Organic Wellness: Know the Difference between CBD Tincture and CBD Oil
There are many ways to take advantage of the health benefits of CBD, but CBD oil and CBD tinctures remain two of the most popular options. Some consumers assume that tinctures and oils are the same things. While they both contain CBD, they’re made in different ways and are used differently. Read on to find out about the key differences between CBD oil and CBD tincture to decide which one will be a better fit.
What Is CBD Tincture?
Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts suspended in alcohol solutions. They are created by saturating hemp material into high-proof alcohol and slowly heating the mixture over time. This manufacturing method allows CBD molecules to be infused into the alcohol, which can then be boiled out of the solution to leave behind a liquid that contains CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoids. For those interested in trying CBD tinctures, high-quality organic products are available at Veritas Farms.
What Is CBD Oil?
While tinctures use an alcohol extraction method, CBD oil uses a carrier oil to extract CBD. Most carrier oils are blends of coconut, MCT, and hemp seed oils. Arguably the best method for infusing oil with CBD is known as CO2 extraction. Other techniques use chemical solvents such as hexane and butane, which are damaging to the environment and can cause health problems.
Key Differences
There are more factors that distinguish CBD tinctures from CBD oil than carriers and extraction methods, alone. Both provide similar therapeutic effects, but beyond that, they don’t have much in common. Here are a few of the differences consumers need to know about:
Additional Ingredients
Most CBD oils contain only CBD and one or more carrier oils. Some products also include other cannabinoids and terpenes, but this is also the case with tinctures. CBD tinctures almost always contain all the phytochemicals found in hemp plants. They may also contain additional flavorings or other essential oils and the hemp extract may be mixed with other plant extracts to alter the taste or effectiveness of the tincture.
Shelf Life
Since the alcohol found in CBD tinctures acts as a preservative, tinctures typically have a longer shelf life than oils. Keeping CBD oil out of the sun can help to extend its shelf life, but eventually, consumers will start to notice it becoming cloudy or foggy and will have to throw it away. Tinctures typically last much longer, especially when kept out of the sun.
Taste and Aroma
CBD oil can have an unpleasant taste when consumed orally or sublingually. Many consumers complain of an oily aftertaste, especially if they use unflavored oils. Those who use tinctures typically find that unpleasant aftertastes aren’t part of the equation. This can make it easier to keep up with taking CBD tinctures as part of a health and wellness routine.
Strength and Dosing
CBD tinctures usually have a higher bioavailability rate than CBD oil, which means consumers need to take less tincture to get the same effects. This can influence dosing. Those switching from CBD oil to tinctures should keep this in mind and start off slow.
The Bottom Line
CBD tinctures and oils are both useful products. Choosing the right one requires consideration of intended use. Consumers who only want to ingest CBD orally may want to buy tinctures since they tend to offer greater bioavailability. Those who also want to be able to apply products topically should consider oils. Both types of CBD products offer similar therapeutic benefits at similar price points.