What Is A CBD Tincture In The UK And Why Do I See Them In Every Shop?
CBD has been at work soothing us since the ’80s, according to some estimates and since antiquity by others. With it, a nearly limitless variety of formulations have emerged – from capsules and oils to lotions and seltzer – each touting a higher CBD concentration and more effectiveness than the last.
Tinctures though are a little more mysterious potentially due to their old-school apothecary packaging or how they are consumed: a few droplets at a time, under the tongue. In this post we will explain a bit more about what a tincture is.
But first, what is CBD?
There are hundreds of cannabinoids (or chemical compounds) found in the cannabis plant. The two most well-known: THC, which gives users a euphoric high, and cannabidiol (CBD), which has anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, anxiety-reducing, and pain killing effects.
The cannabinoids CBD and THC, at the plant level, function as polar opposites in that CBD serves as a buffer to THC’s effects – THC produces the high, whereas CBD doesn’t.
What are CBD tinctures in the UK?
A CBD tincture is prepared by using a mixture of alcohol and water to extract the chemicals from a plant (in this case CBD). However, sometimes you will find CBD oil extract called a tincture (and that comes in the tincture style bottle) that uses oil, glycerin or vinegar in the extraction instead of alcohol. For example, Paso has a CBD oil tincture where the hemp extract is mixed in with MCT oil.
The benefits being, it is alcohol-free, but it does not always mean they will be as potent.
How is a CBD tincture made?
CBD tinctures are made from high CBD strains of hemp and have a 60 to 70 percent alcohol content, and they’re generally used to alleviate anxiety or relieve pain.
CBD tinctures are easy to store (in a cool, dry spot, away from the sun) and use. You simply dropper the CBD oil under your tongue, hold for a 30 seconds and then swallow. This is so that more of the CBD is absorbed up front before it has to pass through the digestive system. Thereby increasing what is called its “bioavailablity.” It’s because of this that CBD tinctures deliver the benefits of the CBD faster than other CBD edible formats.
Are there any side effects?
CBD is a relatively safe compound, but we still need to know more about how it interacts with other medicines people are taking and its longer-term effects. However, due to CBD’s legal status the necessary research has not been done to understand this.
CBD tincture vs. CBD oil—which is better?
A tincture may provide a wider range of compounds than an oil extraction since it does not require as much pressurized solvent. But obviously, those that are alcohol-sensitive frequently choose hemp oil rather than tincture because it is easier to apply.
