06/10/2022
There’s an endless variety of CBD products on the market today. CBD coffee, CBD canned sports drinks, and even CBD dog treats are popping up in checkout aisles across the nation. The vast majority of these products use an oil-based CBD. This means the active CBD molecules are suspended in an oil-based alcohol through a pressure or chemicalization process. As a byproduct, the many benefits of CBD can be made less effective. Although the process has been shown as safe for consumption, oil as a molecule is much more difficult for human bodies to absorb than water soluble molecules.
Water soluble cannabinoids are an alternative method of delivery that have shown to provide higher bioavailability. Bioavailability is defined as the proportion of a substance which enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect. Most water soluble CBDs are nano emulsified to reduce the hydrophobia of the molecule. Making CBD products in this way eliminates the need for butane, ethanol, or CO2 as additives. Although CO2 and ethanol extraction has proved safe in the past, future industry standards are adopting the mindset the cleaner the process the better the product (ACS Labs). In addition, water soluble CBDs can be extremely precise when measuring dosage. Water soluble CBDs can be added to any liquid without changing the flavor, unlike most CBD oils where you will find changes to the flavor profile and hempy aftertaste.
Water is an essential building block for life. The brain and the heart are composed of 73% water. Water plays an active role in various essential functions to keep the body working efficiently. Water is a vital nutrient to the life of every cell, it aids in regulating internal body temperatures, transportation of vital molecules, flushes the system of toxins, provides a cushion for the nervous system including the brain and spinal cord, aids in joint lubricants and forms saliva, which is necessary for breaking down food. Given the high percentage of total water throughout our bodies, water-soluble compounds travel through the body faster and are absorbed more efficiently. Hemp oil on the other hand has a poor absorption rate in the body in comparison to a water-based CBD formula.
Water soluble CBD products are infused with tiny particle sized CBD molecules that make it easier for the bloodstream to absorb. Leaf Tea uses a proprietary technology to nano emulsify CBD molecules into tea blends. This has led to a breakthrough combination of CBD microdosing, delivered in a safe and uplifting beverage. Water soluble CBD can easily be mixed into beverages at essentially any desired concentration, it provides an exceptionally high bioavailability and therefore more pronounced therapeutic effects as the product is being absorbed more efficiently by the body.
If you want to ensure your CBD beverage has a high bioavailability, along with precision micro-dosing all in a delicious and uplifting beverage, look no further than Leaf Tea.
How is oil based CBD made?
The majority of CBD products are made through an extraction process called “CO2 extraction.” The manufacturer puts hemp in a closed loop system, pumps it full of CO2, and pressurizes the system. The carbon dioxide turns into a liquid, theoretically absorbing the CBD hemp’s properties. The liquid is funneled into a final chamber, where the CO2 turns into a gas, and the CBD oil remains.  Although CO2 extraction is considered safe, the end result can potentially contain alcohol and further refinement is usually required.
The second method of extraction involves using a solvent such as butane or ethanol. Ethanol extraction is used to break down the fat soluble molecules around CBD to unbind them from the plant. In simple terms, hemp is dropped into a container of alcohol until the effective properties are stripped from the plant into the alcohol. This can lead to other chemicals such as chlorophyll ending up in the tincture.
Again, further processing or solvents become necessary to clean the CBD oil. The most common practice involves winterization, a classic process of letting the fat render at the top. A tub of gravy in the refrigerator goes through the same process, separating into a solid fat at the top while the liquid sinks to the bottom. This process works for many manufacturers, but the CBD in these products is still contained in an oil molecule. Meaning that the body has to absorb and break down that fat before it can reap the benefits of CBD.
How is water soluble CBD different?
As the CBD market continues to grow, a conscious effort to make cleaner products is needed. CBD in its natural form is a water repelling, oily substance. However, water is a natural solvent, and hemp can be moisturized and strained multiple times to release CBD molecules. Certain types of nanoemulsions must be achieved to make the CBD homogeneous with water. (Peshkovsky)
“Nanoemulsions are nano-sized emulsions, which are manufactured for improving the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients. These are the thermodynamically stable isotropic system in which two immiscible liquids are mixed to form a single phase by means of an emulsifying agent, i.e., surfactant and co-surfactant.” (Jaiswal)
In a more simplified term, nano emulsification breaks the fat layer around molecules, allowing them to disperse in water. This nanoemulsion technology makes the CBD molecule smaller and easier to break apart in water. Easier water absorption means higher bioavailability.
This is a gross oversimplification of a proprietary and cutting edge technology that Leaf Tea uses to extract CBD from our hemp.
But at the end of all this jargon, what does water soluble CBD do for the consumer?
First of all, it won’t affect you the way cannabis will. CBD is made from hemp plants, which became legal to cultivate in the US in 2018. These plants contain minimal or none of the psychoactive compound, THC. Instead, consumers will have the many benefits of CBD. While CBD is one of many constituents of the cannabis sativa plant, by itself it does not cause a “high” like that of THC. According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Testing results on all Leaf Teas is available on our website. However, the entire consumer process is made safer by making a safer product.
Research is continuing on the many health benefits of CBD and the way it affects the human endocannabinoid system. However, users have taken CBD to treat anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, nausea, depression, and stress. Some use it for a nice boost of non-jittery energy in the morning. While others use it for a more restful sleep. CBD users often report lower anxiety, especially in high stress situations.
CBD has countless claims to health benefits. The method of delivery is left to the consumer. The choice between Leaf Tea and a CBD tincture can equate to the choice between a cup of herbal tea and a dropper of medicine. Leaf Tea has a standardized dose of 10 mg in a cup of tea. This makes for an easily uniformed microdosing per day. Compare this to an oil-based tincture, which is usually delivered through a dropper. Not only is it difficult to confirm the amount of mg per drop, these tinctures are made using the industry standards of butane or CO2 pressurization. Leaf Tea offers the ideal combination of a precise dosage without chemical additives.
Secondly, water soluble CBD has been shown to have a higher bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the efficiency level for a nutrient to be absorbed into the bloodstream by the body. A higher bioavailability means that more of a nutrient is being absorbed as it passes through a human body. Given the high percentage of total water throughout our bodies, water-soluble compounds travel through the body faster and are absorbed more efficiently. One study showed that water soluble CBD has 4.5 times more bioavailability than oil based CBD (Hobbs).
Being able to deliver these benefits in a water soluble form ensures potency, quality of ingredients, test results, and ease of use.
Conclusion:
Leaf Tea Company offers high quality water soluble CBD isolates in a variety of tea applications. Water soluble CBD is the highest standard of delivery and will likely be the gold standard going forward. It allows for precise dosages along with a higher bioavailability than its oil based counterparts. The ingredients used in Leaf CBD Teas have thousands of years of proven effectiveness as natural remedies. Whether you’re looking for an uplifting cup of non jittery energy in the morning, or a natural way to get more restful sleep, Leaf Tea has you covered.
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