What Is A Tincture?
Tinctures, which are common in herbal and folk medicine, are one of the oldest forms of concentrated medicine in the world. Ancient Egyptians used to soak herbs in alcohol to extract their valuable compounds and make shelf-stable tinctures, which could be saved for future use. This long shelf life makes tinctures an ideal method of preserving medicinal herbs in a ready-to-use form.
Tinctures are still popular today, though they fell out of the mainstream scene in recent decades with the rise of pharmaceuticals. The resurgence of tinctures now is largely due to public interest in CBD and cannabis tinctures, as well as a return to herbal medicine at large.
About CBD Benefits
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a medicinal compound found in cannabis and hemp flowers. Cannabis extracts interact with the body’s built-in endocannabinoid system, a receptor system responsible for maintaining harmony and balance. Cannabidiol is becoming known for its many potential health benefits.
Unlike THC, which causes a user to get high, CBD is non-intoxicating, making it an appealing option for those seeking relief from everyday ailments without the high. Fortunately cannabidiol carries very few side effects, which can include drowsiness, nausea and dry mouth. Cannabidiol is most commonly used as:
- Chronic pain reliever
- Anti-inflammatory
- Seizure reducer
- Anxiety reliever
- Sleep aid
- Neuroprotective
Methods of Use
There are many ways to consume CBD and some forms are more effective than others. Methods of use include ingesting, inhaling, and applying topically to the skin. Ingestible forms include tinctures, capsules, and edibles. Inhalation includes vaporizing and smoking, and topical application includes creams, gels, and patches.
It’s important to understand how medicine absorption works, as different delivery methods offer different benefits. Bioavailability (how much of a compound the body can use) varies widely from product to product. For example, a great deal of CBD can be destroyed by digestion, meaning that when an edible is eaten, there is less for the body to use. Some studies have shown that consuming CBD with oils can help bypass liver metabolism and pass more CBD on to the body to be used.1
Benefits of Cannabis Tinctures
Tinctures are a popular option among users. These small dropper bottles carry big benefits. First, tinctures are designed to be used sublingually, that is, the liquid is dropped beneath the tongue and held or swished in the mouth for about one minute. The mouth and throat are full of blood vessels which rapidly absorb medicine, allowing it to be absorbed before digestion breaks it down. Second, most CBD tinctures are suspended in a food grade oil, which can make it more available to the body.
How Cannabis Tinctures are Made
The process by which hemp and cannabis tinctures are made is the same whether working with high-THC cannabis plants or high-CBD hemp. Recreational cannabis tinctures and cannabis concentrates can only be sold within licensed dispensaries, while CBD tinctures are prolific in many states and can be found in grocery stores and online.
At Frogsong Farm we extract full-spectrum CBD from our hemp flowers. The first step in production is to soak our ground hemp flowers in organic, food-grade sugarcane ethanol at ambient temperature for 12-24 hours. The plant matter is then separated from the liquid. The resulting extraction is then gently processed to evaporate and recapture the ethanol, leaving behind a rich oily concentrate, which is full of cannabinoid compounds and terpenes. It can then be further purified for a variety of uses.
To produce our tinctures, we combine a purified form of our full-spectrum concentrate with organic extra virgin olive oil to achieve the desired strength. Frogsong Farm Drops contain 300 milligrams of CBD per ounce of oil, and Drops Plus contain 750 mg of CBD per ounce of oil. All Frogsong Farm products are third-party tested to guarantee purity and potency.
CBD Dosage & Usage
There is no known overdose level for CBD. There is a wide range of effective doses, depending on the individual’s body type, sensitivity, conditions being treated, and so on. Common doses of full-spectrum CBD start at 10-25 milligrams, once a day or as needed. Some people require 7-10 days to begin seeing noticeable effects. When starting a new regimen, it helps to have a notebook to track dosage, timing, and effects. This makes adjusting dosage simple.
After a week, if the desired effects are not being achieved, consider increasing the dose by 5 milligrams per week or switching to a different product. Full-spectrum cannabidiol has a growing reputation for more consistent results than isolate products. It is also beneficial to buy from companies who offer a satisfaction guarantee.
To use a CBD tincture, fill the dropper to the desired level. Frogsong Farm’s Drops and Drops Plus tinctures are marked with fill lines to make for simple dosing. For example, 1 mL of Drops Plus provides 25 milligrams of full-spectrum CBD. Squeeze the dropper under your tongue and if possible, hold the oil in your mouth for 1 minute. Some people prefer to swish throughout the mouth. Then swallow. The tincture will be initially absorbed within the mouth, and the remaining tincture will be digested gradually and absorbed.
Conclusion
The community of people embracing hemp is growing every day. Whether as a go-to pain and anxiety remedy, or anti-inflammation support during intense training and recovery, the uses of CBD are numerous.
Those looking for consistent, fast-acting benefits often prefer to use tinctures. Look for tinctures made with farm-direct hemp and extracted with organic ethanol or CO2. The most wellness benefits will come from consistent use of high-quality, full-spectrum products. Peruse Frogsong Farm’s line of hemp-derived CBD tinctures and topical products at FrogsongFarm.com.
