How is CBD Oil Made?
There are more than 100 different chemical compounds in hemp and cannabis plants - one of the most prolific of which being CBD. Likewise, there are many different ways of extracting CBD from cannabis plants, resulting in end products of varying quality and purity.
The two most common extraction methods (considered the ‘gold standard’ for CBD oil extraction) are supercritical CO2 extraction and steam distillation. Both of which have their own unique points of appeal and are suitable for the manufacture of high-quality CBD products.
Supercritical CO2 Extraction
The most effective CBD oil extraction method by far is supercritical CO2 extraction. It’s a complex and time-consuming technique, which gaseous CO2 is chilled to -56C and pressurized to become a fluid. After this it is re-heated and pressurised to become supercritical – a state in which it maintains a liquid like density but can fill space like a gas. The supercritical CO2 can pass through the raw plant material dissolving the membranes and drawing the terpenes, cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds out of the plant matter. Nothing is destroyed in the process, resulting in the production of full-spectrum CBD oil of the highest quality and purity.
Full-spectrum CBD oil is also acclaimed for what’s known as the ‘entourage effect’ - the combination of ALL of the plant’s compounds and components working together. Along with the CBD itself, the terpenes, flavonoids and other key compounds in the plant are preserved using the CO2 extraction process.
Supercritical CO2 extraction is the most expensive CBD oil extraction method, used to create high-potency, full-spectrum CBD products of the highest quality and value.
Steam Distillation
The steam distillation process can also be highly efficient, using super-heated steam to separate the CBD oil from the plant material. Again, no solvents are needed to extract CBD oil using steam, making it a safe and trusted extraction method worldwide.
Distillation is a more cost-effective extraction method than supercritical CO2, suitable for the manufacture of products where CBD content is the priority. Steam-extracted CBD oil typically has a lower terpene and flavonoid content than CO2-extracted CBD oil, but can nonetheless be of high quality and potency.
Steam distillation is ideal for products like CBD capsules, flavoured CBD gummies and other items for which a neutral taste is preferred. The benefits of the CBD itself are unchanged, though the oil extracted has a lower concentration of terpenes and flavonoids.
Why Choose Full Spectrum?
The ‘entourage effect’ associated with full-spectrum CBD products refers to the combined interactions between all the compounds and components in the oil extracted. Like CBD, terpenes and other compounds within the cannabis plant are theorised to have wide-reaching benefits.
What this means is that when these compounds come together in full-spectrum CBD oil, they form a whole that’s more than the sum of its parts. This is what’s known as the ‘entourage effect’ - compounds and components combining to intensify their beneficial properties.
For more information on the CBD extraction process or to discuss our products in more detail, contact a member of the team at CBD Oils UK anytime.