CBD has taken over much of the world these days. From a small health food product or something relegated to smoke shops, CBD has exploded in popularity and can be found just about everywhere now. From the convenience store on the corner to the big-name grocery stores. CBD is on the shelves and does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. On top of that, there are a huge variety of products forming a wide range of topicals, edibles, and other consumables. Just about everything is infused with CBD these days. Meaning that good old hemp oil is just as popular as it ever was but in fact, continues to surge in popularity every day. Read on to find out more about hemp oil and what to look for when buying hemp oil either for yourself or your business.
What is Hemp Oil?
Sometimes the words CBD oil and hemp oil can be used interchangeably. However, hemp oil often refers to the oil that is extracted from the hemp seeds using a cold-pressed technique. More often this type of oil will be designated as hemp seed oil to denote its origin and the difference. While this oil is highly beneficial and full of plenty of healthful unsaturated fats it does not contain any CBD. CBD itself has to be extracted from the hemp plant and company’s will usually designate this as CBD oil or CBD hemp oil. This is the one that has gained a ton of popularity these past few years with users reporting it to help everything from anxiety and depression to more serious ailments such as cancer. When looking for hemp oil, be sure to look out for the difference. Some companies will try and pass off hemp seed oil as a CBD hemp oil so be sure to check the label and do not be afraid to ask. To be 100% certain ask to see a lab report that will give the CBD content as well as other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes.
How Is CBD Hemp Oil Extracted?
CBD hemp oil is produced using one of the three main methods. They are solvent extraction, steam distillation, and CO2 supercritical extraction. Each method has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages such as cost, the raw materials needed, and overall quality of the final product. Even so, CO2 supercritical extraction is considered the crown jewel of CBD extraction methods and leads to a superior final product. This method uses carbon dioxide under high heat and pressure that is mixed with the raw CBD biomass. The CO2 extracts the CBD in addition to all the other compounds present in the hemp plant. In the final step, the CO2 is evaporated off, leaving behind a very high-quality CBD crude oil that is extremely potent and free from toxic residues that can be left behind from other methods. However, this method can be expensive when compared to more cost-effective methods such as solvent extraction and steam distillation. When looking for a manufacturer for your CBD hemp oil it is best to find out what extraction methods they use. Different methods ultimately lead to differing qualities of the finished product. If you are looking for the best go with a company that uses the CO2 supercritical extraction method.
Other Things to Consider
When buying CBD hemp oil it is important to check on the practices of the companies you are considering purchasing from. For example, a company that is GMP (good manufacturing practices) certified will produce a higher quality product. This certification is issued to companies that meet the requirements from the issuing authority covers aspects such as the facility, equipment, and starting materials to the training and personal hygiene of employees. Another one to look out for is the use of organic practices. This certification ensures that plants are grown using organic practices and that the CBD hemp oil is manufactured in a facility that uses organic procedures. Others to look out for would be Non-GMO, pesticide-free, and vegan certifications. All of these can be an indicator that the final product will be free of toxins and made with natural ingredients. When looking for a CBD hemp oil manufacturer generally the more of these certifications they have the higher quality the final product will be. As with anything do not be afraid to ask the company before purchasing a product from them.
Where to Buy CBD Hemp Oil?
Whether buying CBD hemp oil for yourself or to start your own business with homemade CBD infused products be sure to consider the above. If ever in doubt, ask to see the lab reports or the COA as these can reveal what is in the oil and the exact percentage of each compound. If a company does not offer their lab reports either on their website or through request, then this should send up a huge red flag. CBD hemp oil manufacturers that have very little transparency should be thoroughly researched. If companies do not answer the questions or meet the standards set forth here, then it is best to look elsewhere. The same rules apply when you are searching for a CBD white label or private label provider. Quality is everything especially when your brand is on the label.