CBD tinctures refer to concentrated cannabidiol liquids prepared by soaking certain cannabis extracts in special solvents, such as vinegar and alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, CBD isn’t derived from any part of the cannabis plant. Much of the compound comes from cannabis buds, flowers, and sometimes also the leaves.
One of the benefits of using CBD tinctures is that you get to enjoy the substance in its purest form, especially in homemade tinctures. It’s also relatively affordable to make CBD tinctures at home. And needless to say, the tinctures come with a host of health benefits, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Benefits of CBD Tinctures During COVID-19
The coronavirus disease presents several symptoms that cannabidiol can treat. Being an acute respiratory illness, some of the symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Aches and pain, including chest pain and headaches
- Dry cough and sore throat
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Stress and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of sense of taste and smell
While most COVID-19 vaccines are still in their experimental stages, it’s reassuring to note that cannabidiol can address some of the most bothersome symptoms associated with this infectious virus. According to reputable cannabis suppliers like CBD Edibles, CBD might offer relief from various COVID-19 symptoms like pain and anxiety.
But is there sufficient research to back cannabidiol’s reported therapeutic benefits? In a 2018 review assessing previous studies on CBD’s pain-relieving benefits, researchers discovered that the compound was effective against various forms of chronic pain. Examples of chronic pain include cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, and other chronic diseases.
But cannabidiol is not only effective against chronic and neuropathic pain. The substance can also mediate nociceptive pain, which refers to the pain resulting from direct injury to bones or tissues. Common triggers of nociceptive pain include car accidents and energy-intensive workouts.
Studies on the anxiolytic properties of cannabidiol have also yielded some positive results. CBD treats anxiety by increasing how your body detects the presence of ‘happiness’ neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Now, low serotonin levels are often observed in people with anxiety and depression. When CBD enters your system, it mimics the effects of conventional treatment drugs for low serotonin levels, medically known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Examples of SSRIs include Zoloft and Prozac.
The best part about CBD as an anxiolytic drug is that it can relieve all sorts of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. And unlike conventional anxiety medications, CBD won’t leave you nursing severe side effects.
Fatigue and insomnia are other common COVID-19 symptoms that you can relieve using homemade CBD tinctures.
Making CBD Tinctures At Home During COVID-19
What You’ll Need
- Hemp extracts, preferably flowers
- High-proof alcohol, such as Everclear
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cheesecloth
- Strainer
- Glass jar with lid
- Glass bottle with dropper lid
- Bowl
NB: While you can use any cannabis plant, experts recommend hemp as it contains higher CBD concentration and lower concentrations of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Directions
- Decarboxylate the hemp extracts.
Cannabis extracts contain CBD in the form of cannabidiol acid (CBD-A). Decarboxylation simply refers to the process by which cannabidiol acid is converted to cannabidiol. While this process can happen naturally over time, you can also induce it by preheating the hemp flowers.
To do that:
- Preheat your oven to around 240-degrees Fahrenheit.
- As the oven heats, break the hemp extracts apart manually or using a coffee grinder to allow for even heat distribution.
- Spread the broken hemp flowers over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the hemp flowers for 40 to 60 minutes, or until the flowers turn slightly golden brown.
- Now, remove the pan and allow it to cool for around 15 to 20 minutes.
- Infuse the hemp extracts.
To infuse the plant material;
- Add the decarbed hemp extracts to a glass jar, ensuring that it is 2/3 filled with the plant matter.
- Fill the rest of the jar with your choice of alcohol solvent.
- Cover the jar with a lid.
- Shake the mixture thoroughly, then place it in a cool, dark location for around 3 to 4 weeks.
- Shake the bottle several times per week, ensuring that the hemp extracts are submerged all the time.
- After four weeks, strain the infusion using your cheesecloth-lined mesh.
- Discard the plant material and add the CBD tincture into a glass jar.
Storing Your Homemade CBD Tinctures
It’s essential to label the glass jar containing your CBD tincture to avoid confusion. Be sure to state all the ingredients in the liquid, along with their concentrations. After marking the tincture, store it in a cool dark room. Remember that temperature and sunlight may degrade CBD, making the substance less effective and more toxic.
Most importantly, store your homemade CBD tincture away from the reach of children and pets. Note that while CBD boasts numerous health benefits, undue exposure to the compound could trigger a host of unpleasant side effects.
Final Thoughts
CBD tinctures are mostly administered sublingually. In other words, you drip a few droplets of CBD tinctures underneath your tongue, hold for a few seconds, and then swallow. Note that homemade CBD tinctures tend to be more potent as they’re generally low in additives. Therefore, always begin with the lowest dose possible. You can start with 2 – 3 mg of CBD twice a day. Observe how the substance affects your body before possibly upping your dose.
