As CBD and hemp oils continue to become more popular, we’ve seen lots of questions regarding the manufacturing process for the latter. How is hemp oil made? This is a great question, and it’s one we’re going to explore today.
Difference Between CBD & Hemp Oils
You might notice that some CBD oils are made using hemp extract oil, but this is very different from hemp oils, and the ‘extract’ part is the key difference. Hemp oil, sometimes called hemp seed oil, is produced using the seeds of the hemp plant and this means that there are no phytocannabinoids.
With the different production processes, it doesn’t have the same effects as CBD oils. On the other hand, it does come with plenty of other benefits including skin health. Since it contains lots of omega-3 fatty acids, it can encourage healthier skin while simultaneously stopping breakouts.
When CBD oils say they originate from hemp extract oils, this normally means the product uses the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant as opposed to the seeds.
Making Hemp Oil
Now that we understand the difference between the two, we can dig deeper and see just how hemp oil is made.
Stage 1: Cleaning: Before anything, the seeds need to be cleaned in order to remove all dirt, leaf matter, and other contamination. The only way there will be THC with seeds is from external contamination, so the cleaning stage removes this risk.
Stage 2: Extraction: Using press heads, the next stage is to extract the oil from the seeds. Hemp cake, long chunks, is extracted from the seeds and there’s then a corkscrew-like process that separates the oil. The reason this process is chosen is that it utilizes a cold press – important so that the seeds and oil are only exposed to high temperatures for a short period (created by friction). Once pressed, the oil will quickly cool to below 32 degrees Celsius.
Stage 3: Filtration: At this stage, the oil is in a holding station. Here, it will cool further before then entering the filtration system. The goal is to remove suspended solids so that, by the end of this stage, we have a clear, high-quality hemp oil.
If you’re wondering how manufacturers deal with oxygen throughout the process, the oil is actually flushed with nitrogen. Once the oil has gone through each stage, it is contained within a stainless-steel reservoir. From the starting point to the moment the oil is distributed into drums, bottles, jugs, and other containers, the manufacturer attempts to keep the environment free from oxygen.
With most hemp oils, they will go through a cold-pressing process where the temperature never rises above 50 degrees Celsius.
Benefits Of Hemp Oil
Why choose hemp oil over CBD oil? Well, they have different purposes, and the one you choose depends on what you’re trying to achieve with the oil. With hemp oil tincture, the main benefits are as follows:
- Healthy skin from fatty acids and various vitamins
- Healthy brain as a result of the fatty acids and other compounds (tested on mice)
- Improved pain relief and inflammation reduction
- Better heart health (one study suggests a positive impact on cholesterol, blood pressure, and other bodily functions)
In addition to this, we’ve also seen studies that suggest the efficacy of hemp oil when it comes to muscle tension and acne. As time goes on, we’re sure scientists will continue to delve into this area of the market. With this, our understanding of hemp oil will improve.
