Chamomile is a well-recognized calming herb, and I love drinking in the afternoon to wind down from my days and ease into sleep. It’s fragrant and delicious, and it’s good warm or cool, and the mildly sweet floral flavor pairs with many different herbs.
I’ve always loved chamomile tea, and yet sometimes I need a bit more than this delicate herb to really calm my anxiety. In the past year I’ve become a more regular user of CBD (Cannabidiol) tinctures. For me, CBD is one of the strongest tools in my toolbox to help tackle the physical manifestations of anxiety: nausea, panic, tightness in my lungs and stomach, and indigestion and diarrhea. All that is to say: I don’t use CBD that often, and when I do, it’s one of the most potent herbs to calm the worst of my anxiety symptoms.
What is CBD and Why is it Helpful?
CBD is the abbreviation of Cannabidiol, the calming phytochemical derived from the cannabis plant; it’s one of 113 constituents in this important plant. It’s become increasingly popular in recent years due to deregulation of the industry and increasing evidence of the benefits for many physical symptoms, notably chronic pain and anxiety.
CBD works by binding with the various receptors in the human endocannabinoid system – a huge neurological system that is only beginning to be fully understood across species. It’s understood to have a role in balance or homeostasis in the body, specifically the brain, endocrine, and immune systems.
Why I Choose CBD as an Occasional Remedy
I’ve never been a regular user of substances (I rarely drink alcohol, and very rarely use other substances), and so I shied away from CBD for many years, thinking that it just wasn’t for me. I knew that CBD was not psychoactive (aka, it won’t get you high like weed), yet I still didn’t feel like this was the plant for me.
Recently, I reconnected with this important solution to ease some profound symptoms of anxiety. I found it to be deeply nourishing to my nervous system – so impactful that I actually ‘forgot’ the anxiety and its frustrating symptoms (primarily, nausea). I’m so grateful to have access to and knowledge to this powerful medicine.
Most CBD tinctures at CBD Armour can be taken as is–by simply dropping the liquid into the mouth–but these flavorless extracts can also be used in recipes. I’ve created this deeply relaxing CBD-infused Chamomile Tea recipe that can be sipped in the afternoon to ease symptoms of anxiety or worry, and calm the nervous system to prepare for deeper rest.
If you’ve never tried CBD before, be sure to drink this tea at home, after you have completed you worldly duties. CBD often makes me feel drowsy, and it can sometimes make me feel a bit spacey or forgetful, so I wouldn’t want to drive anywhere after imbibing. Your reaction might be different, and so be mindful to try it initially in a safe, relaxed space.
Equally important to note is that the effects of CBD might be delayed in your body: take a small amount and then see how it feels – do not double dose yourself. I find that sometimes it takes 2-3 hours for the full effect to be felt in my body and mind, and the feelings can ebb and flow. For the deepest relaxation and most benefit, I’d enjoy this tea 3-4 hours before bedtime: this will allow you to experience the relaxing benefits of CBD while you’re still awake in the evening, and help you ease into a restful sleep for the night.
More about this recipe: peppermint is very flavorful and is great for digestion (which for me is always in flux when I’m feeling anxious). Licorice root is also good for our digestive tract, and it’s a great herb to have on hand. It’s naturally very sweet, so if you use licorice root you might not need to use honey in this recipe.
Calming Chamomile CBD Tea
2 Tablespoons dried chamomile tea (or two teabags of pure chamomile tea)
1 teaspoon peppermint leaf
1/4 teaspoon chopped licorice root (loose herb)
2 Tablespoons coconut milk or other plant-based milk
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
1-2 droppers of CBD tincture of choice
- Add chamomile, peppermint, and licorice to a heat-proof teapot or glass jar.
- Cover with 2 cups of just off-the-boil water. Cover, and let steep for 15 minutes. Herbal teas do not have tannins like regular black/green tea, therefore they will not get bitter. Herbs need the extra time to extract all the beneficial constituents; keeping the tea covered allows all the magic of the tea to stay inside the brew.
- To serve warm, strain into a large mug. Stir in coconut milk and honey, if using. Add CBD tincture, and stir to combine. Enjoy immediately.
- To serve cold, strain tea into a quart-sized jar, and leave in fridge for a few hours to cool. Before serving, add milk, honey, and CBD, shake to combine, and serve.
Yield: 2 cups of brewed tea
Fresh chamomile flowers image by Carolyn V, and dried chamomile image by Nia Ramirez on Unsplash
This article was retroactively sponsored by CBD Armor.
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