Hemp oil is a broad term that includes a few all-natural plant oils. Prior to the 2018 Farm Bill, many brands used the general term to describe CBD oil discreetly. The hemp cannabinoid was still in the law’s gray areas before the president signed the historic legislation into law in December 2018.
Before 2019 companies had to import hemp from outside the U.S. to extract the compounds from the stalk, stems, and leaves. Many brands are still labeling products as hemp oil. But most labels, like ours, clearly list each product as CBD and provide the full details of the formula.
We want you to be 100% confident when you purchase CBD oil and other hemp plant extracts. The different formulas, blends, potencies, and cannabinoid products hitting the market are confusing. Here is your guide to everything you need to know about hemp oil.
In the beginning, there was only a full-spectrum CBD oil. It contained all 545 naturally occurring compounds from the hemp plant, including 0.3% THC. Passing the 2018 Farm Bill brought many changes to the industry. Different extraction techniques let brands experiment and develop different formulas to appeal to a broader customer base.
As discussed earlier, hemp oil is a generic term for the popular and federally legal plant extract. When you see it listed on a label, you need to check a little further to make sure you’re getting a phytocannabinoid-rich product.
Below are the differences between the various terms you may see when shopping for CBD oil.
Hemp oil may refer to any of the extracts below. Always read the label before purchasing an unknown product.
Hemp seed oil is very nutritious. But it doesn’t contain any cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids. It’s made by pressing the seeds from male hemp plants together. The oil is rich in essential fatty acids, high in fiber, and an excellent source of nutrition.
CBD oil is a full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate containing a carrier oil and other phytochemicals from the hemp plant. CBD oil can have additional ingredients to improve the taste and benefits. The most common include melatonin and all-natural flavoring.
Phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil can include CBD or any extract containing cannabinoids.
A full-spectrum CBD oil, sometimes referred to as a whole plant extract, is exactly how it sounds. The formula contains all the compounds in the hemp plant, including 0.3% THC.
The broad-spectrum CBD blend is nearly identical to a full-spectrum formula with one exception—The extraction process removes all traces of THC.
Similar to the explanation of the full-spectrum oil, an isolate is only CBD. It’s 99.9% pure CBD, which is also odorless and tasteless. An isolate available to purchase as a crystalline powder or infused in MCT oil.
CBD, terpenes, and the other plant compounds go through an extraction process to separate the plant matter. There are a few ways to remove the phytochemicals. Below are the most common methods.
Ethanol extraction uses high-grain alcohol to strip the plant compounds from hemp. It’s less expensive than CO2 and quicker. The process removes more of the delicate compounds than C02, reducing the benefits. The FDA considers ethanol a safe method for extracting CBD and the remaining phytochemicals. Third-party testing is necessary to verify the products are free from residual solvents.
This process involves exposing hemp to low temperature CO2 gas and high pressure to extract the cannabinoids. This method is considered the gold standard in the industry. However, it is expensive, and the process is slower than ethanol.
Olive oil is excellent for small batches of CBD. It’s low-cost, simple, and effective. Besides the advantages of CBD, olive oil has its own set of benefits, such as supporting a healthy immune system and fighting inflammation. The process involves heating the hemp together with olive oil in order to extract the cannabinoids. This method is slower than the other ways to remove hemp’s compounds from the plant matter.
These solvents can remove the hemp quickly and at a much lower cost than CO2 and ethanol. But the savings aren’t worth the potential dangers. This method can leave behind residual solvents. Additionally, it destroys most of the minor cannabinoids and terpenes.
CBD is an amazing compound, as are the other 544 compounds derived from the hemp plant. Many consumers use it to improve their overall well-being. Some specific benefits include:
These are only a few of the advantages of CBD. As more research is available, scientists will be able to pin down more ways the hemp compound interacts with the endocannabinoid system to improve wellness.
Are There Side effects of CBD?
Yes. CBD products may cause mild adverse responses for some consumers. The most common include nausea, irritability, and sleepiness. These are often resolved by lowering the dose by increasing the potency. For example, instead of two 25mg gummies at night, take one 50mg.
Dosing information is a common question. However, it’s not a simple answer. How much you should take depends on why you’re using CBD and the product type. Most brands recommend a starting dose of 10mg to 25mg. Consumers should slowly increase from the lowest amount until they find the right dosage to fit their needs.
Thanks to the 2018 update to the Farm Bill, it’s easy to find CBD oil. However, it’s essential to pay close attention to the products you purchase. The hemp industry doesn’t have any government oversight or national testing standards. To buy CBD extracts safely, only purchase hemp oil from a company you trust.
If you don’t have a regular brand, there are a few steps you can take to buy safe, effective, high-quality CBD oil.
American Hemp Oil only uses U.S.A. grown hemp grown, and all processing is complete in the country. We use a safe extraction process that doesn’t leave behind residual solvents. Customers can check our certificates of analysis for each product on the American Hemp Oil website. Choose American Hemp Oil CBD extracts, gummies, capsules, and topicals to add to your daily wellness plan today!
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