CBD or Cannabidiol is a variant of cannabinoid majorly present in the hemp variety of cannabis plants. It has many medicinal and health benefits. It has many pain-relieving and wellness benefits. The other variety of cannabis, marijuana mainly produces THC or Tetrahydrocannabidol and is responsible for psychoactive effects or the high.
Tinctures have a long history and their first recorded use was around 1000 BC by the Egyptians. Their recipes talk about using distilled alcohol and mixing plant-based organic matter with it thus extracting the natural medicinal compounds. CBD Tinctures are made by infusing CBD in alcohol, mostly.
They get absorbed into the bloodstream and then react with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies through the receptors. They have a connective nature with our Central Nervous System (CNS) and relieve us of pain and offers advanced healing.
CBD tinctures have a range of health benefits and are one of the most popular products of a CBD base as of today’s date.
What is CBD tincture?
It is a medication created when cannabis is dissolved in alcohol or glycerin. This contains about 70% of the base solvent and CBD hemp rich in Cannabidiol. They are also called Green or Golden Dragon. The most effective CBD tincture contains full spectrum CBD derived from hemp Sativa plants.
Tinctures infused with hemp Sativa contain a range of cannabinoids that get extracted from the plan. It contains more than 100 types of cannabinoids and terpenes along with many other naturally occurring chemical compounds. Tinctures are made for oral consumption and are administered sublingually (under the tongue) in drops. About 2-3 drops are all that is required.
Tinctures come in small glass bottles with a dropper in-built into the cap. This is done to ensure appropriate and well-measured dosage and eliminates the need to smoke cannabis for health benefits for people who prefer alternative methods to smoke.
CBD products come in three spectrum types or concentration of compounds.
Full-Spectrum
These are the best ones with all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids included that occur naturally in hemp. This also contains a bit of THC amounting to not more than 3% as per the FDA and other regulatory authorities. This amount of THC added with the other cannabinoids does not give the feeling of high and yet offers the full spectrum of benefits to the user.
Broad-Spectrum
This has all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids from hemp Sativa plants except THC. This offers all the benefits of CBD and offers nearly the same benefits as Full-Spectrum. However, THC in a permissible amount has its own benefits in conjunction with CBD and the other cannabinoids.
CBD Isolate
This contains only CBD. All the other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are extracted and removed leaving only CBD as the primary chemical from the hemp extracts. This offers only the benefits and values of CBD and everything else is exempted.
Also, there are vast differences between CBD Oil and CBD Tinctures, the major difference being the composition. Tinctures are alcohol-based where oils are oil-based. Oils contain extracted CBD and a carrier oil like hemp, olive or MCT oil. The most used carrier is MCT oil, which is a type of oil derived from coconuts.
CBD tinctures are administered orally whereas CBD oil is generally applied on the skin (topically). However, some people may prefer innovative methods like ingesting a spoonful of CBD oil. Using tinctures in cooked food is not an uncommon practice. People do sprinkle drops of it occasionally into soup, salad dressings and even water to consume it, but it is advised not to use CBD tinctures in the process of cooking as it may lose its potency when overheated.
There is also a difference in dosage as CBD tincture is a concentrated dose and a few drops suffice whereas CBD Oil’s dosage is in spoons. However, it is advised to always consult a medical practitioner for suggestions before starting to use CBD based products.
How to use CBD Tinctures?
CBD Tinctures are most effective when a couple of drops are administered under the tongue. Then let the tincture be absorbed for about 30 seconds, the remaining be mixed with saliva and finally swallowed to reach the bloodstream directly and fast. CBD tinctures should be used sparingly.
It is advised to use CBD tinctures sparingly and not more than once or twice daily. After you start conservatively with maybe a drop per day you could slowly increase the dose to two drops daily. Once you start feeling the results you could increase the dose further to twice per day from once. However, talk to your physician before you start administering and also determine the dosage.
When it comes to getting desired results, choosing the best CBD tincture matters. This is mostly dependent on informed selection. Choosing a CBD tincture is like choosing other products. An informed purchase of the best quality products available will meet your needs.
Here’s what needs to be considered to make an informed purchase,
CBD Spectrum
As explained earlier full-spectrum CBD products contain the entire range of cannabinoids occurring naturally in the cannabis plants. Tinctures that are not full spectrum will contain isolated CBD or other cannabinoids but not the entire range of cannabinoids, hence, are not as equally effective when compared.
Origin
Also knowing the origin of the hemp will talk about its quality. Tinctures made in the US with USA produced hemp, especially Colorado are known to be of the highest quality. CBD produced without the use of pesticides is known to be of higher quality. While purchasing CBD products it should be considered whether it is pure or contains potentially hazardous chemicals.
Labelling
The origin, the spectrum and other subtle but important details will be present on the product labels. Look out for other clues relating to its quality. Make sure to keep away from labels with extravagant claims like,” miracle cure” etc. Also, see if any unwanted chemicals or hazardous substances are included in the tincture or not.
Extraction
The extraction information should also be present on the labels. If it has been CO2 extracted, that could indicate it is indeed a good product. This means it has been extracted using highly pressurized carbon dioxide gas. If the process by which the CBD was extracted from the hemp Sativa plants was without using any harmful chemicals or unwanted solvents.
CBD Tinctures are beneficial in ways more than one to humans. The way this can be achieved is by choosing the right CBD products and then using them in the proper way. The dosage of CBD tinctures is also crucial, and it is always best to consult your doctor before you start using them.
