What Is CBD Oil Used For When Cooking? Does It Still Work?
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The Cannabis plant (also known as the marijuana plant) belongs to the family of flowering plants (cannabaceae). It has three different strains; cannabis sativa, indica, and ruderalis. The plant consists of many chemical compounds but there are two most prevalent among them, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Unlike the former, CBD is an intoxicant and therefore is non-psychoactive properties. It will not give you the “high” feeling that is associated with recreational cannabis users.
CBD is widely used for medicinal purposes, while THC is mostly for recreational (although explorations are still ongoing). In the past few decades, researchs, clinical trials, and lots of surveys returned positive results about the effects of the plant. Especially in the field of medicine. It is effective in treating various diseases including:
- Insomnia
- Chronic Pain
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Skin problems
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Cancer
- Any many other ailments and medical conditions.
The anti-inflammatory properties it possesses proves to be promising. Evidence suggests (through studies) that cannabis is capable of reducing inflammation. As a result, many experiments have been continuously conducted to explore and discover more from this “miracle” plant. The raw plant consists of THC-A (tetrahydrocannabinol acid) which can turn into THC that will make you high when exposed to too much heat. Some studies showed the relationship of CBD to THC. Researchers suggest that CBD balances out THC and it’s psychoactive compound.
The Extraction of CBD Oil
One of the products that come from the cannabis plant is CBD oil. The process of extracting CBD oil from the cannabis plant can be intense and complex. The use of technology will surely be helpful. However, the expense it needs to buy a piece of machinery can cost us more than what we signed up for, especially if we’re just an average-earner. So this article focus’ on the most accessible way of extracting CBD oil from the plant. Here is a step by step guide:
- Crush the plant to uncover the most surface area.
- In low-temperature cooking, sauté the plant with fats (butter, lard, ghee, vegetable oil or coconut oil) for an hour or so.
- Alternative: In water extraction, you can brew the plant together with a choice (fats or solvents), then let it heat before boiling point. In some cases, they cook it on a low temperature for 18 hours to achieve full extraction. Either way, the infusion will diminish during evaporation.
- Filter the plant solids to get the infused extraction. You can also include some fibres of the plant in our oil, and it can give a good scrub in the digestive system.
- Indicate a label on its storage to avoid confusion.
Other CBD products are CBD Isolate and CBD Shatter. It is the purest form of CBD; it is usually in the powder form. CBD isolate is the extraction of all the chemical compounds in the marijuana except the CBD (so as the isolation). Often, from the CBD isolate, the manufacturers add terpenes to become CBD shatter.
Infusing CBD Oil
There are other ways to ingest marijuana aside from vaping, topical and taking it orally. One of these ways is through edibles. Infusing the product into foods and beverages proved to be more practical than any other means. For one, this method has the longest lasting effects will last the longest. Here are some tips for cooking with CBD oil:
To note:
- Its best to take baby steps. Try to start with just a small amount.
- Cook with low heat. The potency of the oil will last longer if the infused substance’s exposure to heat is not too much.
- Choose your strain wisely. It’s best to purchase from a reputable shop where they sell lab-tested CBD oil concentration that is safe to use and measure.
Some infusions include the following:
- Sweets/Savory: Many have tried to use CBD oil in baking cookies, cakes and candies. This method is the most common though. People have also tried spicy infused edibles, and it was also effective
- Beverages: CBD can be applied to practically any beverage. There are so many varieties to choose from. It just depends on our taste buds and what we like or dislike. It’s also a great way to try and experiment with new flavours. We can even add an amount of CBD oil to some alcoholic drinks including rum, vodka and cognac. Beers and wines are not advisable though because CBD is not water soluble so that the effort will go into waste. However, we can add turmeric to CBD oil in this case because like CBD, it has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
- Snacks: We can use CBD oil in snacks like potato fries. Finger food is easy to prepare and will have the same effect with just a few drops.
In general, however, the desired effect will still attribute with the quality of CBD oil we used. And so, it would be vital if we picked a product which is guaranteed to be laboratory-tested and medically approved. In the present, the studies made on the plant are still under verification and unfortunately, will not give us the 100% assurance we wanted and need. If you wish to use any form of medical marijuana be sure to consult your doctor and check your state/country’s laws regarding the cannabis plant.
