A Raw Cannabis Smoothie Recipe That Won't Get You High!

“In strict medical terms, marijuana is far safer than many of the foods we consume.” – a finding from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The automatic reaction to ‘throw some raw weed into my smoothie, please’, will likely be one of shock. Most reactions surrounding consuming the cannabis plant in its raw form echo the lack of awareness that when consumed as a raw food, and not heated, the nutritional benefits are outstanding.

The names of the cannabinoid acids are THCa and CBDa, once heated they degrade into a psychoactive form, this process is called decarboxylation. In this form, the body can only handle so much at a time. However, when you ingest raw THCa and CBDa, your body can eat very large amounts and uses its own metabolism to change the acids to nutrients. If heated the recommended dose limit is 10 mg or less, if not heated the recommended dose limit ranges from 1-2000mg, so it would seem to be much more effective and beneficial in all its nutritional properties.

One of the key nutrients you will find in raw cannabis are its terpenes, these are the oils that produce its scent.

The different types are Linalool (anti-inflammatory; anti-convulsant), pinene (neuroprotective), limonene (prevents gastrointestinal issues). The others are its Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids for which the body can’t produce on its own and it is responsible for maintaining the fatty acids needed for optimum brain health. Finally, the essential amino acids as well as its antioxidants which both help with cell structure and damage.

Cannabis is just one part of a nutritional area. According to William Courtney, MD., it is a ‘functional food’, providing benefits in excess of nutrition. Hemp milk and hemp seeds are perfectly balanced to provide valuable food material with a wide range of dietary value. In fact, there is a new term popping up, which is dietary cannabis.

Dr. William Courtney has worked with over 7000 patients and he considers Cannabis the most important vegetable on our planet, for its nutritional benefits.

Those culinary experts and raw food enthusiasts that study its properties can attest to cannabis as being the poster child for raw food. It is best blended or juiced, or even consumed in a salad. How to best juice your cannabis is to use a wheatgrass juicer as it is a product that is used to handling more fibrous foods. Soak the cannabis leaves for 5 minutes (not the buds!) in cold water in order for the plant’s pores to open up. You can always blend your juice with coconut water or other vegetables and fruits.

If you’re already stocked up on rosemary and thyme but need a little direction to spice up your herbs take cues from cannabis with this endocannabinoid system boosting, spice packed protein shake while creating a robust anti-inflammatory and stress reducing treat that tastes a bit like an extreme frozen chai.

Endocannabinoid System (ECS) Boosting Protein Shake:

Ingredients

• Plant-based vanilla protein powder
• 2 large tubers of turmeric root, peeled and chopped
• 2 big chunk of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• 3 leaves of fresh basil
• 1 heaping teaspoon of ground Sri Lankan cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of cardamom
• 1 teaspoon of allspice
• 1 heaping teaspoon of Maca Magic powder
• 1 teaspoon of raw organic sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon of green tea extract
• 1 heaping teaspoon of psyllium husks powder (Yerba Prima)
• 1/2 teaspoon of green superfood blend (Amazing Grace)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon of Omega 3 6 9 oils
• 1/2 teaspoon of coconut/MCT oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of THCA extract or up to 15g raw cannabis trim, leaves and/or bud (stalks removed -if available)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Calm magnesium
• 1/2 teaspoon of rosemary or 1/2 branch of fresh rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon of Malabar Indian black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of black caraway seeds
• 4 clove pieces
• 1 banana, peeled
• 1 packet (or half cup) of vanilla protein powder
• 3 handfuls of ice cubes
• 3/4 cup of water (or more - to taste)

Blend and serve.

(Recipe from Vogue, April 14, 2018)

(Recipe By: Alan Badiner, member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society in North Carolina, author "The Endocannabinoid Diet.")