What Actually Is Full Spectrum CBD oil?
You may have come across the term ‘full spectrum’ used to describe CBD oil – what does this actually mean? To explain this properly, we have to provide a little background information so please bear with us and read on – we promise it’s not too long or complicated.
The cannabis genus of plants contains over 500 different compounds including over 130 Phyto cannabinoids with much research underway and more being discovered all the time. CBD or Cannabidiol is a Phyto cannabinoid.
In addition to the Phyto cannabinoids, each plant will make a variety of other types of active compounds such as Terpenes, Flavonoids and Fatty Acids. Many of the Terpenes and Flavonoids individually have powerful beneficial effects, for example:
A-Pinene: Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Aids Memory, Anti-Bacterial (also found in pine needles)
Linalool: Anaesthetic, Anti-Convulsant, Analgesic. Potent calming action, Anti-Anxiety. (Also found in Lavender)
Beta Caryophyllene: Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Fungal, Analgesic, Protects lining of digestive tract. (also found in black pepper)
Myrcene: Potent Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory & Antibiotic, Sedative & Sleep Aid, Muscle Relaxant. Blocks the action of Cytochrome, Aflatoxin B and other promutagenic carcinogens. (also found in hops)
Limonene: Anti-Fungal, Antibacterial, Anti-Carcinogen. Helps with Anxiety & Depression. (also found in citrus)
Terpineol: Sedative effect
Quercetin: Anti-viral, Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory flavonoid
The Entourage Effect was first described by Dr Rafael Mechoulam in 1998. He was incidentally the first researcher to identify and isolate both THC and CBD. Essentially, he discovered that the beneficial effects of CBD were greatly improved when accompanied by the natural terpenes and flavonoids of the plant in their natural proportions.
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So how does this information relate to the oil you may be considering using? Well for one thing, flavonoids and terpenes are fragile compounds with low boiling points and easily damaged or destroyed by aggressive, high temperature, high pressure extraction methods. We believe that a CBD oil which has been extracted using no solvents, under low temperatures and pressures will always be the best choice. This is why we chose an extraction method that doesn’t produce the highest yields, but always produces the very highest quality.
It’s worth noting that many CBD Oil manufacturers claim that their oil is ‘full spectrum CBD' when in fact it has been produced by a method that removes or destroys the terpenes. Terpenes are then added to the extracted oil in a separate process. It’s for this reason that there is a flourishing secondary marketplace for terpenes!
It’s also worth noting that CBD oil from even the best CO2 extraction process needs to be ‘winterized’ – a process where a solvent (usually ethanol) is added to the oil which is then further processed by heating and freezing to remove plant waxes. This winterization process invariably removes some of the terpenes. We don’t think this method is suitable for producing true full spectrum CBD oil and this is why we do not use CO2 and winterization extraction methods.
So…when we describe our CBD oil as ‘Full Spectrum’, it really is everything it should be – all the CBD, terpenes and flavonoids from the plant, Oil made from only from the top flowers of the plant, (not chopped stems and leaves as many others do), and oil which has been extracted using the utmost care and consideration for the ultimate quality of the product. Try our oil - we believe you’ll agree that it really is the best CBD oil available anywhere at any price.
Our unique extraction process:
As part of our ongoing research and development to produce the finest quality full spectrum oil we are now filtering our oil through a 6-stage filter process.
Why does this matter? Well, we have always had a commitment to make the best quality CBD Oil possible, without using any solvents or processes that may harm the oil or those taking it. Almost every other CBD Oil available elsewhere is made using one of two methods: Either Fractional Distillation, or super-critical CO2 extraction. Both methods require additional post-extraction processing with one of several solvents to remove plant waxes. This method of post-extraction processing is known as ‘Winterization’ and is a process that is prone to removing terpenes which many researchers consider to be of critical importance in a true full-spectrum oil.
We actively choose not to subject our oil to any processing other than what is truly essential. Instead of using ‘post extraction’ solvents (which then in turn requires additional processing to remove the solvents!), we use a 6-stage filtration process.
All our oil is filtered firstly at 50 microns (or 50 μm) This is approximately 75% of the thickness of a single human hair. Then we continue to filter in 5 more additional stages all the way down to 1 micron which for example is way less than the size of most common large bacteria. This removes a significant proportion of plant waxes which provide no user benefits.
Our oil is then allowed to stand undisturbed for several days whilst we let gravity work its wonders. After some time, any remaining plant waxes have dropped to the bottom of the container and the pure clean oil can then be decanted for bottling. It’s a labour-intensive, time-consuming and expensive process which requires meticulous care. Nevertheless, we still discard about 20% of the oil at the bottom of the container as we want to be sure that no there are no unnecessary plant waxes in our oils. Only when we are certain that our oil is a clean and as pure as possible, and after we have obtained full lab reports for each batch, is it released for sale.
Discover the FeelGood difference today
It is this dedication to quality and authenticity that sets Feelgood Essentials apart from other CBD Oil manufacturers. We have always used the same method of oil extraction and filtration since we began, and our dedication to making the best CBD oil possible has been at the heart of everything we do. Feel the difference, try Feelgood Essentials full spectrum CBD oil today.
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