How To Make CBD Oil At Home – A DIY Guide (2022)

Make Your Own CBD Oil - Easy Recipe

Did you know you can make CBD oil at home, all by yourself?

The hype around CBD is growing enormously, and there’s an increasing number of studies supporting the health claims. Today, CBD products are popping everywhere, promising relief from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.

But as the demand for CBD products rises, so does the cost. Factors such as the complex extraction process of CBD oil are also driving up the cost.

Not only that but there is also a rise in fake CBD sellers and shady companies, meaning to scam buyers.

On top of helping you save money, homemade CBD oil is also safer than the mislabeled and counterfeit CBD oils flooding the market today. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make CBD oil at home.

What Is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is an active ingredient in cannabis plants. CBD is commonly extracted from hemp plants, but it can also be obtained from marijuana plants.

Unlike THC (the active ingredient in marijuana), CBD does not cause a ‘high’ when consumed.

Instead, CBD is used almost entirely as a safe alternative to conventional medicine.

Cannabis tinctures and oils are alcohol or oil-based solutions containing CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD oil, or broad-spectrum CBD oil.

Generally, the type of CBD oil you make depends on the ratio of CBD to other hemp compounds in the final product.

Below are the 3 types of CBD Oil available. Just click on the titles for a deep-dive article on each type!

1. CBD Isolate Oils

This is the easiest type of CBD oil to make at home. It contains only pure CBD oil and carrier oil.

2. Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

It contains all the naturally occurring compounds in hemp, including terpenes, THC, and other cannabinoids.

You can infuse raw hemp flowers directly in alcohol or oil when making this CBD oil. Alternatively, you can buy a full spectrum of cannabinoids and dissolve them in the oil.

3. Broad-spectrum CBD Oil

This hemp extract contains most of the naturally occurring compounds in hemp, except THC.

You need to purchase a broad-spectrum extract or different types of isolated cannabinoids.

Why Make CBD Oil at Home?

Beyond the satisfaction that comes with creating your own CBD oil, there are many benefits of making CBD oil at home.

Not only can it help you save money, but the whole process is easy and requires only your basic kitchen equipment.

The flood of different types of CBD products has also become overwhelming for consumers.

Making CBD oil at home gives you complete control over the quality of your CBD products
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In fact, CBD has become so popular that new products are cramming grocery stores, pharmacies, vape shops, and wellness centers.

Learning how to make CBD oil at home helps save time that you would otherwise spend browsing and comparing hundreds of products from different brands.

Over and above that, making CBD oil at home gives you complete control over the quality of your CBD products. You should buy quality hemp flowers or concentrated hemp extracts from a reputable source.

Alternatively, you can grow your own hemp plants and use vegetable oils to extract CBD.

Any common cooking oils or carrier oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, MCT oil, or hemp seed oil can be used to extract CBD.

Making CBD Oil At Home - A 4-Step Guide

What You Will Need

The materials and ingredients required depend entirely on the process you choose to make your CBD oil.

For instance, you may want to extract CBD from the hemp flower or purchase some high-quality cannabinoid isolates.

Luckily, many reputable online dispensaries are willing to deliver isolated cannabinoids right to your doorstep.

Regardless of which method you choose, here’s what you’ll need to make CBD oil at home:

High-quality hemp flower. Despite many state and local laws permitting marijuana, it’s still illegal at the federal level.

An oven, slow cooker, or pressure cooker for decarboxylation

A probe-style thermometer to ensure temperatures remain correct throughout the decarboxylation process

Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for straining solids from the oil

Glass container or dropper bottle to store the final product (CBD oil)

A scale to measure the amount of CBD

A double-boiler. It allows the infusion process of CBD with MCT oil or any other carrier oil without the risk of burning the oil.

Step 1: Decarboxylation of Hemp Flower

You can skip this process if you’ve purchased a CBD isolate or hemp extract.

But if you have harvested or bought CBD flower, you must activate the CBD. Unbeknown to many, raw or fresh hemp plants contain minimal amounts of CBD.

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CBD Vs CBDA

Instead, they contain high levels of an acidic cannabinoid known as cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). CBDA is the precursor to CBD.

Though it offers some health benefits, CBDA lacks the properties of CBD. It has an extra carboxyl ring attached to its structure.

When medium heat is applied to CBDA in a process known as decarboxylation, the extra ring is broken down, converting it to CBD.

Take a closer look at CBD Vs CBDA

How To Decarboxylate?

Perhaps the easiest way to decarboxylate cannabis flower is by using a specialized and expensive equipment called decarboxylator.

This machine allows you to decarboxylate the plant material efficiently by setting different times and temperatures depending on your desired cannabinoid.

You can buy a professional decarboxylator at any specialty store.

That notwithstanding, activating CBD using your oven can still provide excellent results – not to mention that it is a less expensive method.

How to Decarboxylate Hemp Flower In An Oven

What You Will Need

Top-shelf hemp flower
Oven
Grinder
Baking tray
Parchment paper
Glass container

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 240 ° F
Break your hemp flower into smaller pieces using the grinder. Do not grind the flower into a fine powder, and be sure to remove any stems/seeds.
Lay parchment paper over the baking tray and evenly spread the ground hemp flower.
Put the baking tray in the middle rack of the oven and bake the hemp flower for 45 minutes. You can bake for one hour if the flower has more moisture.
Remove the baking tray from the oven and put the now brownish flower in a glass container.

Step 2: Alcohol Vs. Carrier Oil

Choosing The Best Solvent to Extract CBD

When making your own CBD tincture or oil, you’ll need to decide which solvent you want to use to extract CBD. Often, you have to choose between a carrier oil (cooking oil) or food-safe alcohol.

When using the alcohol extraction method, you need to soak the plant matter in alcohol for it to strip the valuable ingredients in hemp.

The longer you soak it, the more potent the oil becomes.

When making your own CBD tincture or oil, you’ll need to decide which solvent you want to use to extract CBD. Often, you have to choose between a carrier oil (cooking oil) or food-safe alcohol.
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Once the alcohol has extracted as much CBD, terpenes, and other cannabinoids as possible, you strain it and then heat it to evaporate the solvent.

But you must be extremely cautious when using this method because alcohol is highly flammable.

The vegetable or carrier oil extraction process is generally considered safe. This makes it a good option if it’s your first time making CBD oil at home.

You can use natural plant oils such as coconut oil, hemp seed oil, or olive oil because CBD is highly lipophilic.

Step 3: Making CBD Oil Using Alcohol

What You Will Need

In addition to the tools mentioned at the beginning of this guide, you’ll need the following:

Decarboxylated CBD buds

To decarb CBD flowers, the most common recommendation is to set the oven to 240°F and bake for 90 minutes. This converts cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) into CBD.

High-proof food-safe alcohol

Instructions

Put 15 grams of decarboxylated CBD buds in a mixing bowl and add 550ml of alcohol. Ensure the alcohol covers the buds completely.
Stir the mixture for up to ten minutes using a wooden spoon. This allows the alcohol to extract the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes in hemp flower.
Pour the liquid into a mason jar and store it in a cool, dry place for a minimum of 14 days. Let the liquid sit for a few months if you want a more potent oil.
Strain the liquid into a glass container through a fine mesh strainer. The liquid should have a dark green color.

Set up your double boiler and fill the top pot with the CBD-infused solution. Apply low heat to evaporate the high-proof alcohol. Since alcohol is highly volatile, it evaporates at low temperatures.
You can turn the heat on and off if you need to, but ensure sufficient ventilation because alcohol is a highly flammable material that can cause an explosion.
After all the alcohol has evaporated, you’ll notice that the final product has a tar-like texture.
You can let the high-quality CBD oil cool to room temperature and store it in a glass bottle or draw it into a medium-sized syringe.

Step 4: Make CBD Oil Using A Carrier Oil

What You Will Need

In addition to the tools mentioned at the beginning of this guide, you’ll need the following:

Decarboxylated CBD buds

(Follow Decarbing process outlined above in step 3)

Carrier oil of your choice

Instructions

Combine decarboxylated CBD buds with hemp oil or coconut oil.
Pour enough water into the bottom pot of the double boiler and add the mixture to the top bowl. (Make sure the water doesn’t come in contact with the bottom part of the bowl).
Let the mixture simmer in the gentlest manner possible while ensuring it doesn’t get to a rolling boil. Any temperatures above 150° C will evaporate the delicate terpenes.

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Allow the mixture to simmer for 3 hours. By now, it should be slightly darker than the raw oil.
Turn off the heat and remove the top bowl. Strain the solution through a fine mesh strainer into an airtight container and dispose of the buds.
Seal the container and store it in a cool, dry place for later use. You can consume plain CBD oil or incorporate it into your favorite recipes, such as CBD gummies, chocolates, and brownies.

Using Homemade CBD Oil

There are many different ways you can take your homemade cannabis oil:

1. Take It Orally

One of the best ways to take CBD oil is by filling it in a dropper bottle and placing a few drops under your tongue (sublingual consumption)

2. In Beverages

Adding a few drops of CBD oil into your favorite beverages, such as coffee, is a great way to mask the earthy taste of CBD. Another good idea is to add half a teaspoon of CBD to your morning smoothie.

3. Added To Food

You can incorporate CBD into your daily cooking routines, adding small doses to sauces or even by adding two tablespoons of CBD oil in salad dressing!

4. Apply On Your Skin

You can apply CBD oil as a base for your topical products, such as CBD lotions, creams, and salves.

Make CBD Oil At Home - The Bottom Line

With this guide on how to make CBD oil at home, you’ll be amazed to find that the entire process is effortless and pretty straightforward.

You only need high-CBD hemp flower or cannabis extracts and a carrier oil.

Besides helping you save money and time, DIY CBD oil also gives you complete control over the potency and quality of your final product, which maybe the most important aspect of creating your own CBD product.

We would advise that although this article lays out some basic steps in how to make CBD oil at home, anyone choosing to do so, takes this entirely under their own judgment and health implications.

It is always worth consulting your health practitioner for any detailed advice in relation to the use of CBD oil, homemade or otherwise.