This article will explore the steps that are used to create the very best and purest CBD oil from organic industrial hemp. CBD oil has been used for centuries as a home remedy for wide spectrum of ailments. In modern times, scientific interest in the properties and effects of CBD has piqued. Above all, research shows that cannabidiol and other cannabis sativa constituents aid the human body in several ways. This happens when cannabinoids bind to the receptors of the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Hemp vs Marijuana
Importantly, there are two different types of cannabis sativa plant. For this reason the one strain is called hemp while the other is commonly known as marijuana. Cannabidiol can be found in both strains but tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is much more prevalent in marijuana. It makes sense that most CBD products are made from hemp. And usually organic industrial hemp is bred to contain less than 0.3% THC per part.
First, cannabinoids are separated from the plant through an extraction process. Fortunately there are several different types of extraction to suite different purposes. So extracting CBD involves isolating the chemical compound and distilling it in high concentrations.
CO2 Extraction
Carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction method: Carbon dioxide is a versatile gas with a variety of commercial uses, including extracting compounds from plant matter. The CO2 method uses the gas in its normal state as well as in supercritical liquid form. Through a pressurized chamber, called a closed-loop extractor, CO2 gas is compressed until it becomes a liquid. The liquid is forced over the cannabis material where it strips away cannabinoids like CBD. The entire solution is brought back to temperatures and pressures at which the CO2 reverts to gas and evaporates, leaving behind the CBD extracted out of the cannabis plant material.
Solvent Extraction
Solvent extraction method: The solvent extraction process is similar to using CO2, but it’s notably cheaper and faster. Butane has long been used in cannabis extraction but ethanol and propane are also popular. This method also uses a closed-loop system wherein the liquid butane, propane, or ethanol washes over the cannabis, releasing the CBD, other cannabinoids, and terpenes. The solvent then has to be carefully heated or cooled to separate the solvent from the extracted compounds without damaging them. The main drawback of solvent extraction is that some solvents like ethanol can result in impurities, giving the end-product a nasty taste.
Both of these extraction methods use highly combustible chemicals and can be dangerous. Only trained professionals in properly equipped labs should attempt any kind of chemical extraction.
Winterization
After CBD is extracted, the process of winterization begins. This process removes the impurities and unwanted elements that made it through the extraction process, such as fats, lipids, and waxes. Basically, winterization transforms crude oil into purified oil. The process involves mixing the extracted oil with ethanol and freezing the solution. The impurities and undesirable compounds solidify and fall out of the solution, which is then passed through a filter. The final step is removing the ethanol.
Short Path Distillation
CBD can go through further refinement after winterization. The additional refinement phase is known as short-path distillation. The process is similar to winterization, but it involves using reduced pressure to allow lower-than-normal boiling temperatures. The solution is heated just enough for the impurities to boil off, leaving pure CBD oil to distill in a collection chamber.
Conclusion
Conclusion: Purchase only the purest CBD oils created through CO2 extraction of organically grown hemp. Remember, it is important to read labels for purity and potency. This way ensures the consumption of only the purest natural remedy available.