Learn how to prepare a delicious cannabis tea, commonly known as tisane, using your preferred cannabis flowers, herbs, and spices. Additionally, discover eight other cannabis tea infusion alternatives that can provide a genuinely calming experience.
Why You Will Love This Cannabis Tea Recipe
First, it’s important to know that, just like with cannabis coffee, there is no right way to make a cup of cannabis tea.
There are many different routes to arrive at the same destination: a delicious infused herbal cannabis tea you love.
Here I will share many of the most popular methods for making the best cup of cannabis tea according to your taste preferences and what you have available.
To Get The Best Results
There are a few important things to remember when making cannabis tea based on what we already know about cannabis edibles.
For the best experience, I recommend:
- Decarboxylate first
- Consider adding a fat source to the preparation
Decarb First
Whether you’re making stem tea or a cannabis tisane (herbal cannabis tea), as outlined below, you will want to be sure you decarboxylate your flower first.
Cannabis decarboxylation must occur before consuming the cannabis plant to reap the benefits of activated CBD or THC.
If you were to prepare your tea by simply pouring warm water over a dried or raw cannabis bud, it is unlikely that you will feel any strong intoxicating effects of THC.
This is because raw cannabis does not naturally contain high amounts of CBD or THC. Instead, it contains what is known as cannabinoid acids.
Cannabinoid acids, known as CBDA and THCA, have potential health benefits – but they are not intoxicating in nature (meaning you won’t get high).
If you are looking for the health benefits of CBDA and THCA, you can skip the decarboxylation process. If you want to enjoy the intoxicating effects of CBD or THC in your tea, be sure to decarboxylate first.
If you’re brand new to the process of decarboxylation, have no fear, I have a complete decarboxylation guide that will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Add a Fat Source
You might be thinking – what?
Add fat to my tea? Why?
Making cannabis tea sounds as simple as pouring hot water over the cannabis leaves or buds to let them steep, but that is not the most effective way to get a full spectrum of compounds from the plant into your body.
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are lipophilic, meaning they attract fat molecules. They are not water-soluble, which means they will not dissolve in water alone.
According to scientific studies, when paired with a fat source, the absorption of cannabinoids is enhanced: THC and CBD by 2.5-fold and 3-fold, respectively, compared to fat-free formulations (1).
Adding a fat source to your cannabis tea may make it up to 2.5-3 times more potent than skipping a fat source.
Adding some fat source is a good idea for those looking for the intoxicating benefits of THC.
There are many different ways to add a fat source to your tea without negatively affecting the taste and flavor, many of which we included in my 9 different ways to make cannabis tea below.
Additional ways to introduce fat to tea include:
- Adding a splash of full-fat milk
- Adding a splash of cream
- Adding a splash of coconut milk
How Much Cannabis Should I Add?
As humans, we all have our own unique endocannabinoid systems, explaining why we react to cannabis edibles differently.
I can’t give specific dosage measurements on making your cannabis tea because so many variables will impact your product’s final dose.
This includes what method you choose for infusion, whether you start with CBD or THC flower, whether you went through the decarboxylation process, and how much and the potency of the material you started with.
My advice, as always, is to start low and go slow.
Start with a ¼-½ teaspoon of your infusion of choice and work your way up from there.
If you’re still unsure how to find your perfect dose and learn what works best for your body, lower dosages are ALWAYS better.
9 Different Infusion Options
Below, we will review the nine different cannabis tea infusion options we’ve tried and love:
Herbal Cannabis Tea (Tisane)
A tisane, or herbal tea, is my favorite way to enjoy cannabis tea.
For this type of tea, you can choose to decarboxylate your cannabis first to enjoy the activated benefits of CBD or THC or skip this step to enjoy the benefits of CBDA and THCA.
For this option, it is up to you what types of herbs you want to add to your cannabis herbal tea, along with the cannabis itself.
Mix and match many different flowering herbs to deliver a unique tea-tasting experience, from lavender to calendula.
Additionally, you can add traditional black tea leaves to your tea mix for a true tea experience.
You can find my favorite cannabis herbal tea recipe below.
It involves choosing your favorite herbal tea additives, grinding them in a spice grinder, and adding them to a cloth tea bag or metal tea ball for steeping.
If you’re new to using different herbs and spices below, check out this bulk botanical flower kit which will get you started with 6 different types of edible flowers that can be used to make tea.
Cannabis Stem Tea
While it may be tempting to throw away those stems, the truth is there may be some good stuff left on them.
While you can’t smoke or inhale the stems, one of the most popular ways to get the most out of this byproduct is to make a cannabis stem tea.
You can choose to leave the stems whole or grind them up.
Then be sure to go through the decarboxylation process.
Feel free to add the stems or a metal tea ball infuser to your cloth tea bag.
Afterward, you can steep your cannabis stems in your tea with any other additive you desire. Also, opt for a fat addition to get the most out of your cannabinoids.
Tea Made With Cannabutter
If you’ve never put cannabutter in your tea before, you may think it doesn’t sound too good, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Adding cannabutter to your teacup adds richness to the flavor and texture and can be enjoyed alongside any other tea addition you like to use, like sugar or cream.
This simple infusion method allows you to make any tea you already enjoy, whether it be black tea, green tea, or another herbal tea.
Freezing cannabutter in an ice cube tray can be perfect for dosing out a perfect size addition to your morning cup of tea.
If you’ve never made cannabutter, get my full step-by-step guide here.
Note: It’s important to remember that mixing tea and cannabis butter is like mixing oil and water; they don’t naturally stay together well.
You will likely notice butter/oil floating on the top of your tea after the cup is left to sit for a few minutes. This is harmless and left to your personal taste and texture preferences and can easily be fixed with the addition of lecithin.
Tea Made with Cannabis Oil
Cannabis-infused oil is another popular cannabis tea infusion method I see.
Many people prefer cannabis coconut oil because it is naturally plant-based and vegan and doesn’t require the milk solids to be removed after infusion.
In addition to traditional unrefined coconut oil, MCT oil is also popular.
This infused MCT oil added to tea is delicious but has also been known to cause some digestive distress in some individuals, so enjoy with caution!
Note: It’s important to remember that mixing tea and cannabis oil is like mixing oil and water; they don’t naturally stay together well.
You will likely notice the oil floating on the top of your tea after the cup is left to sit for a few minutes. This is harmless and left to your personal taste and texture preferences and can be easily resolved with the addition of lecithin.
You can also use CBD oil. As cooking with CBD oil gains popularity, many people realize it is an excellent addition to their morning cup of tea and their overall wellness routine.
Adding CBD oil to your morning cup of tea is likely the most accessible option for most folks, as CBD is legal in nearly every state.
If you want to make CBD oil at home, check out my beginner’s guide. If you need CBD oil, I proudly offer my readers high-quality CBD products in my shop.
Cannabis Honey
What could pair together better than tea and honey? Cannabis-infused honey!
If you’ve never made your own cannabis honey before, I have a super simple recipe here on the blog.
You can then stir in as much or as little as you like into any tea you prefer.
Cannabis Tinctures
A traditional cannabis tincture is an alcohol-based cannabis infusion and will likely blend into the tea the best of any method described here.
With this method, the warm temperature of the tea will evaporate off some, if not all, of the remaining alcohol in the tincture.
If you want to make your own cannabis alcohol tincture at home to add to your morning cup of tea, grab my guide here for making either the Golden Dragon or Green Dragon tinctures.
Cannabis Sugar
Adding a spoonful of cannabis sugar to your cup of tea may be the easiest way to make a cup of cannatea.
But it takes a little bit of work to make cannabis sugar. Before making your own cannabis sugar, you must first make a cannabis alcohol tincture.
Once the tincture is made, you pour that over sugar to make cannabis sugar.
Cannabis Concentrates
There are many different types of cannabis concentrates on the market today that can be used to make cannabis-infused tea.
One of the most popular cannabis concentrates made at home is called full-extract cannabis oil, also known as FECO. It may also be called RSO.
Depending on where you live, you may also have access to high-quality cannabis concentrates like distillate.
This is a highly concentrated cannabis product with minimal flavor, so cannabis consumers highly favor it.
Leftover Cannabis Pulp
This is another one where they say: don’t knock it until you try it!
Leftover cannabis pulp is the plant material left over from cannabis butter, cannabis coconut oil, tincture, or cannabis olive oil.
The best way to add cannabis pulp leftovers to your tea is to place the leftover plant material in a tea ball and steep it in your mug. This is the tea ball I recommend.
How to Determine The Dosing
Want a more accurate guesstimate of the potency of your cannabis infusions and extractions? Try our popular THC dosage calculator!
Cannabis Tea FAQs
How fast does cannabis tea kick in?
Cannabis tea can take 30 to 90 minutes to kick in, lasting 3 to 8 hours. Once set in, effects tend to last four to eight hours — making edibles a top choice for people with painful medical conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS).
What are the benefits of cannabis tea?
Here are a few surprising cannabis tea health benefits, plus a recipe you can try out.
– Reduces Chronic Pain
– Relieves Anxiety and Depression
– Improves Lung Health
– Supports Heart Health
– Cannabis Tea Eases Symptoms of Nausea
– Alleviates Bowel Problems
Is cannabis tea illegal?
Cannabis tea is illegal to possess, buy, and sell in the United States at the federal level since it is a derivative of Cannabis sativa.
How do you feel after CBD tea?
If you’re experiencing pain, anxiety, inflammation, or difficulty sleeping, CBD tea may be worth considering. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before trying any CBD products. CBD has been shown to have potential benefits in these areas and maybe a helpful addition to your health regimen.
How long should you brew CBD tea?
To make a flavorful cup, pour boiling water over a teaspoon of leaves and let it steep for 3-5 minutes. If you want to get more benefits from CBD, you can let it infuse for a longer time. Some people prefer to stew it for an additional 10 minutes.
Is cannabis herbal tea good for pain?
Marijuana has been associated with pain relief for centuries. Researchers have found the cannabinoids in marijuana dampen pain signals by binding to the pain receptors in the central nervous system (CNS).
Jan 15, 2018 – 5 Benefits of Cannabis Tea for Chronic Illnesses. multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com
Are cannabis leaves a superfood?
Marijuana is a type of vegetable similar to other plants we commonly use in our meals. It is even considered a superfood due to its unique and beneficial phytochemicals. Raw marijuana leaves and flowers contain these nutrients, which are not often found in other foods. They can be added to salads, smoothies, and juices for a healthy boost.
Can I Use Cannabis Infused Energy Drink Recipe to Make Cannabis Tea?
Using a natural cannabis energy drink recipe to make cannabis tea is possible. By infusing the cannabis into the tea recipe, you can enjoy the benefits of both cannabis and tea simultaneously. It’s an innovative way to consume cannabis and experience its effects in a refreshing and energizing manner.
How to Make Cannabis Tea for Pain Relief
9 Ways To Make Cannabis Tea
Equipment
- Botanical Flower Kit
- Herb Grinder
- Cloth Tea Bags
- Metal Tea Ball
Ingredients
- 1 gram decarbed cannabis flower
- 1 gram lavender flowers dried
- 1 gram chamomile flowers dried
- 1 gram calendula flowers dried
- 1 gram rose petals dried
- 1 gram black tea leaves dried (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a kettle of water to just near-boiling. While warming the water, in a dedicated herb and spice grinder, grind together your herbs of choice.
- Transfer the ground herbs to a mesh tea bag or metal tea ball. This amount of herbs can fill 2 tea bags for 2 servings.
- Add a single tea bag or ball to your mug of choice. Cover with hot water.
- Allow the tea to steep for 2-5 minutes, until your desired taste is achieved.
- Add in your desired additives if using, including coconut oil, cream, or sugar. Stir well and enjoy.