Using CBD flowers: the top 4 methods compared (tea, vape, smoking, cooking)

Using CBD flowers – whether as a tea, in a vaporizer or smoked in the classic way: CBD flowers are a popular natural product in Switzerland with many forms of use. But which method is the best? In this guide we show you the most important ways of using CBD flowers – with advantages and disadvantages, tips and health aspects.

What are CBD flowers anyway?

CBD flowers are the dried flowers of female hemp plants which have been selected in breeding for high CBD and low THC contents. In Switzerland they may contain a maximum of 1 % THC and are freely available for sale as a tobacco substitute product. Using CBD flowers is versatile and ranges from aroma products to tea.

Using CBD flowers 1: vaporising

The gentlest and most effective method: when vaporising, the flowers are heated to 180–210 °C – hot enough to release cannabinoids and terpenes, but too cold for combustion. The advantages: a fast effect (1–5 min.), no harmful substances, the full taste. This way of using CBD flowers is regarded as the healthiest.

Using CBD flowers 2: as a tea

A gentle and enjoyable variant: let 1 g of CBD flowers steep with 200 ml of hot water and a dash of cream or coconut milk (cannabinoids are fat-soluble!) for 10–15 minutes. The effect sets in after 30–90 min., but lasts up to 6 hours. Ideal before going to bed.

Using CBD flowers 3: smoking

Classic, but not recommendable from a health point of view. Combustion creates harmful substances which reach the lungs. If at all, then without any admixture of tobacco and only occasionally. Anyone who values the classic enjoyment should think about switching to a vaporizer.

Using CBD flowers 4: cooking and baking

Cannabinoids are fat-soluble, so the flowers first have to be extracted into butter or oil (decarboxylation + infusion). With the „cannabutter“ you can flavour biscuits, brownies or hearty sauces. The effect sets in after 60–120 min. and lasts 6–8 hours.

Which way of using CBD flowers is the right one?

A fast effect: vaporizer
Gentle enjoyment: tea
A long effect: edibles
Classic enjoyment: smoking (with caution)

High-grade CBD flowers at HempJoy

In the CBD Shop Switzerland you will find various varieties of Swiss indoor and greenhouse flowers in tested quality. Anyone who would also like to compare other products can look at our CBD comparison or learn more about the entourage effect.

Safety when using CBD flowers

Look for Swiss cultivation, laboratory analyses and correct storage (cool, dark, airtight). That way the aroma and the active substances are preserved for a long time. Even with the legal use of CBD flowers the rule is: not at the wheel, and consult a doctor if you take medication.

FAQ on using CBD flowers

Does CBD flower tea make you high?

No. Swiss flowers under 1 % THC produce THC under 1 %.

How many flowers for a cup of tea?

1–1,5 g to 250 ml of water. With fat (cream, coconut milk) for better bioavailability.

Is vaporising healthier than smoking?

Yes, clearly. Vaporising creates no combustion products and the lungs are spared.

Freshness after harvest and correct storage

The quality of the dried flowers depends strongly on storage and freshness. Airtight, light-proof containers of glass or metal at a temperature of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius and a humidity between 58 and 62 percent are optimal. Special humidor packs keep the flowers aromatic for months. Avoid plastic bags, as static charge detaches the valuable trichomes.

Vaping vs burning – why vaporising is better

When vaporising, the active compounds are released at 180 to 210 degrees Celsius without harmful combustion products arising. Smoking, by contrast, creates tar, carbon monoxide and carcinogenic combustion substances. Studies by the University of Lausanne show that vaporising is the most efficient and healthiest method for inhalation.

Recipes for the kitchen

In the kitchen the flowers unfold their full aroma only after activation – so-called decarboxylation. Heat the crushed flowers for 40 minutes at 110 degrees Celsius in the oven on a baking tray. After that you can steep them in butter, olive oil or coconut oil and use them for pesto, salads or baked goods. Important: never fry them directly in hot fat above 160 degrees, otherwise the active substances break down.

Further information

You will find more information at the FOPH and on Wikipedia.

In short: using CBD flowers

Using CBD flowers is versatile: from an enjoyable tea through the gentle vaporizer to creative edibles. For health and the yield of active substances, vaporising is the first choice. At HempJoy you will find Swiss premium flowers for every form of use – always tested, always transparent.

New in the guide

• Kinds of CBD flowers – a current guide in the HempJoy CBD Shop Switzerland.