Turbulent times demand that we take care not only of our physical health, but also of our mental balance, which, let’s face it, is becoming increasingly egocentric. Taking the time to take supplements or even medicines, going to bed earlier, improving your diet and getting enough exercise means incorporating into your daily routine products and rituals that replenish the internal resources of your nervous system and have phytotherapeutic properties.
We have heard, read, questioned and argued a lot about cannabis over the last decade. For many, the name of the plant is still associated only with the psychotropic subspecies of Cannabis, which we will not discuss here, nor is it of interest to us, especially when its wonderful and unproblematic “sister”, the hemp Cannabis sativa L. subspecies sativa.
Historical facts
Cannabis has been known in China since at least 4000 BC. The Chinese emperor Shen Nung is believed to have first described the properties and therapeutic uses of cannabis in 2737 BC.
In the 5th century, hemp spread from China to Japan and later to the Arab world as an excellent raw material for papermaking. By the 16th century it had reached the North American continent, where it was cultivated on a large scale and processed in water-powered mills into rope, cloth, oil, dye or fuel for lamps. The cotton industry in Europe, which began to develop in the 18th century under the influence of British colonialism, pushed hemp out of the markets, and the production of synthetic fabrics in the early 20th century brought the industry to a complete “end”.
Despite the textile wars, cannabis began to be seen again as a medicinal plant. In India in 1839, the British physician William O’Shaughnessy noted the anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, anti-muscular, anti-spasmodic and appetite-enhancing properties of cannabis. This led to the medical use of cannabis, which became freely available in pharmacies in Western countries in 1854. In 1937, the US government introduced the Marijuana Tax Act, a tax of $1 per ounce for medical use and $100 for non-approved uses.
Due to the increasing admixture (intentional and unintentional) of hemp with narcotic cannabis from Asia, hemp was removed from the US pharmacopoeia in 1942 and lost its therapeutic legitimacy, and cannabis was banned by Great Britain and most European countries through the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
In Lithuania, cannabis was one of the first cultivated plants (together with millet), widely used for food and textiles, and has been eradicated and banned, as it has been throughout Europe. Preserved in songs and fairy tales in cultural memory, it has finally regained recognition and attention when, in line with the Western world, the 2014 Law on Cannabis re-legalised the cultivation of hemp in Lithuania, allowing the cultivation of hemp with a THC content of up to 0.2%.
Healing power
Nutritious and delicious seeds, special oils, proteins for sports, cannabis (a favourite of the Samogitians), salt for potatoes and much more – we’ve all tasted them and it’s not uncommon to find ourselves without them in our kitchen. Hemp fibre is also often mentioned in construction or textile themes, while the flowers are still the stuff of legends and myths for many.
Hemp flower tea has an interesting taste and aroma and is slowly becoming not only a common alternative to evening tea, but also a curious phytotherapeutic alternative. Let’s take a look at its chemical properties.
An aqueous decoction of cannabis flowers can have a wide range of therapeutic properties thanks to more than 500 compounds, the most specific of which are the cannabinoids (about 70 compounds), of which the best known and most studied are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBG (cannabigerol), CBD (cannabidiol) and CBC ( cannabichromine).
The biological human endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate basic bodily functions such as appetite, sleep, memory, mood, immunity, fertility, energy metabolism, pain sensation, etc., was discovered during the beta-study of these compounds around 1990. CBD, which is well recognised by human endocannabinoid receptors, prevents them from being over-activated, thus protecting the nervous and immune systems from the effects of everyday stress.
Properties of CBD
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis. It is best known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects (improving well-being, increasing pain tolerance), but new applications for CBD are emerging. CBD oil helps maintain wellbeing and is widely regarded as a beauty aid for skin, hair and nails. CBD can help control epileptic symptoms, aid in the treatment of mental illness and combat addiction.
The saying “all diseases are nerve diseases” may be the reason why the pharmacological effects of cannabis are being intensively studied in the treatment of a wide range of other diseases and their symptoms, including Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, autism, dementia, depression, glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, haemorrhoids, Parkinson’s disease, urinary tract infections, symptoms of schizophrenia, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, anxiety, sleep disorders, obesity, neuropathic or cancer pain, and symptoms of HIV/AIDS. It is increasingly recognised that the use of high-concentration CBD products must take into account potential side effects, the reliability of the chemical composition, the integrity of the manufacturers and the still considerable lack of scientific data.
Cannabis flower tea
Cannabis flower tea, which is suitable for everyday use, is not controversial scientifically due to its natural concentration of active ingredients, and it is generally accepted that, when taken properly, it can be useful for reducing the effects of stress and anxiety, for improving sleep, and for reducing pain.
Many users find that drinking cannabis tea over an extended period of time makes them feel more relaxed, helps them to concentrate more easily and helps to establish a natural mood balance.
It is important to remember that the effects of herbal tea are most pronounced when consumed over a long period of time (with breaks every 21 days), after a long meal, and without mixing it with alcoholic beverages or medication.
Cannabis flower tea is best consumed in the late afternoon or evening and is suitable for the whole family as it has no intoxicating effects and the THC content is below the 0.2% permitted in food in Lithuania. The raw material used in our tea is supplied by a reliable and experienced Lithuanian grower, certified and always the freshest harvest from organically farmed fields in Aukštaitija.
Preparation
Pour slightly cooled (~80°C) boiled water over half of the cannabis flower and leave for a few minutes. After 3-5 minutes you can drink as usual or make a variation of bulletproof tea that coffee lovers will probably already know: a splash of whole milk, cream or a splash of tea water. A teaspoon of coconut or regular butter will allow more fat-soluble CBD to be released from the flowers into the tea. Without fat, the maximum amount of CBD can be as low as 20%.
Of course, this not only increases the absorption of the beneficial compounds, but also enhances the already pronounced flavour.
Enjoy! And have a relaxing evening…
References:
Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A
Food Control
Journal of cannabis research
Medical cannabis and cannabinoids
F1000Research
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