How Is CBD Oil Made?

 

What Is CBD Oil?

In recent months, CBD oil has been taking the world by storm. CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol, which comes from the hemp plant. There are water-soluble CBD oil solutions, topical CBD creams, vape products, and more. There are even CBD-infused foods. This guide will explain what CBD is and cover the methods of extraction to make oil.

 

Where CBD Oil Comes From

CBD is an active substance in the hemp plant, and hemp is a type of cannabis. Although marijuana is also cannabis, it contains higher amounts of THC. Also called the 2018 Farm Bill, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 removed hemp from the list of controlled substances. Prior to that, cannabis plants were considered Schedule I substances and controlled by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Hemp is cannabis containing 0.3% or less THC. In heavier concentrations, THC is what produces a high feeling. Since CBD comes from low-THC hemp and goes through additional processing, it does not produce a psychoactive effect. However, many people prefer hemp because they say it shares some of the same therapeutic benefits. How is CBD oil made from hemp? The answer is through extraction.

 

A Look at the Different CBD Oil Extraction Methods

How is CBD hemp oil made? There are multiple extraction and processing methods. The chosen technique depends on the preferences of the provider and the purpose of the extracted product. These are the main methods.

CO2 Extraction

This is the most common method of extraction, and there are three techniques. They include supercritical, mid-critical and subcritical. CO2 extraction is cleaner, does not involve harmful chemicals and allows a better understanding of the compounds of the plant. Supercritical CO2 extraction is the most common technique. It is also the ideal method for preserving terpenes from cannabis. When performed correctly, the method yields an extraction completeness rate of 90% to 95%. The only disadvantage is that the process requires expensive equipment.

How is CBD oil made through supercritical extraction? In this technique, carbon dioxide separates CBD oil from the cannabis plant. Using pumps and chambers with pressure, extractors expose the CO2 to low and high temperatures. The hemp and CO2 are in separate chambers, and the CO2 is pumped into the hemp chamber. It causes the hemp to break down, which helps the oil separate from the plant. The mixture goes into a third chamber, gas evaporates and the result is a high-concentration CBD oil.

Steam Distillation

This technique has actually been used for hundreds of years to extract essential oils. It does not involve toxic chlorophyll or residue. With steam distillation, hemp is placed in a glass container. There is an inlet that is connected to another container, which has boiling water. Also, there is an outlet that is connected to a condenser tube. When the steam is released from the boiling water, it extracts oil vapors from the plant. Those vapors are condensed and distilled to produce CBD oil.

Although this method is reliable and less expensive than CO2 extraction, it is not as efficient. It requires more hemp, and it is harder to measure CBD concentration accurately. Additionally, the extract can easily be damaged if the steam is too hot, and this can significantly alter the cannabinoid content. Since hemp has a high oil content, extraction methods with lower heat are better.

Winterization

Winterization is a processing method that take place after initial extraction of crude oil. Its purpose is to remove lipids and waxes. If they are not removed, the extracted CBD oil may taste unpleasant and have an unattractive appearance. Winterization involves mixing the crude oil with alcohol, which thins the oil. After that, the mixture is placed in a sub-zero freezer. It goes through a filtration process after that, and the frozen waxes and fats separate from the oil. They are then removed.

The process takes time, and it can remove some of the terpenes. This may cause the CBD to be less flavorful or aromatic. However, it may make it more potent. Critics of this method say that some terpenes are beneficial for certain health benefits, and they prefer to preserve more terpenes through CO2 extraction.

Hydrocarbon Solvent Extraction

The solvent extraction process works like the steam distillation process. Instead of boiling water, it involves solvent. Like CO2 extraction, solvent extraction is more efficient than distillation. However, it is less expensive than CO2 extraction. The main disadvantage is that there are chemicals involved. They may include petroleum, propane, naphtha or butane. If the manufacturer is not careful to completely remove all residue during the process, the product can create a cancer risk.

Natural Solvent Extraction

This process is mostly the same as the hydrocarbon solvent extraction process, and the difference is the type of solvent. In contrast to the hydrocarbon-based process, this method uses ethanol, olive oil or other natural solvents. Those solvents are just as effective as hydrocarbon solvents. However, they remove the toxicity risks. With ethanol, there is still a risk of extracting chlorophyll as well, which can create an unpleasant taste in consumable CBD oil products. It may not be an issue with lotions or topical solutions.

 

Buy High-Quality Hemp CBD Oil From a Reputable Manufacturer

So, how is hemp made without THC? With our special purification process to remove any THC or contaminants, buyers have the assurance that they receive quality CBD oil. At Sabaidee, quality is our mission. This is why we share every bit of information about where and how our hemp is cultivated, how our CBD is extracted, and how we make our products. Every product is tested in a lab to ensure top quality, purity and consistency.

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