How to Make CBD Oil with Coconut Oil: Uses, Benefits, Risks
If you want to make your own CBD oil, you can do so by using high-CBD hemp flower and coconut oil.
Coconut oil is a versatile vegetable oil that you can eat directly, use in cooking, or apply to the skin. You can also use it to make homemade CBD-infused oil that you can use internally and externally.
To make your own CBD-infused coconut oil, you will need the following:
ingredients
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup ground high-CBD decarboxylated hemp
gear
- Double boiler or slow cooker (alternatively stainless steel bowl and pot)
- cheesecloth or muslin
- mesh screen
- glass jug
- sterilized storage container (preferably a jar with a lid)
- cooking thermometer
- spatula or spoon
It’s important to make sure your hemp is decarboxylated (also known as “decarbed” or “cured”) and not raw. Decarboxylation is a natural process that allows CBDA – the acidic form of CBD – to convert into CBD.
While CBDA could have potential medicinal benefits, CBD is what you want – so you need to make sure your hemp is decarboxylated, especially if you’re growing it yourself.
You can get decarboxylated hemp at a pharmacy, CBD shop, or local grower. Ready-to-use CBD hemp is typically already decarboxylated.
When buying hemp flower, think about potency. The higher the percentage of CBD in your hemp, the stronger your homemade CBD coconut oil will be.
- Make a makeshift water bath by placing a stainless steel bowl on top of a saucepan. Pour water into the pot – it should be about half full.
- Pour 1 cup of coconut oil onto the top of your double boiler or slow cooker.
- Use a low setting on your stovetop or slow cooker and heat until the coconut oil melts.
- Once the coconut oil melts, stir in 1 cup of ground CBD hemp flowers.
- Continue heating the cannabis for about 60 minutes. Be careful not to get the oil too hot as this can denature the cannabinoids. If you have a thermometer, use it to make sure the temperature is between 54°C and 65°C.
- It’s time to strain the oil. Place the cheesecloth or muslin on your strainer and slowly pour the oil through the strainer and into a glass pitcher. If desired, you can use a spatula or spoon to gently squeeze the muslin to allow more oil to seep out. You can squish the cheesecloth with your hands, but remember it will be hot.
- Pour the sifted oil into your storage container. Make sure the lid is tight.
It is best to store your CBD oil in a cool, dark place. You can put it in the fridge or in a cupboard.
Coconut oil does not expire or go sour over time. However, CBD can be broken down. Many people who make CBD at home suggest using coconut-based CBD oil within a year.
Try not to contaminate your CBD oil. This means making sure you seal the jar tightly and only use a clean, dry spoon to scoop out your CBD oil – no double dipping!
People often combine CBD and coconut oil because CBD is a fat-soluble chemical. This means that it binds to fat molecules during the infusion process. Infusing CBD hemp flower with water will not work as it needs to bind to fat to be effective.
Why coconut oil? Coconut oil has a number of reported benefits as it has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. It’s edible, but you can also use it for cooking and moisturizing your skin and hair.
If you’re not a fan of coconut oil, you can buy other carrier oils for CBD, including olive oil and hemp seed oil. You can use olive oil and hemp seed oil topically and internally (in other words, you can apply it to your skin or eat it).
CBD coconut oil is versatile. You can use it in the following ways:
- Eat it straight.
- Cook with it.
- Apply topically to your skin and hair.
- Use it to make other CBD-infused products like healing ointments, bath bombs, and massage oils.
There are many potential benefits of CBD. People can use it to treat the symptoms of:
However, experts need more research to confirm all the benefits of CBD.
If you plan to use CBD for medical reasons, it’s a good idea to speak to a knowledgeable doctor or other healthcare professional beforehand.
CBD is safe and well tolerated by humans, according to a
Possible side effects of CBD may include:
- fatigue
- Diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
- appetite and weight changes
Most of these side effects are temporary and mild. If you notice them, discontinue use.
It’s also important to note that CBD can interact with certain medications. This is because it could change the way your liver enzymes break down certain drugs. For this reason, experts strongly recommend that you discuss using CBD with a doctor or other healthcare professional before attempting it.
Before you make your own homemade CBD coconut oil, you might want to learn more about it.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Yes, CBD is legal in the United States.
The 2018 Farm Bill changed the legal definition of “marijuana” so that hemp was no longer considered illegal. It defined hemp as a cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC.
Due to the Farm Bill, CBD products are legal as long as they are derived from hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC.
Cannabis legality is a bit more complex as it varies from state to state. It’s important to check your state’s cannabis laws, especially if you’re traveling with cannabis or hemp products.
Is CBD Coconut Oil Safe to Consume?
Yes. Experts consider CBD and coconut oil to be harmless.
What should you look out for when buying a CBD product?
That
Because of this, it is the consumer’s responsibility to ensure they are buying legitimate products.
Some CBD products contain harmful impurities. The FDA even broadcasts
When purchasing CBD products, it is best to do the following:
- Opt for third-party tested products: In other words, an independent laboratory checked the content. The laboratory report should be public – and yes, read it yourself!
- Only buy products from reputable companies: Before you buy from a new company, check it out. Do they have positive reviews on third party sites? Have you received warning letters from the FDA for selling questionable products?
- Read the ingredient lists: It’s easy to get caught up on the CBD side of things, but pay attention to the other ingredients. Make sure you don’t accidentally use products that contain ingredients you want to avoid.
Finally, it’s a good idea to test products. It can be beneficial to purchase a smaller sample before buying CBD products in bulk.
Remember to give the CBD time to work – you may not experience immediate relief, but that doesn’t mean the product isn’t legitimate. Read why CBD might not work for you.
How Long Does Homemade CBD Coconut Oil Last?
If placed in a sterilized jar and free of contamination, it can last up to a year.
Can you buy pre-made CBD coconut oil?
Yes! If making homemade CBD coconut oil seems too time consuming, you can buy pre-made CBD coconut oil from many reputable companies.
Many CBD oils are coconut based. You can also buy larger pots of pre-made CBD coconut oil.
You can make your own CBD coconut oil at home using CBD-rich hemp flower and coconut oil. You can eat CBD-infused coconut oil, add it to foods, or apply it to your skin and hair.
Before using CBD products, it is important to educate yourself about the possible risks and side effects. It’s always best to speak to a doctor or other healthcare professional before you start using CBD.
Sian Ferguson is a freelance health and cannabis writer based in Cape Town, South Africa. She is passionate about empowering readers to take care of their mental and physical health through science-based, empathetic information.