This article will address a question that strikes many CBD consumers. Is topicals and salves better than edibles?
Let’s understand how CBD topicals work.
Alternative to lotion?
Yes. Topicals are a great alternative to body lotions. Topicals have CBD in them which OTC balms, sold in the market, don’t have. But CBD topicals have a tiny market share, compared to what body lotions laden with synthetic chemicals hold.
However, people have started to understand the importance of herbal elements. Some have even developed a penchant for everything herbal. Probably that’s why, the demands for topicals is slowly on the rise. The cannabis market is projected to grow a whopping 700% by the year 2020. And hopefully topicals will occupy a decent share of this growing market.
Benefits of CBD topicals
Let’s get down to business. Why are topicals becoming so popular lately? And what are their benefits?
Topicals mean smoke-free CBD consumption. It can be consumed in several ways. We have discussed several consumption methods here, on this website. Methods such as lighting up a joint, using water pipe and vaping involve a lot of smoke. Vaping is considered safer than smoking. But it’s not smoke-free. Topicals are a far safer way to consume CBD.
Topicals are normally rubbed over the skin, especially over affected areas. What this means is there’s zero chance of the consumer getting high. People usually don’t report feeling high due to CBD consumption. But even then, there’s always a small chance of insobriety when CBD is vaporized or smoked. But with topicals, zilch!
You can prepare it
This, in my opinion, is the biggest benefit of CBD topicals. Various products are available in the market already. If these products don’t suit your budget or if you doubt their quality, feel free to produce CBD topical oil all by yourself.
The method of preparation
Here’s the process explained in details:
First, get yourself the following ingredients:
- One cup of organic oil.
- 15 grams of organic hemp/cannabis derived CBD buds.
Using a mixer grinder, pestle the buds and then put them into a jar filled with organic oil. Then seal the jar by putting the cover on the top. Next, place the jar inside a pot and fill up to 3-inches of the pot from the bottom with water.
At a temperature of 95°C-100°C, simmer the jar slowly. It will take some time, roughly 2-3 hours for it to get ready. If you want the molecules of the oil to be less condense, simmer it for 4 days on a row. But keep a gap of 2 hours between each act of stewing.
After 4 days, the topical oil will be usable.
Prepare CBD salves
Topicals and salves are often used in the same sense. The two, however, are different. Topicals are more like ointments. Salves are like creams. Preparing salves is slightly different from preparing topicals. Instead of simmering, you have to stir-fry a blend of herbal oil and ½ ounce of cannabis oil for 2-3 hours.
Pain relief
CBD topicals provide excellent relief from chronic pain. Diseases accompanied by chronic pain are related to bones, spine, nerve, shoulders, muscles and sometimes cells. Degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulders, sickle cell disease are among the medical conditions that seriously diminish a person’s quality of life.
To make it worse, people suffering from these health issues often report that conventional medicines are not providing them any relief. CBD is a natural pain relief. When CBD topicals are gently rubbed all over the painful areas, consumers feel magical relief. People suffering from chronically painful conditions are strongly recommended to use CBD topicals.
Supplement for massage
CBD topicals can be a great resource for masseurs for its pain relief properties. Therapeutic massage is getting popular all around the world. Masseurs look for new ways to personify the service they offer to customers.
They can use CBD salves and/or topicals as a supplement and charge their customers extra. It will pad their pocket and offer customers a relaxed experience and a quick relief from pain and fatigue.
Skin disorders
CBD topicals and salves can open a new dimension for skin disorder treatment. Some autoimmune diseases affect the patient’s skin. Painful lesions – often pus filled – start to form on their skins.
Currently, treatment option for such disorders is limited. Doctors prescribe oral steroidal drugs, which harms the body’s normal functioning. CBD topicals and salves, because they are organic and non-steroidal, can give relief without side-effect.
Normal people can also use CBD topicals to take a good care of their skin. Regular use of salves and topical keep the skin glowing, smooth and healthy.
Summing up
We started with a question. Are topicals better than edibles? The answer in the end is, these are not comparable. Oral CBD solutions have different usage than topicals.