Today, CBD oil is one of the most talked about health products due to the amazing therapeutic benefits people are achieving from using it, but how do you know which ones are good? 

 What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is the main substance found in the hemp plant. It’s non-psychoactive cannabis compound doesn’t give users the feeling that they are “high” or “stoned”. Instead, it’s known to have therapeutic and medicinal qualities. It's made up of two parts: hemp and marijuana. The hemp plant has a very high CBD content, with very low THC while the marijuana plant has very high THC levels, with very low CBD. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is associated with psychoactive effects from use of marijuana. CBD has the same benefits as THC, but without the “high” feeling. It's 100 percent legal and safe for all ages, including pets.

 What are the benefits?

Our bodies have an endocannobinoid system and we were born to receive this phytonutrient through our own CBD receptors. When they are stimulated, they go into the nucleus of the cell and tell the cell what to do, bringing our body back to homeostasis. Our bodies naturally produce our own cannabinoids. There are 70-plus medical conditions that benefit with the use of CBD oil, including inflammation, improved sleep and stress.

 What should I look for when choosing a good CBD oil?

 Potency: You’ll see a wide range of products offered based on the milligram content. A good rule of thumb is: the higher the milligram, the higher the potency level. For example, a good-quality 1,500 milligram (mg) bottle may contain 750 mg from full-spectrum CBD extract, and 750 mg from pure CBD isolate.

 Quality: If the manufacturer doesn’t provide lab testing results, they are not being fully transparent. Many brands have been found to either have zero amounts, or no CBD at all, and/or they contain THC greater than the legal limit. The legal limit is 0.3 percent and if claims are made that there is zero THC in their products, it’s inaccurate because there will always be a residual or trace amount of it found as it’s natural-occurring from the plant. When it comes to quality, organic is preferred so there’s no toxic herbicides, or chemicals, sprayed on it.

 Source: Many brands obtain theirs from China, India or elsewhere. The brand that I use is organically grown in the USA from Colorado and Kentucky.

 Extraction Method: The process in which the CBD is extracted from the plant is critical as some methods can be dangerous. CO₂method uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and extremely low temperatures to isolate, preserve, and maintain the purity of the medicinal oil. This process requires expensive equipment and a steep operational learning curve. Yet, when done well the end product is safe, potent and free of chlorophyll.

 Carrier Oil: Many brands use olive, coconut, Moroccan, or even canola, which are "filler” oils, so it’s best to look for ones that use organic hemp oil.

 Application: There are many different applications (i.e., topical, vaporizers, edibles, etc.) available today. However, sublingual spray is optimal. Why?  Studies show that using oral sprays is the fastest and most potent way to receive certain herbal extracts. According to the Physicians’ Desk Reference, sublingual sprays work up to five times faster and are more effective because the active ingredients are absorbed by the soft tissues under the tongue and quickly diffuse into the blood.

 Allyson Hang is a holistic nutritionist offering high-quality CBD oil and other products to her clients.

She also serves as president of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce, Cherry Hill-Moorestown Chapter.

For more information or to order CBD oil meeting these standards, call 267-738-8440 or email [email protected].