With the increasing availability of cannabis products, it’s easy for consumers to get confused – and perhaps overwhelmed – by the number and variety of products from which to choose.

A common – and important – question has to do with the differences in oils and their uses. Let’s take a few very common oils which are derived from the cannabis plant: CBD oil, CBG oil, and hemp seed oil.

Hemp Seed Oil

Commercially available for over 20 years - and increasing in popularity - hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of the cannabis plant. As with sunflower seed oil, hemp seed oil is extracted with a cold press system.

Hemp seed oil is valued for its nutritional properties, particularly its essential fatty acid (Omega 3) content and vitamins E, B, B1, and B2. Cold pressed hemp seed oil is a powerful antioxidant and it is often used as an alternative to other oils for low temperature cooking and cosmetic products.

Because it comes from the seed of the cannabis plant, hemp seed oil does not contain any cannabinoids – no CBD, CBG, or THC.

CBD and CBG Oil

Because CBD and CBG oils are extracted from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the hemp plant (hemp is just a cannabis plant with less than .3% THC), they do contain cannabinoids. They’re used both topically and internally for a variety of symptoms including pain, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal issues and insomnia.

Extraction Methods

Oil can be extracted from the cannabis plant using a variety of extraction methods, including:

• CO2
• Food grade ethanol
• Lipid (fat/oil) infusions

Isolates

Cannabinoids like CBD and CBG can also be singularly extracted from hemp, isolating each compound from all the other cannabinoids. These extracts are called cannabinoid isolates.

Full Spectrum

Full spectrum hemp extracts contain all the compounds in the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes (essential oils), and several others that naturally occur in the plant (flavonoids, phenols, etc).

All these compounds work together to augment the therapeutic effects of each individual cannabinoid. This synergistic process is known as the entourage effect. Because of this powerful and potent interaction of compounds, I recommend patients choose full spectrum medicinal preparations.

It’s important to note that full spectrum hemp extracts do contain trace amounts of THC. So, if THC isn’t a safe or appropriate option, even in very low levels, then broad spectrum extracts would be the next option. Like full spectrum, other compounds are preserved in the extract, but any THC is isolated and removed.

Quick Summary

As a very basic rule of green thumb, hemp seed oil is ideal for nutritional supplementation, thanks to its optimal ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6, while CBD and CBG oil are primarily used medicinally to alleviate a variety of symptoms and support the functioning of our endocannabinoid system.

I also prefer to use hemp seed oil as the carrier oil for any extracted cannabis oil preparation.

Of course, with the increasing number of products becoming available, I always recommend looking for locally sourced and organic and/or Clean Green Certified cannabis products.

Photos by Kadarius Seegars and CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a health provider before taking herbal supplements. This information is intended to provide general information and education and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. You must be 18 years of age to purchase products. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice. NurseGrown Organics, LLC is fully insured.