Are you looking for cannabidiol oil? Or would you like to purchase a few milligrams of tinctures? Whether you’re searching for oils or tinctures, you’re most likely to come across each other while purchasing.
Lily CBD founder Markus says, “While the hemp or cannabis industry was booming in early 2018, most businesses used oils and tinctures interchangeably.” Usually, both of these come in mini dropper bottles with a pipette-style cap.
Although they may be packed in a similar way, they do have tons of differences. Even today, most people consider both oils and tinctures to be the same. They aren’t. So, one should choose the best option based on their preferences and requirements.
CBD Oil vs CBD Tincture
CBD is also known as cannabidiol, extracted from marijuana and industrial hemp. Usually, marijuana contains a small portion of THC, i.e., less than 0.3%. However, it doesn’t result in any psychoactive or euphoric effects. This is why CBD is used in many medical applications, from treating anxiety disorders to heart diseases.
The “2018 Farm Bill” recently legalized industrial hemp production and made it feasible to avail of various ready-to-buy cannabidiol products. Out of colossal cannabidiol products, the oil and tincture have become pretty popular.
If you’re in the cannabis world, you perhaps listened to products such as 1000mg full spectrum CBD tincture, broad-spectrum CBD oils, 500 mg THC free tincture, and many more. Now comes the question: what exactly are CBD oils or tinctures, and how do they differ?
Quick Look
| Factors | CBD Oil | CBD Tincture |
| Base | Oil | Alcohol |
| Taste | Earthy flavor | Extremely bitter |
| Rate of Absorption | Slow | High |
| Results | It takes a few minutes to a couple of hours for effective results | Ensures immediate relief |
| Shelf life | Shorter(Lasts up to 18 months) | Longer(Lasts up to 5 years) |
| Applications | Soothes pains, anxiety disorders, and sleep | Soothes pains, anxiety disorders, and sleep |
| Popularity | High | Comparatively less |
| Price | Expensive | Comparatively less expensive |
CBD Oil
It’s derived purely from the Cannabis Sativa using carbon dioxide extraction. Since it contains merely cannabidiol compounds, it’s also referred to as the “CBD Isolate.” The extraction follows the diffusion process. The manufacturers diffuse the CBD isolates into a carrier oil for effective consumption.
Wait, what exactly is a carrier oil? A carrier oil is a natural oil that includes coconut, hemp seed, or MCT oils. This is one of the most popular products because of its ease of use and efficiency.
CBD Tincture
So far, you’ve understood about cannabidiol oil. In this section, let’s uncover more about the tincture. A tincture is an alcohol or water-based solution produced by saturating hemp to turn into a high-quality alcohol-based solution and heating it for a certain period.
This process helps cannabidiol molecules in the tincture to mix into the alcohol firmly. Yet, most manufacturers replace alcohol with a carrier oil and sprinkle a few other ingredients for ultimate flavor and taste.
Like the cannabidiol oils, the tincture is extracted from Cannabis Sativa’s leaves, flowers, etc. The difference between the two lies in the solvent during the extraction process. While oil leverages carbon dioxide, the tincture uses alcohol. A few other tinctures perhaps use vinegar and glycerin rather than alcohol.
Ingredients
The primary ingredients in cannabidiol oils include CBD isolates and carrier oil. While CBD is extracted from hemp, it takes the form of salt or other types unsuitable for human consumption. The manufacturer infuses CBD isolate into a carrier oil to eliminate this issue.
CBD oil is comparable to lipids because of its fat-soluble nature. So, the pure cannabidiol compounds completely dissolve and infuse in the oil molecules. One can choose several carrier oils such as MCT, hemp seed, olive, coconut, and many more. Most manufacturers choose MCT due to its high scientific profile that supports absorption and digestion.
Likewise, tincture also boasts similar ingredients such as CBD isolate and carrier oil. However, the tinctures contain a few more extra ingredients like terpenes, flavorings, essential minerals, herbal extracts, supplements, nutrients, and much more for better flavor and taste.
How To Use Them?
Oils can be taken orally, whereas the tinctures should be taken sublingually by placing the pipette under the tongue for maximum absorption. Furthermore, these compounds can be mixed with other ingredients like beverages, smoothies, tea, coffee, etc.
CBD can also be applied to the skin based on the properties of the carrier oil. On the other hand, tinctures aren’t great for topical applications. So, don’t try applying it on the body’s surface like that of oils.
It’s a wise choice to take both of them sublingually, i.e., placing them under the tongue for about 30 seconds and then swallowing it. But why? Usually, there exist tons of capillaries under the tongue that directly lead to your bloodstream. However, if you typically consume them, the chances of getting into the bloodstream are less.
Coming out of the dosage, 1-2 servings per day is enough to get excellent results. Always remember to start with small doses and increase gradually. Make sure you consult with the healthcare professional before consumption.
Key Takeaways
The oils and tinctures are used interchangeably, causing immense confusion among consumers. However, they aren’t the same. Usually, cannabidiol oils boast an oil base, while the tincture consists of an alcohol base.
Tincture even consists of extra ingredients to enhance flavor and taste. On the other hand, oils merely consist of CBD isolates and carrier oil. They can be applied topically, while the tincture should be taken sublingually for effective absorption.
The tincture has a longer period than oil. Although both look similar, they’re made of distinct extraction processes. While the oils are made using the carbon dioxide extraction process in the oil base, the tinctures consist of an alcohol base.
Another key factor to consider is the rate of absorption while buying any CBD products. In general, the absorption rate is slower for oils. In contrast, the body absorbs tinctures quickly. That’s why it’s important to make sure you choose the best product based on your requirements.
