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 plant-based oil that you can eat directly, use in cooking, or apply to the skin. You can also make homemade CBD-infused oil with it that you can use internally and externally.
To create your own CBD-infused coconut oil, you’ll need the following:
Ingredients
- 1 cup of coconut oil
- 1 cup of ground decarboxylated high-CBD hemp
Equipment
- double-boiler or slow cooker (alternatively, a stainless steel bowl and saucepan)
- cheesecloth or muslin
- mesh strainer
- glass jug
- sterilized storage container (preferably a glass jar with a lid)
- cooking thermometer
- spatula or spoon
It’s important to ensure that your hemp is decarboxylated (also known as “decarbed” or “cured”), not raw. Decarboxylation is a natural process that enables cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) — the acidic form of CBD — to convert to CBD.
While CBDA might potentially have medical benefits, it’s CBD that you want — so you need to ensure that your hemp is decarboxylated, especially if you grow it yourself.
You could get decarboxylated hemp from a dispensary, CBD shop, or a local grower. Ready-to-use CBD hemp is typically already decarboxylated.
When it comes to purchasing hemp flower, keep potency in mind. The higher the percentage of CBD in your hemp, the stronger your homemade CBD coconut oil will be.
- Make a makeshift double boiler by placing a stainless steel bowl on top of a saucepan. Add water to the saucepan — it should be about half full.
- Add the coconut oil to 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 the ground CBD hemp flower.
- Continue to heat the cannabis for around 60 minutes. Try to ensure that the oil does not get too hot, as this can denature the cannabinoids. If you have a thermometer, use it to ensure the temperature stays around 130°F (54°C) to 150°F (65°C).
- It’s time to strain the oil. Place the cheesecloth or muslin on your mesh strainer and slowly pour the oil through the strainer and into a glass jug. If desired, you can use a spatula or spoon to gently squeeze the muslin to allow more oil to filter through. You can use your hands to squeeze the cheesecloth, but remember that it’ll be hot!
- Pour the strained oil into your storage container. Ensure that the lid fits tightly.
It’s best to store your CBD oil in a cool, dark place. You can put it in the fridge or a cupboard.
Coconut oil doesn’t expire or turn sour over time. However, CBD might degrade. Many people who make CBD at home suggest using coconut-based CBD oil within 1 year.
Try to avoid contaminating your CBD oil. This means ensuring that you close the jar tightly and only use a clean, dry spoon to retrieve your CBD oil — no double-dipping!
People often combine CBD and coconut oil because CBD is a fat-soluble chemical. This means it binds with fat molecules during the infusion process. Infusing CBD hemp flower with water won’t work, as it needs to bind with fat to be effective.
Why coconut oil, specifically? 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 get other carrier oils for CBD, including olive oil and hempseed oil. You can use olive oil and hempseed oil topically and internally (in other words, you can put it on your skin or eat it).
CBD coconut oil is versatile. You can use it in the following ways:
- Eat it directly.
- Cook with it.
- Apply it topically to your skin and hair.
- Make other CBD-infused products with it, such as healing salves, bath bombs, and massage oils.
There are many potential benefits of CBD. People can use it to help 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 with a doctor or another healthcare professional beforehand.
CBD is safe and well-tolerated by humans, according to a
The possible side effects of CBD can include:
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
- changes in appetite and weight
Most of these side effects are temporary and mild. If you experience them, discontinue use.
It’s also important to note that CBD can interact with certain medications. This is because it might change the way your liver enzymes break down certain drugs. For this reason, experts highly recommend that you discuss using CBD with a doctor or another healthcare professional before you try 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 cannabis so that hemp was no longer considered illegal. It defined hemp as a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC.
Because of the Farm Bill, CBD products are legal as long as they’re derived from hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC.
The legality of cannabis is slightly more complex, as it changes from state to state. It’s important to check your state’s laws on cannabis, especially if you’re traveling with cannabis or hemp products.
Is CBD coconut oil safe to consume?
Yes. Experts consider CBD and coconut oil safe to consume.
What should you look for when buying a CBD product?
The
Because of this, the responsibility falls on the consumer to ensure that they purchase legitimate products.
Some CBD products contain harmful contaminants. The FDA even sends
When purchasing CBD products, it’s best to do the following:
- Opt for third-party tested products: In other words, an independent lab has verified its contents. The lab report should be public — and yes, definitely read them yourself!
- Only purchase products from reputable companies: Before buying from a new company, check them out. Do they have positive reviews on third-party sites? Have they received warning letters from the FDA for selling dodgy products?
- Read the ingredients lists: It’s easy to get caught up in the CBD side of things, but pay attention to the other ingredients. Make sure you don’t accidentally use products that contain ingredients you’re trying to avoid.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to test products out. It might be beneficial to purchase a smaller sample before buying CBD products in bulk.
Remember to give the CBD time to work — you might not experience immediate relief, but that doesn’t mean the product isn’t legitimate. Read about why CBD might not be working for you.
How long does homemade CBD coconut oil last?
If it’s put into a sterilized jar and is free of contaminants, it could last up to a year.
Can you buy a premade CBD coconut oil?
Yes! If making homemade CBD coconut oil seems too time-consuming, you can purchase premade CBD coconut oil from many reputable companies.
Many CBD oils are coconut-based. You can also buy larger pots of premade 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 food, or apply it to your skin and hair.
Before you use CBD products, it’s important to educate yourself on the potential risks and side effects. It’s always best to speak with 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’s passionate about empowering readers to take care of their mental and physical health through science-based, empathetically delivered information.
