Hello madamegrowers! In this post we are going to address what is undoubtedly one of the star questions of those who are new to cultivation: how do I extract CBD from my marijuana plant? As you already know, CBD or cannabidiol is a component that has great anxiolytic and relaxing properties. That is why human societies have historically extracted it to consume it in different ways and thus take advantage of its health benefits. We can consume CBD through food, cosmetics, oils, etc.
Different ways of how to extract CBD
There are several types of CBD extractions from hemp, although there are some that are much more efficient and safe than others. It is very important to know the differences, since the way in which the CBD is extracted affects the quality of the final product. We are going to explain the four main methods used for extraction.
CBD extraction with solvents
Solvent extraction of CBD is not the safest practice, but it is widespread. It involves mixing a liquid solvent, such as butane or ethanol, with the previously decarboxylated plant. As a result, we will have a chemical reaction that will separate the cannabinoids and terpenes from it. The risk is that you have to be very careful not to have an accident in the process and that no solvent remains in the CBD, since it is highly flammable and dangerous to health. To do this, you have to make sure that it has been completely evaporated.
The advantage of doing this process is that this is a cheap and rudimentary extraction method, which also offers quite high purity as a result.
Manual CBD extraction
There are also those who opt for an undesirable extraction method such as manual extraction. Handbook? That’s possible? Yes, but with drawbacks such as a poor and impractical result. How it is performed? Well, you simply have to apply heat and friction to the leaves and flowers of the plant so that it removes the trichomes. The problem is that these trichomes will contain the entire set of cannabinoids and terpenes present in hemp. And, as if that were not enough, the purity of the extracted CBD will be minimal.
It is a very cheap way to extract, since you will not require anything other than your hands, but it is not advisable if we want an optimal result in CBD concentration levels.
Extraction of CBD with olive oil
More recommended for non-professional growers is the extraction with olive oil. It is a simple method, very safe and for which no experience is required. As with solvents, we first need the plant part to be decarboxylated. To do this, heat must be applied, for example, by means of an oven. Then, we will mix the plant material with the oil and heat it in a pot for a few hours. In this time, the cannabidiol from the plant will have passed into the oil and this will become a CBD oil suitable for consumption.
With this method there will be no chemical residue left and we will have a fairly clean and healthy final product, in a simple way. The only downside is that the CBD concentration will be rather low compared to other professional forms of extraction.
Extraction of CBD with supercritical CO2
Finally, we will talk about this extraction option, which stands as one of the most popular professional methods.
It is done by getting the carbon dioxide to reach its supercritical state, that is, when it has both the characteristics of a gas and a liquid. Specific tools are required for this process, such as a closed-loop BHO extractor, as well as advanced technical knowledge. Therefore, it is an expensive method as well as complicated for an amateur level.
The extraction is carried out through a process in which different levels of pressure and temperature are applied to the plant, which will be measured and adjusted according to the final characteristics that we want to obtain. The result will be clean, safe and very rich in CBD.
The most recommended method to get CBD extracts
If we are not professionals, the best method from the statements is the extraction of CBD with olive oil. It is much safer than using solvents with our plant material, more efficient than manual extraction and, in short, a gentle and natural way to obtain CBD from our plant, although the concentration is lower than using professional methods and slightly lower than with solvents.
We hope this information has helped you decide how you are going to extract CBD from your marijuana, hemp or therapeutic plant. Remember that in our Madame Grow store we have a wide variety of CBD seeds, as well as the best organic fertilizers for your plant.
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