How to Use CBD Tincture the Right Way: 4 Easy Methods

Tinctures, edibles, lotions, flower, vape cartridges, and capsules are just a few examples of CBD products. Out of all these, the tincture is one of the most effective and versatile methods, and it is our focus today. The question of how to use CBD tincture may be one of the many questions that newcomers have.

You’ve sorted out just what CBD oil is, how it differs from THC, and learned of its potential benefits, but how is it used correctly? Of the various ways it can be applied, which one is best for you? Allow us to supply you with the proper facts about CBD and how tinctures can be used!

Is CBD Tincture the Same as CBD Oil?

The short answer is yes, CBD tincture is the same as CBD oil. Tinctures have been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years. Besides the seeds, CBD can be extracted with virtually any plant material such as CBD flowers, leaves, stems, etc. Extracts that come from the seeds or roots of hemp will contain little to no CBD or other cannabinoids. Here at Cheef Botanicals, we make our CBD oil from the most potent parts of the plants which are the leaves and flower! Our tinctures are made by combining pure, CO2-extracted cannabidiol (CBD) with hempseed oil.

Additives like medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil or artificial flavors can cause unwanted side effects like an upset stomach and even diarrhea. Many companies still use ingredients such as these, but Cheef provides a great alternative. Our 100% natural ingredients come together to create a full spectrum CBD tincture that is highly beneficial and rich in essential Omega 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids.

Is CBD Oil the Same as CBD Vape Juice?

No! CBD oil is not the same as CBD vape juice. Consumers need to know the difference and they should always look into the specifics of each manufacturer’s product before purchase. Cheef Botanicals and many other companies call vape distillate “juice,” but you may have seen or heard of “vape oil.”  

If a company labels their e-juice as oil, they are incorrect. “Oil” should only refer to tincture, and a good indicator of a poor brand is if they label their oil as vape-safe. Though both tincture and juice will still get to your endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the end, the way in which you consume each is important. NEVER fill your vape with tincture!

How to Use CBD Tincture

The easiest way to use your tincture is by dropping the CBD oil right into your mouth. The liquid shouldn’t have much of a taste. We, at Cheef Botanicals, suggest taking .25mg per 1 pound of body weight (.5mg per pound for a strong dose). CBD tinctures can also be taken sublingually (under the tongue), with food or drink, or applied topically.

Each method of tincture consumption offers its own advantages. For example, when you swallow this CBD product, you wind up getting less overall cannabidiol in your bloodstream than if you were to place drops underneath the tongue. This is due to something called bioavailability, which is the amount of a substance leftover after being absorbed and partially broken down by your body.

Related: CBD Bioavailability & Why It Should Matter to You

When CBD is swallowed, its effects are not felt until it enters our bloodstream. Before reaching our blood, though, the cannabinoid must pass through our gastrointestinal (GI) system. With the conversion of food into energy being its primary function, our GI system is fantastic at breaking things down.

This system will also break down cannabidiol, though not all of it. After passing through our GI tract and liver, the CBD that winds up reaching our bloodstream is a fraction of what was originally consumed. This fraction, typically represented as a percentage, is the substance’s bioavailability. Orally consumed CBD’s bioavailability is about 10-20%.

Once in our system, the CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors in our body. A cannabinoid refers to a compound that is found in hemp, of which cannabidiol is an example.  These receptors communicate with our endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates homeostasis within the body.

Sublingual Use of CBD

To take your CBD oil sublingually, drop the appropriate dosage underneath your tongue for 60- 90 seconds. When compared to swallowing tincture, the effects of CBD oil will be felt sooner if the tincture is taken sublingually. Why quicker than on top of the tongue? Well, there are several factors at play here.

Swallowed tincture must be broken down by your intestines before the effects can be felt. Conversely, the under the tongue method allows the CBD to quickly absorb into your system, bypassing the bulk of the gastric system. This results in a higher bioavailability than oral ingestion, about 20-30%. Additionally, the harsh environment of the gastric system destroys much of the CBD, which makes sublingual the more effective method.

The effects of sublingual tincture should be felt between 10 minutes to an hour after ingestion. Though tincture underneath the tongue has a higher bioavailability than oil that is swallowed, sublingual CBD does not last quite as long. The soothing and relaxed feelings should last for 4-6 hours.

CBD Edibles & Drinks

As we mentioned earlier, swallowed CBD will first need to travel down your gastric tract before any effects are felt. However, orally consumed CBD will last longer, so edibles and drinks might be ideal for some users.

Many foods and drinks come pre-infused with cannabidiol, and organic CBD gummies are some of the most popular edibles. Many of these fruit snacks are made with gelatin which is an animal byproduct, but Cheef Botanicals offers vegan gummies that taste good, contain high-quality CBD, and don’t harm any of our furry friends in the process!

Some research suggests that lower doses of CBD (around 10-50mg) may increase alertness. Cheef Botanicals recommends between 0.25 mg per lb to be a regular dose. If your morning needs a little more glory, take a few drops of tincture with your coffee to give you that extra pep to tackle the day. Additionally, here are some delicious food ideas that tincture could compliment:

• Avocado toast
• Bagel with cream cheese
• Yogurt parfait
• Salad
• Pizza (create your own with this recipe)
• Brownies

Consumers have said they feel drowsy after taking higher amounts of CBD before sleeping. Stronger doses are also associated with soreness and tension relief. We at Cheef Botanicals advise 0.5 mg of cannabidiol per pound of body weight for a stronger dose. Avoid tossing and turning by measuring out a higher dosage of oil to put in a big glass of milk, a mug of sleepytime tea, or you can even add it to an alcoholic beverage for a nightcap.

Related: How to Make Your Own CBD Infused Drinks [5 Amazing Recipes!]

Like oil taken on top of the tongue, the bioavailability of edibles and drinks is about 10-20%. The CBD should take roughly an hour to kick in. The effects can be felt for 6 to 8 hours, much longer than many other methods of taking cannabidiol.

Topical Use of CBD Tincture

CBD tinctures can also be applied topically. Simply rub the oil onto an area of your skin. This method is ideal for those experiencing tension or uneasiness on a particular part of their body. The affected spot can be targeted, although these effects will be localized to the place of application. While edibles need to first be broken down by one’s digestive tract, topically applied tincture almost immediately interacts with your ECS.

Tincture isn’t the only way CBD can be used on the skin, in fact, there are CBD products that are made specifically for topical use. These products can include other ingredients that will facilitate absorption and promote skin health. Other topicals include:

• Bath bombs: these add softeners to your bathwater, increasing moisturizing properties that can soothe damaged or irritated skin.
• Body lotions: refreshing, scented lotion can help nourish the skin. It locks in your natural moisture in addition to providing a little extra.
• Hand sanitizers: protect yourself against bacteria while enjoying cannabidiol.
• Lip balms: soothes cracked or uncomfortable lips.
• Salves: the strongest option, a salve is ideal for athletes and post-workout tension.

Unlike the other means of ingestion we’ve been discussing, a topical will not enter the bloodstream. Instead, the cannabidiol activates cannabinoid receptors on our skin that promote ECS functionality. Because topicals don’t reach our blood, experts do not currently know the bioavailability of CBD products applied to the skin, though the percentage is believed to be fairly low. When cannabidiol is taken topically, effects can be felt within 15 minutes and last for about 2-4 hours.

What is the Best Way to Use CBD Tincture?

Taking CBD tinctures is usually done so with purpose. If you are someone who is using this CBD product for a particular reason, consider that reason when deciding how best to use your tincture.

Physical discomfort or tension? Consider taking a heavy dose or applying the CBD topically to the affected spot. Are you using cannabidiol tinctures in your morning routine? Use the dropper to take some directly before your morning workout or drive to work. Alternatively, mix the CBD in with your breakfast or smoothie to start the day off right. Need quick relief? Take the CBD sublingually for faster results.

Cheef Botanicals CBD Tincture

No matter how you take CBD tinctures, you want the ingredients to be top-shelf. No upset stomach-inducing additives, no GMOs, and no preservatives should go into a product that’s meant to be simple and organic. What’s more organic than 100% natural ingredients? They say actions speak louder than words! But here, at Cheef Botanicals, we think ingredients speak loudest of all. That’s why we don’t use any unnatural additives, artificial preservatives, or GMOs.

Our ingredients are pure CO2 extracted CBD and hempseed oil. Hempseed oil is a nutritious superfood that promotes good skin, heart, and brain health. Our CBD tinctures combine this naturally healthy oil with cannabidiol to create a product that is organic and effective. To ensure this standard we set for ourselves, our certificates of analysis are available to the public.