Naturally, whenever we talk about a CBD
product, we’re focusing on the hemp in the product: how many
milligrams of cannabidiol are in the formula, the specific hemp compounds used,
and how the hemp plant material was grown.
But, it’s time to expand and look at other ingredients
used on the CBD market, because many of these ingredients add even more value
to the capabilities of the product. A
common category of ingredients used by hemp-based manufacturers/companies is essential
oils, which have been valued for thousands of years because of the
properties that they contain.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are the pure extracted oils taken from
raw plant material. Produced using
various methods including cold-pressing and steam distillation, their aim is to
concentrate the active desirable compounds of the plant, which is the same goal
when we make hemp extract.
What Do Essential Oils Bring to CBD Products?
Essential oils get their properties from the terpenes
that they contain. Many people believe
that terpenes are unique to the hemp plant, but terpenes are, in fact,
compounds present in all plant life.
Their aim in nature is to protect plants from disease and predators, and
they provide plants with their flavor and aroma. When we extract them from the plants, we get
to explore their value to the human body, as terpenes are rich in desirable
properties – after all, there’s a reason why we prioritize the terpenes of the
hemp plant.
Each terpene in an essential oil has its own
distinctive properties. Some are great
for inflammation, and others can offer some value to one’s mood. What this means is that different essential
oils that are added to a CBD product can enhance the properties of the product
in different ways. For instance, adding
lavender to a CBD tincture can give us the properties of linalool, the leading
terpene in lavender that’s known for its remarkable soothing effects.
It makes sense that essential oils are commonly added
to hemp products – they offer the same holistic value to the body as CBD
itself. Essential oils, like the hemp
plant, are completely natural and gentle, offering systemic properties that can
improve the way that we feel.
CBD Products That Contain Essential Oils
Not all CBD-based products contain essential oils,
because essential oils can only be absorbed into the body through specific
means. Some essential oils should never
be inhaled into the body directly in the form of vapor or smoke, and some
should never be orally consumed, like tea tree.
That being said, the most common CBD products that contain essential
oils are topicals and tinctures, which both allow for the essential oils to
work their way into the bodily system in a gentle manner.
Most Commonly Used Essential Oils Used in Hemp Formulas
While companies can work with hundreds of different
essential oils as they so choose, here are the ones that pop up the most on the
hemp market, and for good reason.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is an extremely valuable
essential oil that provides all kinds of useful properties to the body, so it’s
not surprising that you’ll often find it in CBD products. When added to topicals, it provides a cooling
sensation with its analgesic properties, making it a clear favorite. Can also be used to flavor tinctures as its
minty taste is irresistible.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is another essential oil you’ll often find
in topicals. Many people compare it to
peppermint, as it also provides a cooling analgesic effect when applied to the
skin, which can permeate the deep tissue just like peppermint. It’s also known for being particularly
invigorating to the senses and the mind.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil is rich in limonene, a terpene
also prominent in the hemp plant. Lemon
essential oil is known for its uplifting properties as well as its high levels
of vitamin C and antioxidants, while offering up anti-inflammatory properties.
Lavender
Lavender is an enormously useful essential oil that
can offer all kinds of desirable effects.
Aromatherapeutically, lavender essential oil is associated with a
calming sensation that many people find particularly helpful at bedtime. This comes mainly from its dominant terpene
linalool, which is also found in the hemp plant. Lavender essential oil is also a potent
anti-inflammatory, making it quite useful in topicals.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil is known for its anxiolytic,
anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, meaning that it’s great in
tinctures as well as in topicals for different reasons. Rosemary essential oil also enhances the
herbal taste and aroma of hemp in a way that many people enjoy.
Clove
Clove essential oil can be a powerful analgesic when
applied topically, due to its unique ability to provide a numbing sensation to
the skin and deep tissue. Therefore,
clove oil is commonly found in topicals, while adding an invigorating spicy
note to formulas.
Lemongrass
Many people find that lemongrass essential oil is calming,
but that’s not all that it can do. When
added to CBD topicals, lemongrass essential oil can offer anti-inflammatory
properties that sink deep into the muscles of the body.
Essential Oils and CBD: A Match Made in Blissful and Euphoric Heaven
Essential oils are yet another gift from mother
nature, complementing the compounds of the hemp plant perfectly while adding
additional useful terpenes to any CBD formula.
So, the next time you are scoping out that CBD tincture or CBD topical
solution, look to see if there are any essential oils in the product that can
elevate its capabilities with their extremely valuable effects.
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