How is CBD oil made?
CBD is a compound extracted from the Cannabis plant. In the case of africanpure™ this being industrial hemp. The reason hemp is used is to make sure that legally we conform and ensure that our products do not contain excess volumes of THC.
CBD extraction
Step 1: Primary extraction
A mechanical processing of hemp flower, stalks and leaves takes place followed by an extraction of the oils from the plant. This results in a substance that is similar to tar or molasses in appearance. This sticky, oily substance is rich in terpenes and cannabanoids. This substance is known as full spectrum extract. In many territories around the world, full spectrum based CBD products are fully legal. However, full spectrum typically has around 0.3% THC, hence the need for further manipulation.
New cannabis plant strains are being developed with incredibly low THC concentrations that adhere to the legal 0.001% requirement in South Africa. Unfortunately none are yet 100% reliable which is why we are required to remove THC from the extract.
Step 2: Distillate filtering
The full spectrum extract undertakes a further filtering process known as chromatography whereby THC is removed. This substance left over has an appearance not dissimilar to honey. The filtering process is very delicate and we take care to ensure we are not removing other beneficial terpenes and cannabanoids at this step. However, it is most important for us to legally comply and to provide you piece of mind that we provide an end product containing less than 0.001% THC.
Step 3: Isolate extraction
Isolate extraction can take place from either the broad spectrum or full spectrum distillate. This process is essentially the opposite of having something removed from it.
When we extract isolate from cannabis, the end result is a 99.9% pure CBD, fat soluble white powder.
What goes into our drops?
- Active CBD ingredient – Depending on the product, either broad spectrum CBD (step 2 above) or CBD isolate (step 3 above) is used.
- Carrier oil – The liquid that CBD is mixed with in order to make it easier to use.
Some of our products will contain natural flavours.
Carrier oil
Diluting CBD in a carrier oil makes it easier to measure the dosage and make sure that you get maximum benefit from the product.
At africanpure we use MCT oil:
- MCT oil – Generally regarded as the best carrier for CBD
- Extracted from coconuts
- Low viscosity (thin fluid, almost like water in consistency)
- Colourless
- Tasteless
Our carrier oil is safe for you and your pets and can be used in most recipes if you’d like to cook with your CBD oil or can be taken just as is.
Mixing CBD and carrier oil
Compounds in cannabis are fat soluble. Which means they break down in fat rather than in water. This means that in order to reap the benefits of cannabinoids, we need to consume them with some fat, such as MCT oil.
The oil is gently warmed and CBD isolate added. The two are gently mixed until the CBD is completely dissolved.
Bottling takes place after the mixture has completely cooled.