How to Use CBD Tinctures

CBD tinctures have such an extensive list of potential health benefits, you might think they'd be complicated to use. The truth couldn't be more different!

Key Takeaways

• CBD tinctures are made by soaking hemp plants in alcohol, which draws out the compounds in the plants and concentrates them.
• That separates them from CBD oils, which are made by a very different process.
• CBD tinctures have various potential health benefits, from easing anxiety to soothing pain and more.
• The most common way to take CBD tinctures is by placing a drop under your tongue.
• We offer multiple types and sizes of CBD tincture on our website and in our dispensary in Avon, Ohio.

See Related: Does THC Percentage Really Matter?

What Are CBD Tinctures?

When it comes to CBD products, few things sound more like they belong in an apothecary than CBD tinctures.

Tinctures have been used for thousands of years to treat all kinds of ailments. Simply put, a tincture is a concentrated herbal extract. 

They're all made the same way. You select your herbs and soak them in alcohol or vinegar. The liquid draws out plant compounds from the herbs.

What you're left with is a concentrated extract containing lots of those compounds. That lets you consume these compounds in high quantities — quantities that would be impractical or impossible if you were to try and, say, eat the herbs raw.

This is the principle behind CBD tinctures. Hemp, just like any other herb, is soaked in alcohol. The alcohol draws out the compounds in the hemp — cannabinoids, terpenes, and so on — and concentrates them.

CBD Tinctures vs. CBD Oil 

CBD tinctures and CBD oil drops (and even THC oil!) are often confused, but the two are very different. 

CBD oil is manufactured very differently from CBD tinctures. Where tinctures involve a simple soak of the hemp plant, CBD oil is created using supercritical fluid extraction. The extracted CBD oil is then mixed with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or olive oil. 

On the one hand, CBD oils might taste a little better than tinctures. The alcohol used in the creation of CBD tinctures can leave it with a somewhat bitter taste.

Additionally, one study from 2023 found that CBD tinctures were less likely than CBD oils to contain the CBD content advertised on the label.

On the other hand, taking CBD oils can involve a longer wait time before feeling the effects. That's because CBD oils are usually taken orally, and therefore have to be absorbed by the digestive system. 

Also, research suggests that tinctures have higher levels of plant compounds than extracts using water

Potential Health Benefits of CBD Tinctures

CBD is thought to have various health benefits. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a complex network of receptors that influence many crucial bodily processes.

As such, CBD is thought to help with the following:

• Pain: Almost two-thirds of people using CBD do so to manage pain. And in one study from 2019, over 90% of people said CBD helped reduce their chronic pain. 
• Stress: CBD is thought to help calm anxiety.
• Inflammation: Research suggests CBD has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Cell Damage: One study from 2024 found that CBD prevented oxidative stress.
• Joint Pain: CBD's potential ability to reduce pain and inflammation makes it a possible solution for joint pain.

Bonus: The Complete Guide to Taking CBD for Sleep

Potential Side Effects

All CBD products have the potential to cause side effects. 

Possible side effects of CBD tinctures include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Appetite changes
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Mood shifts

These aside, research has repeatedly demonstrated the safety of CBD. A review in 2017 confirmed that CBD has a favorable safety profile in humans. 

Choosing the Best CBD Tinctures

CBD tinctures might be a little less commonly used than CBD oils, but that doesn't mean you won't be spoiled for choice. 

When it comes to choosing a tincture, there are a few things you should consider.

Type of CBD

There are two common types of CBD available in tincture form.

The first, full-spectrum CBD, includes all the natural compounds found in hemp plants. That means CBD, but also the hundred-plus other cannabinoids that occur in hemp — including THC. 

Legally, hemp plants — and hemp-derived CBD products — must contain less than 0.3% THC. However, that's still enough to potentially cause a positive drug test.

The presence of THC can boost the efficacy of CBD through a process called the entourage effect. However, if you're worried that even tiny amounts of THC are no good, there's another option.

That's broad-spectrum CBD. This formulation still includes many of the natural compounds. However, it's been put through a process to remove the THC. 

We offer both Broad-Spectrum and Full-Spectrum CBD tinctures, so you can choose which you prefer! 

Flavor

As we mentioned, CBD tinctures can have a somewhat bitter taste due to the manufacturing process.

Now, you might not mind this. Plenty of people actually prefer the natural flavor of CBD tinctures. And flavorings can sometimes add unwanted chemical compounds to an otherwise simple product.

That's why we stick to the natural flavor in our tinctures.

But if you simply can't stand the taste (which is almost always negligible), look for a flavored tincture. Alternatively, try mixing your tincture with some flavoring of your own.

Strength

The amount of CBD you want can vary depending on all kinds of factors, from the reason you're taking it, to your specific body composition and metabolism, to your experience with CBD.

We offer a few different sizes. Grab our 900mg tincture bottle if you want smaller doses, or opt for the 3000mg bottle for a more hefty dose. 

Quality

It almost goes without saying that the quality of CBD is absolutely vital. But we'll say it anyway!

Quality begins with the hemp that is used to make the CBD tincture. Also important is the manufacturing process and a producer's commitment to using strict third-party testing to ensure everything is up to scratch.

And all of our hemp-derived products, including CBD tinctures, are tested by an accredited third-party lab. You can check this for yourself by scanning the QR code that comes with every product.

How to Take CBD Tinctures

Taking CBD tinctures is simple.

The most common method is to place a drop under your tongue. That's it!

The CBD tincture will be absorbed by the blood vessels in your mouth. That's why CBD tinctures are often faster acting than CBD oil, which has to go through your digestive system first.

Of course, you don't have to take your tincture this way. Do so however feels best for you.

Where to Get CBD Tinctures

Remember to stick to accredited, reputable manufacturers. You can order CBD tinctures online from our website or visit us in person at our dispensary in Avon, Ohio.

We look forward to seeing you!

Conclusion

CBD tinctures are a quick, easy way to get all the goodness of CBD. Using them is simple: a drop under the tongue, and you'll be feeling the effects in as little as 15 minutes.

Keep Reading: How To Make Pot Brownies At Home

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Clean Remedies is a woman-owned, independent family business that uses clean and natural hemp extract to create products that are free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, and made in the USA, meant to benefit your well-being and meet our own high standards of efficacy. For CBD facts, product discounts, and more, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.