Do you want to know the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil? If YES, here is a detailed comparison between CBD oil vs hemp oil; and the best among them.
Since industrial hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) became legal nationwide, a flood of products have invaded the market bearing various name tags. Today, you can see tinctures, dispensary bottles and other products bearing hemp oil and others bearing CBD oil.
While both oils come from the same source, but they are by no means the same thing and they do not have the same effect on the body. Because of the fact that they come from the same source, a lot of people tend to mistake the two. Here are a few ways you can differentiate between hemp oil and CBD oil.
What Is Hemp Oil?
When you hear of hemp oil, you should have in mind that it is referring to the oil that comes from the seed of the Cannabis Sativa plant. Hemp oil is gotten from a process called cold-pressing. By cold-pressing the hemp oil, it helps maintain the integrity and pureness of the oil. Tests that have been carried out shows that there are no cannabinoids (CBD & THC) present in the seeds of the hemp plant.
Hemp oil contains high levels of Omega oils and also a 3:1 ratio of vitamins and other nutrients. Because of the omegas and vitamins inherent in it, hemp oil is excellent for the hair, skin, and general health. Hemp oil is noted to be filled with healthy fats and it also boasts of rich mineral content, but the oil is not known to have any pain-relieving abilities.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is a cannabinoid found in the leaves, stem, and flower of the Cannabis hemp plant. CBD is naturally found in many different plants but is more abundant in the Hemp plant. The human body even produces small trace amounts of CBD. This compound helps the body in different ways including helping it to relieve pain, inflammation, stress, anxiety and even sleep disorders. CBD can be found both in the cannabis and the hemp plant.
There are two methods of extracting CBD oil. One is by removing just the CBD and turning into an isolate, and people generally prefer this. The other extraction method is known as full-spectrum CBD, and it is gathered through Co2 extraction. Full-spectrum CBD is pure oil that is gotten from the leaves, stem, or flower of the cannabis plant.
Full-spectrum is the preferred mode of extraction for cannabis oil because you get not only the benefits of CBD but also the other cannabinoids found in the plant. CBD oil goes by a few different names, but the most common alternative is Hemp Extract. If a product is not labeled CBD, look for hemp extract listing or a product that has a milligram (mg) amount listed on the front of the product.
5 Major Differences Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil
1. Mode of extraction
CBD oil and hemp oil are different because they come from different parts of the cannabis plant. CBD oil is gotten from the whole plant, while hemp oil comes from its seeds. Because of the growing CBD market, hemp oil derived from the seed of the plant is now more commonly labelled as hemp seed oil.
CBD oil is made from a variety of parts of the mature hemp plant including its stalks and flowers. In order to get CBD and other compounds from the plant, they must be separated in a process called extraction. Most reputable producers use ethanol extraction or the CO2 extraction process, because neither involve the use of any toxic compounds.
During extraction, useful parts of the hemp plant are usually pelletized, and then a solvent like ethanol or gases like CO2 are used to pull out the CBD and other vital nutrients. The result is an oil with a high CBD content. After this, it is rigorously tested to make sure that there are no unwanted substances, and the level of essential compounds is where it needs to be.
Hemp oil on the other hand, now referred to as hemp seed oil, is made only from hemp seeds and is created by a process called cold pressing. This is similar to the creation of other carrier oils like sunflower seed oil or jojoba oil. This method is used to help preserve all the raw, nutritious contents of the seeds.
The hemp seeds, which contain up to 50% their weight in oil, are de-shelled, chilled and squeezed for their content. The resultant product is an unrefined, green colored substance.
- Uses
CBD oil is mainly used in the holistic or alternative wellness space to help balance the body’s internal systems, while hemp oil is mainly used in food and skincare products because of its omega fats content.
Many proponents claim that CBD can be helpful with a number of chronic conditions such as: anxiety and epilepsy. Some athletes also use it to support exercise-induced inflammation and recovery. CBD oil is also said to be effective as a sleep aid. Today it can already be found in a variety of forms such as capsules, tinctures and topicals.
Hemp oil on the other hand, when derived from the seed of the plant, has become a hit in the kitchen. This is because of its high nutritious value. It’s been of the shelves of health food stores for quite some time, and is considered a superfood by many.
You can find it being used in smoothies and even as a nutritious substitute for olive oil. Additionally, hemp oil, in its seed oil form, is used extensively in the cosmetic industry. It’s a key ingredient in products such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions, soap, as its fatty acid content helps to protect our skin and preserve moisture.
You can also find hemp oil from the seed being used in some paints, plastics and lubricants as a substitute for petroleum based oil.
- Components
Hemp-derived CBD oil has high CBD content and low THC content (below 0.3%). This makes it great for harnessing potentially therapeutic properties of CBD without any of the high or mind-altering effects of THC. Hemp seed oil is manufactured from varieties of Cannabis sativa that do not contain significant amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive element present in the cannabis plant.
This manufacturing process typically includes cleaning the seed to 99.99% before pressing the oil. Hemp seed typically contains about 25% high-quality protein and 35% fat in the form of an excellent quality oil. It has a remarkable fatty acid profile, being high in the desirable omega-3 fatty acids and also delivering some γ-linolenic acid (GLA), which is deficient in the average diet.
- Benefits
When applied topically, hemp oil benefits include:
- Deep hydration for ultra-dry skin, moisturizing without clogging pores, softening the skin for a more supple complexion, gives a boost to hair growth and lessens hair loss, strengthens nails, and improves skin elasticity.
When consumed orally, hemp oil is:
- Rich in vitamins and minerals that create anti-inflammatory effects, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 to improve eye and heart health, rich in antioxidants and minerals that fight aging and boost immunity.
The benefits of CBD oil, on it part are mostly noticed when taken. These benefits include:
- Analgesic effects (pain-relieving abilities), it relieves muscle aches and joint pain, soothes headaches and migraines, it has anti-inflammatory effects that diminish symptoms of auto-immune diseases like psoriasis.
Applying CBD oil topically also comes with benefits like:
- Relieving stress and tension in the muscles, post-exercise recovery, soothes redness from rosacea, sunburns, and bug bites
Conclusion
CBD hemp oil works with the body through the endocannabinoid system or ECS. The endocannabinoid system is showing promise for keeping the body in a state of balance by regulating the body’s functions of sleep, mood, pain, appetite, hormone, and immune response.
Since both are essentially wellness ingredients, you won’t be harmed if you accidentally purchase one or the other. However, if you are trying to reap the maximum health benefits, CBD oil may be your optimal choice, but if you want it for cosmetic use, you had better go for hemp oil.