Classic edibles will never go out of style, and hemp-infused dishes are all the rage in the hemp community. But when it comes to ingesting your bud, who says that food should get all the attention? The act of juicing veggies and fruits may not come as a surprise, but what about juicing your hemp? Today, many herbaceous plants are being juiced in greater numbers than ever before. However, hemp is truly a plant above all else. With the right ingredients and some creativity, you can customize and enjoy the satisfying results of all the plant has to offer.
Known as one of the most nutritionally complete food sources, many don’t realize that raw hemp, (not dried, heated, or cured) delivers therapeutic effects without the traditional ‘high’. Raw hemp juice isn’t only great for being a very tasty, nutrient-rich beverage, but it’s also very easy to make, ideal for getting a boost of herbs while on-the-go. In this article, we will discuss all of the benefits of sipping your stash raw and also provide a few tips on how to keep your juiced bud secure and fresh — that is, if there’s any leftover!
Why Should you Juice Raw hemp?
Before going into detail about juicing raw hemp, it’s important to note that juicing, in general, is highly beneficial. Juicing typically involves the extracts of fluids and nutrients from the solid flesh of (primarily) vegetables, fruits, and herbs – all without any added sugar, chemicals, or preservatives. The nutrients provided from fresh, raw juice include loads of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that get quickly digested and readily absorbed by the body.
Honestly, much of the same goes for nutrients found in the hemp plant. However, raw, juiced hemp is jam-packed with many of the same nutrients in fruits and veggies along with beneficial flavonoids and terpenes. When combined with cannabinoids, these bioactive chemicals produce synergistic effects that may amplify the beneficial effects of hemp. Now, when raw hemp buds are heated, dried, or cured, psychoactive effects are activated, and terpenes (around 200 found in hemp) along with other nutrients do suffer some loss of their beneficial effects. Simply put, as long as you don’t heat, cure, or dry them, you’ll be able to reap the benefits without the psychoactivity.
Most notably, cannabinoids like CBDa and THCa have shown to address a range of health conditions — all due to the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
This is a biological system found in all vertebrates that regulates a number of important bodily functions including mood, appetite, sleep, and many others. It is composed of CB (cannabinoid) receptors — the two most well known as CB1 receptors (mainly found in the nervous system) and CB2 receptors (mainly found in the immune system). It is hypothesized that deficiencies of the endocannabinoid system result in treatment-resistant conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic inflammation, OCD, and more. However, the presence of cannabinoids in hemp has the ability to address a number of health conditions, are able to restore homeostasis or balance back in the body, thus, promote wellness. Some benefits ingesting these cannabinoid acids include:
Energy boost: As this process requires zero heat, all of the beneficial nutrients and enzymes in raw hemp are well-preserved for our body to absorb with ease.
Complete nourishment: Raw hemp juice provides an excellent source of protein (especially the seeds), vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, C, & E), minerals (like iron and calcium) and amino or fatty acids, including those the human body cannot synthesize on its own, like Omega-3.
Decrease toxic accumulation: Built up of toxins in the body happens for many reasons, but typically caused by oxidative stress. Cannabinoids round in hemp have antioxidant activity and are able to get rid of toxins in the body to a higher degree by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Tips for juicing
Keep it raw
As we mentioned earlier, a herbalicious hemp juice isn’t made with dried or cured hemp flower. Rather, raw hemp leaves and seeds are best used for juicing as they contain cannabinoids in their acidic form (THCA, CBDA).
Choose organic and fresh
Getting your hands on 100% organically grown, freshly harvested hemp plants is the best way to go. The fresher your hemp leaves are, the better the juice is going to be. For many people, this requires cultivating hemp at home.
Customize
To some, raw hemp juice may taste a little strong or bitter, which is the same for many leafy greens. Therefore, we recommend combining hemp with the juice of fruits, like limes or oranges. Keep adding whichever flavoring you choose and taste as you go until your taste buds are satisfied.
Start small
We recommend starting with a small dose until you find what works best for you. Once accustomed, you can increase your intake of raw hemp each day as a supplement. Again, there’s no need to worry about any mind-altering effects when consuming this ‘hempified’ juice.
Storing
One rule of thumb to keep in mind: you should consume the juice immediately after the extraction of your raw hemp. However, the juice can be stored in your fridge for up to 3 days or stored in a freezer for several months.
Enjoy!
Smoking, vaping, and eating flowers may never go out of style, but juicing your stash of hemp has never been healthier. With a load of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that cleanse the body and revitalize the soul, the benefits of sipping raw hemp flowers cannot be recommended enough. If you are looking for a way to achieve optimal health and improve your overall wellbeing, consuming raw hemp may be exactly what you need — just as nature intended.