How to use CBD oil and tinctures
CBD tinctures are easily absorbed and can be used in a variety of ways. Learn how to get the most out of your tincture, what not to do with it, and the benefits tinctures can offer you.
Tinctures are a popular way to use CBD, but how you use it can change its effects.
Tinctures can be ingested directly, mixed with beverages, mixed with food, applied to the skin, or administered under the tongue for rapid absorption.
Learn how to use CBD tinctures properly, how to determine the correct dosage, and what to avoid when using them.
CBD Tinctures vs. CBD oil: what's the difference?
Traditionally, a tincture is an extract made by immersing an herb (or its derivatives) in an alcohol-based solvent. The alcohol extracts the active ingredients from the plant and draws them into the solution.
CBD oil shares the same principles, except that instead of alcohol, vegetable oil is used as the solvent.
Today, the words tincture and oil are used synonymously; They have same meaning.
5 methods to take CBD tinctures
There are several different ways to take CBD tinctures. Deciding which option is best for you depends on what you intend to use it for and what type of tincture or oil it is.
1. Keep it under the tongue (sublingual)
Sublingual dosing involves placing the CBD tincture under the tongue and holding it there for a few minutes.
This is the fastest method of absorption. CBD is absorbed into the capillaries under the tongue and travels directly into the bloodstream, skipping the digestion process it has to go through when taken orally.
The amount of CBD that will be absorbed depends on how long it is kept there; the rest will be absorbed later through the digestive tract.
Some people keep the CBD under their tongue for only a few seconds, letting most of it take effect once it has passed through the digestive tract. This is not the most effective way to use CBD tinctures.
2. Take it orally
Some people ingest their CBD tinctures immediately. This method works well, but it takes longer to work and may not be as powerful as the sublingual method. Some of the CBD is lost during the process, so the overall potency of the effects will be less.
3. Mixed with food or drink
You can also mix the CBD tincture with food and drinks. A common example is smoothies.
Some people cook with CBD oils or tinctures or add them to beverages like coffee ( Bulletproof coffee works great) or tea.
4. Applied on the skin
CBD is excellent for the skin. You can buy ready- made CBD skincare products or apply them directly to the skin.
If you intend to use your tincture topically, just make sure the tincture you use is oil-based and not alcohol-based.
Additionally, it is best to opt for a flavorless CBD oil if you want to use it topically on the skin.
How to get the most out of CBD tinctures
Here are some tips for you to maximize the use and benefits of your CBD tincture.
1. Keep the dropper/dropper clean
Be sure to keep the glass dropper clean when handling CBD tincture to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Also, any impurities in the dropper are vulnerable to mold or decay and this could present a risk.
2. Dilute alcohol-based dyes
If you feel the alcohol in the tincture burning your tongue, consider diluting the mixture in a little water before taking it.
3. Combine with other supplements and herbs
Many other natural supplements provide fantastic health benefits. If you want to enhance the benefits of CBD, consider combining CBD tinctures with other herbs.
For example, if you're trying to combat anxiety, consider mixing the tincture with valerian root or passionflower. These herbs, like melatonin, can also help you if you are using CBD for sleep.
You can also find these other herbs and supplements in tincture form, making it easy to mix everything up for when you want to use it.
4. Consider Taking Full Spectrum Compounds
Full Spectrum CBD contains all the active ingredients of hemp, not just CBD. These tinctures have more benefits than CBD alone.
Full spectrum extracts are usually a bit more expensive. However, its proponents often say that the price difference is worth it.
What are the benefits of CBD tinctures?
There are many ways to use CBD, and you may prefer one method over another depending on the occasion.
However, here are some of the advantages of using a tincture:
- easy to transport
- It's easy to get an accurate dose
- Higher bioavailability
- long shelf life
- Cost effectiveness
Sometimes it can be easier to take CBD in the form of a sugary gummy, or maybe you need instant relief and prefer to use a vaporizer. Ultimately, you can use what works best for you.
The health benefits of CBD
There are many health benefits associated with CBD . Scientific research in this area began recently and is still ongoing, but here are some ways CBD can help you:
- Relieves anxiety and depression
- Alleviate the pain
- Reduces seizures due to epilepsy
- Reduces inflammation
- Improves skin health
- Relieves arthritis pain
- Helps to overcome sleep disorders
- Reduces nausea and vomiting
- Reduces the discomfort of Parkinson's disease
- Has neuroprotective properties
The way you take CBD can alter its effect; for example, its topical use only affects that area.
CBD Tinctures and the Endocannabinoid System
Once CBD enters the bloodstream, it begins to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is made up of small intracellular receptors that regulate all aspects of homeostasis (balance) in the body.
The ECS regulates mental and physical health in many ways, for example by balancing our mood and anxiety levels. The ECS is also involved in the detection of pain or hunger and in relaxation and energy levels.
CBD acts on this system indirectly. Its way of interacting is different from that of THC (the main cannabinoid found in marijuana) which acts by binding directly to these receptors.
One theory is that CBD prevents the body from breaking down naturally produced cannabinoids (endocannabinoids). In contrast, THC binds strongly to the receptors.
Thus, the effects of THC are more pronounced, while the effect of CBD is more subtle. This is one of the reasons why CBD tinctures have gained popularity so quickly: they provide therapeutic benefits without experiencing intense effects.
How are the dyes made?
Dyes are an ancient art. They have been used almost as long as alcohol has been distilled.
"Strong" alcohol is called "spirit" because alchemists believed that it drew the spirit of the plant into the solution.
Modern chemistry agrees with this, although it substitutes the word "spirit" for "components". Microscopes and ultraviolet spectrography allow us to observe the various phytochemicals, terpenes, minerals, and alkaloids extracted by alcohol.
Regardless of whether alchemical or scientific terminology is used, the process and results are the same. To make a tincture, you need to finely chop the plant matter (in this case, hemp).
The standard rule of thumb for formulating tinctures is a 1:2 ratio if using dried herbs or a 1:5 ratio if using fresh herbs.
Compliance with these regulations by CBD companies depends on each brand. High-potency CBD extracts may have less alcohol and more weed, for example. Or they may simply have CBD isolate added after the initial alcohol extraction.
How to dose a CBD tincture
It is advisable to always start with a small dose, less than the lowest recommended dose. The first time you are going to try CBD, it is recommended that you start with a sub-threshold microdose, just to make sure you do not have an adverse reaction to CBD. This is known as allergy testing.
If the small dose given has no ill effects after one or two hours, you can gradually increase the amount. Repeat this process until you find relief.
In general, the average dose of CBD is 20 – 50 mg. Some people prefer lower doses, while others prefer stronger doses.
Check out our CBD oil dosage calculator to estimate the ideal dose to start taking CBD oil. The calculator estimates the dose depending on your weight and the potency of the oil you are going to use.
Final Thoughts on Using CBD Tinctures
Traditionally, tinctures and oils are not the same thing. A tincture is a liquid extract of an herb that uses alcohol as its base, while oils use a vegetable oil base.
However, today, both terms are used as synonyms. A CBD tincture can use both alcohol and oil, so be sure to check the label before you buy to really know what you're getting.
Taking a CBD tincture sublingually is the best way to get the most value from the product. This ensures that the CBD reaches the bloodstream quickly, without being damaged or destroyed by the digestive system.
Remember to start with a small dose and work your way up to an effective dose. CBD is a safe supplement, but it's still wise to use the least effective amount possible.
