxiety, sleep disorders and chronic pain. However, the specific effects of CBD tea vary depending on the variety, how it is prepared and the individual’s response.

4. Hemp tea ingredients

The ingredients in hemp tea depend largely on the specific variety used. However, there are some key components found in all hemp plants that contribute to its effects.

4.1 THC content

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive element in cannabis that causes the typical ‘high’ effects. In varieties used for hemp tea, however, the THC content is so low that it has no effect. In Germany, THC levels below 0.2% must also be demonstrated. 

4.2 CBD content

Cannabidiol (CBD) is another important cannabinoid in hemp. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive, but it has a range of therapeutic effects. CBD has been shown to be effective in relieving anxiety, improving sleep and relieving pain. The CBD content in hemp tea can vary considerably, depending on which parts of the hemp plant are used. Hemp flowers generally have a higher CBD content than leaves, so you should check the ingredients when buying.

4.3 Antioxidant effects of hemp tea

Besides the well-known cannabinoids THC and CBD, hemp tea also contains a variety of other valuable compounds. These include antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that help protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. 

4.4 Other ingredients

Alongside the cannabinoids and antioxidants already mentioned, hemp tea contains many other beneficial ingredients. Vitamins and minerals in particular are present in considerable amounts and contribute to its health effects.

• Vitamin E: An important antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage.
• Calcium: Needed for healthy bones and teeth.
• Magnesium: Helps regulate more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including metabolism and protein synthesis.
• Iron: Important for blood formation and oxygen transport in the body.
• Zinc: Plays a key role in our immune system and in DNA synthesis.

5. Possible side effects

Although hemp tea is generally considered safe and well tolerated, it may cause side effects in some people. As with its positive effects, this naturally varies from person to person. 

• Fatigue: Some people report feeling tired or drowsy after drinking hemp tea. This may be particularly true of teas with high CBD content, and could in a sense be considered a desirable ‘side effect’.
• Dry mouth: Some consumers report dryness of the mouth. This is a common side effect of taking cannabinoids.
• Dizziness: Some people may experience mild dizziness after drinking hemp tea. This may be related to CBD’s effect on blood pressure.
• Interactions with medicines: Hemp tea can interact with certain medicines. Anyone who takes medicines regularly should therefore consult their doctor before drinking hemp tea.

All these side effects are generally mild and temporary. Herbal teas and caffeinated teas can also have side effects. Everyone should experiment for themselves and find out whether, and in what quantity, hemp tea suits them. 

6. How to prepare hemp tea

Preparing hemp tea is simple and straightforward. Here are a few ideas to try; in general, you can’t go wrong.

6.1 Simple tea

To make a simple hemp tea, you only need hemp leaves or flowers and hot water. Put the leaves or flowers in a teapot or tea bag and pour hot water over them. Leave the tea to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. A squeeze of lemon works well, too. A longer steeping time also encourages the cannabinoids to be released.

6.2 Hemp tea with caffeine

If you’d like an extra kick, you can try combining it with caffeinated teas such as Guayusa, black tea, green tea or mate tea. Bear in mind that adding other teas will change the flavour. You’ll need to adjust the steeping time, because, apart from Guayusa tea, all caffeinated teas quickly become bitter.

6.3 Hemp tea for sleep

As mentioned earlier, the effects of CBD tea may help ease sleep problems. For a bedtime tea, you can also mix in other calming herbs such as chamomile or lavender.  

7. Buying hemp tea

As with Guayusa tea, there are a few things to consider before choosing hemp tea.

1. Origin: Where do the hemp flowers or leaves come from? Hemp is now legally cultivated again in many regions around the world. These include EU countries such as Spain, France, Portugal and Germany, as well as more distant countries such as the USA (where cannabis is also cultivated), South Africa, Lesotho, Uruguay and Thailand. Guayusa always comes from Ecuador, but you can buy hemp in all its varieties from local producers.
2. Quality: Hemp is usually grown as a monoculture, which is not always ideal; permaculture is generally a better choice. Hemp, however, has deep roots that loosen and aerate the soil. Compacted soil is a problem in industrial agriculture, and hemp helps address it. Hemp generally does not need pesticides, but organic farming is still beneficial because pesticides are often used preventively. So pay attention to how it is grown and, where possible, choose organic products or transparent producers.
3. Active compounds: The effects depend greatly on the type and variety of hemp tea. Before buying, ask the supplier—for example, by contacting customer support—and find out the tea’s exact CBD content. In general, flower teas contain more CBD than teas made from hemp leaves.

As a trusted source for hemp products, we can recommend our partner Konzept-Hanf. 

8. Conclusion

It’s clear that hemp tea made from leaves or CBD flowers is far more than just a trendy drink because of its health effects. Its historical roots go back to the origins of Asian medicine, and hemp was used here in Germany for centuries before it was banned.

Its most important health-promoting properties are:

• Relaxation and sleep support
• Pain control
• Heart health

Everyone reacts differently, so it’s important to build up your own experience and see how your body responds to this unique drink. Start with small amounts and observe how it affects your wellbeing. 

9. FAQ