Cbd oil vs tincture featured image.

Key Takeaways

  • CBD oil is extracted from the flowers, stalks, and seeds of the Cannabis Sativa plant and then mixed with carrier oil and several other essential oils to make consumption easier.

  • CBD tincture is a CBD extract combined with alcohol, essential oils, herbs, sweeteners, and even vitamins.

  • The key differences between CBD oil and tincture lie in the extraction process, base (tinctures have an alcohol base, whereas oils contain other oils as a base), shelf life, taste, and ingestion methods.

  • Benefits of using CBD oils and tinctures include anti-inflammatory properties, stress and anxiety relief, effective control over digestive issues and various types of pain, and more.

  • Potential side effects of using CBD-based products include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and appetite changes.

  • Both CBD oils and tinctures share similar properties and benefits, but if you don’t like the original, grassy taste of CBD oil, tincture might be a more preferred option for you.

As the popularity of CBD continues to grow, so does the variety of CBD products. More and more people are ditching over-the-counter medicines and turning to CBD for health and wellness purposes. 

If you searched about CBD oil on the internet, I assume you stumbled across CBD tinctures too. These two terms are frequently confused with one another. 

One typical reason is that a few companies use them interchangeably, and it’s no surprise why customers mistake them for one – both have striking similarities. 

Though the usage and benefits of both CBD products are the same, their ingredients and production method varies. 

We’ll learn the difference between CBD oil vs. CBD tincture below. 

What Is CBD Oil? 

Close up image of a hemp plant.

CBD oil is extracted from the flowers, stalks, and seeds of the hemp plant. No wonder CBD oil is the most famous CBD product – it is the most potent of all CBD forms. 

The extraction process involves pulling CBD isolate from the Cannabis Sativa plant through the CO2 extraction method. Later, the all-natural CBD oil is mixed with carrier oil and several other essential oils for consumption. 

CBD Oil Ingredients

Pure CBD oil is mixed with carrier oils or base oil to dilute. This process makes consumption easier.

Typical base oils include the following:

  • MCT oil
  • Hemp seed oil
  • Coconut oil 
  • Olive oil
  • Vegetable glycerin base

CBD is not in liquid form when extracted from the hemp plant and dried. Its structure is similar to salt, so it doesn’t get adequately absorbed in the body. 

Therefore, CBD manufacturers infuse it into a carrier oil to make it more effective. 

  • Cbd oil showcased between a lampshade and plant.
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What Is CBD Tincture? 

Close up image of cbd tincture.

Forget CBD for a while. Tincture refers to any medicine made by mixing a drug with alcohol. This clearly explains that CBD tinctures contain alcohol. 

Remember, CBD tinctures are not the same as CBD oil derived from hemp. High-proof alcohol is utilized as a solvent when extracting compounds from the Cannabis plant. CBD is dispersed under 60-70% alcohol. 

In other words, tinctures are extracts of hemp combined with glycerin, peppermint oil/cinnamon, and alcohol. 

Besides, they often contain additional flavorings and sweeteners to create a wide range of products.

CBD Tincture Ingredients

As mentioned earlier, CBD oil is the most potent form of CBD. This potency discrepancy naturally means that the CBD ratio in tinctures is less than in the oil.

The typical reason for this is the additional ingredients added to CBD tinctures.

While these substances enhance the flavor of tinctures, they suppress CBD potency – to some extent.

Some common ingredients of tinctures include:

  • Herbs
  • Essential vitamins like C, D, and B12
  • Essential oils like lavender, basil, lemon, peppermint
  • Melatonin 
  • Water
  • Sweeteners

Not all CBD tinctures include the same ingredients; the substances can vary.  

Difference Between CBD Oil vs. CBD Tincture

Cbd oil and tincture being developed in a lab.

The main difference between CBD oil and tincture is the extraction process, the alcohol-based solution, and additional ingredients used for tinctures. 

Nonetheless, not all CBD tincture companies utilize alcohol in the production process.

So, it won’t be wrong to consider alcohol-free tinctures as CBD oils. But, again, the additional ingredients added in the tincture – unlike CBD oil – make it a tincture one or the other way. 

Pretty confusing, isn’t it?

We’ll observe a few differences below to clarify further:

Shelf Life

Tinctures typically contain isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. These ingredients – being preservatives, give extended shelf life to tinctures.

To extend the life of CBD products, avoid contact with direct sun, and keep them at room temperature. 

If you observe fogginess or cloudiness in your CBD oil, get rid of it immediately because it indicates expiry.  

Ingestion Method

CBD tinctures have an alcohol base, so they can be consumed by mixing in food. On the other hand, you can ingest CBD oil using the vape method. 

Taste

When it comes to taste, tinctures are hands down a better option. Since they include several other ingredients to enhance flavor, they taste better. 

You’ll find plenty of tincture flavors, including peach, chocolate, and vanilla. 

On the other hand, CBD has an unpleasant taste when taken orally. It leaves an undesirable oily and hemp-like after-taste.

Base

CBD tinctures have an alcohol base, whereas CBD oil contains cannabidiol as base oil. Regardless of the type of base used, both products come with a wealth of benefits for health. 

Benefits of CBD Oil and Tincture

Photograph of a man and woman exercising in a park, signifying the health benefits you can get from cbd oil and tincture.

Studies reveal several health benefits of CBD. For instance, a review indicates that CBD may have anti-inflammatory properties. 

Further, research also reveals the benefits of CBD for mental health disorders. Studies show that CBD may help reduce the symptoms related to anxiety. 

The NV-US Organics’ Broad Spectrum CBD oil also effectively controls digestive issues and joint pain. It contains a cannabinoid formula to optimize your mental and physical wellness. 

Therefore, CBD oil and tincture intake can yield positive results for your health. 

Possible Risks and Side Effects

CBD is generally safe to consume. However, a few people may experience symptoms like

  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness

Therefore, it’s best to consult your doctor before incorporating CBD into your diet. Also, avoid taking CBD if:

  • You are pregnant or nursing
  • Taking other medications

Otherwise, the consumption might follow up with a few side effects. 

CBD Oil vs. CBD Tincture: Which Is Better? 

It would be wrong to declare one product better than the other since both offer benefits to your health. 

Your choice might make one better than the other. For instance, if your stomach is sensitive to oil ingestion and you do not like the taste of the oil, you may prefer a tincture over CBD oil. 

On the flip side, someone may go for CBD oil because of its high potency. But, overall, both products share similar properties and are effective. 

Final Words

CBD craze has taken the internet by storm, and it’s not slowing anytime soon. While gummies, capsules, and creams are easy to tell apart, customers often confuse oil and tinctures. 

CBD oil and tincture can give a balanced state of mind, provide better mood support and can be used to help alleviate discomfort. However, the production process and base ingredients vary. 

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