CBD Tinctures: Everything You Need to Know

CBD tinctures are the most commonly used CBD products. Tinctures provide a quick and easy alternative to methods to consuming CBD (cannabidiol) such as vaping and edibles.  If you’re brand new to CBD, we suggest reading our Beginner’s Guide to CBD.

Tinctures have an extensive history in herbalism and Western medicine, which makes CBD tinctures very promising. There are some important things to know about tinctures before you can start enjoying the full range of their benefits. In this article, we’ll dig deeper into what exactly is a tincture, as well as how to use them to optimum effect.

What are Tinctures?

Most people associate the word tincture with the little bottles of oil that contain a squeeze dropper, but the definition of a tincture is actually any solution that consists of a plant or animal extract which is dissolved or diluted in some kind of solvent.  The solvent breaks down the plant’s cell wall, releasing the active chemical compounds into the solution.

As with any herbal or essential oil tincture, there is also a carrier oil. A carrier oil acts as the delivery vehicle for the active compound. Carrier oils also dilute and preserve the highly concentrated compound and make them easier to absorb due to their fat content. Common carrier oils for CBD include MCT oil, olive oil, grape seed oil or hemp seed oil.

Tinctures have actually been in use for thousands of years. Their first recorded use was with the Ancient Egyptians, and they were a staple of Western medicine throughout the last 8 centuries. Tinctures were gradually replaced by pills, but they have seen a resurgence lately due to an increased awareness of herbalism and its many benefits.

How to Use CBD Tinctures

Tinctures are very easy to use and require no extra equipment beyond the bottle and dropper. To apply a dose, simply squeeze the dropper while submerged in the oil and fill to the desired level.  Then drop the amount of CBD drops under the tongue. It is recommended to hold the solution under your tongue for 60 seconds or more to maximize absorption. Some people swish the oil around the inner cheeks for additional absorption before swallowing.

How to Calculate and Measure Dosage

Determining dosage is a common challenge when starting a CBD regimen.  It will require some trial and error to find the optimal dose of CBD for you based on many different factors, which we’ve covered in a previous blog post.

We’ve also created a CBD dosage Calculator for a recommended daily starting point based on weight, condition and severity.  Every individual is different so it will inevitably require some expirementation to find your sweet spot.

To calculate how much CBD to consume with a CBD tincture, you must note the total CBD content (mg) in the bottle and the number of serving. For example, if your tincture has 1000 mg of CBD, and there are 30 servings (1 full dropper), then one dropper contains about 33mg.  Some companies suggest counting CBD drops in order to measure dosage, but we’ve created a simple diagram to calculate the various dropper amounts or each of our tinctures.

Again, when trying to figure out just how much CBD you should take, it will require some trial and error. We suggest starting with a low dose (10-15 mg of CBD) and see how you react. You can slowly increase the dose over the next few days to find the most effective dose for you and your goals.

Why Sublingual CBD Application is Effective

One of the main advantages of using tinctures is the ability to get a quick, effective dose of cannabidiol simply by applying the oil under your tongue. This method is a convenient and non-intrusive way to take your daily CBD dose, and typically only takes minutes to take effect. There are thin mucous membranes beneath the tongue that will quickly absorb any chemicals they come into contact with, and directly enter them into the bloodstream. As a result, sublingual administration is a much more efficient route as opposed to normal oral ingestion.

Using CBD Tinctures with Food/Beverages

CBD oil from tincture can also be easily applied to your favorite foods and beverages if you don’t like its taste, but this approach does come with some drawbacks. For one, CBD drops applied onto food or beverages will take longer for your body to absorb the CBD. Furthermore, oral ingestion lowers CBD’s bioavailability as it must be processed through the digestive system, meaning that a decreased amount of CBD will actually end up in your system.

How to Store CBD Tinctures

Tinctures have an incredibly long shelf life, so long as they are stored in dark ultraviolet-protective bottles and kept away from heat and light.

Although tinctures do not need to be refrigerated, they should be kept away from heat in a “cool” environment (ideally 60-70 degrees) to avoid degrading the cannabinoids as well as to maintain the viscosity of the oil.

Dark or opaque tincture bottles offer increased protection to light, and storing them in a dark place helps maximize their shelf life. All Tessera Naturals CBD Tinctures products are packaged in dark amber glass bottles for added protection.

In addition, most CBD tinctures will require an extra bit of care since they often contain a non-alcoholic solvent. Without the preservation that alcohol provides, tinctures have an increased risk of growing mold. To avoid this, make sure not to contaminate the bottle by touching the dropper with the mouth or any other surface.

Make Sure You’re Using a Quality CBD Tincture!

When selecting a CBD tincture, it’s important to recognize the distinction between actual CBD oil and other “hemp oil” or hemp seed oil. Although they both come from the same plant, hemp seed oil lacks the many cannabinoids that provide a range of therapeutic effects. Hemp seed oil is particularly rich in omega fatty acids, but it won’t have much of an effect if used as a tincture for healing or therapeutic properties.

NOTE: The CBD oil products on Amazon are mostly likely hemp seed oil and do not contain any CBD at all.

Also, make sure you understand the amount of THC in the product and look for either full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD to get the maximum benefit of the entourage effect.

Lastly, make sure you are vetting the products you are buying to make sure they contain the best, high quality CBD oil, from organically grown hemp, and do not contain harsh chemicals or solvents.  Review Certificate of Analysis (COA’s) to make sure you verify what’s in the bottle.

Tessera Naturals is committed to offering the highest quality premium grade Broad Spectrum CBD products on the market.  Made from USA organically grown non-GMO hemp, using a solvent free extraction process, Tessera Naturals maintains a pure whole plant profile with 0% THC.  All products are 3rd party tested for safety and potency.

Key Takeaways

• Tinctures include any solution that consists of an extract dissolved or diluted in alcohol/solvent and are contained in a carrier oil.
• CBD Tinctures are best used to transfer CBD oil directly under the tongue for maximum absorption.
• Using tinctures with food and drink is perfectly fine, but it’s more effective to apply the dose sublingually.
• Calculate dosage of tinctures by noting the total CBD content in the bottle, divided by the number of servings.
• Store tinctures in a cool, dark place for maximum shelf life.
• Make sure you are purchasing high quality CBD tinctures from a reputable source.