It can be difficult to get through a long day at work if you haven’t had enough sleep. If you need help relaxing or want to improve sleep quality, try drinking hemp tea.

A cup of hemp tea can help relieve stress or induce a good night’s sleep, so read on to learn more about this beneficial beverage.

Where does hemp tea come from?

Hemp, which has been cultivated for over 10,000 years, originated in Central Asia. Hemp tea was first prepared by the ancient Chinese as a traditional medicine to help relieve aches and pains.

Hemp tea is greenish-brown or yellowish, depending on how it is prepared. The tea is an infusion of hemp flowers, seeds, buds and leaves. Today, different variations are sold in stores, but some products only contain hemp flowers.

When the hemp infusion is added to hot water, it results in decarboxylation and releases the cannabinoids in hemp, making the tea more potent.

But is hemp tea different from marijuana?

Hemp and marijuana are not distinct species. They’re just two different names for cannabis, a type of flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family. While science doesn’t differentiate between “hemp” and “marijuana,” the law does.

Legally, the key difference between the two is their tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. THC is one of many cannabinoids or chemicals found in the cannabis plant. It’s responsible for the “high” people experience when taking cannabis.

The term “hemp” refers to cannabis that contains only 0.3 percent or less THC by dry weight. The definition was first suggested in 1979 by Ernest Small in his book “The Species Problem in Cannabis: Science & Semantics.”

In the book, Small addressed the fact that it can be hard to distinguish hemp and cannabis because there’s no actual taxonomical difference between the two. Small proposed the 0.3 percent rule as a possible solution, but he also acknowledged that it’s an arbitrary number.

This number was used in the legal definition of hemp, as specified in the Agricultural Act of 2018 and other laws in the US. And since the THC level in hemp is so low, it’s unlikely that you will get high while drinking hemp tea.

On the other hand, marijuana refers to cannabis that can get you high. The term is used interchangeably with various terms like “weed.” Legally, “marijuana” refers to cannabis that has more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight.

Before purchasing hemp tea, check the legality status of hemp in your city. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hemp crops need to be tested for their THC content.

Health benefits of hemp tea

Here are three reasons to try hemp tea:

• Pain relief – According to studies, hemp tea has anti-inflammatory properties. This can help relieve chronic pain, swelling and inflammation.
• Sleep and anxiety – In another study, researchers reported that hemp can improve sleep and decrease anxiety levels because of its cannabidiol (CBD) content. CBD in hemp tea can help relieve symptoms of fatigue, irregular breathing and restlessness. The same study also found that hemp tea can benefit people suffering from anxiety and chronic pain.
• Blood pressure and stress – The CBD in hemp tea can help lower blood pressure, meaning it can also help reduce stress on the heart and prevent heart disease.

Can you get high on hemp tea?

Hemp tea is made from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) or industrial hemp while marijuana comes from a different cannabis plant.

Hemp tea contains less THC than marijuana, and it can’t make you high if you consume the tea moderately.

Hemp tea contains CBD, which is neither psychoactive nor psychotropic. This means you can’t get high on hemp tea.

Things to consider before drinking hemp tea

Even though hemp tea offers some health benefits, consuming it in excess can cause negative side effects.

Drinking too much hemp tea may cause bloating, throat irritation and diarrhea. If you have any allergies or are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before adding hemp tea to your regular diet.

Before using CBD or any hemp-derived products, make sure you check your state’s laws and guidelines. Hemp-derived CBD products are illegal in America on a federal level, but are legal in several states.

If you are traveling, always comply with a city or state’s laws regarding the consumption and use of CBD.

Additionally, most CBD products are not Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and may be sold illegally or with wrong labeling.

If you’re not used to drinking hemp tea, take note of some of the side effects of CBD, such as dizziness, dry mouth and nausea.

The CBD in hemp tea can also have serious drug interactions with blood-thinning medicines. Check with your doctor if you have a serious or chronic condition and are taking prescription medication.

How to make hemp tea

You can drink hemp tea plain or add milk to make a hemp chai tea latte.

Soothing and relaxing hemp tea 

This recipe for hemp tea can help relieve pain, anxiety and depression when consumed moderately.

Ingredients for 1 serving:

• 3 cups water
• 1 tea bag (Use your preferred flavor.)
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon hemp infusion

Preparation:

1. Boil the three cups of water and add the hemp infusion and butter to it. Let the mixture boil for another seven minutes.
2. Add the tea bag to the boiling mixture.
3. Use a strainer as you pour the tea into a cup. Remove the hemp infusion and serve hot.

Notes: 

You can also use milk to make hemp tea. When following the recipe, replace the three cups of water with milk. Alternatively, you can use soy or coconut milk if you don’t like dairy milk.

Drink hemp tea to relieve anxiety and promote a good night’s sleep naturally.

Sources:

OrganicFacts.net

Healthline.com

Britannica.com