From decadent truffles and 7-layer bars to chewy gummies and stoner lollipops, hemp-infused foods have been all the rage lately amongst cannathusiasts. They are usually things you can buy at your local dispensary, but what about making a hemp-infused treat of your own? No, we’re not talking about something you can ingest, we’re talking about hemp beverages.
Although you can experiment with making hemp milk, lemonade, and even tea, we were thinking of something that your body won’t be able to thank you enough for. It may come to no surprise that juicing fruits and veggies is a good way for you to get your daily serving, but what you’ve probably never considered doing, is juicing hemp. Like all other plants, juiced raw (not dried or cured) hemp is able to deliver vitamins, key nutrients and even antioxidants in the body -- all without the psychoactivity. It’s not only great for on-the-go situations, but it’s a deliciously therapeutic beverage that you can incorporate in your everyday health routine. That said, with a little imagination and the right bud you will be able to enjoy all the ever-giving plant has to offer.
Today, we’ll help you understand the benefits of sipping this delicious alternative to utilize the rest of this fantastic plant, other than just smoking or vaping the flowers.
Why Should You Juice Raw hemp?
Before we dive into things, we should note that juicing, in general, is highly beneficial. This typically involves the fluids from the flesh and sometimes skin of plants such as fruits, vegetables, and other herbs. The end result provides a fresh, raw juice loaded with everything the human body needs and quickly absorbs minus the added preservatives, sugars, and harsh chemicals.
On the other hand, using any form of heat on these plants can cause a significant loss of nutrients and also deactivates essential enzymes -- and we can certainly say the same for raw hemp.
Not only full of the same nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants found in fruits and veggies, but each strain of hemp (in its raw form) also provides a unique terpene profile as well as cannabinoids in their acidic state. Like fruits and veggies, when raw hemp is heated, psychoactive effects get activated, also causing a loss of nutrients and therapeutic effects. However, when undried and uncured raw hemp produces zero psychoactivity and also lessens the process of digestion, thus, enabling us to receive higher amounts of these cannabinoids.
The two most commonly known and most abundant in hemp are cannabinoids CBDa (cannabidiolic acid) and THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid). Though more properties and applications have yet to be explored, what we do know for now, is that when combined with terpenes (hemp terpenoids) create a synergy in the body researchers commonly refer to as the “entourage effect”. Below are some raw hemp nutrition fun (we think) facts:
Excellent source of protein (especially in the seeds) and fiber.
Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, & E.
Crucial sources of nutrition from terpenes (aroma molecules found in hemp) including but not limited to chlorophyll, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene -- which was particularly found in a 2014 study to calm anxiety and depression in rat models.
Minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium, and calcium.
Amino or fatty acids (including ones we cannot synthesize on our own, like Omega-3’s.)
Antioxidants which decrease toxins by reducing oxidative stress
Juicing Tips
Choose organic, raw, and fresh: Like we said, the hemp you use to juice simply will not work if cured or dried. In order to receive all of its health benefits, use raw hemp leaves. Furthermore, obtaining organic, freshly harvested hemp plants will help you avoid the dangers of pesticides, insecticides, and any other potentially hazardous chemicals.
Start small: Starting with a small dose until you find your “sweet spot” is the perfect way to begin your raw hemp juicing journey. The best part? As we mentioned, raw hemp is non-psychoactive, so there’s no need to stress all of your hair out about overdoing things after enjoying a nice, cool healthy dose of juiced bud.
Be creative: So for some, the taste of hemp might taste a little funny. But this only invites the opportunity for you to get your creative juices flowing! We recommend combining fruits (berries and citrusy lemons, limes) and veggies with your hemp for added flavor until you’ve adjusted the taste to your liking.
Store well: Like with any herb, it must be stored well in order to keep it nice and fresh. As for raw hemp juice, your juiced stash will last you a lot longer if you keep it stored in your fridge, which has a 3-day lifespan or for several months when placed in a freezer. The storing options are different, but the taste should remain the same.
Herbaceous, Non-Psychoactive Drink Recipes
Cool as a Cucumber
15 sprigs of fresh mint
15 large fresh hemp leaves
1 green apple
1 cucumber
½ head Romaine lettuce
Sweet n’ Spicy
10 large hemp leaves
5 kale leaves
3 handfuls of spinach
1 cup diced pineapple
1 cucumber
1 large hemp bud
½ jalapeño
Taste the Rainbow
20 fresh hemp leaves
6 Swiss or rainbow chard leaves
2 handfuls of spinach
1 cup green grapes
1 cucumber
1-inch fresh ginger root
½ green apple
Healthy Citrus
7 large hemp leaves
5 handfuls of spinach
3 kale leaves
1 Fuji apple
½ lemon
½ cucumber
Lean Green Machine
10 sprigs cilantro
2 large fresh hemp buds
1 handful of spinach leaves
1 green apple
1-inch fresh turmeric root
1-inch fresh ginger root
½ head romaine lettuce
½ lime
Unbeetable
10 sprigs parsley
3 swiss chard leaves
2 large fresh hemp buds
1 bunch beet greens
1 green apple
1 large red or golden beet
1 cucumber
All Green Everything
30 fresh hemp leaves
5 sprigs parsley
2 cups dinosaur kale
2 handfuls of spinach
1 cup chopped kale
½ green apple
½ cup wheatgrass
½ cucumber
On the Road to Greenness
It seems that the health benefits of sipping a little raw herb are totally worth a try. Not only packed with a ton of nutrients but juicing hemp raw also seems to provide therapeutic benefits that work to cleanse the mind and the body. If you want to find a fun and tasty way to achieve balanced health and wellbeing, raw hemp juice may be just the thing you need.
Comentários