This CBD base oil recipe makes enough for the three topical preparations included in this guide, with plenty left over. You can also apply the oil as-is directly on the skin for many dermatological issues. To extend freshness, store unused oil sealed tightly in the fridge, where it should keep for up to a year.
Equipment
- Kitchen scale
- Spice/coffee grinder
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Double boiler and/or crockpot
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Small glass jars for finished oil and topicals, preferably amber or other dark color
Ingredients
- 1 cup virgin coconut oil
- 1 cup cold-pressed almond oil
- 1/4 ounce dried calendula flowers
- 1/4 ounce dried chamomile flowers
- Optional: 1/4 ounce dried arnica montana flowers (anti-inflammatory)
- Optional: 1/4 ounce St. John’s wort (antimicrobial)
- Choose either: 1 ounce of dried CBD flowers (hemp or marijuana), raw or decarboxylated1
Directions
- Grind the herbs, including the CBD flower.
- If using a crockpot or a yogurt-maker: Place all plant matter with the coconut and almond oils in the crockpot or yogurt-maker. Let infuse for 12 hours or overnight at the lowest heat setting.
- If using a double boiler: Let simmer over 2-3 inches of water for three to four hours, adding more water as needed.
- With a fine mesh strainer or several layers of cheesecloth rubber banded over a clean bowl, strain out all plant material, squeezing out the remaining oil with clean hands if using cheesecloth.
- Store your cannabis topical base oil in a clean jar that is labeled and dated. Keep it in a cool, dark place. Keep out of reach of children.
Topical Recipes
Melinda Misuraca is a Project CBD contributing writer with a past life as an old-school cannabis farmer specializing in CBD-rich cultivars. © Copyright, Project CBD. May not be reprinted without permission.
Footnotes
- How and why to decarboxylate cannabis: Decarboxylation entails heating cannabis to convert the cannabinoids into a different form. While the conventional wisdom has been that this process increases the bioavailability of CBD and THC, more recent science has shown that cannabinoids also confer significant therapeutic benefits without decarboxylation. To decarb, preheat oven to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Grind dried cannabis flowers to a fine consistency in the spice grinder. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes. Let cool.
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