How to Make CBD Oil at home
CBD this, CBD that. If you keep hearing people talk about the many benefits of CBD, you should know, they’re not wrong and one of the best ways to reap the benefits from the hemp extract is to make CBD oil yourself.
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What is CBD (Cannabidiol)?
Let’s get you up to speed, in case you don’t know already. CBD or Cannabidiol is a natural component, extracted from the resin of the hemp plant.
Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating which basically means you won’t get high from CBD but can reap its many health benefits. There are many benefits to using CBD oil, including patients that suffer from conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and illnesses like cancer, Alzheimer’s, HIV, and cancer – just to name a few.
Since Cannabidiol doesn’t mix well with water that’s where oil-based CBD products come into play. The benefits are greater because oil concentrates the resin, hence having a bigger and better effect on the consumer.
What is CBD Oil?
Simply put: CBD oil is made by infusing CBD into a “carrier oil”, which is usually olive oil or coconut oil or even hemp seed oil because of their fat contents and flavor.
We will get into the process in a second, but an important thing to consider is that while CBD oil is not meant to get you high, there are smaller traces of THC in it since both phytocannabinoids are intertwined.
It’s virtually impossible to extract CBD and not take in other cannabinoids unless you have very specific lab equipment. That’s important to keep that in mind when choosing the strain to make your own oil. Make sure its contents have a higher percentage of CBD than THC.
What You’ll Need to Make CBD Oil at home
Now that we covered the basics, let’s get into the fun part: making CBD oil!
Learning how to make your own CBD oil may sound intimidating at first. However, just like we all made our first pot brownies once upon a time, it’s a process that with practice can be mastered.
You will need:
- 1 cup of ground decarboxylated cannabis, preferably from a strain with a higher CBD to THC ratio
- An oven tray and thin foil
- 1 cup oil of your choice – like we mentioned, the most common ones are Olive Oil and Coconut Oil
- A glass bowl or double boiler
- Cheesecloth
- A jar with a lid (mason jars usually do the trick beautifully)
Step by Step: How to make the CBD Oil
Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, let’s get to work.
- Decarbing weed – First comes the process of decarboxylation. To do this, you must line the oven tray with tin foil, evenly spread the ground herb and set the oven to 250° for 25-30 minutes or 220° for 35-45 minutes. The heat releases the active components of the plant, helping with the extraction.
- Mix herb with carrier oil – Once your flower is ready, mix 7-10 grams in with your carrier oil into a double broiler or crock pot. We recommend using extra virgin olive oil as your carrier oil but you can also use coconut oil, avocado oil or other alternatives.
- Simmer – Let it simmer for 30-60 minutes more if needed, and check every 30 minutes. It’s key that you use low heat during this part of the process so the oil doesn’t burn. You’ll know it’s ready for the next step once the color has a brownish-green hue.
- Strain – Afterwards, run the mixture through the cheesecloth into the mason jar and voilá, it’s ready to use!
Does CBD Oil go Bad?
Yes, it does. It’s important that you use your homemade CBD oil within the span of six months to a year. After this time, its potency begins to decrease. It’s also important to make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place away from light.
I Made my First Batch, Now What?
CBD has many incredibly healing properties and thankfully is also very versatile! You can use it as a tincture, applied topically for pain relief and even use it to cook infused meals.
Just remember, don’t get discouraged if your first batch doesn’t come out that great, like everything, practice makes perfect.
