Got a cold? Try a cannabis hot toddy. Replace the alcohol with cannabis and you’ll be back up on your feet in no time.
One scientific triumph that has so far eluded modern medicine is the cure for the so-called “common cold.” While today’s pharmaceutical manufacturers have a wide variety of cold-treating products on the market, they’ve got nothing on the benefits of the cannabis hot toddy.
Part of the reason is that the “common cold” is actually a pretty wide range of diseases. It’s mostly thought of as a form of rhinovirus, but anything from bacteria-caused sore throats to light cases of influenza have been dubbed “colds” in the parlance of our times.
So instead of focusing on a cure, scientists have begun to fine-tune the therapies that best treat a variety of winter-time ailments. And so far, whenever there’s a disease worth treating, cannabis steps up to offer its services. It’s the same with the common cold.
Many of the symptoms that plague cold and flu sufferers are naturally helped along by cannabis-based treatments. Pain, body aches, headaches, lack of sleep — all maladies that can be fought with a tough regiment of cannabis. And maybe a little hot toddy with cannabis honey.
Adjust Your Dosage and Method of Consumption When Sick
First, a few words of caution. Using cannabis while sick is not the same as using it when well. If you’re under the weather, don’t assume you can handle the same amount or that you will benefit from the same strains as when you’re in perfect working order. If you have a fever, for example, it’s best to stay away from getting high. And, just like when using a cannabis product for the first time, it’s always a good idea to start off small. You don’t want to overdo your treatment on the off-chance that it exacerbates some of your symptoms even while helping others. Be smart and start small.
And stay away from the smoke while your lungs are hurting so much! Instead of inhaling cannabis smoke, the best way to reap the health benefits of the substance is a nice cannabis hot toddy.
And, if you really want the best benefits, it’s a good idea to start with a CBD-rich Indica strain. CBD-rich strains minimize the psychotropic effects of THC while still providing cold symptom relief. It will reduce inflammation in the lungs and nasal passages, helping you get some relief.
Cannabis-infused tea is nothing new. It’s not difficult to make, either, although it does require some work. Simply tossing a few buds into a cup of boiling water isn’t going to do much for your constitution. It’s going to help your wallet even less.
Combine With Cannabis Honey for Your Sore Throat
A better approach is to make your own cannabis honey. Honey is great for sore throats and a perfect accompaniment to a piping hot cup of tea or hot toddy. You can buy cannabis-infused honey or make your own.
Here’s how to make it:
- First, grind out your cannabis into a fine dusting and lay it out in a thin layer on a baking sheet.
- Next, preheat your oven to 250-300 degrees and pop the baking sheet in for 1-2 hours. This process decarboxylates the cannabis (read: activates it), making sure your body soaks up the benefits upon ingestion. For best results, rotate the baking sheet a few times during baking to ensure even heating.
Once you’ve baked the cannabis, it’s time to mix it with honey. Here’s how:
- Take half a gram of your cannabis (about 3 tablespoons) and place it in cheesecloth, then tie it closed.
- Place the cheesecloth in glass jar.
- Add a couple cups of honey to the jar.
- Place the glass in a slow cooker, and add enough water to the cooker (not the jar) to fill up past the honey.
- Cover your slow cooker and set the temperature to low.
- It’s a good idea to check the slow cooker every few hours to make sure there’s no pressure build up in the jar. You can do this by opening the lid to release a little pressure. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from steam and heat.
- After about eight hours, you’re done! Let the honey cool, either in the slow cooker or out.
- When it’s finally cool enough to touch, remove the cheesecloth from the jar and squeeze out all you can. (You can use the cheesecloth itself to steep tea later, if you’d like).
- Now you’re ready to add a 1/4 tsp of that sweet honey to your cup of tea along with some lemon. Voila! Cannabis hot toddy! Up the dose by 1/4 tsp next round if that wasn’t enough to bring symptom relief.
- Store your cannabis honey at room temperature. It may crystallize over time, but will not spoil.
Drinking cannabis tea also helps cold sufferers stay hydrated, which is essential for getting well. While some advocate a nip of whiskey in the tea to help symptoms, proceed with caution when making a cannabis hot toddy. Alcohol can lead to dehydration, which is a big no-no when you’re under the weather. Personally, I’d stick with cannabis alone. It will help you sleep just as well as a any bit of whiskey, but without the dehydration.
Cheers!
