CBD has been in use for millennia, according to some researchers, delivering its soothing effects as far back as the ’80s and by others. With so many options for CBD products, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There are a plethora of formulations available—from capsules and oils to lotions and seltzer—each touting to be more effective than the previous.
Tinctures, on the other hand, are highly misunderstood owing to their old-fashioned apothecary container and slow administration methods that are sometimes referred to as droplets beneath the tongue.
Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., a specialist in herbal medicine and women’s health, and Kevin Hill, M.D., the Director of the Division of Addiction Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
The cannabis plant contains hundreds of chemicals, including more than 120 cannabinoids, according to Hill. Of the cannabinoids, two are most well-known: THC, which creates the euphoric effects or “high” associated with marijuana use, and cannabidiol (CBD), which has anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, anxiety-reducing and pain-relieving properties, according to Low Dog.
CBD and THC, at the plant level, function as polar opposites. CBD serves as a buffer to THC’s effects. “It’s like yin and yang. THC is responsible for the high, but CBD isn’t.” Hill adds.
A tincture is a liquid extract of a plant that includes alcohol and water. It’s made by combining an herb with booze and h2o to extract compounds from the cannabis plant.
“Tinctures use glycerin, vinegar, or oil as the solvent instead of alcohol. Sometimes you’ll come across extracts called tinctures that utilize glycerin, vinegar, and oil as a solvent rather than ethanol.” Low Dog adds. “Unlike tinctures, which often contain alcohol, these extracts are alcohol-free and may not always have the same strength as an alcoholic water extract.”
Traditional CBD tinctures are often prepared from high CBD hemp strains with 60 to 70 percent alcohol, and they’re commonly used to alleviate anxiety or pain.Tinctures are convenient, have a long shelf life, and are readily absorbed when taken under the tongue. “The amount of drops taken can be changed by either increasing or decreasing the number of drops,” according to Low Dog.
Despite the fact that there is a lot of promise in CBD products of all kinds, Hill notes that there is still a lot of research to be conducted.
“The rate and scale of the research just haven’t kept up with the interest right now. A lot of cannabidiol’s medical applications are based on animal research or no studies at all. That’s where it might be a hassle.”
“CBD is a relatively safe chemical,” claims Hill. “However, we still have a lot to learn about it, such as the way it interacts with other medicines people may be taking and what are the long-term consequences,” he adds. Perhaps his most pressing concern: “Sometimes individuals want to use it in place of evidence-based therapy, which can be a problem clinically in certain cases.”
A tincture, according to Low Dog, may include a wider range of cannabinoids than an oil extraction. “Hemp oil, unlike tincture, is more popular among consumers who are sensitive to alcohol. Hemp oil is generally easier to apply and less irritating than tincture,” adds Bragdon.
On that note, Hill advises consumers to be aware of what they’re buying: “If you’re putting a CBD cream on your skin, it won’t enter your circulation,” he says. “It may be used as a local anti-inflammatory, like other over-the-counter medicines… CBD, on the other hand, may not provide any more relief than existing medications and is almost certainly to be considerably more expensive.”
“Quality is always an issue, especially in a relatively young market, such as the cannabis market,” Low Dog says. Yes, she is correct. According to a 2017 analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, just 30% of commercially available CBD goods were accurately labeled.
“Many of them had more CBD than they were supposed to and many had less; some had none,” Hill notes. Shopping organic is advised, because the cannabis plant is a bio-accumulator, which means it will be affected by heavy metals and pollutants in soil; broad-spectrum is another term for this.
Take a look at the website to learn more about Helix tinctures and oils. Here are some of Helix’s goods, along with information on what the advantages are and how they work.
HEMP EXTRACT TINCTURE OIL – 1500mg, Citrus Flavor
Contains less than 0.3% THC as required by law. See Certificate of Analysis for actual THC content.
HEMP EXTRACT TINCTURE OIL – 1500mg, Citrus Flavor
Contains less than 0.3% THC as required by law. See Certificate of Analysis for actual THC content.
You can trust Helix Wellness because you know where your CBD products come from—nature. We don’t use any superfluous ingredients or harmful treatments, and we keep the best that Mother Nature has to offer. The quality of our CBD products, including the purity and potency of their ingredients, is verified throughout the process from start to finish. All of our CBD oils, CBD gummies, and other goods are produced to perfection for you. We make sure that the items sent to your house are ones you deserve, with no exceptions. Choose from our high-quality CBD collection, which includes CBD gummies, tinctures, and capsules; we’re confident you’ll discover something that suits your needs. Our goods are designed to assist with anxiety, body discomfort, relaxation, and so much more. Which Helix product will you try first?
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