Cannabis-Infused Smoothies to Beat the Heat and Strengthen Your Immune System

cannabis-infused smoothies

With summer quickly approaching and shelter-in-place orders still being implemented in most places, most of us are, unfortunately, looking at spending another few months indoors. That means we’ll have to contend with the sweltering summer months at home. For those who have swimming pools, that thought might not be particularly daunting but for others who aren’t so lucky, it can be downright horrific. Luckily, we’ve got the next best thing: smoothies! With the added bonus of not only cooling you down but also boosting your immune system to keep you strong and healthy for the time ahead.

Cannabis-infused smoothies are the perfect solution to a summer spent in lockdown. For these recipes, you’ll be using raw marijuana leaves, the unsung heroes of the cannabis plant. For the uninitiated, in its raw form, the plant is a rich source of THCA or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which has powerful immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, multiple studies have already been done on its healing properties, including:

- One study that was published in the British Pharmacological Society, which suggested that THCA may be effective in treating nausea and suppressing vomiting.

- Another study suggested THCA could be used to treat Irritable Bowel Disease, and was even found to have stronger anti-inflammatory properties in treating Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis than CBD.

- THCA has also demonstrated neuroprotective properties and researchers are exploring its potential as a treatment for Huntington’s disease and other similar neurodegenerative diseases.

- It’s also believed to boost levels of 2-AG, which helps modulate a variety of bodily functions.

Combine THCA-rich leaves with a generous helping of various fruits and vegetables in a delicious and cooling smoothie and you’ve got a one-two punch of energizing and immune-boosting benefits.

Here are a few fruits and veggies you may want to consider adding to your smoothies:

Citrus fruits

They’re rich in everyone’s favorite vitamin–vitamin C–which is believed to increase the body’s production of white blood cells, which are critical for fighting infection. These fruits include oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and tangerines. But be sure not to overdue it as too much can cause gastrointestinal distress. The recommended daily intake of vitamin C for adults is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men.

Red bell peppers

These contain almost three times the amount of vitamin C as oranges and are also a rich source of beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin C is essential for maintaining healthy skin and vitamin A helps keep eyes and skin healthy.

Broccoli

This superfood is super charged with a number of vitamins and minerals. It’s packed with vitamin A, C, and E, and is rich in fiber and antioxidants. The best way to consume it is by cooking it as little as possible. Steaming or adding it to a smoothie ensures you’re able to benefit from all the good nutrients and vitamins contained inside. If the idea of adding broccoli to a smoothie doesn’t sound particularly appetizing to you, don’t worry. If you mix it with the right ingredients, you won’t be able to tell it’s even there.

Ginger

Apart from being delicious, ginger also helps decrease inflammation and is great at curing a sore throat. It also reduces nausea and chronic pain, and is believed to possess cholesterol-lowering properties.

Spinach

Dense in vitamin C and packed with antioxidants and beta carotene, this leafy green helps increase your body’s ability to fight infection. Like broccoli, it’s best to consume it as raw as possible to allow it to retain its nutrients and making it easier for your body to absorb its vitamin A.

Before you start making your smoothies, prep your cannabis juice first. You’ll need raw, untreated cannabis leaves. Plant material from dispensaries have already been treated. Contact your local dispensary and ask where you might procure raw leaves.

Make the cannabis juice by juicing the raw cannabis leaves or, if you don’t have a juicer, blend the leaves with a little water. Pour the juice into an ice try and pop the cubes into a blender to include when making your smoothies.

Creamy Cannabis Smoothie

1/2 frozen mango

1/2 frozen banana

1 cup greek yogurt

1 date (or 1 tbsp honey)

1 tsp lemon juice

3 cannabis juice cubes

Instructions:

Pop everything in a blender and blend until smooth.

Immune Boosting Cannabis Smoothie

1 cup spinach

1.5 cups almond milk