In recent years there has been a lot of talk about THC and CBD. The discovery of the benefits of CBD oil, both medicinal and therapeutic, has made it one of the highly sought after products on the market.
THC and CBD are similar in that they are both derived from marijuana and comprised of the same compounds. However, the way the compounds are arranged and how they interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body differs. But the focus has been more on CBD.
Why is CBD so effective as a cannabinoid? It can be consumed in a variety of ways i.e. vaping and CBD tincture or edibles like gummies and has the ability to relieve the body of pain, inflammation, anxiety and a host of other symptoms. How CBD is ingested does have a noticeable impact on how it works within the body. It’s also important to note that each method has benefits and drawbacks.
If you are wondering, ‘what is CBD tincture’, or what the difference between CBD tincture and CBD oil is, you have come to the right place. We’re going to discuss consuming CBD as a tincture or oil and provide some valuable information you need to know before deciding which is the best method for you.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is derived from the seeds, flower and stalk of the hemp plant. A special procedure is used to extract the oil. CBD oil is the most potent in this form and also most expensive. Other nutrients that can be found in the hemp plant are protein, essential vitamins and other nutrients.
Some people prefer to consume CBD in food or beverages; however, vaping is the most common method of taking it. CBD has many positive impacts on the human endocannabinoid system, and since CBD oil is so potent, just two or 3 teaspoons is sufficient for a daily dose, generally.
Factors that determine how much of the substance one should ingest are based on body weight and the reasons for taking the cannabinoid.
CBD does not have psychoactive properties, meaning it does not make a person “high.” That’s the main difference between CBD and other cannabis products. What makes the difference is how CBD interacts with different types of neuroreceptors in the human body.
What Is CBD Good For?
There is still a lot of research that is ongoing about the potential benefits of using CBD to treat a number of medical conditions. Chief among these is its ability to relieve pain. Many studies have shown that CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties that make it a good treatment for acute pain, for example, the type of pain caused by pulled muscles, and chronic pain that can be caused by an ailment like arthritis.
When CBD is taken to relieve symptoms of epilepsy, it is usually ingested orally. Some research also points to CBD as an effective treatment for certain types of anxiety i.e. social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety and other similar conditions.
CBD has also proven to be effective in treating symptoms associated with obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and even acne.
How effective CBD is in treating insomnia is still up for debate. Some studies state that the cannabinoid can increase alertness while others have found that taking CBD oil or tincture can help induce relaxation and promote sleep.
CBD Oil Ingredients
CBD oil consists of a base oil or carrier oil, where the base oil is an agent that dilutes the CBD and makes it easier for the body to absorb. Base oils can be:
- Coconut Oil
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Vegetable Glycerin Base
- Mct Oil
Pure CBD needs to be mixed with oil because the body does not absorb it well unless it is combined with an oil.
For example, if you want to take a spoonful of pure CBD extract and swallow it, your body would only absorb a small portion of it with the bulk of it being excreted as waste. But when CBD is ingested as an oil, more of it is absorbed into the body.
What Are CBD Tinctures?
CBD can be consumed in a variety of ways – from smoking or vaping to edibles or taking it as an oil. One of the common ways to take CBD, particularly for first time cannabis users, is through a tincture. The term tincture is used for a medication that is stored in alcohol.
CBD tinctures are formed by allowing cannabis flowers to steep in a 60-70 percent distilled alcohol. This is then heated for a lengthy period of time, allowing the active compounds in cannabis to combine with the alcohol. This produces a potent liquid that allows CBD to be introduced into the body without the need to smoke it.
Although it’s important to note that tinctures have a lower potency of CBD than CBD oil. An advantage of tinctures is that they have a long shelf life due to the alcohol. Often times, other ingredients are added to pure CBD tinctures to improve the taste. This is the reason for decreased CBD potency. CBD tinctures can also be added to food when cooking by using water soluble CBD. This allows the cannabinoid to be absorbed into the body at a quicker rate.
Since this form of CBD is concentrated, it’s meant to be ingested in small doses. CBD tinctures come with a small dropper that allows one to measure the quantity and take small amounts. Because the doses are small, a dose of tincture can be taken with food or in a drink. Tinctures can also be placed under the tongue and then swallowed. This method is often used when CBD is taken to treat epilepsy, which is one of the common CBD tincture uses.
CBD Tincture Ingredients
As mentioned earlier, substances are often added to CBD tinctures to improve the taste. Some of these include:
- water
- herbs
- melatonin
- sweeteners
- essential oils
- essential vitamins like B12 D, C, etc.
Differences between CBD oil and tinctures
Base
CBD oil contains an oil carrier or oil base while CBD tinctures are infused in alcohol. Whether CBD is in the form of an oil or tincture, the therapeutic benefits are the same. Both are commonly used to treat inflammation, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote relaxation and overall wellness.
Ingestion Method
CBD tinctures are very easily taken with food or in a drink or directly placed under the tongue. This is easy because of the alcohol base. CBD oil, on the other hand, is more commonly ingested through vaping.
Taste
Because CBD oil is usually intended for vaping, taking it orally is not a pleasant experience because the taste is unsavoury. When it comes to tinctures, they contain different flavours like vanilla, peach, peppermint, etc. to enhance taste so it’s far easier to ingest it orally by placing it under the tongue.
Price
The amount you pay for any CBD products largely depends on the potency and the extraction method. Generally, you can expect to pay the same cost for similar amounts of CBD oil and tinctures. For example, 500 ml of CBD oil or CBD tincture is roughly about $42-$54 CAD. High quality CBD oil, however, costs significantly more than tincture.
Shelf Life
CBD Tincture has a longer shelf life than CBD oil since it consists of ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, which are preservatives. One way to preserve CBD oil is to keep it away from direct sunlight. You can tell that CBD oil has expired when the oil begins to appear cloudy.
Finding a Quality CBD Oil or Tincture
CBD oils and tinctures can be purchased from a variety of manufacturers and outlets. However, it’s important to know that just because they are widely available doesn’t mean that every product being sold is safe for consumption. CBD is not regulated like drugs and other supplements, so you need to exercise good judgement when deciding where to purchase your CBD products. Go with a CBD manufacturer that is reputable and provides information about the product. The manufacturer should inform you of the following on the label:
- Potency – this is the amount of CBD contained in the oil or tincture. Whatever amount is displayed on the label should be similar to the amount listed on the manufacture’s comprehensive certificate of analysis (COA). It may not be an exact match, but it should be close. If the discrepancy is more than 10-20%, we recommend selecting a different product altogether.
- Cannabinoid profile – CBD can be grouped into two types of products – full spectrum and broad-spectrum. Full spectrum products contain very small amounts of THC, usually less than 0.3%. Broad-spectrum products may contain other cannabinoids but should not contain any THC.
- Contaminants – You want to ensure that the CBD product you intend to consume has been tested for harmful products like heavy metals, pesticides and moulds.
- Date – the CBD oil or tincture should have a recent COA that is not more than a year old. In fact, some manufacturers actually have COAs for each batch of product sold.
In conclusion, CBD oil and CBD tinctures are both highly effective and come with many therapeutic benefits that can alleviate certain conditions. It’s important, however, that you do your due diligence in selecting a CBD product that is best for you.
PureOrganix Canada does not intend to give this as professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose, or prescribe treatment based on the information provided on this page. Always consult your physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.
