[s]Before we get into detail about what exactly a salve is and what it’s used for, let’s discuss topicals. Topicals are cannabis-infused lotions, balms and oils that are absorbed through the skin for localized relief of pain, soreness and inflammation. In summary, they are natural and effective skin and healthcare products that can soothe anything from muscle soreness to eczema without psychoactive effects.
Salves, tinctures, oils, butters, balms, creams, moisturizers, lotions, these are all terms used in the cannabis marketplace. For the purpose of this article we will discuss what a salve is, how they made, what conditions they treat, how they function and the difference between CBD salve and CBD oil.
There’s likely to be a lot of confusion out there when it comes to understanding the list of topical cannabis options available online and on the shelves of marijuana dispensaries. That’s why we decided it was time to explain as thoroughly as possible everything you need to know about CBD salves.
With basic knowledge and a little research, you will find that learning the lingo and differentiating between all this cannabis-related stuff is not as daunting as it sounds.
1. What is a CBD salve, and how do they differ from other cannabis topicals?
Salves, balms and ointments are different types of cannabis topicals but in terms of their purpose and function, there is no real difference between each of them. All three terms can correctly be used interchangeably.
According to the definition found in The Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, an ointment is “a semisolid preparation for external application to the skin or mucous membranes, [that] consists of medicinal substances incorporated in suitable vehicles (bases). (Also called salves and unguents).”
[s]In much simpler terms, a salve, balm or ointment is a natural, non-toxic medication (where in our case the CBD is the medication) with soothing, healing or calming effects and is administered directly through the skin.
So why then are there so many words that seem to mean exactly the same thing, you might ask? The main differences are in the specific ingredients used, the texture and the amount of CBD present in the salve. CBD creams and CBD lotions are different from salves, balms and ointments in that creams and lotions use a bit of water and moisturizing agents in their bases whereas salves and balms only use fatty oils and wax as a base, with no water.
CBD Salves: How are they made?
[s]Making your own cannabis-infused salve is not as difficult as you might think. It’s a very simple concoction that can be made in a number of different ways. There are plenty of recipes out there to choose from and all of them are similar in that they include a base of natural wax and fatty oil.
The most common ingredient used for the wax portion of the base is natural beeswax. It’s a sticky, dense, hard material and will therefore need to be melted down to garner any sort of fluidity. Vegetable waxes like Candelilla wax are also a popular choice but are mostly only used in products that are meant to be 100% vegan. Generally, pure beeswax will be your best option.
Moving onto the oil portion of the base, this is the part that is responsible for “carrying” the medicine in the salve. Due to its high content of fatty acids (which are the molecular devices responsible for carrying the active cannabinoids), coconut oil has proven to be the best option when it comes to the oil portion. Fatty acids are what enable the oil to carry the CBD. Sweet almond oil and olive oil have also proven to be effective due to their fatty acid contents.
The next step is to infuse the oil with the functionally active CBD. This process involves grounding the cannabis plant up into fine bits (there are certain “CBD-specific” which we will discuss later) and then leaving it to soak for several hours at 200+ degrees Fahrenheit in the oil. The heat decarboxylates the cannabidiol into its active molecular form, at which point the fatty acids in the oil are able to latch onto it.
Once the oil has been infused with the active CBD, it is then mixed in with the melted-down wax and usually some other essential oils to create the salve. Yes, you done! It really is that easy. If however, for some or other reason, you are unable to make your own salve, they are available to purchase from specialised stores. All CBD salves should contain a list of ingredients on the container they come in, which will give you insight into what wax or oil base was used. In addition, if you are unsure of where the CBD comes from, you can get in contact with the manufacturer to find out. Most brands use hemp seed oil as the cannabidiol source (industrial hemp is loaded with CBD) but a lot of others use hemp-infused coconut or olive oils as well.
CBD Salves: How do they function?
[s]How CBD is absorbed depends on the route of administration. Whether CBD is ingested, situated under the tongue, inhaled or applied to the skin plays an important role in the uptake of the compound. We can easily understand how CBD that is ingested or injected into the body is absorbed either via the bloodstream or the digestive system but how does applying CBD to the skin translate at the functional, cellular level?
While CBD applied directly to the skin never reaches the bloodstream, it can be absorbed through the skin’s surface to interact with nearby cannabinoid receptors. In fact, the skin is an incredibly active and functional organ that acts as a useful molecular passageway and is quick to absorb lipid-based oils, such as the ones that are used in CBD salves.
When you apply a CBD salve topically, the cannabinoid-carrying lipids in the oil base are transported across skin cell membranes, at which point the CBD begins its healing, therapeutic mechanisms on surrounding cell and tissue layers. This is the reason why salves are a great way to treat conditions such as joint pain and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis - because you can apply the salve directly onto the affected area and initiate therapy at the source of the pain.
On a more physiological level, CBD functions by interacting with the body’s own endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The endocannabinoid system is thought to play an important role in the immune response of our skin. An improper immune response can result in inflammation and this is why CBD is seen to act as an anti-inflammatory for inflammation related skin conditions. The ECS consists of a network of naturally occurring cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors that help control and maintain - among other things - skin sensitivity, pain, inflammation, appetite, memory, and the immune response.
When CBD interacts with natural receptors in the ECS, it allows the body to function more efficiently and better control all sorts of internal processes relating to homeostasis. Generally speaking, topical application of CBD provides only local relief and does not have an effect on the brain, meaning there is no “high” or no psychoactive effect. This is because the cannabinoids bind to CB2 receptors near the skin, activating the endocannabinoid system and are never absorbed into the bloodstream.
According to Dr. Tamas Biro, the director of immunology at the University of Debrecen in Hungary, with regards to the specific presence of the ECS in the skin cells, it is stated that dermal layers are “ indeed capable of producing endocannabinoids,” and points out the likelihood that “most, if not all, skin functions are controlled to a certain extent by the local skin endocannabinoid system.”
Folium Bioscience’s, Dr. Raj Gupta has also backed up this notion by stating that "because the skin has its own endocannabinoid system, just the superficial application of CBD by itself can be extremely helpful.”
Medical Benefits of CBD Salves: What conditions do they treat?
[s]While CBD oil seems to offer healing benefits when ingested in almost any way, for some types of chronic pain, skin conditions and other localized problems, direct skin application is the best option since it allows users to go right to the source. Direct application can also work faster as it doesn’t have to travel through the digestive system first. CBD salves are therefore perfect for conditions such as arthritic joint pain or inflammation and chronic skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. However orally ingested forms of CBD are more appropriate for conditions like anxiety, depression autoimmune disease.
There has been a lot of research done into the overall benefits of CBD in humans. In fact, a study was published by Dr Biro from The University of Debrecen last year, showcasing how CBD applications acted as pain relief and even reduced inflammation in arthritic joint pain. The study went onto explain that direct application of CBD to the skin has the potential to relieve pain-related behaviours and inflammation related to arthritis and has no evident side effects.
In addition there has been extensive research done on the therapeutic and healing effects of CBD salves on skin-specific diseases like eczema and psoriasis. They have also been known to have beneficial effects for temporary complications like burns, wounds, rashes, skin infections, and general muscle soreness.
The same study went on to praise the healing effects of cannabinoids on “skincentric sensory functions” like general pain and itch. Dr Brio pointed out that the endocannabinoid system likely controls skin inflammation. This finding was based on the results of a CBD-administration study that he and his research group carried out on human skin cells growing in a Petri dish. They discovered that when an inflammatory or irritation challenge assaults the skin, it appeared as though the endocannabinoid system would fight against it.
What’s the difference between CBD salves and CBD oils?
Rather than ingesting CBD oils orally, which will affect the whole body and can take up to 2 hours or more to fully experience the effects, CBD salves are absorbed directly into the affected area by rubbing the ointment directly onto affected skin areas for faster and more focused onset of effects.
Since salves are applied directly at the source and don’t have to travel through the digestive system or go through multiple stages of absorption and metabolization, they work much quicker and have faster-acting effects than CBD oils.
The effects of CBD salves can be noticed almost immediately whereas many orally-administered oils can take well over an hour to fully take effect.
Other general things to consider when looking for the best CBD salves
Nowadays, people don’t have to smoke cannabis to reap the benefits. The important thing to remember when it comes to CBD salves is that they are absorbed through the skin and they won’t get you high - or even slightly buzzed for that matter.
If you were skeptical to use hemp or other CBD-related products out of worry that you would get ‘stoned’, fear not! The majority of CBD-containing products are derived from industrial hemp and not marijuana. Although the two plants both belong to the same biological genus and species (Cannabis sativa), hemp is a CBD-heavy strain of cannabis that contains practically no traces of THC - the compound that has psychoactive properties and is responsible for euphoric, mind-altering highs.
As always however, it’s important to keep in mind that while extensive research has been done on CBD salves and its various benefits, they don’t always have the exact same effects on everyone. Conduct your own research, try out different doses and even different products to determine which is more suitable for you and your condition.
Lastly, always exercise caution when purchasing CBD salves or any other cannabis topical products. While there are a number of outstanding products on the market, there are also a handful of totally bogus duds out there, ‘fakes’, if you will. Just last year, the FDA issued warning letters to several companies for manufacturing “CBD products” that contained virtually none of the active cannabinoids.
CBD salves and cannabis topicals are still a relatively new product in the ‘real world’ but without a doubt we will be seeing an exponential increase in the attention paid to them in mainstream dermatology over the next few years. Watch this space!
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a very nice and unique post.
Good post
We love our cbd salve. look forward to trying to make our own. thanks for the great info
Good job, and great work.
Thank you! :)
This post is resteemed and upvoted by @bestboom
This post has received a 2.28 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @medicalmarijuana.
A lot of great information!!!
You got a follower for sure :)
Keep up the good work!
Thanks! Will keep the information coming :)
Finally I cured my daughter skin with cannabis cream :)
Nothing was good enough to heal her dry skin. But cannabis could do it.
good post friends, do not forget to stop at my post @abrarleo
Hola amigo
Excelente la información suministrada.
Les diré a mis amigos que todavía la fuman que también pueden hacer unguentos. jajajajaja
No, ahora en serio. Ciertamente las propiedades curativas de la cannabis son estupendas y reconocidas en el mundo de la medicina.
Saludos y Gracias por la info.
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