Most CBD products are actually made primarily from oil. Hemp flowers are harvested, dried, extracted then blended with what’s known as a carrier oil. Our organic hemp extracts are carefully paired with USDA certified organic MCT oil derived from organic young coconuts, one of the best sources of MCTs. MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride, which are fatty acids that are easy for the body to digest, absorb and transport to the liver where they become an energy source for the body and brain. Organic coconut-derived MCT oil does not involve the use of harmful solvents in creating the oil, so it is also better for the environment and for the coconut farmers.
The reason CBD is blended with a carrier oil is to help with bioavailability, or the efficiency and speed with which your body absorbs the CBD. MCT oil is a plant-based fat. The CBD bonds with the fat molecules in the oil and serves as a way to accurately measure the intake of CBD. MCT oil has a very mild smell and taste, which is another reason it makes for a good pairing with CBD.
When choosing a carrier oil, it’s important to understand how these oils are made. Some brands use MCT derived from palm oil. Palm oil is not considered to be responsibly sourced or environmentally friendly as it has been associated with deforestation. As well, according to the World Health Organization, palm oil is high in saturated fats but also contains industrial trans-fatty acids (TFA’s). TFA’s are commonly found in baked goods, pre-packaged foods and some cooking oils and are thought to contribute to cardiovascular diseases and noncommunicable diseases worldwide. They also have no known health benefit. Some other brands use MCT derived from high-heat processed MCT oil from Copra meat, which is the kernel or dried meat of the coconut. This process can leave the resulting hemp oil product unstable once opened, leading to shorter shelf life and the danger of rancidity. In addition to non-organic MCT oils, some brands use non-organic olive oil in their CBD products which has the same issues as non-organic MCT oil.
Once our hemp extracts have been blended with organic MCT oil some of our products have organic whole plant botanicals added. Botanicals are substances derived from plants—herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, leaves or seeds. Many people use the term to refer to plants that are valued for their therapeutic properties. Herbs such as peppermint, ginger and lavender are a subset of botanicals. According to the National Institutes of Health, products made from botanicals that are used to maintain or improve health may be called herbal products, botanical products, or phytomedicines. Hemp-derived CBD products qualify as botanicals and are commonly used to maintain and boost health and wellness.
All of our botanicals, including ingredients like peppermint and lavender, are derived from whole plant extracts and are USDA certified organic. We are deeply committed to only using organic botanicals as they make the best plant medicine and ensure that we’re not harming our fragile ecosystems through the use of synthentic pesticides. This is especially important for hemp derived products as hemp is a powerful bioaccumulator. That means hemp plants act like a sponge absorbing pesticides, chemicals and toxins from the soil faster than it uses or releases them. When hemp CBD products are made from non-organic hemp, those same toxins or pesticides are extracted, too. If you’re taking CBD to support health and wellness then surely you want a clean and safe product, not one that may be laden with toxins or chemicals. This is why we sell USDA certified organic hemp products. Your health and the health of the planet are important to us.
