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How to Make Homemade CBD Oil

27/08/2024 Blog, Strains and Growing

The homemade production of CBD oil is deeply rooted in the history of the use of cannabis as a medicine or therapy. Over the centuries, various civilizations have employed quite basic methods to extract the beneficial compounds of the cannabis plant, taking advantage of its medicinal properties.

From traditional infusions to more modern techniques like solvent distillation, the process has significantly evolved. Nowadays, making CBD oil at home remains a combination of traditional methods adapted to modern scientific understanding, allowing enthusiasts to explore and personalize their therapeutic blends with precision and safety.

As time went by, the ways of consuming cannabis have changed. Initially, more than 2,500 years ago in ancient China, it was consumed as a ritual by burning it in wooden braziers. This practice changed over the years as the different varieties of cannabis, their uses, and their benefits began to spread.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most well-known and important cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. CBD is characterized by its lack of significant psychoactive effects and is a great ally in certain therapeutic treatments of natural origin.

CBD oil is obtained from cannabis strains with low THC content and high CBD content, or from hemp, which refers to cannabis strains with very low THC content typically used for industrial purposes. This elixir has been used in a variety of products such as oils, tinctures, capsules, creams, and more, and has been studied for its potential to relieve pain, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and treat a range of medical conditions.

However, it is important to highlight that research on CBD applications is still ongoing, and its effectiveness and safety may vary depending on the product, concentration, and dosage, while it also usually varies from person to person. Before using CBD oil for therapeutic purposes, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

At Sweet Seeds®, we would like to take this opportunity to explain how to make CBD oil. Pay attention, take notes, and let’s get to work!

Advantages of Producing Your Own CBD Oil

Advantages of producing your own CBD oil

First of all, this oil is one of the most popular ways to consume CBD. If it’s difficult for you to find it or if you prefer to ensure and be totally aware of the process and ingredients in the CBD oil that you consume, making it at home is the best option.

With just a few CBD-rich cannabis flowers, such as those from the strains in this family, and a few simple ingredients, you can create a high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil yourself. Let’s take a look at the advantages of making your own CBD oil at home:

  • You have total control over quality: By producing your own CBD oil, you know the origin of every ingredient and how they were mixed to get to the final product. You can use your own plants, ensuring that no harmful chemicals or pesticides that could affect your health were used in any part of the production process.
  • Specific strains: You can choose the CBD-rich strain that suits your preferences or specific needs. Make sure to select strains that align best with the symptoms you want to address. Here, you can access all our CBD-rich strains.
  • Ingredients: Not only will you have control over their quality, but you’ll also be certain of the true content of your CBD oil. Many commercial oils contain added ingredients, such as sugar, which are often contraindicated for many patients. By making it yourself, you can avoid any unwanted ingredients and get a clean product that fits your needs perfectly.

How to Make CBD Oil at Home

For those who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes, CBD oil is an excellent alternative. Making it at home allows you to choose your favourite plant: the one that best suits your needs and preferences. You can select a strain with more or less THC or CBD content or one with the combination of terpenes that you enjoy most from the flowers you have harvested.

Below, we detail a simple method on how to make CBD oil:

  • Crush the buds and place them in a glass container.
  • Add extra virgin olive oil until the crushed buds are fully covered.
  • Heat the mixture by placing the container in a double boiler (over boiling water) for two hours.
  • Let it sit for three days, stirring occasionally.
  • Strain the oil and pour it into a sterilized jar. Store it in a dark place.

Other Preparation Methods

how to make CBD oil

When preparing CBD oil, the first step is to carefully select the cannabis strain that you are going to use. Keep in ming that all strains differ in their CBD and THC content. When selecting your strain, make sure to choose a plant with the highest CBD content possible, such as the Pure CBD strains available in our catalog.

Using Alcohol

CBD oil made with alcohol has the advantage of allowing for the extraction of a greater number of compounds.

Ingredients:

  • 30 grams of ground buds or 60–100 grams of dried, ground trim
  • High-proof, food-grade ethyl alcohol

Materials:

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking tray
  • Grinder
  • Fine strainer or cheesecloth
  • Container to collect the liquid
  • Double boiler (two pots stacked, with space between them)
  • Wooden spoon, spatula, and funnel
  • Plastic syringe

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 110°C. Grind the buds into a fine consistency. Spread them on a baking tray. Place the tray in the preheated oven for 1 hour. This is the process of decarboxylation of the plant material. During decarboxylation, inactive CBD will convert into active CBD. Terpenes will suffer less volatilization at this temperature, while cannabinoids and flavonoids will be preserved due to the gentle heat and cooking time.
  • Place the decarboxylated buds into a bowl and add enough alcohol to completely submerge them. Stir with the wooden spoon for 5–10 minutes. During this step, the alcohol will extract the CBD and terpenes, along with all the other cannabinoids and flavonoids.
  • Filter the mixture into a container using a fine strainer or cheesecloth. You’ll notice the alcohol has a dark green color. Repeat the previous step several times using fresh alcohol to maximize the extraction of the buds, until you achieve an extract as clear as possible.
  • Stir the extract for 15–20 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate. The mixture will become very viscous.
  • Important: Perform this step away from any open flame and ideally in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. As alcohol evaporates, it releases highly flammable vapors, posing a significant fire risk.
  • Once all the alcohol has evaporated, you’ll have a thick, tar-like extract. While it is still warm, transfer it into one or more syringes for storage or administration.

Using Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are vegetable oils extracted from plants. The advantage of preparing CBD oil with these so-called carrier oils is that they improve the absorption of CBD in the intestines.

Depending on the quantities and the type of carrier oil used, it can also provide additional health benefits.

Ingredients

  • 28 g of cannabis flowers (preferably fresh)
  • 450 g of carrier oil (we recommend hemp, coconut, olive, or any edible vegetable oil).

Materials

  • Double boiler
  • Baking tray
  • Grinder
  • Cheesecloth, coffee filter, or similar
  • Funnel
  • Glass jar with lid

Instructions

  • Use the grinder to break the cannabis flowers into small, uniform pieces without turning them into powder.
  • Spread the ground flowers on a baking tray and place them in the oven, preheated to 110°C, for 1 hour to perform decarboxylation. The flowers will become crispy and slightly brown.
  • Proceed with the extraction process. Using the double boiler, place the flowers and the oil in the upper section, while adding a bit of water to the lower section. Heat on low for 2 to 3 hours. It’s crucial that the mixture does not exceed 120°C to prevent terpene evaporation. You’ll obtain a product with a color ranging from green to brown.
  • Place the filter over the opening of a glass jar with an airtight lid, and pour the mixture from the pot into the jar. Squeeze the filtered cannabis to extract as much oil as possible. Discard the flower remnants.
  • Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dry place. Your CBD oil is ready!

Methods of Consuming Cannabis Oil

CBD-rich cannabis can be consumed by smoking or vaporizing. It can also be used in infusions with dairy or powdered soy lecithin, incorporated into recipes, or as an oil.

If you choose to consume CBD in the form of oil, you can ingest it by placing it under your tongue. Alternatively, you can use it in cooking, for example, as a salad dressing.

Key Points About CBD Oil

CBD oil is an excellent alternative for those who want to benefit from its therapeutic effects while avoiding the negative effects of the combustion associated with smoking medicinal cannabis.

Making your own oil at home is an easy and effective option. If you follow our instructions on how to make CBD oil, it will be a completely safe product and the most adequate for your specific user profile.

At Sweet Seeds®,  we have been experts in cannabis for over 20 years, specializing in the development of high-quality genetics with maximum yields. Our goal is to always fill your collection with the best options.

Check out our complete catalog, which includes all our CBD-rich strains, and see for yourself. Get your favorite strain to ensure you have The Sweetest Experience.

Sweet Seeds S.L. is not responsible for any misuse of the information provided in this article. Growing Cannabis may constitute a criminal offense or administrative infraction; please check the Cannabis legislation applicable in your place of residence. Sweet Seeds S.L. does not, under any circumstances, intend to promote illegal practice