Cannabis for sleep is one of the oldest documented ways cannabis was used as medicine. There are a variety of different components in cannabis that can assist in falling asleep (and staying) asleep. Today, we’re going to make a simple tea perfect for a night cap, easy enough for a beginner, and an effective treatment option for anyone suffering from sleep deprivation or insomnia.
When purchasing an oil for this recipe, look for “indica dominant” varieties. A cannabis plant that is classified as an indica will have higher concentrations of a terpene called myrcene. Terpenes are the aromatic oils responsible for the smell and taste in all plants, but in cannabis they offer added effects. In this case, myrcene is the terpene in cannabis that contributes to sleep, it offers a very relaxing, calming effect on your mind and body.
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Using cannabis to assist in sleep means you’re going to be needing an oil that has THC in it, as it causes the drowsy effects we you are looking for. This does not mean that your oil cannot have the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD in it as well, just make sure that there is strong concentration of THC. If you are currently using an oil your doctor has prescribed for sleep, you can use that oil, at your recommended dose in this tea recipe.
Before we get into the recipe, a word of caution: Cannabis when consumed as an edible has a stronger and longer lasting effect than if it is inhaled, starting low, and going slow is the best way to ensure that you do not over due your medication. You can always drink more tea, however, you cannot undrink the tea.
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- ¼ cup rose buds
- 1 Tbsp lavender
- 2 Tbsp chamomile
- 1 Tbsp hops
- 1 Tbsp dried mint
- -1 tsp coconut oil
- Cannabis oil*
* If you’re a patient using cannabis oil prescribed by your doctor for sleep, follow your recommended dose. If you’re trying cannabis for the first time, we do not suggest using over .25 ml, again, starting low and going slow is the best option you can always add more later on if your desired effect is not reached.
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Rose: Balances and calms stress hormones by soothing your nervous system.
Lavender: One of the most commonly recognized flowers used for relaxation, lavender has the ability to calm your nervous system and increase the production of dopamine. Lavender has also shown the ability to increase the percentage of deep slow-wave sleep, which is thought to be the most restorative sleep phase.
Chamomile: Contains an antioxidant called apigenin that binds to receptors in your brain that may promote sleep.
Hops: Hops contain a high concentration of the terpene humulene. Humulene has been found to induces drowsiness. Humulene is also a terpene that is found in cannabis, a very close cousin to the hops plant itself.
Mint: Reduces stress and alleviates anxiety mint is commonly used in aromatherapy for its calming effects and its lovely flavor.
Coconut oil: When cannabis is eaten, it is absorbed and digested more effectively when there is a fat for the cannabinoids THC and CBD to bind with. Coconut oil is a healthy and common fat that is paired with cannabis to enable quick absorption.
All of the ingredients we’ve listed above are relatively accessible, if you can’t find them in your local store, try online. When it’s an option we suggest you purchase organic herbs and flowers, you’re going to be consuming them, so the less pesticides the better.
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- Making tea is quite simple, but we do have a few tips. If you’re using your own flowers or herbs, make sure they are fully dried before you use them for tea.
- This tea recipe is loaded with a lot of different herbs and flowers, if your tea bags don’t hold the amounts recommended above, you can leave some out, or use two tea bags.
- Because you’re dosing your tea with cannabis, we suggest making a cup at a time, you don’t want to make an entire pot of tea and not be able to finish it, leaving you short on your cannabis dose.
There you have it, this infused tea is full of natural, and effective sleep aids. When it comes to dosing your tea, it may take a few times to get the perfect dose but it is always better to start low and go slow. Sleep well
