Why and How to Use CBD Oils and Tinctures: A Quick Tutorial

CBD-based products are becoming ever more popular these days. They have a wide range of potential uses and have been proven in many studies to offer relief from numerous medical conditions. While there are several forms of cannabidiol, a couple of the most popular are CBD oils and CBD tinctures.

Both of those options offer quite a few benefits over other alternatives as long as they’re taken properly. Of course, using them correctly and effectively isn’t necessarily a simple matter. We’re here to help you better understand CBD tinctures and oils and how to make the most of these products.

What Is CBD Oil?

In a nutshell, CBD is one of the two primary components of cannabis; the other is THC. Whereas THC produces the high for which cannabis is so well known in addition to many potential health-related benefits, CBD is the cannabinoid that provides positive effects without the high. CBD oil is the oil that’s extracted from the plant. It contains all the health benefits of smokable dried cannabis flowers but isn’t consumed in the same way.

How Are CBD Oils and Tinctures Made?

CBD oils and tinctures are created using different methods. All of them begin with extracting the oils from the cannabis or hemp plant. Generally speaking, the term cannabis encompasses all strains of marijuana while hemp covers strains that are grown industrially and contain little to no THC.

Some oil extraction methods involve using high heat. Others use low levels of heat combined with pressure. Many studies show that the best CBD oils are those extracted using as little heat as possible because heat destroys many of the beneficial compounds in the oils.

Once the oil is extracted from the plants, it’s added to a carrier oil, such as coconut. You can also find pure CBD oil that hasn’t been combined with carrier oils. It’s more concentrated than its counterpart because it hasn’t been diluted by additional oils.

Tinctures, on the other hand, are made by steeping cannabis flowers or other parts of the plant in grain alcohol to produce a tea of sorts. From there, low levels of heat are applied to the mixture to further bring out cannabis’ helpful compounds and infuse them into the alcohol. Most of the alcohol cooks away during the process, leaving behind a highly concentrated compound.

Why Use CBD Oils and Tinctures?

Like many people, you probably have a number of questions about products containing CBD. What is CBD oil good for? Why should I choose oils or tinctures over smokables and edibles? Those are a couple of the most common questions people ask about CBD products.

First off, CBD oils and tinctures are good for countless applications. They can help alleviate pain, reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, clear up a broad range of skin issues, and combat insomnia to name a few. They can also aid in reducing the inflammation that causes numerous medical conditions, including asthma and IBD.

Why Oils and Tinctures Outshine Other CBD Products

One of the main reasons people buy CBD tinctures and oils instead of smokables and edibles is their versatility. Both types of products can be used in almost endless ways. That means you can tailor them to your unique needs and expectations.

They can also offer greater bioavailability than other types of products. When you consume CBD edibles, many of the helpful compounds are digested, so you never have the chance to benefit from them. At the same time, tinctures and oils take effect more quickly than other products, and their impacts tend to last longer than those of smokables.

How to Use CBD Oils and Tinctures

If you’re wondering how to use CBD oil, you have plenty of options. You can mix it into your morning coffee or a luscious smoothie. It can be added to virtually any dish or sweet treat. You can also blend it into your favorite moisturizers for topical applications. In truth, it can be applied directly to the skin for relief from irritation, redness, dryness, and itching. It’s often added to mentholated rubs to create safe, effective remedies for pain from arthritis, injuries, and other conditions as well.

CBD tinctures can also be used in those ways. That being said, many people find that they’re more effective when taken sublingually, or under the tongue. Using tinctures sublingually typically gives you more noticeable and long-lasting effects than other consumption methods.

What Is the Best CBD Product for Me?

This is a complicated question that has no straightforward answer. We recommend full-spectrum CBD oil for most issues because it’s more beneficial. Full-spectrum CBD comes with all the other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds still intact. Experts note that those additional compounds greatly boost CBD’s effectiveness.

In some cases, though, CBD isolates are more advantageous. In those products, CBD is extracted and removed from its accompanying compounds to create a purer form of the product. It’s generally not as effective as its full-spectrum counterparts, so it’s not the best CBD for pain relief or battling anxiety and other conditions. Still, it’s great for people who want to avoid any chance of being exposed to even minuscule amounts of THC.

Taking a Closer Look

Different types of CBD are more effective for some conditions than others. If you’re looking to relax or stave off sleepless nights, you’d fare better by taking CBD oil or tinctures orally or sublingually. The best CBD oil tinctures for those conditions are typically those derived from Indica-dominant cannabis strains because they’re known for their sedating effects.

Those who plan to take CBD for pain and inflammation can also benefit from Indica strains. For joint and muscle pain, topicals are often recommended. They’re perfect for targeting localized discomfort.

If you suffer from deeper internal pain like that caused by stomach inflammation or conditions in the IBD family, Indica-dominant tinctures may serve you well. Those who need to ward off depression and fatigue may benefit more if they buy CBD oil that’s derived from Sativa-dominant strains and use it orally.

Understanding Proper Dosage

It’s important to point out that not everyone responds to CBD in the same way. Some people are far more sensitive to its effects than others. If you decide to use sublingual tinctures or consume oils orally, consider starting off with a lower dose, like around five milligrams. If that doesn’t produce the desired effects, slowly work your way up to ten milligrams or so. Stick with a specific amount for a few days to find out exactly how it’s going to affect you before ramping up the dosage.

Also keep in mind that tinctures and oils come in a wide range of concentrations. The higher the concentration, the lower the dose you’re likely to need. Though few negative side effects have been reported with CBD, some people may experience nausea, stomach upset, dizziness, and excessive sleepiness if they take extremely high doses. This is especially true for those who aren’t accustomed to the effects of CBD.

Getting the Most out of CBD Oils and Tinctures

CBD oils and tinctures are safe, effective remedies for numerous medical conditions, not the least of which are pain, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. An ever-growing list of CBD oil for sale is at your disposal. Be sure to consider the purity of the product, its strength, the type of strain it’s derived from, and whether it’s a full-spectrum product or an isolate before purchasing.

Both tinctures and oils offer incredible selection and versatility. You can mix them with your favorite foods and beverages or simply take them sublingually. Either way, you’ll benefit from the positive effects they’ve been found to provide. We’re passionate about helping people get the most out of their CBD products whether they’re looking for a good night’s sleep, relief from chronic pain, or anything in between.