Can CBD Help with Sore Throat?

Sore throat is one of the most common symptoms of cold & flu, seasonal ailments, respiratory viral infections. Thus, as the autumn sets in and the mercury start falling, it appears as everyone is having some kind of throat problem

During their lifetime, everyone would experience a sore throat. However, the severity of a sore throat may vary considerably. In some, it may cause minor throat irritation, while in others, it may be a severe and painful throat infection. Additionally, it appears that some individuals are prone to a sore throat.

Studies show that 10% of people would experience symptomatic sore throat each year. One of the problems with a sore throat is that it may occur due to numerous reasons. Bacterial infections cause about 60-70% of sore throat, and the rest occur due to viral infections. Those living with poor immunity are more prone to a sore throat.

Can CBD Help with Sore Throat?

Sore throat is not a life-threatening condition and would not kill an individual. In most cases, it is a self-limiting condition. Nevertheless, it should not be neglected as it may cause complications in some. For example, in some, it may lead to local pus formation. Similarly, strep throat may cause severe life-threatening autoimmune rheumatic disease.

Sore throat is quite challenging to manage due to its varied etiology. There is no single drug that can kill all pathogens. Doctors would often prescribe multiple medications, like anti-inflammatory agents to relieve inflammation, antibiotics, and even lozenges containing antiseptic.

CBD may help in sore throat in many ways. First, CBD is known to have antibacterial properties. Thus, CBD may help kill infections. These effects may be both when ingested or used topically. Therefore, one may either use CBD oil or even lozenges. Lozenges may have some additional benefits of lowering local inflammation.

Another way in which CBD may help is due to its anti-inflammatory action. Many experimental studies show that CBD may reduce proinflammatory cytokines and thus help control inflammation. Lowering inflammation may help reduce the severity of sore throat symptoms.

CBD may help prevent and manage sore throat due to its immune-modulatory properties. Thus, it may help regulate immune response against infectious agents. Its short-term use may help get rid of sore throat, and prolonged use may help prevent future episodes of sore throat.

In recent years, interest in CBD has been increasing. Some studies even suggest that it could help overcome infection due to superbugs. Many commonly found bacteria that also cause sore throat have become increasingly resistant to antibiotics, thus causing prolonged episodes of sore throat. However, new studies show that CBD may help the body overcome these superbugs.

Additionally, it is worth understanding that CBD may also help reduce the sensation of pain and irritation, thus providing symptomatic relief.

Perhaps, the only limitation of CBD is that there are no clinical studies to confirm these benefits, and most evidence comes from the experimental studies.

cbd and sore throat

What Can Cause a Sore Throat?

One of the reasons doctors struggle to manage sore throat is due to numerous causes of the condition.

Bacterial infections

Though many bacteria may cause sore throat, perhaps streptococcal infection is the most common cause. Group A streptococcus bacteria is the most frequent cause of sore throat. However, some infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia and other infections may also cause sore throat.

Seasonal viral infections

It is the second most common cause of sore throat. Thus, common cold, flu, influenza all may cause sore throat. Sore throat is also one of the symptoms of covid-19 infection.

Allergies

Seasonal allergies would often cause runny noses, sneezing, and throat irritation. Sore throat due to allergies may be mild, but it may last relatively long, thus becoming a constant source of distress.

Smoke and other irritants

Smoke, environmental pollutants, irritants, and dry air may cause sore throat in many people. Such a sore throat is best managed by regularly using soothing lozenges and eliminating irritants.

How Does CBD Work to Help with Sore Throat?

There are multiple ways in which CBD may work. For example, it may have a direct antibacterial effect when used topically like added to lozenges. In other cases, it may work due to its systemic effects.

  • Antibacterial properties may help kill infections, especially when used as lozenges
  • It seems that CBD oil may help fight systemic infections and help overcome sore throat
  • Studies show that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which may have a role in managing sore throat
  • CBD is known to boost immunity, which is not just good for bacterial infections but also viral and other opportunistic infections
  • There is a reason to believe that CBD may help reduce sore throat pain and may have a role in the symptomatic management of the condition
  • Best of all, CBD may also help indirectly by reducing anxiety and distress caused by the illness

cbd for sore throat

CBD For Sore Throat: Limitations

There are some limitations of CBD. It should not be used as a primary treatment. Instead, it should be used to support treatment efforts. It is because CBD is not a medication, and despite many claimed benefits, clinical studies still need to confirm its benefits.

Additionally, it is essential to understand that sore throat occurs for hundreds of reasons. Therefore, no known remedy would work in every case.

Further, finding the right product could also be a challenge. There are few products made specifically for this purpose. Similarly, most CBD products are not specifically produced to treat the conditions. There is also a considerable difference in the quality of various products.

What Does CBD Oil Taste Like?

What does CBD oil taste like? It is complex to answer, as each product may differ. Moreover, some products use taste-masking methods by adding aromas, essential oils, flavors, terpenes. These natural ways of taste masking are safe and may also help improve the quality of CBD products.

Generally, pure CBD oil that contains CBD isolate or distillate and hemp oil as carrier oil would have a nutty, grassy, and earthy taste. However, again if another carrier oil is used like olive oil or coconut oil, the taste may differ.

How To Choose the Right CBD Oil for Sore Throat?

Choosing CBD oil for sore throat may be challenging due to the sheer amount of choice. There are products with different forms of CBD; isolate, broad-spectrum, and full spectrum.

CBD isolate only contains highly purified CBD, which has an excellent safety profile. Broad-spectrum contains other cannabinoids with added benefits because of an entourage effect. Full-spectrum is quite like broad-spectrum, but generally also contains THC in small and legally allowed amounts.

Usually, broad-spectrum made using CBD distillate may be the best option as it is the right balance of safety and efficacy.

Here are other things to keep in mind when choosing the right CBD oil for a sore throat:

  • Choose CBD made by reputed brands, as such brands often go through third-party lab testing and thus ensuring the product quality.
  • Make sure that full-spectrum products mention the THC levels in the product.
  • Preferably select organic hemp, especially if you are prone to allergies.
  • Prefer CO2 extracted CBD oils over those using hydrocarbons or other methods due to better safety profile and low level of impurities.

CBD can be a safe and effective remedy for sore throat. However, in rare cases, it may cause dry throat, tiredness, or changes in appetite. Additionally, it is worth understanding that high dose CBD (like 300 mg or above) may influence liver enzymes, thus altering the metabolism of certain pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics.

Sore throat is a common problem, and CBD can help. So, if you are looking for a sore throat remedy, we can help you come up with the next blockbuster product.

What Does CBD Feel Like?

Most people have heard about the numerous health effects of CBD. They would often use CBD for its countless known and perceived benefits. Thus, some would take CBD to control a feeling of anxiousness, and others use it to suppress pain.

Many people use it to experience its metabolic effects. Some believe that it may help them regulate appetite and lose bodyweight. Additionally, it appears that it may help counter inflammation.

Recently, pharma companies have demonstrated CBD’s benefits in some medical conditions. Thus, there are medications to manage resistant cases of epilepsy, helping in multiple sclerosis.

CBD modulates the endocannabinoid system, and endocannabinoid receptors are present in the brain and peripheral organs. Studies show that CB1 receptors are more predominantly present in the brain and CB2 in peripheral tissues.

Despite so much information regarding the health effects of CBD, it appears that no one is saying how does CBD makes you feel? Or can you drive when using CBD supplements?

These questions are valid. After all, humans have used cannabis due to its mind-altering properties. People primarily use marijuana for recreation, for experiencing the high.

What Does CBD Feel Like?

If you are worried that CBD may cause a high and changes in physical coordination, there is no need to worry. CBD does not cause high. The high or euphoria caused by marijuana is due to its content of THC. However, CBD products only have THC in traces, an amount too small to cause a mind-altering effect. That is why CBD is legal, with no high/euphoria and no physical or psychological dependence.

Nevertheless, CBD would provide some experience or changes in how a person feels. That is why so many people are using CBD products.

First and foremost, it is vital to understand that although all people have similar anatomy or organ structure, they differ genetically and metabolically. Thus, people have different sensitivities towards various substances. Hence, the feeling experienced by using substances varies considerably.

Additionally, lots also depend on the user experience level. For example, feeling on first use may differ considerably from that experienced by continuous use. If one uses any substance regularly, the body reacts and adapts, resulting in an altered experience.

Generally, people appreciate CBD for its very mild anxiety-relieving and pain-relieving action. Thus, most experts agree that experience would be similar to paracetamol/acetaminophen. Some living with pain and anxiety may experience bliss, while others may not experience anything. However, lack of emotional experience does not mean it is not working.

As one can guess, the experience would also depend on the pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, the feeling of the first dose may differ from that of multiple dosages or prolonged use.

In many cases, the primary feeling after using CBD is symptomatic relief and return to a normal state, a normal you.

CBD feel like

So, does CBD oil get you high?

No, it would not. But it would relieve symptoms and make you feel better.

With that said, some people may still report experiencing a difficult-to-explain and pleasant feeling after taking a high dose of CBD, especially when using full spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD. Researchers think this effect is primarily due to the increased activity of a bliss molecule called Anandamide, which is naturally present in the body, but CBD may increase its effectiveness.

Additionally, using full spectrum or broad-spectrum products mean that even greater experience of Anandamide, resulting in that lovely feeling, feeling of bliss.

However, one does not need to worry about it, as this feeling is mild, pleasant, and short-lasting. It does not significantly alter the state of mind, and one does not lose focus or attention. Moreover, this feeling or rush after high dose CBD is experienced by a few sensitive individuals and not by everyone.

This feeling is beneficial for those living with sleep issues and painful conditions, as it helps reduce the pain sensation and has a calming effect. Some may also experience an increase in energy levels.

Researchers think this pleasant, energizing effect is due to the restoration of so-called “endocannabinoid deficiency.” It is quite a common problem when the body stops producing adequate amounts of Anandamide, causing disturbed sleep, chronic fatigue, and body aches.

CBD and feeling of bliss

How To Take CBD Oil

Although CBD is available in many forms, most people prefer CBD oil. It is pretty straightforward to use. Nevertheless, there are a few things to know about taking CBD oil to get maximum benefit.

CBD oil is not really for consumption. It is for sub-lingual use – this is very important to understand. Thus, one should take 4-5 drops (or as recommended by the manufacturer) under the tongue and hold it for a minute or two. It is essential not to swallow immediately so that there is enough time for CBD to get absorbed via the sublingual route.

The sublingual route has many benefits over oral ingestion. The lower side of the human tongue is rich in superficial blood vessels. From there, CBD is absorbed immediately into the bloodstream, resulting in quick action. However, more importantly, unlike the oral route, it can bypass first-pass metabolism

First pass metabolism occurs when someone ingests substances orally. First, it reaches the intestine, from there portal vein take it to the liver. Regretfully, many active ingredients are metabolized/destroyed in the liver, and this is called first-pass metabolism.

First-pass metabolism does not occur when CBD is taken through the sublingual route. Therefore, it means faster and greater benefit. This route is quite comparable to injectables and is especially useful for products taken in smaller dosages.

How Long Does It Take for CBD To Take Effect?

When taken sublingually, CBD reaches the bloodstream immediately. So, theoretically, it starts acting from the very first minute. However, it may need much more time to start working. Thus, people would experience its benefits only after multiple dosages or after a few days.

To understand how long it takes for CBD to take effect, one needs to understand the basics of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

First and foremost, one needs to know how long CBD stays in Your System?

On average, CBD stays 1 to 2 days in your system, but lots depend on the intake route and how long a person has been using CBD products.

Generally, the first oral dose of CBD will barely stay in the system for 24 hours. However, it starts accumulating in the body with each consecutive dosage. Thus, on repeated dosages, it may remain in the system for 2 to 5 days.

Since it has a long half-life, especially after multiple dosages, it is necessary to understand that although it starts working within a few hours, but its peak effect takes 2-5 days to achieve.

The maximum concentration of the first dose may occur within four hours. However, the maximum concentration of repeated dosages may require a few days.

So, how long does CBD last? Its effect lasts for a few days after repeated dosing, even on the discontinuation of CBD after taking it multiple times

Thus, those taking CBD for any health conditions should know that they must take CBD repeatedly for a few days to feel its health benefits.

Does CBD Oil Get You High?

As already explained, CBD may provide you with a pleasant feeling, improve energy levels, reduce pain sensation, and may have a calming effect. However, it will not get you high.

The high or euphoria is not characteristic of CBD, even at high dosages. That is why its use is legal almost globally. It has no addictive effect and does not cause harm to physical or mental health. It is unwise to compare CBD with marijuana or expect any kind of similar effect.

Needless to say, it will still provide you with some pleasant experience, a feeling of relief from pain, improved sleep, and a feeling of happiness. In addition, it will help improve moods.

How Much CBD Can You Take a Day?

How much CBD you can take a day is quite challenging to say. There are many different products with varying recommendations. Unlike medications, studies could not establish optimal CBD dosage. Many experts say that prolonged and consistent use of CBD may be more important than daily dosage.

Nevertheless, there is some evidence from various studies. It appears that dosage would depend on the underlying health conditions. Usually, 10 mg to 25 mg a day is enough for milder health issues, bowel diseases, improving mood, enhancing sleep quality. However, more severe conditions would require higher dosages like anxiety, depression, cancer pain, psychosis would need 300 mg to 600 mg of CBD a day.

Experts recommend considering a few things when deciding about the daily dosage:

  • Individual sensitivities matter: Some individuals are sensitive to CBD and may benefit from a small dosage, while others need much higher dosages.
  • Symptoms you are treating: If you plan to use it to improve your feeling of wellbeing, calmness, improving sleep quality, starting with the lowest dose is a good idea. One can then increase dosage gradually. However, severe pains, anxiety, mood disorders may need higher dosages.

Finally, lots also depend on the product type. Generally, broad-spectrum is more effective for most health conditions than CBD isolate. However, CBD isolate is a safer option to start with. In some instances, full-spectrum CBD with some THC may be a better option. Lower dosages may have less benefit, but they are safer, too.

If you want to offer the best product experience to your customers, want to come up with a product range that is safe and good for health, we can help you out.

5 minute read

What to know about importing CBD into Poland?

Poland is one of the largest markets for various natural health supplements. It is one of the countries in East Europe that has done pretty well after joining the EU. Its economy is booming, and so is its industry.

400;”>CBD oil is legal in Poland. It is among the moderately stringent nations. It means that it has some distinct local requirements, too. However, most of these requirements are not very challenging to fulfil. These requirements are primarily regarding the safety of the products.

Overview of Polish CBD Regulations and Laws

According to Polish law, there is medical cannabis, sales and import of which is strictly controlled. Then there is CBD and hemp. 

CBD products are seen as natural herbal products of non-animal origin in Poland. For any CBD product to be legally sold in Poland, it must get novel food authorization by the European Commission. One may also need to provide the certificate of analysis of each batch so that Polish authorities can see the content of each CBD product.

However, things are simpler when it comes to hemp seed oil, flour, or defatted hemp seeds. They are not regarded as novel food by the European Commission. It means that one may import them into Poland without much hassle. Nonetheless, it is a food product, and one may need to get certain approvals from The Chief Sanitary Inspector.

Additionally, Poland has some local requirements regarding product packaging. Like there should not be any health claims, the product should manufacture place of production, expiry date, and so on. It is good to enquire more about these local requirements before dispatching CBD products to Poland.

Criteria & Policies for Importing CBD into Poland

The primary criteria for CBD oil remain the novel food authorization from the EU. However, such approval is not needed if a product contains hemp seed oil or flour, as those are not novel foods.

Additionally, there is a need to submit an application to the State Sanitary Inspection at least two weeks before importing CBD into the country.

Generally, it is good to have a certificate of analysis of the product to prove that the product is safe and does not contain any impurities.

Additionally, one may need to understand more about local laws regarding the labelling of CBD products.

CBD Products Made In Europe

Having a trusted CBD supplier is essential for optimal business growth. Reach out, and grow with us.

White label CBD products

Importing CBD into Poland within the EU

It is perhaps the most straightforward way of doing CBD business in Poland. However, it would be relatively easy if that particular product is already in sale in other EU nations since it is evidence that the product is suitable for human use.

CBD oil or other products containing CBD would need novel food approval. It is because these products have not been traditionally consumed in the EU region.

Usually, there are no more documents needed. For example, a certificate of analysis from other EU nations would be acceptable in Poland. In addition, there are no customs or other duties on the movement of goods between various EU nations. 

However, one should be careful about the legal requirements of the State Sanitary department and additional local requirements regarding the labelling of the products.

Importing CBD into Poland from other Countries

Importing CBD into Poland from non-EU nations could be more challenging, especially if importing from certain Asian countries. In addition, it would still require novel food authorization to sell any CBD product in Poland.

One would also need to submit an application to The State Sanitary department to get their clearance. 

Additionally, on arrival, every batch would be certified by a local lab for its CBD content and content of other cannabinoids. THC levels would be strictly monitored along with other impurities.

Further, ass products imported from outside of Poland would go through the process of customs clearance and would need to pay VAT. Thus, it would also be essential to mention the Harmonized System code (HS code) on the invoice.

Your Brand Your Formulations

Retail-ready formulas not your type? Reach out and develop your own custom formulation.

Private label products here
co2 extraction ingredients

Importing CBD into Poland to Sell

Can I import CBD oil to Poland? The answer is yes. It is entirely legal to import and sell CBD oil or other CBD product in Poland. 

Poland is one of the fastest-growing markets for health supplements. However, in 2020, the Polish government made some changes to laws regarding the advertising of health supplements. It is because, earlier in Poland, laws were less stringent, and thus many sellers of health supplements could make even unproven claims.

Advertising CBD products are still legal in Poland, but one needs to be careful with health claims. In Poland, like in many other East European nations, considerable sales of health supplements occur via pharmacies. Although, it appears that online sales of these products are also rising. Further, many specialized CBD shops are also gradually emerging across the nation.

Importing Hemp into Poland

Importing hemp is more straightforward. However, it depends on the part of Hemp one is planning to import. 

Processed hemp seeds, defatted seeds, hemp seed oil, hemp seed flour are not regarded as novel food by European norms or by Polish authorities. It means that they can be pretty simple to import without many documents. Nonetheless, one may require to file an application with The State Sanitary department. It is to prove that the products are safe and THC free.

However, if the product was extracted from leaves for flower, or even stalk, or contains CBD and THC below 0.2%, it must get novel food approval.

Hemp fibre is an industrial product and not a food product. Thus, it would not require many documents. However, products for industrial use generally have different HS codes and higher customs duties and VAT. It is generally to protect local hemp growers and the industry.

To conclude, Poland is an attractive market for CBD oil or other CBD products. Importing and selling CBD oil is legal in Poland. Moreover, it generally follows most EU guidelines. Nonetheless, it may have specific local requirements like applying with The State Sanitary department. Nevertheless, the process is pretty straightforward.

However, it is worth understanding that the legal framework regarding CBD products is still evolving, going through significant changes every few years. Thus, it is always good to do more research before starting a CBD business in Poland. 

One may also consult Essentiapura, its specialists have good knowledge about various EU markets, and they can provide precious information about starting a CBD business in different EU markets.

Extracting Terpenes with CO2

How would a person choose a cannabis flower? There is no doubt that most would rely on smelling the flower. The terpenes provide this wonderful smell to cannabis and even other herbs. They are highly volatile and act on the olfactory system. Although aroma itself is vital in herbal extracts, it appears that terpenes have many different roles. The Discovery of numerous health benefits of terpenes has created massive interest in these wonderful organic compounds.

There are many ways of boosting the potency of CBD products, like adding terpene extracts, extracting terpenes in-house, and then adding them to CBD products. Terpenes CBD product has a better aroma and more potent health benefits.

Any single plant would have numerous terpenes, and terpene structure varies. The combination of various terpenes creates the distinct aroma of any plant. It means that most aromatic plants and herbs have multiple types of terpenes and the unique fragrance results from a unique combination. 

In addition, these terpenes help keep pests away and attract pollinators. Studies show that there are numerous terpenes in cannabis like alpha and beta-pinene, limonene, terpinolene, linalool, humulene, caryophyllene, and so on.

Higher amounts of flavonoids and terpenes provide cannabis extract with greater antioxidant properties, extending its health benefits. But, more importantly, terpenes appear to boost the health benefits of CBD through a so-called entourage effect.

Researchers are still exploring various health effects of terpenes. However, it now appears that many benefits of herbal products are due to terpenes. Terpenes may modulate immunity, inflammatory responses, boost various body functions. Thus, retaining terpenes during CBD extraction may help produce a better and aromatic product. Terpenes cannabinoids help each other work better.

CO2 as a solvent for terpene extraction

Using supercritical CO2 is one of the most common methods of CBD extraction. Supercritical CO2 is an excellent solvent. It is formed by compressing CO2 at high pressures and still maintaining a high temperature. However, this method poses some challenges in extracting terpenes. Terpenes do not like the high temperature of supercritical CO2. Terpenes are highly volatile.

It means that using supercritical CO2 alone would not help get products rich in terpenes. Although that may not be a problem when the aim is to produce pure CBD isolate. However, extracting terpenes make commercial sense as these incredible aromatic compounds are costly.  

Process of Terpene Extraction

Fortunately, it is known that these terpenes dissolve well into ethanol. Therefore, one way is to introduce 5% ethanol to CO2 extraction. This can be combined with so-called decarboxylation, a process of converting acidic cannabis to a neutral form, which considerably improves the extraction of cannabinoids and terpenes. Thus, it is good to decarboxylate before making oil.

Using a small amount of ethanol is a very economical way of terpenes extraction. In addition, it does not add up much to the total extraction costs. However, ethanol is not a perfect method, as it has numerous limitations.

The end product of ethanol extraction is dark-colored biomass that is abundant in terpenes.  However, this biomass still contains ethanol along with fats, waxes, and other cellular materials. Therefore, it means that this biomass still needs further processing for extracting terpenes.

Can terpenes be destroyed during the extraction?

In short, the answer is yes. Not all, but partial degradation of terpenes occurs when ethanol is used to extract terpenes. This degradation and even loss of terpenes occur during the distillation process.

Biomass produced through ethanol extraction is not very pleasant. One still needs to use evaporators to remove ethanol and other impurities. However, this process has some problems. Terpenes are highly volatile. It means that many terpenes evaporate along with ethanol, resulting in considerable loss.

But that it’s not all. Applying heat also degrades many terpenes. Nonetheless, after evaporation, dark-colored oil rich in terpenes is left behind. These remaining oils must be further processed to get pure and safe to consume terpenes.

So, as one can see that although ethanol is an excellent way of terpenes extraction, like any method, it has its downsides. Prolonged application of heat during evaporation degrades terpenes. Due to a similar boiling point, many terpenes are lost during the evaporation process.

It means that although ethanol is quite a cost-effective way, it is far from perfect. Fortunately, there are better ways of terpenes extraction or retention: using sub-critical CO2 run before using supercritical CO2 to extract cannabinoids. Many types of equipment, including MoSES, allow the use of sub-critical CO2 extraction methods.

Preserving and maximizing terpenes

Sub-critical CO2 extraction is very similar to supercritical. However, it applies less pressure and uses lower temperatures. As a result, it is especially effective in preserving highly volatile compounds found in various herbs like terpenes in cannabis.

It yields a product that is rich in terpenes and various cannabinoids. However, it generally produces less yield than supercritical CO2 extraction and is also a slower process.

One can run the remaining plant biomass through an additional cycle of supercritical extraction to extract a greater number of cannabinoids. Supercritical extraction is also better in retaining denser molecules like fatty acids.

Thus, as one can see that there is no ideal way of extracting various phytocompounds. Each phytocompound differs in physical properties. Some are better extracted using liquid solvents like ethanol, others supercritical CO2. 

Due to an increased understanding of various health benefits associated with terpenes and the importance of the entourage effect, many are using sub-critical extraction these days.

Fortunately, one can use the same equipment to carry out all these processes in automatic or semi-automatic mode. Most supercritical CO2 extraction equipment would allow the use of sub-critical CO2 extraction. Moreover, many such types of equipment also allow adding ethanol.

The truth is that no method is perfect. However, combining multiple ways of extraction, running the cannabis mass through multiple cycles is the only way to extract a maximum number of compounds. Further, lots would also depend on post-processing. Thus, the final product produced by any machine also depends on the knowledge base of any organization, its experience in producing herbal extracts. 

Essentia Pura terpene-rich extracts, a state of art!

Essentia Pura is the manufacturer of CBD and terpenes extraction equipment like the MoSES and CBD isolate or distillate. It also produces water-soluble CBD products with excellent bioavailability.

For smaller manufacturers lacking the expertise in CBD extraction, it may be a good idea to procure high-quality CBD isolate or distillate and produce finished products. 

Essential Pura also provides its expertise along with equipment for those interested in scaling their production. It is one of the few companies producing module-based equipment. Thus, one can start small, and then these machines can be upgraded for higher production volumes.

Looking for products high in terpenes, or equipment to produce pharmaceutical-grade terpene ingredients? Do not hesitate to reach out, just complete the contact form.

5 minute read

Hydrocarbon vs CO2 – Which is the best extraction method

Since the legalization of CBD, the market has been booming. There are many small- and large-scale manufacturers in the market. Most CBD producers may start making products by procuring CBD isolate or distillate. However, as their business expands, many would like to begin in-house CBD extraction.

The three most commonly used methods for CBD extraction are using ethanol, hydrocarbons, or CO2. Each of these methods has its pros and cons. Among these, hydrocarbons and CO2 are gases, whereas ethanol is a liquid. Gases are generally compressed to create a supercritical mass. It is a condition when gas is somewhere between the liquid and a gaseous state. In this state, it has very low surface tension and is an excellent solvent. Thus, this supercritical mass can readily penetrate cannabis cells and extract various compounds.

Comparing Hydrocarbon Extraction against CO2 Extraction

Handling gases is a complex art and science. Most organizations would buy a closed-loop machine produced by well-known companies. These machines either use hydrocarbons or CO2. Additionally, some equipment would allow the use of ethanol along with supercritical gases.

The major difference between hydrocarbons and CO2 is that hydrocarbons are highly flammable or even explosive. It means that there are strict regulatory needs for operating equipment using hydrocarbon extraction methods. On the other hand, CO2 is much safer.

When it comes to the quality of the end product, it does depend on the solvents, but not only. It also depends on the expertise of the organization. For example, by altering the pressure, temperature and using liquid solvents like ethanol, one may get different products. Moreover, lots would also depend on post-processing.

Quality Assured With CO2 Extraction

Supercritical CO2 extraction is the key to obtaining the purest cannabinoids, free from solvents and toxins. Contact us, and let us process your hemp.

Click here for more
co2 extraction machine

What is Hydrocarbon Extraction

It is a method that uses either propane or butane as a solvent. These gases are cheaply available, as they have many industrial uses. In addition, as a supercritical mass, they form an excellent solvent, helping extract a broad range of phytocompounds from cannabis.

Volatile gases like Butane and Propane are highly flammable, which can lead to dangerous explosions.

Many often loved them due to their low-cost and excellent ability to extract broad-spectrum cannabis extract. However, there are some issues in using these gases. They are highly flammable and explosive. It means that every country has some stringent regulations regarding its industrial use. It will include training of the personnel, specific requirements for the infrastructure. The use of hydrocarbon machines would generally require building a special room in many countries that is explosion-proof and has a specific type of ventilation.

Although, running the hydrocarbon machines is not expensive. However, due to other costs like those in personnel and infrastructure, it may ultimately become a costly business. Further, costs are also involved in various inspections, getting licenses, regulatory approvals.

Other hydrocarbon extraction side effects could be a greater number of impurities in the end product.

What is CO2 Extraction

As the name says, it uses CO2 instead of flammable hydrocarbons. Therefore, it is among the safest gasses to handle. Not only that, CO2 is non-toxic for the human body in small amounts. This means that even if some leakage occurs, it would not be that dangerous. Carbon dioxide may only cause suffocation at very high concentrations, but that is rare.

It is pretty commonly used for CBD extraction. It is often the method of choice for companies starting with extraction. However, it produces a very crude extract that requires further processing through winterization, filtration, etc., which may ultimately add up to the costs.

Since CO2 is safe for human consumption, it is widely used in the food and beverage industry.

CO2 is good for extracting CBD but not that good for other cannabinoids and terpenes. However, that limitation can be overcome. For example, some machines may run the same extract through multiple cycles to extract various phytocompounds. Further, adding ethanol to these machines may help extract terpenes. However, this does slow down the extraction process.

What is the Difference between BHO and CO2 extraction

Butane hash oil (BHO) uses butane for extraction, whereas CO2 uses carbon dioxide. These are both gases, and they are compressed to create supercritical mass. In the supercritical stage, these are excellent solvents. Generally, butane is regarded as a slightly superior solvent due to its ability to penetrate natural extracts better. However, it has its downside, as it is a highly combustible gas.

Many in the industry prefer BHO over CO2 due to the lower costs of such a method. Using butane is also a faster way of extraction. The extraction cycle with CO2 is longer, which may considerably add up to the costs.

It is worth noticing that in most closed-loop machines, most of these gases are recycled. Nonetheless, about 5% of gases do escape during each cycle. Butane is harmful to the environment compared to CO2.

Private Label CBD Products

Retail-ready formulas not your type? Reach out and develop your own custom formulation.

Click here for more

Hydrocarbon vs CO2: Which Provides the Best Product

It would be pretty complex to say which methods produce the best product. Each of these ways produces a different kind of product. Hydrocarbons generally produce a superior product because it contains the most vital phytocompounds, like various cannabinoids, terpenes, and much more. Further, products created using hydrocarbons require less post-processing, making it an efficient method for industrial use.

Extracting in separated fractions – the beauty of CO2

Extracting with CO2, on the other hand, requires greater post-processing. Therefore, it is more challenging to get broad-spectrum extract with CO2. However, it is possible with the right kind of expertise and equipment. Moreover, using ethanol along with CO2 is a common practice to get the broad-spectrum extract.

It is true that hydrocarbons may readily produce a better end product. However, those are also more likely to introduce toxic impurities. Further, some residual solvents may also remain in the product. Hydrocarbons are harmful to the human body, even in traces. Thus, if in CO2 extract, extensive post-processing is needed to get pure product. In the case of hydrocarbons, the challenge remains in removing the traces of solvents.

It would be correct to say that both these methods may produce an excellent product. However, it would lot depend on the expertise of the organization.

How Essentia Pura Extract Hemp Medicinal Plants & More

Essential Pura mainly produces CBD isolate and CBD distillate. It prefers using the supercritical CO2 method of extraction. It may be a slow and lengthy process, but then the company has the expertise in it. Moreover, it produces some excellent CO2 extraction machines.

Essential Pura has experience in creating a pharma-grade pure extract. Thus, it understands how vital is it to ensure that CBD isolate or distillate is free from impurities and solvents.

We believe CO2 extraction is the technology that should be used when maximizing the purity and safety profile of a product. If you would like to give our CO2 extracted products a try, head over to our contact page.

5 minute read

Butane vs. CO2 Which is the best extraction method?

Using water, alcohol, or even oils as solvents is one of the oldest methods of extraction. However, these methods result in very poor-quality crude products with numerous impurities. Although these methods are still widely used, industries prefer more efficient methods that help get purer products with the fuller extract.

One such way of getting high-quality natural extracts is using supercritical gases. Under high pressure and yet maintaining high temperature, it is possible to convert any gas into a cloud-like state. It is something in between the liquid and gaseous state. Supercritical solvents have much greater solubility, and they can readily penetrate natural raw materials, helping extract the most beneficial compounds. Moreover, this method allows altering the solvency of supercritical gas by altering the temperature and pressure, thus getting very different types of extracts.

Two of the most common supercritical gases used in the industrial extraction of CBD are hydrocarbon gases like butane or propane or using CO2. However, both these methods have their advantages and drawbacks.

Comparing BHO Extraction against CO2 Extraction

BHO stands for butane hash oil or CBD extracted using butane as a solvent. Butane and carbon dioxide are very different kinds of gases with entirely different physical properties. It also means that their properties as supercritical gas and solvent differ. It essentially means that CBD extract using these gases would differ considerably. Before looking deeper into the differences, let us understand more about these two ways of extraction.

What is BHO Extraction

It uses butane gas for extraction. Supercritical butane is an excellent solvent; thus, it has a fantastic ability to penetrate cannabis and strip not only cannabinoids but also terpenes, lipids, waxes. It creates quite a potent and full-spectrum end product.

Using butane for CBD extraction is one of the fastest and efficient methods. By altering the pressure and temperature, one can get different types of resins fit for various uses.

Many professionals like butane as it helps preserve various active compounds, textures, and aroma of the CBD. It is especially good for creating CBD distillate. The end result of such extraction is a high-terpene and broad-spectrum extract.

Since this method is among the faster methods, it results in time-saving and cost savings.

Once the extraction is complete, most modern machines would recycle the butane by removing it from the extract by heating or reducing the pressure. As most modern types of equipment are closed-loop, very little butane would escape along with the end product.

However, critics of butane may not like that some traces of solvent are still left in the final product. In addition, butane is toxic to the human body. Nonetheless, experience shows that it is left in minimal amounts to pose any health hazards. Another worry regarding its use is that butane is a highly inflammable gas, thus issues in handling it. 

Further, it is worth knowing that no closed-loop machine can recycle 100% of the gases. For most, 95% would be a limit. It means that about 5% butane is still released into the environment during each cycle. Thus, butane extraction has its environmental costs.

What is CO2 Extraction

Supercritical CO2 extraction is the most common way of extraction these days. It is good in the way that CO2 is a highly safe gas. CO2 is present in the air and is also produced as a byproduct of the metabolic activity of the human body. 

It appears that supercritical CO2 is an excellent solvent. However, it is not very good for extracting terpenes. That is why many machines using CO2 may use other solvents like ethyl alcohol to get full spectrum extract, but this can add up to the costs. Nonetheless, solvents like ethyl alcohol are safe for humans and the environment.

Additionally, CO2 extraction results in a resin that must still be processed before use. Thus, it must be winterized and go through fractional distillation to get the usable product.

Despite some hassles, CO2 is relatively safe to handle. Moreover, its leakage does not pose much threat to health.

Highest Quality Hemp Extraction

Unlock the power of pure cannabinoids: Contact us to process your hemp using supercritical CO2 extraction.

Click here for more
white label cbd essentia pura consultant

What is the Difference between BHO and CO2 extraction

Generally, butane (BHO) helps get CBD resin faster, more efficiently. BHO resins are also rich in the aroma as it preserves terpenes. Therefore, it is an excellent way of producing full-spectrum CBD. When used at an industrial scale, it is also cheaper than supercritical CO2 extraction.

However, things are not so simple as they may sound. Butane still leaves some residue in the end product, and CO2 does not. Further, handling butane requires additional licenses, and investment in the infrastructure, as it poses a threat. Butane comes under highly flammable and hazardous substances.

Every country would have some strict fire safety requirements for using butane. This means high expenses on ventilation. It also requires building an explosion-proof room, considerably adding to the setup costs.

Modern closed loop machines using butane are indeed highly safe. Nonetheless, each year tens of incidences of explosions and injuries caused by butane extraction machines are reported.

BHO vs CO2: Which Provides the Best Product

BHO extract is generally of higher quality, with better texture and aroma, and requires less post-processing. However, full-spectrum is not always required as it also means a more significant amount of impurities and residual solvent. Thus, CO2 extracts may have fewer terpenes, but it also has no toxic residual solvent. Thus, BHO may be good, but CO2 appears to be safer.

Further, it would be wrong to say that one cannot get full spectrum or broad-spectrum extract by using supercritical CO2. It is also a matter of expertise. To get various extracts, one can run the extract through multiple cycles, using different temperature and pressure settings. As far as terpenes are concerned, greater amounts of them may be extracted by adding ethyl alcohol as a solvent. Moreover, both CO2 and ethyl alcohol are absolutely safe.

How Essentia Pura Extract Hemp Medicinal Plants & More

For Essentia Pura focus is on the quality and safety of the products. Supercritical CO2 extraction using solvent helps get either CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD distillate. Both these products are free from impurities. Moreover, equipment like MoSES used by Essentia Pura is safe for the environment. Additionally, Essentia Pura produces both oil-soluble and water-soluble CBD isolate and distillate. As a result, Essentia Pura produces almost pharma-grade pure products for CBD businesses and consumers. 

Do you have any further questions about extracts? Send us an e-mail! For inquiries about our extraction system, please fill out our contact form.

5 Best Carrier Oils for CBD

What is a Carrier Oil?

Carrier oils are various oils that may be used to produce CBD oil from CBD isolate or distillate powder. They help create stable, easy-to-use products with some additional health benefits.

One may use CBD isolate or CBD distillate to create CBD products. However, these have a very high concentration of CBD and are unfit for direct consumption. Even if one extracts CBD using CO2 extraction, it will still result in a high concentration product with poor bioavailability and would be difficult to use for health benefits. 

Since CBD is naturally soluble in oils, it is a common practice to dissolve it in some oil to create an end product. These oils in which CBD extract, CBD isolate, or CBD distillate are dissolved are called carrier oils.

Impact of Adding Carrier Oils to CBD

It is worth understanding that CBD distillate or broad-spectrum CBD is also rich in terpenes, polyphenols, essential oils. Many of these compounds are highly volatile, and they tend to degrade quickly, whereas using carrier oil reduces their volatility and enhances stability.

Additionally, carrier oils may also help boost the bioavailability of CBD products. Most often, people would take CBD oil sublingually, and part of CBD would be quickly absorbed. However, another part enters the intestines, where CBD carrier oils may help protect CBD from the harsh effect of gastric juices.

Olive oil is one of the most popular oils used in culinary and also in the CBD industry.

Benefits of CBD Carrier Oils

Improved stability

These oils form the base of the product, to which one may add CBD isolate or distillate to create the end product. It is also common practice to add various terpenes and essential oils to enhance the aroma and health benefits of CBD products. Mixing these various compounds to carrier oils help create much stable product, as carrier oil are not volatile and have an excellent shelf life.

Improved absorption

CBD is naturally soluble in lipids and does not dissolve well in the water (except specifically created water-soluble CBD). Thus, it is natural to use carrier oils as something to dissolve CBD isolate. These carrier oils also help protect CBD from gastric juices and improve CBD’s absorption through the intestine.

Further, dissolving CBD in oils may also help prolong their action. Without carrier oils, whatever CBD will make to the bloodstream would be quickly metabolized by the liver. On the contrary, CBD dissolved in carrier oils takes much longer to metabolize. It may also accumulate in greater amounts in various fatty tissues. 

The unique mechanism of action

Fats are absorbed and metabolized quite differently by the body than carbs, water-soluble nutrients. After digestion, fats are taken up by the lymphatic system. In contrast, water-soluble ingredients go directly to the liver. By bypassing the liver and using lymphatic tissues, fat-soluble substances may have unique health benefits. For example, most lymph is rich in immune cells. Thus, fat-soluble agents may have more significant immune-modulating action.

Easier dosing

Theoretically, one may consume CBD isolate powder. However, since CBD is needed just in a few milligrams a day, dosing CBD isolate or distillate would be almost impossible. On the other hand, dosing CBD oil is much easier, and one can use a few drops of CBD oil a day.

Helps provide unique products

These days it is a common practice to create CBD products for specific needs. It is achieved by adding terpenes from other plants like tea trees, Spanish sage, citrus fruits. Thus, some CBD products may help calm the nerves, while others may help uplift the moods. Therefore, carrier oils help create value-added products. Moreover, not only CBD but most terpenes also dissolve pretty well in oils.

Apart from terpenes, some CBD manufacturers may add essential oils to CBD products like eucalyptus oil and lavender oil. However, essential oils cannot be consumed directly as they may irritate mucus membranes. But, using carrier oil helps create effective and safe products.

Perhaps the most common carrier oil used for CBD drops formulation, offering a true whole plant experience.

Added health benefits of carrier oils for CBD

Carrier oils are not something inert. They may also have their health benefits. Some may be rich in high-quality fatty acids. For example, olive oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and may help reduce inflammation. Some oils may be rich in fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and so on.

Below is the list of carrier oils and their benefits:

Hemp seed oil

It is perhaps the most natural choice. The hemp seed oil contains cannabinoids only in traces, and it may contain other beneficial compounds in small amounts like terpenes. Further, it has an excellent balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.  It means that using it as a carrier oil may help boost the “entourage effect” of the end product. It is especially preferred when creating full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil. Thus, it could be regarded as one of the best carrier oils for CBD.

MCT oil

It is usually created from coconut but may be extracted from palm kernel oil. This oil differs from all other types of oil in the way that it has high amounts of saturated fats. It does not contain inflammation-causing omega-6 fatty acids. Saturated fats are good for health in small amounts, and they also appear to improve gut health. Saturated fats also absorb quite well and quickly. It is also among the inexpensive options.  

Olive oil

It is the most well-known healthy oil that is exceptionally high in omega-3 fatty acids. It is also among the lighter oils due to its high content of monounsaturated fats. Moreover, it is one of the most well-studied oils. One of the distinct benefits of using olive oil as carrier oil is that it absorbs pretty well through the skin. Thus, it may be a good choice for creating CBD oil for topical use. In addition, olive oil is thought to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and help prevent age-related cognitive decline.

MCT oil as a CBD carrier oil
Deemed as the best carrier oil for CBD. MCT oil has improved absorption, a neutral taste, and longer shelf life.

Avocado oil

It is another carrier oil gaining popularity. It is especially good for topical use, as it absorbs readily via skin. However, it is among the thicker oils, and not everyone may like it. It is also among the most expensive carrier oils. Nonetheless, it is worth understanding that many people may love the idea of consuming avocado oil along with CBD due to its numerous perceived health benefits.

Arnica oil

CBD is gaining popularity among physically active people and athletes. These are individuals prone to sprains and strains. Arnica oil may be preferred for topical use for reducing inflammation, muscle soreness. In addition, it possesses some pain-killing properties. However, arnica oil may not be a good choice for oral formulations as it may cause side effects at higher doses.

Manufacturing CBD Products

CBD oils are highly popular for a reason; they are pretty straightforward to produce. Thus, one may buy CBD isolate or CBD distillate (THC free broad-spectrum) in bulk. The next step would be deciding about the carrier oil. Thus, one may dissolve CBD isolate or distillate in a carrier oil in the necessary amount to create the desired concentration, and CBD oil is ready! For added benefit or product differentiation, one may add terpenes to it. Generally, terpenes are added in a very small amount (rarely exceeding 2%). They enhance the aroma and health benefits of the final product.

Did we miss any carrier oil that would make it to the top 5 list? Send us your opinion! And when placing an order, do not forget which carrier oil you want to see used in your formulations.

5 minute read

Terpene Retention Through CO2 Extraction

Public interest in cannabis compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes continues to rise, as ongoing scientific research shows their therapeutic potential for a range of common neurophysiological conditions. These range from chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis and bursitis to mood disorders like depression and insomnia. But how can consumers ensure their terpene extracts are of high quality, particularly if they aren’t especially well-educated on cannabis compounds and their benefits?

Consumers looking to buy weed-extracted terps, CBD and other cannabis isolates with a mind on quality are best served to select products processed via CO2 extraction, rather than solvent or cold pressure extraction. This post goes over different kinds of CO2 extraction, their respective advantages and disadvantages, and Essentia Pura’s CO2 extraction method and system of choice.

Extracting Terpenes with CO2

As its name suggests, CO2 terpene extraction is done using carbon dioxide as the solvent. The carbon dioxide is dried and then condensed for use in the extraction process. This process can be used to extract terpenes, cannabinoids or even flavonoids from plants, leaves, flowers, roots, and bark. This is obviously much more efficient than most other extraction techniques, where plant matter is simply decarboxylated before making oil.

As of this writing, CO2 extraction is commonly used within the food, fragrance, cannabis, sports medicine and vaping industries. It has proven to be a game-changer in the utilization of medicinal plants and their inherent beneficial properties. The next section briefly explores the differences between different CO2 extraction methods.

Processes of CO2 Extraction

There are essentially two types of CO2 extraction: wet and dry. Each of these come with different costs, ranges of equipment and advantages.

  • Wet CO2 extraction

    is cheaper, but it’s generally less environmentally friendly. The machine process for wet extraction basically works like a supercharged coffee machine, pushing CO2 through plant material with enough pressure for the CO2 to dissolve everything that’s soluble into the gas. This draws and isolates cannabinoids (e.g. THC, CBD) as well as other potentially beneficial components (e.g. terpenes, flavonoids) out of everything from cannabis to herbs and spices.

Wet CO2 extraction requires lower pressure (5-16 bar) to run smoothly; excessive pressure (>16 bar) can irreversibly damage lipids in the plant cell membranes to turn them into free fatty acids. This is obviously undesirable, as it can have a negative impact on terpene structure, cannabinoid potency and the overall quality of the final product.

High Quality Co2 Extraction

Supercritical CO2 extraction is the key to obtaining the purest cannabinoids, free from solvents and toxins. Contact us, and let us process your hemp.

Click here for more
co2 extraction ingredients

Too much pressure causes less desirable compounds to dissolve into the gas phase making it harder to remove, and giving the resulting solution a more pungent smell. On the other hand, if pressure is too low, not all desirable components may be properly extracted. Low pressure may even cause some degradation due to the lower temperature used for extraction, as higher temperature causes higher solubility.

 

  • Wet extraction has been used for over 50 years to extract CBD from hemp plants, using a process called supercritical fluid extraction. During the 1980s, scientists discovered that exposing CBD-saturated solvent to extreme heat and pressure separated the compound into layers. This process beca me known as subcritical extraction.
  • Dry CO2 extraction

    can be used for both solventless and solvent-based extractions, but the latter requires higher pressures and temperatures. Dry ice is placed in a closed container filled with product at atmospheric pressure, which causes carbon dioxide to evaporate from solid CO2 (dry ice) into gaseous CO2 (CO). The pressure difference forces liquid molecules through the plant material, extracting desirable oils and leaving behind undesirable solids such as chlorophylls, lipids, waxes and terpenoids.

The dry ice CO2 extraction method was pioneered by Dave Watson in 2007, but its use didn’t become widespread until 2010. The equipment required for this process consists of a closed system which is filled with liquid nitrogen and plant materials. Other than that, there are no special tools or equipment required.

Due to its low risk profile and cost efficiency, dry CO2 extraction is becoming more popular than wet methods for many industries, such as food processing plants where cleanliness is most important.

Do Terpenes Degrade in the Extraction Process

Compared to conventional solvent extraction, much less terpene degradation takes place in CO2 extraction. This is due to two primary factors: low process temperature, and the preservation of terpene structure due to pressurised CO2 passing through plant matter like gas, while simultaneously being able to dissolve desirable plant material like a liquid.

Private Label CBD Products

Retail-ready formulas not your type? Reach out and develop your own custom formulation.

Learn more here

Retaining Terpenes through CO2 Extraction

An added advantage of CO2 extraction that leads to increased terpene retention is the lack of a decarboxylation step in the process. The cold separation procedure further aids in protecting fragile plant compounds. For even greater terpene retention, shorter, lighter CO2 runs (i.e. subcritical extraction) can be utilised to afford maximum protection and selectivity between desirable plant components.

Finally, the use of CO2 produces the “cleanest” possible terpene extracts as of this writing, with next to no leftover residue whether from plant matter or solvents — many of which can harm the quality of the final product. This is true for the extraction of terpenes from everything from hemp to herbs and spices.

How Essentia Pura Extract Hemp Medicinal Plants & More

Essentia Pura prefers to use supercritical extraction (SCE) to extract cannabinoids from hemp and other medicinal plants, using Škrlj MoSES SCE systems. These systems are designed for bulk-scale, fully automated operations, and come with a number of advantages including:

  1. High selectivity, extracting maximal yields of target compounds while simultaneously filtering out undesirable components like chlorophyll.
  2. Utilisation of inert, non-toxic supercritical fluids for optimal extraction with no leftover residue carried over.
  3. Closed CO2 loop, allowing for supercritical solvent recirculation without contamination and with minimal solvent loss.
  4. Full software integration for efficient monitoring, management and date logging via connected computer systems.
  5. A low temperature process, protecting desirable extracts from degradation or wastage.
  6. User-friendly and high throughput system with multiple quickly opening closures.

Whether for the manufacture of cannabinoid, terpene, broad- or full-spectrum products, CO2 extractors stand as the superior choice in a burgeoning cannabis industry. Despite the high initial investment required for acquisition, the low risk profile, cost effectiveness and high selectivity of CO2 extractor machine processes make them a no-brainer for any cannabis company who can afford them.

To know more about our extraction system, send us an e-mail. For inquiries and quotes, complete our web form here.

Advanced CO2 extraction equipment

Humans have used various ways of extracting active compounds from herbs, like soaking them in water, alcohol, or oils. Further, many would heat the oil or boil the water to get more herbal compounds. However, these traditional extraction methods had numerous limitations. On the contrary, the CO2 supercritical process is a highly efficient way of extracting herbal bioactive compounds.

Each liquid has different physical properties and is only suitable for extracting certain types of extracts from specific herbs. Moreover, these traditional methods produced highly crude extract and thus often needed further complex processing. Even then, there was limited control over the extraction methods, meaning that large amounts of active or essential compounds were lost, and numerous unneeded impurities were introduced.

In modern times, these methods are still used, but by deploying complex equipment. Further, researchers discovered that using gases for extraction has some unique benefits. Modern technology allows liquifying the gases even at room temperatures. Moreover, by altering the pressure and temperature, the same gas would display different properties as a solvent. Thus, helping extract a broad spectrum of compounds. Using various pressures also allows extracting multiple extracts from the same herbal source.

Moreover, at the end of the extraction process, gas will readily escape when temperature and pressure are raised without leaving any residues (unlike liquid solvents) behind. Moreover, gases are also cleaner and lack impurities, whereas most liquid solvents would have some amounts of contaminants.

CO2 supercritical extraction is preferred among various gases, as it is safer and easier to handle than other gases. Further, it has some unique properties, making it an excellent solvent at specific temperatures and pressures.

Process of CO2 Extraction Overview

Supercritical CO2 extraction is the most common way of extracting cannabis extract or CBD and various other herbal extracts. CO2 is preferred over other gases due to its safety profile and ease of handling, but more importantly, it does not leave a residue. Thus, it is used to extract various bioactive compounds.

Supercritical is a unique state of matter. Everyone knows that most compounds may exist as liquid, solid, or gas, depending on the storage temperature and pressure. Thus, under pressure, gas may become liquid. Further, increasing the pressure and lowering the temperature may even covert gases to solids.

For creating supercritical fluids, one increases pressure without lowering the temperature much. Gas is pressurized at temperatures, where it would generally be in a gaseous state. However, high pressure forces it to achieve a state between gas and liquid (refer to Table 1). It reaches a cloud-like state. In this state, it is a highly penetrating solvent with extremely low viscosity and surface tension. Further, this supercritical mass of gas can be altered by changing pressure and temperature.

Studies show that CO2, a gas at room temperature, may be converted to supercritical mass at temperatures above 31.2 degrees Celsius and pressure above 7.3 MPa. However, the choice of temperature and pressure would differ for other gases.

supercritical CO2

Figure 1 supercritical CO2 (Image source: 1. Capuzzo A, Maffei ME, Occhipinti A. Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Plant Flavors and Fragrances. Molecules. 2013;18(6):7194-7238. doi:10.3390/molecules18067194)

Supercritical Carbon dioxide

Once this supercritical stage is reached, it may be further altered to control its physical and solvent properties. Thus, one may increase temperature or pressure or alter its flow rate. It means that by changing the pressure or even temperature, one may extract different bioactive compounds from the plants. Of course, these alterations can be done manually. However, many automated machines would allow doing this at the touch of a screen, thus allowing to extract a range of bioactive compounds from any given plant. Therefore, it may help manufacturers to create unique products in a short time.

Further, most of the modern and automated systems would be closed loop. It means that after the extraction process, CO2 is recycled and reused.

Can one use the same CO2 machine to extract bioactive compounds from different herbs? Yes, definitely, though one may need to know more about specific parameters like the pressure, temperature, and flow rate to use. Similarly, altering pressure may help control what fraction of any herb, including cannabis, one wants to extract. Thus, cannabinoid extractors may use various regimes to get terpenes, full-spectrum extract, and so on. So, as one can see that CO2 extraction provides lots of flexibility.

schematic diagram of the MoSES extraction system

Adding solvents to extraction machines

Quite like any other solvent, CO2 also has its downsides. For example, some compounds are insoluble or poorly soluble in CO2. Thus, adding another solvent to these machines solves these problems helping to extract terpenoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, polyphenols, and other compounds.

Moreover, since most good equipment would allow changing pressure and temperature, thus it may help target and extract specific compounds.

List of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Extraction Equipment

CO2 extraction is not cheap in the short run, but it may readily help recover the cost of equipment in the long run due to its high efficiency and ability to produce quality extracts. Many manufacturers are making CO2 supercritical extraction machines, but few stand out. These are usually manufacturers from North Americas or Europe, where Industrial hemp extraction equipment is most needed.

The Boss 

It is good in a way that it is simple to install, set up. However, the company is more focused on high-volume machines. Thus, this machine can extract up to 200 pounds if used continually. Like many machines in its class, it is fully automated, controlled from a tablet or phone, and built for continuous use.

On the downside, it is relatively expensive and costs above 250k USD. It does not allow adding of solvents, which may have certain downsides and limitations. It is a Canadian company with US and Canadian certification. However, it may lack specific certifications needed to operate such types of machinery in the EU.

Cannabis SFE

It is a company focused mainly on the US market and has numerous machines for every need. Their machines are especially good for subcritical and supercritical extraction. However, they rarely provide the option of adding solvent for the extraction of specific bioactive compounds. Although these machines are highly versatile and can be adapted to various needs, they are generally regarded as overly complex. Even small extraction volume machines are quite complex for their category, meaning issues with maintenance. Despite pros like affordable cost and scalability, they remain complex systems, and these machines also operate at high pressures.

Apeks Supercritical – The Force

These are a state of art, powerful, fully automated machine from one of the US manufacturers. The machine is highly efficient, relatively easy to set up. However, it is primarily focused on large-scale manufacturers, and thus it may be pretty expensive for small to mid-manufacturers. The base model cost is about half a million USD, and other setup costs may be involved. Though it is an automated solution, it is for experienced professionals, as it still requires a high degree of expertise to operate. If the plans are big, this machine could be an option. However, for small to mid-cap companies, there are many other options, too.

SEF process

It has numerous models for supercritical extraction with various capacities. Some of these machines are made explicitly for cannabis extraction, like the SFE PROD 2X10L 400 BAR. The company has a high focus on producing machines for pharma and large-scale extract manufacturers. Its machines are made by keeping GMP standards in mind. However, as one can expect, these machines might be pricy and difficult to operate. Therefore, these machines are created by considering that the facility already has some machines and experience in handling complex systems.

Sub-critical MoSES CO2 extraction system
Our Super and Sub-critical CO2 extraction system – MoSES

MoSES 

Moses is produced in Europe and has all the European certifications. It belongs to the new class of machines called modular machines. Thus, MoSES stands for Modular Supercritical Extraction System. These machines are specifically made by keeping in mind the various requirements of the CBD industry.

Some of the features that make it stand out are:

  • Modular design, and thus the ability to expand machines according to business needs.
  • Fully automated control.
  • Ability to extract various fractions in a single run.
  • Faster extraction time, as it operates at increased pressure.
  • Flexibility to add polar co-solvents for extracting phenols, terpenoids, and other compounds.

MoSES systems are equally suitable for small to large manufacturing needs, and these machines can be upgraded accordingly. Moreover, these machines are specifically produced for the European market, with all the needed approval. 

Further, these machines are also tested for extracting various extracts apart from CBD, providing greater flexibility to manufacturers.

Which CBD/Hemp Products can CO2 Extraction Produce?

CO2 supercritical extraction is generally accepted as one of the best ways of extracting “full-spectrum” hemp extract. The end product is a light-colored paste or resin rich in CBD/CBDA (60-70%). Along with other beneficial compounds like polyphenols, terpenes, and other minor cannabinoids. 

Generally, this full-spectrum extract is appreciated by CBD lovers due to its intense flavour and presence of entourage effect. 

However, it is vital to understand that one may extract different kinds of CBD extracts by tweaking temperature and pressure settings. Further, one may enrich the extract by adding various solvents. Thus, the quality of the final extract would depend on the specific machine parameters used, along with what solvent was used or wasn’t used. 

It means that though these machines are highly automated, they leave room for lots of experimentation so that any producer can come up with a unique end product. Although ethanol is the most commonly used solvent along with CO2 extraction, one may create quite a different end product by using other solvents. Similarly, extraction temperature and pressures have a significant influence on the end product.

One may use this extract for further processing and creating either CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD. Generally, this extract would still require to go through processing before making its way to the final product. Thus, winterization and filtration help remove fats, oils, and waxes. Other processes involved in getting CBD isolate are decarboxylation, distillation, and crystallization. 

extracting CBD

Certifications to Look For

Needless to say, that it would depend on the location of the manufacturing facility, as requirements vary from place to place. Generally, European companies are pretty good at meeting local European and global requirements.

If someone is planning to install a unit in the EU zone, most machines for CO2 extraction should preferably include the EC declaration of conformity. Furthermore, it would include additional certificates for pressure tests, control procedure reports, material certificates, welding specifications, to name a few.

One may ask the manufacturer to provide component conformity, material conformity, leakage test, tank cleaning ability, and other reports as per the requirements.

Many high-quality machinery producers would also produce radiographic weld testing reports to ensure the quality of their products. In addition, the EU also requires pressure testing of the tank as mentioned in the EU Pressure Equipment Directive (PED 2014/68/EU).

For some manufacturers located in less regulated places, many of these certificates may not be needed. However, it is still good to ask for these certificates as the presence of these certificates helps confirm not only the quality of the product but also the presence of quality control measures.

It is vital to understand that though many products may appear to have similar specifications, some are produced using better safety standards. Certifications can only confirm these standards. Many of the mentioned certifications are given by third parties to the manufacturers.

Buying CO2 Extraction Equipment 

CBD extraction machine price always remains the prime concern. However, it is good to start by identifying the capacity of the machinery. Understand if a particular machine is made for small to mid-level or large-scale producers. The decision in this respect would be based on the buyer’s needs. Nonetheless, it is also good to know if its capacity is expandable or not, about automation, safety features, installation, and training. 

It is also good to look deeper into technical specifications regarding maximum pressure, temperature, and other features.

Also, pay particular attention to additional features like the possibility to use solvents along with CO2 usage. It is also vital to know how much CO2 is recycled. Pay attention to the power usage by the machine, as it is often neglected but may ultimately add to the bills.

Next, inquire about all the safety certifications that any equipment has. It is essential to ensure safe operation, reduce operational costs, and, more importantly, meet regulatory requirements.

Generally, it is a good idea to buy equipment from a company that is good at providing post-sales services. If needed, a company that can help expand production in the future, as having multiple machines from different manufacturers is rarely a good idea.

Additionally, one may inquire about specific needs for machine installing, kind of infrastructure needed, space, ventilation, environmental temperature.

Finally, try to figure out about its about maintenance issues with it, workflow with equipment. It is also good to know about labour requirements and any other expertise needed to run the machine.

If you would like to inquire about MoSES extraction system, use the contact form on our website. For any further questions about supercritical CO2 extraction reach out to us at info@essentiapura.com

5 minute read

Does CBD Affect Heart Rate?

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality. But, more importantly, it remains the primary cause of disability and mounting costs in healthcare. 

Most cardiovascular conditions are chronic, like hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and heart failure.

In heart conditions, a high heart rate is not good, as it makes the heart work faster and increases its needs for oxygen and other nutrients, thus increasing the risk of a heart attack. On the other hand, keeping heart rate lower is preferred, as it helps control blood pressure and lowers stress on cardiac muscles.

For a long time, researchers knew little about the influence of cannabinoids on heart health. Since CBD was illegal just a few decades back, it was impossible to carry out clinical trials or even lab studies. However, now things have changed, and using CBD in clinical trials is legal and ethical.

Effects of CBD on your Heart Rate

The most beneficial effects of CBD seem to occur due to its impact on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). At first, researchers thought that ECS is mainly present in the brain. However, now they understand that it is present in almost every organ. Thus, it is present in blood cells, adipose tissues, heart muscles, blood vessels. It can influence inflammatory responses, blood pressure, heart rate, platelet aggregation, and much more.

It seems that now researchers understand how cannabis can affect heart rate. Judging by this research it appears that ECS activates or deactivates the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V, member 1 (TRPV1). Studies point to TRPV1 being activated by THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). And on the contrary, the cannabinoid is a strong desensitizer of TRPV1.

Additionally, the latest studies also show that CBD may have a much broader impact on heart health. It may alter inflammatory responses, help prevent the formation of plaques, may exert a protective action on the cardiovascular system.

CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) cohort study confirmed that not only CBD but even recreational marijuana appears to be safe for heart health. However, unlike CBD, marijuana is more complex, as it contains various compounds with opposing effects on ECS receptors. Therefore, understanding a single compound and its impact on heart health is more straightforward.

What does CBD do to your heart rate

Since CBD is a desensitizer of TRPV1 channels, it has a mild calming effect on the heart. In addition, it tends to slow down the heart rate, which is beneficial for those living with hypertension or those at the risk of a heart attack. It also lowers the metabolic rate in heart muscles. However, it is worth noticing that CBD only has a mild effect on the heart.

Generally, the THC heart rate effect may be stimulating, and the CBD heart rate effect would be calming.

At present, there are not many studies regarding its impact on heart rate. Nonetheless, most observations indicate that it may help keep the heart calm. It is vital to understand that it mildly lowers the heart rate and, more importantly, may slow down unnecessary cardiac response to minor stressors. It means that it reduces the heart rate variability, which may be pretty good for the heart. 

Find Relief With Eliksan

Discover Eliksan, a natural full-spectrum CBD oil, designed to assist you with everyday challenges.

Visit Eliksan

Heart rate variability and CBD

There is a difference between the heart rate at rest and the heart rate under stress (physical or emotional). Greater variability in the heart rate is bad for heart health. 

However, it is essential to know that individual sensitivities differ, and in some, CBD may instead cause a mild increase in heart rate along with lowering blood pressure. This increase in heart rate is more common after the first few dosages (acute ingestion) and only when CBD is used at extremely high doses like 600 mg a day. However, in most people, a moderate dose of 70 mg a day would only have a calming effect. Nonetheless, it is vital to remember that its heart action will depend on the dosage and will change over time.

Additionally, it is also worth noticing that CBD has many indirect benefits for heart health. It may lower fast heart rate due to its ability to counter anxiety and other emotional responses.

This means that CBD may be suitable for controlling heart arrhythmia. It can lower heart rate, and it may even help prevent irregular heartbeats. Thus, one can also use CBD for heart palpitations, which are commonly caused by either fast heart rate or irregular beating of the heart. Although its effect would be mild, but beneficial. In fact, its mild effect is a good thing, as it means that people can use it frequently without worrying about the side effects or the need for consulting a doctor.

Taking CBD when you have Heart Issues

There could be many reasons to take CBD when living with a heart condition:

  • Hypertension: CBD generally lowers blood pressure. Its blood pressure-lowering action appears to be mild at the recommended dosage of below 70 mg/day.
  • Heart rate control: its effect will vary. At the recommended dosage of 70 mg/day or below, it will have a calming effect. However, a very high dosage of 600 mg may cause an increase in heart rate. Further, the body will get used to it with time, and it will have a minimally calming effect. Additionally, CBD will also reduce heart rate variability.
  • Myocardial infarction: usually, it would help reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and thus boost cardiac function. It may reduce episodes of cardiac pain.
  • Atherosclerosis: ECS system is also widely present in macrophages and vascular smooth muscles. Its dysregulation increases the risk of plaque formation. CBD may help regulate ECS and thus lower the risk of atherosclerosis.

ECS regulation with the help of CBD appears to be one of the promising approaches for managing heart issues. CBD oil is good for lowering heart rate, overcoming palpitations. It also helps prevent or manage more severe conditions like arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease. However, these are still early days, and there is a need for more studies in humans.

Since individual sensitives vary, so does the dosage. 10 to 20 mg a day would be a good starting point for those taking CBD for the first time. Generally, a dosage of 70 mg a day is regarded as moderate and highly safe. However, one should be a little careful if exceeding this dose. Nevertheless, it is worth noticing that CBD is safe even at much higher dosages like 600 mg or even 1000 mg a day. But, at higher dosages risk of adverse effects is also higher.

Safe and legal, CBD has the potential to change the shape of people’s health for the better. Get in contact with us and find the various CBD options we offer!

Is CBD Oil Suitable for Pet Rats

Though keeping rodents as pets may not be for all, but they can be a good friend. Rats are highly social animals. They might be considerably smaller than dogs or cats, but they are highly intelligent and have an excellent memory. Though their vision is not very sharp, once they have learned to navigate places, they never forget the path.

A more important reason for keeping rats as pets is that they are indeed social animals. They like to live in families. It means that they can accept their human companion and show affection. For example, they may enjoy a massage and may even react to tickling. 

For humans, keeping rats as pets can also be quite rewarding. They recognize various emotions. They would do various things to attract the attention of their human friends. Thus, rats can also be good companions for humans.

Would CBD oil work for rats?

Mammals come in various sizes and forms. Even dolphins and whales are mammals, but they have quite a different metabolism compared to rats and cats. So, what may work well for one species may not necessarily work well for another.

Nonetheless, it is worth noticing that many hormones, receptors, hormone pathways are well preserved within all mammals. So, despite the differences, mammals do share a lot. That is why insulin extracted from swine works in humans. It does not mean that swine insulin is precisely the same. It differs. Swine insulin has different chemical structures, but amazingly most parts of the molecule responsible for its function are well preserved in various species. It means that even insulin from a fish would influence humans.

It means that generally, most drugs have a similar action in various mammals, but with some differences. For example, some mammals may be more sensitive to alcohol, marijuana, or CBD, and others less. Nonetheless, the effect is generally predictable. It also means that what works for humans would mostly work for other mammals, including rats.

Another proof of the concept could be veterinary medications. Most medical drugs used in humans work in other mammals, too.

However, there are some challenges in using substances in mammals. There is a massive variation in metabolic rate, and even more importantly, in body sizes. In animals, this variation may be huge, even within a single species. It means that rats would generally require a very low dose of CBD.

Rats are pretty similar to humans

Ever wondered why rats are so commonly used in lab experiments? Why are drugs often tested in rats and mice before they are given to humans?

The explanation is simple. These small and humble beings share many traits with humans. Modern studies show that their genome contains an almost similar number of genes as humans. Thus, humans have 2.9 gigabases (Gb) of genes, and rats have slightly less at 2.74 Gb. But, that’s not all. Studies show that at least one-fourth of all genes between rats and humans are exactly the same.

So, the answer to can rats have CBD is yes.

Rats have similar kind of health issues as their humans

These days, for humans, the greater concern is non-infectious diseases or metabolic disorders. These disorders are the result of an altered lifestyle. Human diet has changed considerably in the last century or so and the level of physical activity.

Pet rats also have challenges similar to their human companions. They are physically less active than non-pet rats. In addition, they have a very different dietary pattern. It means that pet rats are also prone to metabolic disorders, obesity, bone disorders, hypertension, pains, and even oncological conditions.

Pet rats are fed differently. In addition, they have limited space to move around. As a result, pet rats have a very different lifestyle compared to rodents dwelling in the wilderness.

Why use CBD oil for pet rats?

One of the issues is that veterinary medicine is not ready to take care of pet rats adequately. It is mostly focused on preventing lice, fleas, worms, and some infections in rats. However, there is almost no focus on non-infectious diseases. Neither much effort is made to improve the quality of life, prevent metabolic disorders, help with pain, improve anxiety, help with sleep issues.

It means that many pet owners have to tackle these issues of their small companions by themselves. And it is where CBD may help. Moreover, CBD oil for pets may help prevent various disease conditions.

Some of the ways in which CBD oil may help pet rats

Pet rats are prone to metabolic disorders, eating disorders, and much more. This is because their diet when living with humans is quite different. Moreover, their human counterparts cannot understand all the intricacies of rodent diet.

Studies show that CBD oil may help prevent obesity and related disorders in rats. It may help by influencing dietary habits and boosting metabolism. 

Similarly, CBD may also help overcome pains, boost memory and learning in rats. It may help slow down age-related disorders. Thus, supplementing the diet of a pet with CBD may help keep it active.

CBD may also help reduce pain, have a calming effect. Studies show that it may reduce nausea, exert an anti-emetic influence. And thus, it may improve appetite in ill pets.

However, here is a word of caution. One should use much lower dosages of CBD in pet rats than in experimental studies. It is essential to remember that experimental studies are not done by keeping rats’ well-being in mind. They are simply done to demonstrate certain concepts so that similar ideas can be later applied to humans. Thus, most experimental studies may give toxic doses for quick results. 

Thus, for example, CBD dose for rats with tumors would be just a few milligrams. Perhaps 1 to 3 milligrams would work for most, considering that 70 mg is considered a moderate dosage for humans.

Another essential thing to remember is that it would be better to avoid THC in the rats. It is not because it is toxic for rats, but its effects may be challenging to predict. Instead, it would be a good idea to use CBD isolate. Even broad-spectrum CBD may have unpredictable results. 

To conclude, rats can be excellent companion animals. However, there are specific challenges in taking their care. CBD may help prevent various disorders in rats. It may have a unique role in preventing some diseases in rats, especially considering that veterinary doctors are not much aware of non-infectious conditions in pet rats.

Have you ever thought of adding CBD to your pet’s diet? Reach out to us and find out which option we offer as white label CBD for pets.

5 minute read

Can you add CBD Oil to Essential Oils?

CBD and Essential Oils

Essential oils are derived from various parts of the plants, and they usually retain the odor of that particular plant. They are pretty volatile. They might be extracted from leaves, peels, flowers, bark, seeds, and so on.

There are thousands of known varieties of aromatic plants. It means that there are thousands of types of well-documented essential oils. These plants are also commonly referred to as medicinal plants due to the innumerable health benefits of these essential oils.

Researchers are still trying to decode the secrets of essential oils. They are made up of hundreds of complex organic molecules like terpenes, phenol-derived aromatic compounds, and much more. These compounds also have multiple health benefits like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory. 

More interestingly, they have a wonderful aroma that may cause various psychological responses like relaxing, stimulating, mood-elevating, and much more.

Since these molecules are so complex, researchers still have a very limited understanding of essential oils in any given plant. Nonetheless, science has identified thousands of aromatic molecules in essential oils like beta-pinene in basil or alpha-limonene in lemon.

For those interested in learning more about essential oils (as there are so many essential oils) and various aromatic and non-aromatic compounds in them, there are few excellent freely accessible databases like AromaDB or EssOilDB. One may use these databases to learn more about different essential oils and creating unique products.

Is CBD an Essential Oil

Users often ask, is CBD considered an essential oil? CBD is just one of the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is a short form for a compound called cannabidiol (CBD). Since essential oils are a mix of numerous aromatic and volatile compounds, CBD isolate cannot be regarded as an essential oil. It is just one of the compounds found in cannabis oil.

It is also vital to understand that CBD oil and Cannabis oil are different terms. CBD oil may be created by adding CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD distillate to any carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, and so on). Cannabis oil, on the other hand, is a raw product, an essential oil extracted from the cannabis plant.

Nonetheless, broad-spectrum CBD distillate is quite close to essential oils, as it contains other organic compounds, cannabinoids, terpenes, and so on.

The reason why the industry does not use cannabis oil and instead utilizes CBD isolate or distillate to make products is that cannabis oil has very low CBD content. 

White Label CBD oils

Expand your business, with market-proven, ready-to-launch CBD products.

White label CBD oils

However, researchers understand that the benefits of CBD products can be considerably enhanced by combining CBD with various other essential oils. Or another approach is to add different terpenes to CBD products to create designer, value-added products.

Combining CBD with specific essential oils or terpenes results in products with known particular properties. Researchers believe that in the future, this would help create CBD products for specific health conditions. 

Adding CBD to Essential oil

There are many reasons to add CBD to essential oil. One of the simple reasons could be that there is a need for a carrier oil. Further, CBD oil and essential oils may help boost the health benefits of each other (via entourage effect).

Some benefits of adding CBD to essential oil

Here possibilities are innumerable, and one may add CBD to lavender or chamomile essential oil for creating stress relieving product. It may help relax better, induce sleep, and have an enhanced calming effect.

If one wants to create something with a mood-elevating and energizing effect, adding CBD to lemon essential oil would be good.

Similarly, adding CBD to eucalyptus essential oil may help create a product with good anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. 

Some people love the cooling effect of peppermint oil. In addition, CBD-infused Peppermint oil may also be suitable for pain relief.

Jasmine has a mild mood-elevating effect. It may help counter stress, help with depressive mood, and much more.

Private Label Custom Formulations

Retail-ready formulas not your type? Reach out and develop your own custom formulation.

Click here for more

Adding terpenes to CBD oil

It is another new approach to creating products with remarkable health benefits. Some manufacturers are now adding terpenes to CBD oil. Here too, the possibilities are innumerable, and hundreds of terpenes are commercially available with distinct health benefits.

  • Limonene– as the name suggests, is extracted from citrus fruits and can add to CBD oil a citrusy aroma. It is especially good for reducing inflammation and helps combat stress. Researchers are also exploring its other health benefit like antimicrobial properties.
  • AlphaPinene– is derived from pine needles, basil, rosemary, and other plants. Pinene can provide good anti-anxiety properties. It is also suitable for respiratory health and has mild bronchodilatory action. Meaning it’s better for those living with various chronic conditions of the respiratory tract.
  • Myrcene– a terpene with a musky smell, has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It has a sedating effect on the mood and thus may be suitable for improving sleep quality. 

Here the possibilities are countless like beta-caryophyllene (spicy aroma) is good for neuroprotection, linalool (floral scent) relieves anxiety.

Some people like to use CBD essential oil diffusers for aromatherapy, too. So, one of the questions asked is, can I put CBD oil in my oil diffuser? Well, the answer is that it is possible in some cases, but not all cases. If CBD is added to essential oil, then it is suitable for use with a diffuser. However, many CBD oils do not contain essential oils and are made explicitly for ingestion. 

CBD Essential Oil benefits

Essential oils are not just carrier oils; they also provide the so-called “entourage effect,” thus considerably enhancing the health benefits of CBD. 

Cannabis essential oil is generally regarded as moderately antibacterial. It is good for anxiety, mood issues, countering pain and stress, improving sleep quality. 

However, combining CBD with other essential oils or adding terpenes to CBD oil provides greater creative freedom to manufacturers. It opens doors to almost endless opportunities to create products for different health benefits. 

Although cannabis is accepted as one of the medicinal plants, it is vital to understand that most of its health benefits are mild and occur on prolonged use. These products are not a replacement for any medication or treatment. They are just utilized for added benefits.

To conclude, CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD distillate are safe, free from impurities. However, they either lack or have a low entourage effect. Combining CBD with various essential oils and terpenes may help create products with unique aromas and benefits.

Which are Essential oils do you think are best combined with CBD? Mail us your opinions! Or if you are willing to try CBD blended with your desired essential oils, complete the contact form to make an order.

The Rising Trend of CBD Edibles: CBD Gummies

The most popular CBD product remains CBD oil in the form of CBD drops. While the bottle and pipette might look archaic, CBD drops are the most convenient and effective solution for those who seek CBD benefits. It is also the first product which was made CBD consumption available. And if something works, why fix it? 

But we always try to find new and creative ways to spice up our cuisine and so is with CBD. As shown in one of the previous blogs on the most innovative CBD products, CBD already made itself available in almost every form imaginable. And why reinvent the wheel, when we can just incorporate CBD into the recipe we desire.

This is what happened with CBD gummies. A hundred-year-old formulation by a German confectioner named Hans Riegel just got reinvented. First, the sweet jellies were popularised with infused THC in the legal states and countries. Now sweets are available in the non-intoxicated CBD variant all around the world.

A Novel (& Delicious) Method of Consuming CBD Oil

CBD just got available in everyone’s sweetest childhood memory! It is not just the CBD gummy bears, the cannabidiol is available in every jelly form possible. CBD gummies are found in shapes of cubes, spheres, animals, fruits, hearts, hats,  stars, and rainbows,.. We can taste CBD gummies in various flavours and they can taste sweet, sour, tart, juicy,.. The CBD gummy can be also available sugar-free, gluten-free, THC-free and vegan.

Essentia Pura CBD gummies come in 4 different tasty fruit flavors!

The shapes, flavours and colour are limitless and provide for an exciting CBD experience. But most importantly, CBD gummies have a precise CBD content. This enables the user to have an accurate amount of CBD intake with every serving.

Benefits of CBD gummies

The practical solution of having the desired dose of CBD intake with every gummy is what makes them worth it. CBD gummies come in various strengths, but whether we have a 10mg CBD gummies we can:

  • Consume a CBD gummy in the morning to take on a new task with more enthusiasm
  • Take two 10mg CBD gummies when we want a Sunday to be what it is supposed to be
  • And take 3 of them to ease out after a long day and enjoy the well earned rest

All in all, CBD gummies seem to be the perfect treat for us on many occasions! But with all the great things they offer, there can be some risks involved.

Precautions to take with CBD gummies

Like with every CBD product, there is always a risk the product might not contain what it claims to. Even when purchasing from a reputable company, make sure to start slow and take just 1 gummy first, or even better, half of it. 

The CBD content might not be accurate and off the charts. CBD No-THC gummies could contain higher concentrations of THC than declared. Solvent residues or other chemicals can be leftover in the gummies from CBD extraction which may lead to undesired side effects.

Drug interactions apply and can happen with CBD gummies in case we are already on certain medications.

Legality of CBD Edibles

The legality of CBD edibles is still uncertain in the European Union. Most of the EU member states have taken the Novel Food Catalogue seriously and are not allowing CBD in any form as a food or food ingredient.

CBD drops can still be marketed as cosmetics or aromatics. Edibles, such as CBD gummies, are a bit more conflicting. It is tougher for the gummies to be marketed as technical products, products for external use or collector’s items.


Anyhow, since CBD is not an illicit substance, there no law breaching when doing business with gummies or consuming them.

Most consumers already took CBD to their hearts and believe in the safety of it. We can all just hope for the quickest Novel Food process for CBD and the other beneficial cannabinoids.

*Since gummies are a form of CBD candy, they are very attractive for children. Because of this, especially where THC consumption is legal, cannabis infused gummies like hemp gummy bears are prohibited. The situation is similar to the ban of nicotine e-juices, where the sweet flavours attracted the younger population. Use and store CBD gummies responsibly, so they will not share the same fate!

Whitelabel CBD gummies from Essentia Pura are packed in a childproof container which also prevents sunlight degradation!

Typical CBD Dosage & Duration of CBD Gummies

How many CBD gummies should you eat is mostly dependent on the CBD concentration of the gummies. If the CBD candy is formulated with CBD isolate, the CBD isolate gummies should be pretty safe with any dosage.

For Cannabidiol, there is no official dosage, but the World Health Organisation assigns CBD a very good safety profile. Food Safety Agency in the UK recommends a daily intake of 70mg CBD for a healthy adult. In Canada, where Cannabis is fully legalized there is no upper limit of daily CBD intake. 

Once we know the active convent of the CBD candy, the following factors are to be considered when determining the right dosage:

  • The persons sex, age and body weight
  • What is subject’s tolerance and response to CBD 
  • Interactions with foods and other drugs

If however, the CBD gummies are made from broad-spectrum or full-spectrum hemp extracts, the other compounds must be taken into consideration. Be especially wary of the D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels, which if too high, can produce undesirable intoxicating effects 

Manufacturing CBD-infused Gummies & Food

As CBD is still not fully accepted as a food ingredient by authorities, we opted for the safer route. At Essentia Pura, our main drive is full-spectrum CBD, but for CBD infused food we chose THC-free. The CBD no-THC gummies are manufactured with isolated cannabidiol. This offers the safest delivery of CBD for every person of every age.

Essentia Pura White label CBD gummies are made with pectin instead of gelatin, which makes them vegan CBD candies. They are available in 4 different natural flavours:

  • Raspberry
  • Lemon-Lime
  • Mango
  • Strawberry

The White label CBD candies do not contain any of the following allergens: Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat and are completely gluten-free.

The White label CBD gummies are available in concentrations of 10mg and 25mg per serving. 

The plastic packaging is opaque, which provides UV protection preventing the degradation of CBD. The non-transparent packaging also prevents the kids to be tempted by the sweets, for whom there is also a child-resistant lid.

Whether you would like to buy the CBD candies in bulk or just order a sample of our CBD sweet jellies to try, send us an e-mail or complete our contact form.

The Benefits for CBD Oil for Pets

Did you know that Cannabidiol (CBD) can have a positive effect on your cat, dog, and all the different kinds of animals you keep at home? Mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles, have all been found to have an endocannabinoid system. This means that if you have had a positive experience with CBD, your pets can most likely have one too!

Now, before you share your favorite CBD product with your beloved pet, it’s good to take a few things into consideration, so keep on reading!

Generally, what’s good for you should be also good for your pet. But obviously, as every human is different and can have a different reaction to CBD products, so can animals have a completely different experience with CBD. As there are not enough studies to set a golden standard for CBD administration to humans, there’s even less knowledge on how CBD products work on animals. The rule of thumb is starting slow, with a really small amount of CBD, and see how the animal reacts. 

If the benefits of CBD oils can be seen in humans, they can definitely have value for pets as well. First of all, you have to make sure that the CBD oil you administer to your pets is safe, so let’s explore how CBD is made and what different options are available.

What is CBD Oil? How is CBD Oil for Pets Made?

Cannabidiol, CBD in short, is the main active ingredient in the cannabis plant. Most of the CBD is concentrated in the resin glands in the cannabis flower. Therefore, to separate CBD from the plant matter, we have to strip off the resin. There are several different methods to obtain the CBD-rich cannabis resin. While some are more efficient than others in terms of yields. The CBD hemp extraction method with supercritical CO2, the one that we use at Essentia Pura facility, is proven to be the most effective in terms of safety. We do not cut any corners when it comes to the quality of our CBD oil! We are extremely confident, that our Full-Spectrum CBD oils contain no residual harmful chemicals which are leftover in solvent extractions. Your and your pet’s safety in the first step of the product manufacturing process is assured. Now let’s move to the formulation.

Full Spectrum, Broad spectrum or Isolate only?

We believe that full-spectrum CBD products are the most effective for humans. Most likely, we can project the same experience we have to the animal world. But with most positive effects, there is also a greater possibility for the manifestation of negative effects. The full-spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC! As animals share the same endocannabinoid system as we do, they can also be intoxicated by THC in the same way. With proper and careful dosing, the negative side effects from the full spectrum oils can be in most cases avoided. But if you prefer to be on the safer side, the broad spectrum CBD oil is a better option. (THC free)

Some animals are also sensitive to terpenes found in hemp. So the safest, but also most likely the least effective, is a formulation of CBD drops for pets with CBD isolate. Formulations with CBD isolate are also the safest way for young animals that are still developing and learning.

Don’t forget the carrier oils!

Carrier oils act as a base for the CBD extract to be diluted in. The final mixture provides better bioavailability and dosing accuracy. As carrier oils make the most part of CBD drops, they might be even more important than the CBD extract itself when it comes to unwanted reactions in your pets. We offer our CBD drops in three different carrier oils:

Cold-pressed Olive oil. Probably the most praised oil in culinary. (loved by humans, but probably not all animals will find it fancy)

Hemp seed oil. A healthy cold-pressed oil, rich in healthy fats, fats, vitamins, and minerals. (offers the whole plant experience, but has the same issue as the Olive oil above)

MCT oil. Has a neutral taste, provides the longest shelf life, and offers the best bioavailability. (potentially the best option, but larger servings might result in digestive discomfort)

The carrier oils above are widely accepted as the best for human use. But for animals, we propose a formulation with a different carrier oil.

Salmon fish oil.

This carrier oil has all the necessary traits of the above options while also providing smell and flavor appealing to pets. (the downsides are that this product is not vegan. Some pets might also reject the taste or have an allergic or similar reaction to it)

Salmon fish oil has many health benefits on its own! It is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support a healthy immune system, cardiovascular system, promotes healthy skin and coat while also improving cognitive function. Although if counted in drops, it won’t add much value. That’s why we propose CBD oil for pets to be formulated for 30ml bottles. Having a 2.5% or 5% CBD concentration in 30ml dropper bottles, the dosing of CBD becomes easier. And this way the intake of healthy wild Alaskan salmon oil is also increased!

CBD Oil For Dogs

To summarise, there are many options available, and its very hard to put the finger on one and say this is the best. Our friends from the animal kingdom vary in size, age, and the conditions they need to have treated. There is just no “one size fits all”. There is however more data on CBD administration to our best four-legged companions.

CBD can benefit dogs in many different ways. As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, CBD works for animals in the same way as in humans, it promotes homeostasis. Cannabidiols action can be seen in dogs’ proper function,  which is reflected in their shape and behavior.

Too little scientific data is available to make any full proof claims on how the CBD impacts the animal. But the internet is swarmed with happy dog owners which used CBD to just improve their dogs’ health. Some even used CBD oil to treat epilepsy in dogs or using CBD oil for dogs with heart problems.

But dog owners have seen an improvement of dogs mobility, immune system, improvements in healthier teeth, skin, and coat. CBD helped with dogs’ pain and inflammation, loss of appetite, anxiety, and noise phobia. CBD is also showing great potential in treating dog breed anomalies!

Obviously, with this wide array of health benefits, there could also be some dangers involved. Undesirable side effects might come up if the dog is not used to CBD or has perhaps taken too much of the products. These negative reactions can be seen as dry-mouth (dehydration), low blood pressure (drowsiness), disorientation (lightheadedness), vomiting (nausea).

With proper dosing, our dog should not experience the problems above. The CBD dosage depends on the size of your pet and is as follows:

Administration of CBD to Dogs

There are several routes of administration of CBD to your dogs. The most effective would be to dose the CBD oil directly into dogs mouth, in the best scenario to rub it against dogs gums. While it sounds easy, this option can be sometimes hard to execute in practice. A more simple way would be to just mix the drops directly onto the dogs’ meal, or into his bowl of water.

After you start giving your pet CBD, it is wise to keep a journal and track progress.

The CBD Pet Market

CBD has taken the pet market by storm. From CBD dog treats to CBD-infused stuffed animal toys, the CBD pet market increased by nearly 1000% in 2020 alone. Most of these products are not yet backed by scientific research and it is hard to measure their effectiveness without trying them. But many pet owners are betting on CBD as their go-to for treating ailments of their dear pets. 

Obviously, it is not wise to take CBD without asking your veterinarian for advice first. In case your pet is already undergoing treatment with other medicine, possible dangerous interactions with CBD could arise. Although veterinarians, similar to doctors and pharmacists, might often simply deny the positive effects of CBD and try to avoid this discussion. This is simply because the source of CBD comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant, which legal status is still very questionable in most parts of the world.

On the other hand, if you see the veterinary clinic filled with all kinds of different pet products with CBD, the situation might raise flags. The personnel might just be jumping on the CBD bandwagon and try to make a profit, especially if the clinic has its own brand of CBD. This judgement is mostly left to you and is mostly related to the trust you built over time with the veterinarian.

But always be sure to check the following:

-The CBD extract for pets should be derived with carbon dioxide, which leaves no harmful solvents behind

-The origin of the hemp and the carrier oil should be non-GMO and from organic sources, as there are no residuals of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the final product

-The product should be without any artificial colour and flavours. Only natural extracts of spices and herbs or medicinal plants should be incorporated.

-3rd party lab testing, which adds another layer of credibility to the product

At Essentia Pura, the white label CBD pet products specialist, we always strive to meet the criteria above when manufacturing CBD products. We make no difference in the quality when producing CBD for human consumption, CBD for cats, CBD for horses. Quality is always our number one priority.

If made and dosed properly, CBD should have minimal side effects and could be less dangerous than traditional medicine. But you should never replace the treatment your veterinarian prescribed with CBD, especially without your veterinarian’s approval. 

If you are interested in white-label CBD for pets, do not hesitate to contact us! We will help you find the perfect CBD formulation that you can share with the animal world.

5 MINUTE read

The process of supercritical CO2 extraction for CBD

What is Co2 extraction

 

Carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction is a safe, non-toxic, environmentally-friendly process of extracting desired compounds from botanical sources.

A relatively new way of processing hemp to obtain its cannabinoid-rich resin, the Co2 extraction method is widely spread among other industries.

A few examples where co2 extraction is used for: 

  • removing caffeine from coffee beans, 
  • removing nicotine from tobacco, 
  • essential oil production,
  • hop extraction for beer production

CO2 is also used for:

  • carbonation of beverages
  • dry cleaning
  • fire extinguishers

Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. It occurs naturally in Earth’s atmosphere as a trace gas and is always present in the human body. It is considered harmless and also essential for us to function. 

At room temperature, carbon dioxide is a colorless and odorless gas. But to perform extractions with carbon dioxide, we need to change its state of aggregation. If we are freezing CO2 below -78°C we obtain carbon dioxide in a solid-state (Dry ice) which also has some uses in hemp processing. 

On the other hand by heating carbon dioxide, we can convert it to a liquid state, or even better to a supercritical state. This is achieved by heating CO2 above 31.10C (critical temperature) while maintaining it under the pressure of 74 bar (critical pressure) to become a supercritical fluid. 

In this supercritical form, CO2 has both the properties of a gas and a liquid, becoming the perfect solvent for hemp extraction.

For Co2 extracted Essential Oils from sources other than hemp, please click here

What is Supercritical CO2  Extraction

 

To perform a supercritical CO2 extraction we need to put CO2 in said parameters. Special equipment is needed to maintain CO2 in these conditions. 

The Supercritical CO2 extraction systems need to be engineered appropriately to resist such temperatures and pressures. 

 

Highest Quality Hemp Extraction

Supercritical CO2 extraction is the key to obtaining the purest cannabinoids, free from solvents and toxins. Contact us, and let us process your hemp.

Find out more here
co2 extraction machine

A CBD extraction machine is made out of stainless steel (a standard in food and pharma industry) and usually consists of:

  • A Chiller
  • An extraction vessel 
  • Collection vessels
  • CO2 tanks
  • Pipes, gauges, valves, pumps
  • Control panel

The CBD extraction machines are also closed-loop systems, so the CO2 gets recycled back to CO2 tanks and can be reused for future extractions.

A quick overview of the CO2 hemp extraction process is as follows:

  1. The extraction vessel is filled with hemp. The hemp biomass should be free of water and finely ground for optimal volume efficiency. 
  2. Pressurized CO2 (in the supercritical state) passes through the extraction vessel to interact with hemp, extracting various compounds present in hemp such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids among others.
  3. Supercritical CO2 then carries the hemp extract to the collection vessels
  4. In collection vessels, the pressures are lower than the supercritical range, which transforms CO2 back into a gas form and allows it to be recollected into CO2 tanks.
  5. As CO2 becomes a gas, its solvent properties are gone and the hemp extract separates from CO2.
  6. At different pressure and temperatures, different fractions of hemp resin are extracted in the collection vessels.
  7. These fractions either represent more volatile substances like aromatic terpenes and towards the other side of the spectrum, heavier oils and waxes containing cannabinoids like CBD.

Crude hemp extracts are usually full of waxes, lipids, chlorophyll, and other compounds. There are some users who prefer this kind of unrefined oil. But usually, additional post-processing is required to satisfy most users.

More advanced CO2 hemp extraction machines, like our MoSES system, allow fractionating during the extraction. By modulating temperature, pressure, and extraction time, we can separate and discard some unwanted compounds like waxes while targeting desired compounds like CBD. This way we save a lot of time and labor on post-processing techniques like winterization, color remediation, decarboxylation…

With the possibility of collecting different fractions, we can obtain CO2-SE (selective) and the CO2-TO (total) extracts when extracting different medicinal plants, spices, and herbs.

Private Label CBD Products

Retail-ready formulas not your type? Reach out and develop your own custom formulation.

Click here for more

Why do we use CO2 extraction for CBD/hemp extraction

 

There are many methods of stripping the CBD from the hemp plant. Some are mechanical, some use solvents, some involve advanced technologies such as microwaves and ultrasonic sound. 


But all of them aim for the same goal, to capture the essence of the plant. At the end of the day, it is not always a matter of quality, why a specific extraction process is chosen. It boils down to many different factors, such as equipment cost, time efficiency, extraction yields, skills required for the operation…

But for us, the first and most important thing IS quality. We make no compromises with that. Even if the CO2 extraction system is a bigger investment, the cost of maintenance is higher and it requires a qualified operator.

The benefits of CO2 extraction for the best quality CBD extracts

We believe that supercritical fluid extraction is superior in every aspect.

Almost 100% of cannabinoid extraction efficiency is one of the main benefits of CO2 hemp extraction. In CO2 extraction essential oils, the terpene retention is also impressive.

By using food-grade CO2, the final extract contains NO residual solvents which might be harmful to the consumer. With supercritical CO2 hemp extractions, we require no additional steps of solvent purging, so our extracts retain more of their original form.

Most unwanted compounds like waxes or chlorophyll can also be filtered out during the extraction process. This way we again avoid unnecessary manipulations of the hemp extract which might alter its natural chemical composition. 

Relying on supercritical CO2 hemp extraction, we can obtain an organic CO2 extract rich in cannabinoids and free of impurities. And this is what matters the most, to put on market something we are proud of, something that cannot be any better.

If you would like to know more about our MoSES supercritical CO2 extraction system or if we got you interested in hemp extraction, do not hesitate to contact us regarding any questions or concerns you might have. If you would like to try CBD, check our wide range of products  with different ways of application. We are sure you will find something for yourself!