By Anyone with, well, internet access has already heard a lot about CBD oil and its numerous benefits. However, not everyone is to keen on getting such products from just anyone, which is to be expected when it comes to any medications or, in this case, natural remedies. So, if you have considered giving CBD oils a shot but you would rather make your own, you’ve come to the right place!
As you already know, CBD oil’s most common use is for natural pain relief. Whether you are looking for a remedy for drowsiness and fatigue, insomnia, chronic pains, inflammation or even terminal diseases’ symptoms, use of CBD can unquestionably benefit you. However, don’t make the mistake of putting lots of burden on this remedy. It is a great addition to your regular treatments, but make sure to consult your doctor before taking it up!
Once your doctor has confirmed that CBD is the way to go, you start making your own CBD oil! Depending on the equipment you have access to, you will have several types of processes included in the extraction of CBD to choose from.
Keep in mind that some of these methods will require an experienced hand or elite equipment, so if you’re not sure you can pull it off yourself, make sure to get help!
Supercritical CO2 extraction method
This is probably the most efficient, but the most expensive method as well. It is used in several industries for products such as for perfumes, omega-3 oils, vanilla, coffee, tea, fruit, nuts extracts etc.
This method is used in state of the art laboratories, and what they do is utilize carbon dioxide’s pressure and temperature. The CO2 is then cooled down and put under the pressure of up to 10,000 psi. In this setting, CO2 becomes ‘supercritical’, meaning it turns into liquid, but keeps both properties of liquids and gas.
After this process is done, CO2 is heated up and passed through hemp. What’s great is that once added to hemp, CO2 does not harm any nutrients such as vitamins or enzymes; it just ‘pulls out’ the CBD from the plant and makes it easier for digestion.
Keep in mind that this method required professional equipment most of us don’t have access to.
Ethanol extraction method
This method could be considered exactly the opposite of its precursor because it’s quite cheap but not as efficient. It is also known as the ‘alcohol extraction method’. Its downside is that it can destroy some of the CBD you’re trying to extract, but at its’ low cost, this drawback will definitely be something worth overlooking.
The process is quite simple – ethanol is added to the plant material and then heated up in order to evaporate it down to the wanted CBD oil. This method can also be applied using olive oil.
Note that these oils may not have the best taste in the world due to chlorophyll co-extracting, which may result in a bitter taste and a greenish colour but hey, you’re here for a remedy, not a treat, right?
The Rick Simpson extraction method
This one is a bit more dangerous than the aforementioned two. It started out after Rick Simpson had an accident at work which caused symptoms like tinnitus and dizziness. He researched cannabis oils’ benefits and consulted his doctor on the topic.
The doctor sternly refused to start a cannabis-based treatment, but that didn’t stop Simpson. He decided to utilize a hydrocarbon (compounds such as acetone, propane, butane, etc.) to extract CBD oil. Hydrocarbons have a low boiling point so the process is quite easy and results in pure products of CBD oils. However, as previously mentioned, it can be dangerous because it may cause fires or explosions.
The Dry Ice Method
This method requires a bit more time but is nevertheless efficient and doable in the comfort of your own home. For this type of extraction you will need: cannabis, a mirror or a piece of Plexiglas, about 3 pounds/1,3 kilograms of dried ice, glass mason jars, eye protection, heat resistant gloves, a large plastic bucket, and 3 bubble hash mesh bags (you can get them on Amazon if your local stores don’t have them).
After putting on your protection, chop up the cannabis plant, put it in the bucket and cover it with dried ice for about three minutes. Fit one of the bags over the bucket and sake the mixture of ice and cannabis for about four minutes.
After that, turn the bucket upside down on the mirror/or Plexiglas and shake it to get as much resin as you can. Once you’re done, use a paint scraper to get everything off the Plexiglas and place the final product into jars. Keep in mind that if you shake the bucket too long you might end up with a lower quality product than you’ve hoped for. The upside of this method is that it is quite clean and efficient!
All four of these methods have one thing in common – you’ll know exactly where your product is coming from!
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