Are you a fan of CBD oil? If the answer is yes, you probably use it as a tincture since this is easily its most common application. CBD tinctures are also a great way to get in the compounds of the hemp plant while being highly bioavailable, user-friendly, and easy to customize according to the milligram strength.
But, did you know that you can do so much more with CBD oil than simply apply it under your tongue? Now again, we are not knocking sublingual administration as a delivery method, but it is good to know that your bottle may be a highly versatile product that can allow you to experience hemp compounds in all kinds of unique ways.
CBD Oil as a Tincture
Like we mentioned, the most common use for a CBD oil is a tincture. A CBD oil formula, which consists of a cannabidiol extract and a carrier oil for dilution purposes, is most often applied under the tongue, where it absorbs through the sublingual tissue. Many people enjoy this delivery method because it allows the effects to be felt within 20 to 45 minutes, while lasting for up to 4 hours. The effects stay relatively gentle but can still deliver the relief that you’re looking for.
Using CBD Oil as a Food Additive
Because CBD oil is such a basic formula that blends easily with other ingredients, many people use it as a food additive. Now, this can be accomplished in two ways. Either a full dropper of oil can be drizzled on top of what you’re eating, or you can use CBD oil as an ingredient in a recipe as long as the cooking or baking doesn’t exceed 350 degrees, at which point the compounds can degrade.
Using CBD oil as an edible additive allows us to feel the effects of hemp cannabinoids for much longer – up to 8 hours.
Note, however, by ingesting your CBD oil it can take up to 2 hours to feel those effects in the body.
Using CBD Oil as a Topical for Your Skin
Hemp compounds effectively absorb into the tissue of the skin, muscles, and joints when applied directly to the problematic area, and can act in a more localized manner. This can be immensely helpful if you are trying to target a specific area of the body with a concentrated dose of cannabidiol.
To do this, simply apply a couple of drops of oil to the affected area and massage it into the muscles deeply. You may feel the effects of the compounds within just minutes, and they can last for up to 6 hours.
Using CBD as a Skincare Product
Did you know that CBD can work as a skincare antidote as well? It boasts both anti-inflammatory properties and sebum-regulating activity, which can be useful to those who wish to balance out their facial skin. Depending on the size of the affected area, which can range from a small pimple to inflammation covering the entire face, you can apply either a couple of drops or a full dropper, and massage it into the skin.
What to Keep in Mind Before Using CBD Oil for Another Purpose
So, can all CBD oil products be used topically or ingested? Well, most can, but before you use any tincture for something other than, well, a tincture, here are some things to look for on the product’s label.
#1: Flavor
Some tinctures are flavored, usually with natural ingredients. However, you should consider this no matter what secondary application you plan to use. A flavored tincture could interfere with the flavor profile of a meal or could leave some sort of sugary residue on your skin if you’re applying it topically.
#2: The Formula
Make sure that the formula does not contain any ingredients that can be irritating to the skin or could upset your stomach. Luckily, most CBD oils contain only two ingredients: hemp extract and a carrier oil that is gentle on the body.
#3: Milligram Strength
The average suggested dose for a tincture is 33mg, which is a full dropper of a 1000mg tincture in a 30ml bottle, and this is higher than the number of milligrams in the average gummy, which is 25 milligrams. So, if you’re adding a dropper of oil to your food, for instance, keep in mind that you are likely going to take in a bit higher of a concentration than you would with a standard edible.
#4: Look at Lab Reports
Yes, those third-party lab reports can let you know what other cannabinoids, terpenes, phytonutrients, etc. are in that said CBD oil product. This information will help you decide the best course of action when using your CBD oil.
CBD Oil: There is More Than One Way to Get the Most Out of It
CBD oils are in fact widely versatile products that can do a lot more than provide you with a sublingual dose of hemp. If you have a CBD oil bottle that you use regularly, consider trying it topically or as an addition to your next meal to see if it can be useful in an additional way as part of your daily routine.
