Does CBD Tea Really Work?

CBD tea is becoming an increasingly popular method for getting a daily dose of cannabinoids. CBD tea makers claim that it’s a potent way to take CBD, and when it’s mixed with healthy tea blends, it can boost the mood, relax the body, and even alleviate certain conditions. 

But CBD tea is not produced like other CBD edibles. It requires boiling hemp to release CBD into the water, and we know that high temperatures can damage certain cannabinoids. It’s also difficult to determine an accurate dose of CBD from boiled hemp. 

So, does CBD tea really work? Or, are you better off putting CBD oil drops into your normal cup of tea? 

We took a look at the tea-making process and the science behind it to give you the full scoop below. We’ll also tell you how to make your own CBD tea that works. 

CBD Tea: Table of Contents

1. What is CBD Tea?
2. Does CBD Tea Really Work?
3. What CBD Tea Can Do
4. What CBD Tea Can’t Do
5. The Best CBD Tea
6. How to Make CBD Tea
7. Verdict: Does CBD Tea Really Work?

What is CBD Tea?

CBD tea is tea mixed with ground CBD hemp flowers. When you steep the tea in water, the cannabinoids from hemp, along with the flavors from the tea leaves, are released into the water.

So, the tea itself doesn’t contain CBD. Instead, the tea is accompanied by hemp that contains CBD. 

Unlike other popular CBD edibles made with CBD oil, CBD tea is made of real tea mixed with decarboxylated CBD hemp. This mixture is then put in boiling water to release the cannabinoids into your cup.

CBD tea comes in a number of different flavors and strengths. 

Does CBD Tea Really Work?

If CBD tea is made correctly, then yes, it really works. But it’s important to buy from a reliable brand with 3rd-party testing so you know what you’re getting. 

It’s easy to steep hemp in water, but if the hemp hasn’t been prepared correctly, you won’t get any CBD from your tea.

For your CBD tea to work, the hemp first needs to be decarboxylated. Then, a binding agent needs to be added. 

Decarboxylation will convert CBD into a form that can bind to the receptors in your body. And a binding agent will allow it to be absorbed into the body. 

Below, we’ll recommend a CBD brand that takes all of these steps and produces our favorite CBD tea. But first, let’s take a look at what CBD tea can and can’t do. 

What CBD Tea Can Do

• It may soothe your gut: Taking CBD orally has been found to ease gut inflammation and improve symptoms of colitis. It’s also been shown to reduce nausea. 
• It may manage discomfort: Discomfort caused by headaches and arthritis may be reduced by drinking CBD tea. Studies have suggested that it can lessen inflammation that causes aches. 
• It may help you relax: Taking CBD orally may have an anxiolytic effect. Because CBD tea can be quite potent, it may be especially suited for relaxation. 
• It may relieve inflammation: CBD may reduce inflammation throughout the body and soothe the symptoms of inflammatory conditions. 
• It may help you sleep: CBD tea often contains over 50mg of CBD per bag. At this strength, CBD may help you feel ready for sleep. 

What CBD Tea Can’t Do

• CBD tea can’t get you high: CBD tea made from hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the cannabinoid that gets you high. CBD tea will not have a psychotropic effect.  
• CBD tea can’t give you a precise dose: It is not possible to accurately measure how much CBD is released into your tea. The advertised potency should be considered the maximum amount you can get. 

The Best CBD Tea

Because we can’t accurately dose our CBD tea when we steep it ourselves, we’re not crazy about CBD tea bags and CBD loose tea. Instead, we prefer pre-made tea with CBD oil added. Our editor’s top pick is brewed by CBD American Shaman.

CBD American Shaman Sparkling Tea

CBD American Shaman makes it easy to enjoy CBD tea. Instead of selling CBD tea bags that you have to brew yourself, they sell fourpacks of refreshing and effective CBD tea in cans. 

You can choose between four flavors, such as Mango Orange Peel for fruit tea lovers and Chamomile Citrus Honey for more traditional sippers. Each drink is made with real tea, full-spectrum hemp extract, and organic cane sugar. Two of the flavors contain caffeine, so you can choose if you want a relaxing beverage or a pick-me-up before work. 

The 250ml cans contain 10mg of CBD each. This isn’t as potent as some CBD tea bags, but it’s enough to experience some of the benefits of CBD. And, it’s nice to know precisely how much CBD you’re getting. 

We recommend picking up a four-pack if you’re an aspiring CBD tea drinker. 

How to Make CBD Tea

Making your own CBD tea isn’t super easy. But if you’re a dedicated cannabis chef, here’s how to do it.

Ingredients:

• 1 gram of CBD flower
• Your favorite tea (loose or bagged)
• Water
• Binding agent (we use coconut oil)

Step 1: Decarboxylate your hemp

1. Preheat the oven to 325˚F/160˚C
2. Lay baking paper on a cookie sheet
3. Use a grinder to finely grind your CBD hemp
4. Sprinkle the hemp evenly across the cookie sheet and bake for 35 minutes

Step 2: Brew and Bind 

1. Grind your decarboxylated hemp again until very fine
2. Put the water in a pot 
3. Add ½ tsp of coconut oil per cup of water to the pot
4. Boil the water and binding agent mixture
5. Add 1 tsp of hemp to the pot and boil for 10 minutes, stirring often
6. Add your favorite tea to the mix at the appropriate time (depends on how long your tea should be boiled/steeped)

Step 3: Enjoy

1. Strain your tea into a mug and enjoy!

Verdict: Does CBD Tea Really Work?

Yes, CBD tea really works. Many studies have suggested that taking CBD orally can improve the symptoms of many conditions such as insomnia, arthritis, colitis, and migraine. It may also reduce inflammation and help you relax. 

But, CBD tea must be made properly to be effective. It must be made with decarboxylated hemp and contain a binding agent. Otherwise, your body will not be able to process any of the cannabinoids within. 

Make sure to check the ingredients of a CBD tea product before you buy. Or, you can choose our editor’s pick, CBD American Shaman Sparkling Tea. We’ve verified their 3rd-party testing and brewing process, so you can trust the potency and purity.