CBD Oil in Your Tea: What You Need to Know  

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world today, second only to bottled water. Our country is the second-largest importer worldwide, and Americans drink nearly 90 billion servings each year (Kavachevska, 2022). Some people choose tea because they don't care for the taste of coffee, others because of the numerous studies suggesting possible health benefits credited to its many flavonoids, polyphenols, catechins, and terpenes (Higdon & Frei, 2003). Tea has less caffeine than coffee, and most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. 

If you're a fan of specialty teas, you've likely noticed a gradual increase in the number of companies offering a selection of products featuring various concentrations of CBD. Whether you typically drink tea throughout the day for the caffeine or relax with a soothing cup of chamomile before turning in for the night, it's only natural to wonder if CBD tea is a worthwhile investment. Maybe, but maybe not. Before committing to a purchase, you should know that the amount of CBD you'll get in each cup varies by brand. So can the quality of CBD. Instead, consider taking a few minutes to make your own. All you need is a cup, can, or bottle of tea and your favorite CBDistillery® CBD oil tincture. 

What is CBD Tea?  

CBD tea is a plant-based beverage that combines the health and wellness potential of black, green, white, oolong, or herbal tea with cannabidiol (CBD), one of more than 100 non-intoxicating cannabinoids in cannabis plants. There are two potential sources, marijuana and hemp. While CBD itself is non-intoxicating, CBD tea made from marijuana contains high concentrations of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the cannabinoid that causes the type of euphoria cannabis is known for. Tea made with hemp-derived CBD does not cause intoxication because the plants produce less than .3% THC by dry weight (Ehrensing, 1998). In addition to CBD tea made from dried hemp plants, you'll also find loose-leaf tea, sachets, and bottles or cans of ready-to-drink CBD tea made with broad spectrum extracts and pure CBD isolate powder. Their THC concentrations are reduced to non-detectable levels during extraction and processing. CBD tea brewed from dried hemp is said to have a greenish-brown color and an earthy, somewhat bitter flavor (Panoff, 2022). 

What Does Adding CBD to Tea Do?  

Adding CBD to tea is just one of many ways to experience the health and wellness potential of hemp-derived cannabinoids. Once the CBD in your tea is circulating through your bloodstream, it interacts with several molecular targets, including your endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors. A relatively recent discovery, current evidence suggests ECS signaling helps regulate nearly every crucial function in your body, from your moods, emotions, and stress responses, to sleep cycles and muscle movement (Batista et al., 2012). While most of the evidence is based on the results of animal studies, lab tests, and a small number of clinical trials, many researchers believe CBD supports ECS function in a way that helps restore essential balance (homeostasis) (Sallaberry & Astern, 2018). 

Although there's scientific evidence supporting the health and wellness potential of CBD, to date, there's no research-driven data suggesting any additional gains by combining CBD with various types of tea. However, you will find a considerable number of peer-reviewed studies detailing specific attributes of the active compounds in black tea, green tea, and various herbal teas (Poswal et al., 2019) and anecdotal evidence (reviews and testimonials) suggesting CBD enhances their effects. But everyone is different. The only way to know if you could benefit from adding CBD to your favorite tea is to pair them and try it. 

How to Make CBD Tea  

Of course, you'll always have the option of purchasing CBD-infused tea made by various brands. But as you're browsing product options, you'll find that many companies selling pre-packaged CBD teas recommend steeping their products for 10-15 minutes or more to ensure the release of the hemp-sourced cannabinoids, instructions that could leave your morning tea bitter and cold. You'll also find that some companies make tea with as little as 2.5mg CBD per bag, while others have more CBD than you might want in a single serving. When you're using a CBD oil tincture with your favorite tea, you have full control over the number of milligrams in every cup. You also have the option of adding CBD in different ways. 

Add a Serving of CBD to Your Cup  

When adding CBD oil to hot tea, you can wait until after it's steeped. Just shake the bottle, measure your serving size, stir, and enjoy. If you drink your tea plain (or with sugar), you may want to stir your tea occasionally to redistribute the coconut (MCT) oil, a necessary ingredient that helps your body absorb the cannabinoids in your tincture. When you're drinking your tea with milk or cream, the difference is hardly noticeable. If you're concerned about the somewhat earthy flavor of hemp leaving an unpleasant taste in your tea, consider using a flavorless 0% THC CBD Isolate Tincture. 

Add CBD to Bottled Tea  

Only about 15-20% of tea in the US is served hot. Whether you prefer making iced tea at home, purchasing tea-infused drinks sold in bottles or cans, or ordering green tea smoothies at your favorite hangout, the instructions are the same. Just shake your tincture, measure your serving size, add the drops to your tea, and blend. If you find that green, black, or white tea makes you feel tense, anxious, or jittery, you might even find that adding CBD could help. Although there's no data confirming that CBD helps temper the effects of caffeine, many CBD users claim the combination leaves them feeling alert, yet calm and focused (Ashton, 2022). 

Make CBD Honey  

If you enjoy your tea with honey, consider infusing your natural sweetener with CBD. The recipe is easy. First, measure a cup of honey into a heat-resistant glass jar. After heating a small pan of water (not boiling), remove the pan from the burner. Then place your jar of honey into the hot water. After warming the honey for 3-5 minutes, remove the jar from the pan, add your desired amount of CBD oil, and stir. Once your CBD honey has cooled to room temperature, cover the jar, and place it in a cool, dark location (or refrigerate) (Saunders, 2022).   

Could You Benefit from Adding a CBD Oil Tincture to Your Daily Routine?  

CBDistillery® CBD Oil Tinctures are remarkably versatile, ideal for anyone interested in a hemp-derived product they can use in several ways. After you've experienced the many potential benefits of CBD tea, you can use the same tincture to add CBD to baked goods, sauces, soups, or to make your own CBD-infused chocolate. For fast-acting results, we suggest holding a serving beneath your tongue for 10-20 seconds before swallowing. Based on the results of our internal survey, most people report positive results using our hemp-derived CBD products for relaxation, better sleep, and for inflammation, stiffness, and pain after physical activity. An impressive 89% also say CBD helps calm their mind, and 88% tell us that CBD helps with mild or temporary anxiety. Most of our nearly 2000 survey respondents report achieving their best results within 7-14 days of consistent use. 

To learn more, visit CBDistillery® to download our Ultimate CBD User Guide, set up a personal consultation with an expert, or browse our selection of CBD, CBDA, CBN, CBG, and THC products. You can shop with confidence knowing CBDistillery® products are third-party tested, and backed by a no-risk satisfaction guarantee.   

References 

Ashton, L. (2022) CBD and Caffeine: Why You Should Mix CBD with Your Morning Coffee. CFAH. 

Batista N, Tommaso M, et al. (2013) The Endocannabinoid System: An Overview. Front in Behav Neurosc. PDF.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2012.00009 

Ehrensing D. (1998) Feasibility of Industrial Hemp Production in the United States Pacific Northwest. 681 OSU. https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/sb681.pdf 

Higdon J, Frei B. (2003) Tea Catechins and Polyphenols: Health Effects, Metabolism, and Antioxidant Function. 43(1) Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 89-143. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408690390826464 

Kavachevska M. (2022) 32 Tempting Tea Statistics for a Healthier 2022. Comfy Living. 

Panoff L, MPH RD. (2022) What is Hemp Tea? What You Need to Know. Healthline. 

Poswal F, Russel G, et al. (2019) Herbal Teas and Their Health Benefits: A Scoping Review. 74(2) Plant Foods Hum Nutr 266-76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-019-00750-w 

Sallaberry C, Astern L. (2018) The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator. 34(6) JYI 48-55. https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator 

Saunders N. (2022) CBD Honey: What Is It Good For? Way of Leaf.