The Perfect Summertime Soda: Smreka with CBD

There is nothing better in the hot summer months than a refreshing cordial, Smerka is a classic drink from the Balkans, a fermented Juniper Berry soda with health benefits. Smreka is probiotic but unlike Kombucha it isn’t fermented with sugar which makes it ideal for those watching their sugar intake. Smreka has negligible alcohol content, around 0.5%, I’ve added a CBD-rich alcohol-based tincture to enhance the relaxing cordial effect.

Smreka’s main ingredient is dried Juniper Berries, known to improve digestion and support urinary tract health. Smreka has a mild slightly flowery flavor and is lightly carbonated. The fermentation process takes 10 to 30 days, after 10 days it will get fizzier by the day, so how much carbonation you prefer will dictate the length of the fermentation process. I like a mild carbonation so I favor around 14 days fermentation before straining.

What You Need To Make Smreka

  • A quart jar with either a plastic lid or a metal lid, with a parchment paper insert placed under the lid.

  • Either a cheescloth, muslin, silk, a sprouting screen or fine-mesh colander for straining.

  • ¾ cup of dried juniper berries

  • 1 quart of water

  • 30 drops Synergy Wellness CBD-rich alcohol based tincture.

  • Fresh lemon or lime juice (optional)

  • Raw honey (optional)

Method

  1. Pour the dried Juniper Berries and the quart of water into the quart jar, seal the jar.

  2. 2. Shake the jar every day, the Juniper Berries will float around, the longer you keep fermenting the more berries will drop to the bottom of the jar.

  3. ’Burp’ the jar every few days, ‘burping’ just means taking the lid off, exposing the liquid to the air and then re-sealing the jar.

  4. When you are ready to finish fermenting the Smreka, (for mild carbonation say 14 days) strain the liquid through cheesecloth, silk, muslin or a fine-mesh colander.

  5. Add 30 drops of Synergy Wellness CBD alcohol based tincture, shake to mix.

  6. Smreka has a mild flowery flavor, add fresh lemon or lime to add a little tartness, and/or a little honey if you like a little more sweetness.

Serve & enjoy!

Spotlight on Cannabichromene, CBC: The Brain Health Essential

Several studies in the last decade have revealed the substantial role that CBC plays in brain health. CBC which is present in all cannabis, influences the various pathways that neural stem cells take as they mature.

CBC determines which stem cells will mature into new neurons and which cells will form the protective sheath for nerves. CBC also decides which stem cells become astrocytes, important star-shaped brain cells which regulate cerebral blood flow and regulate electrical impulses. Astrocytes also play a crucial role in repairing the brain and the spinal cord after an infection or a traumatic injury.

The latest research classifies CBC as a ‘neurogenesis enhancer’ because of this important ability to allow stem cells to maintain their viability and to differentiate into their various different forms. CBC is being studied for neurodegenerative conditions like dementia, Altzeimers and Parkinson’s Disease.

Cannabichromene (CBC), is categorized as a ‘minor cannabinoid’ because it occurs in small amounts in cannabis, not because it is minor in usefulness or effectiveness. Many cannabinoid studies have shown CBC’s uses in other areas. Not surprisingly, studies on antidepressant qualities of cannabinoids show CBC works synergistically with CBD and THC relieving depressive symptoms.

CBC has been shown to relieve inflammation in several distinct conditions, studies on arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease both returned positive results.

There is hope that CBC will prove to be valuable in many more areas, studies are ongoing in the role it can play in anti-cancer treatments, bone health and inflammatory skin conditions like acne.

While research continues it is worth noting that CBC and other minor cannabinoids are always present in broad spectrum extracts where cannabinoids act together as nature intended. I think of broad spectrum extracts as packed with extra value from all the extra cannabinoids that are present.

CBD-rich cannabis strains usually have between 0.25% to over 1% of CBC present.This translates to 2.5mg to 10mg per gram of cannabis flower, this represents a good supplemental dose of CBC, adding discernible benefits and therapeutic value to CBD-rich products.