Cannabidiol (CBD) became one of the fastest-growing supplement markets in 2018.
By 2024, the CBD supplement market will earn up to $20 billion annually.
CBD’s market growth stems from a strong word-of-mouth network.
Early CBD users praised the natural chemical, saying it helped with their ailments.
When the science behind CBD went public, it proved the customers were right about CBD.
The helpful cannabinoid comes in countless types of products, like creams and oils. CBD oils tend to have a bitter aftertaste, though.
That flavor transfers to most commercial edibles.
CBD infused honey hides the CBD flavor.
Y000ou can even make it at home. Learn all about the benefits of CBD infused honey before making a batch this weekend.111
Why is Honey a Good Match for CBD?
The relationship between humans and honey stretches back at least 5500 years.
Since then, humans have used honey for ceremonies, food, and medical treatments.
It’s no secret honey tastes good, but why do people use it for medical treatments?
Scientists believe the high antioxidant levels in honey slow cell damage.
Antioxidants also protect your heart by reducing your levels of LDL cholesterol.
The antioxidants come from flavonoids in the pollen the bees collected. CBD likewise provides antioxidants from the flavonoids that give it flavor and scent.
Paired together, CBD infused honey guarantee you get your daily antioxidants.
When you’re shopping for honey to infuse, look for raw honey with a dark color.
Dark-colored honey contains more antioxidants and essential minerals. Buckwheat and citrus tend to be the darkest types of honey.
How Does CBD Work in Your Body?
CBD comes from the cannabis plant but won’t get you high like its cousin, THC.
Commercial CBD comes from hemp strains bred for high cannabinoid content.
To sell it in all 50 states, commercial CBD oil has under 0.3% THC.
If CBD doesn’t get you high, why should you use it? CBD still works in your system, but it doesn’t weigh down your body like THC.
That’s because CBD and THC trigger different receptors.
These receptors belong to your endocannabinoid system. The CB1 receptor controls your nervous system and select immune responses.
Your CB2 receptor handles:
- Skin and bone development
- Kidney function
- Liver function
- Cardiovascular system
- T-cells and B-cells
The system uses cannabinoids to send messages between your neurons.
Some people don’t produce enough cannabinoids to keep up with demands.
Deficiency can lead to chronic migraines and irritable bowel syndrome.
Make CBD Infused Honey at Home
Local raw honey makes the tastiest base for your CBD infusion. Visit a farmer’s market to find the right honey.
Make sure to ask what kind of honey you’re buying to avoid possible allergens.
For your infused honey you’ll need:
- A pot filled with water
- Small spatula
- Mason jar with a lid, sanitized
- At least 16 oz of honey
- CBD tincture
The tincture you use determines the effectiveness of the CBD infused honey.
Source your CBD from a company that provides full reports from outside lab testing.
Aim to buy a strong tincture with around 1000 mg CBD per bottle.
How to make infused honey:
- Pour the honey into the mason jar and loosely screw on the top
- Boil enough water to submerge the jar up to the honey line
- When the water boils, turn off the heat and submerge the honey jar
- Wait 5-7 minutes for the honey to warm through and thin out
- Add about 500 mg of CBD tincture and stir well
- Allow the infusion to cool for an hour and put the lid back on
Your CBD honey should remain shelf-stable after infusion. It might develop crystals from the heating process, but that doesn’t affect the CBD.
If your honey fully crystalizes, use it as a spread for toast.
Ways to Use CBD Infused Honey
Honey works as a sugar alternative for people who need to cut back on sweets. It’s versatile, but most people stick to putting honey in tea.
Use your CBD infused honey to open the door to endless edible possibilities.
A few quick ways to use CBD honey:
- Add it to your morning oatmeal or yogurt
- Sweeten post-workout smoothies
- Give your homemade salad dressing a sweet note
- Create a CBD peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- Replace cheap pancake syrup
- Add it to BBQ sauce
Anytime you use sugar or regular honey, you can substitute it with your CBD honey. Keep in mind, CBD will burn off with high heat. A
ny recipe you use needs to stay under 350* F to protect the cannabinoids.
CBD Infused Baklava
Baklava gives you a chance to use your CBD honey as the star of the show. The process takes a while, but it’s worth it for a sweet, relaxing dessert.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cup each pistachios and walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
- A dash of ground cloves
- 16 oz phyllo dough, defrosted
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup CBD infused honey
- 1 tablespoon orange extract
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 lemon, juiced
Preheat your oven to 350* F and grease a 9×13 pan with melted butter. Remove the phyllo from the package and place it between towels to keep it moist.
How to build the baklava:
- Mix 1/4 cup sugar with the nuts, cinnamon, and ground cloves for the filling
- Mix 3/4 cup sugar with water in a saucepan and bring to a boil for the syrup
- Add the orange extract and whole cloves to the syrup base and simmer
- After 30 minutes, turn off the stove and add the CBD honey
- Let the syrup cool before adding the lemon juice and removing the cloves
- Layer 1/3 of the phyllo with melted butter in the pan
- Add 1/2 of the nut mixture
- Repeat the phyllo layering process
- Add the remaining nut mixture
- Repeat the phyllo layering process with the remaining dough
- Cut the baklava into 24 pieces
Bake the baklava for 35 minutes until golden brown.
Pour the syrup over your baklava as soon as it leaves the oven. Let the CBD baklava completely cool before serving.
Boost Your Wellness Plan with Honey and CBD
CBD infused honey isn’t a cure-all for your ailments, but it does help. The antioxidants alone make CBD honey a powerful addition to your wellness plan.
Like any supplement, check with your doctor before using CBD. It could affect the way you absorb time-released medications.
Want more CBD advice? Browse our blog to find CBD facts and fun recipes.