What Are CBD Salves?

CBD salves and other CBD topicals like ointments, creams and balms, enable you to target a specific area of the skin and its cannabinoid receptors, as opposed to the ingestion of CBD products, which requires the CBD to pass through the digestive system first.

Just like with other CBD products, salves have been steadily catching people's attention, and many are getting more and more interested in them day by day.

CBD, the Endocannabinoid System, and Homeostasis

According to the National Institute for Health (NIH), the cannabis plants contains roughly 540 chemical substances. However, all the plants and “strains” differ greatly due to the amounts of each cannabinoid in any specific strain or plant. The key to creating a high-quality CBD product is to use a plant that is very high in CBD and other beneficial cannabinoids, but one that is low in THC.

THC is a psychoactive compound, meaning that it is capable of altering a person’s mental state by affecting the way the brain and nervous system work.

Non-hemp cannabis contains more THC and less CBD. Hemp contains more CBD and less THC which typically makes it non-psychoactive, or not having enough THC to give you a euphoric “high” sensation. Federally legal hemp contains 0.3% THC or less.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. It is a non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive plant-based chemical compound (phytochemical) that accounts for roughly 40% of what can be extracted from the hemp plant. In terms of its physiological-level function, CBD has been found to interact with the human Endocannabinoid System.

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a biological system found in humans, animals, and practically anything with a vertebrae. It is composed of receptors and naturally occurring endocannabinoids, which are retrograde neurotransmitters (i.e., transmitting signals to, rather than from the nucleus).

These neurotransmitters are lipid-based (suspended in fatty acids) and bind to cannabinoid receptors and cannabinoid receptor proteins that are expressed throughout a vertebrate's central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

What is Homeostasis?

Homeostasis is a biological condition where living organisms achieve their optimum function, thanks to steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions that are necessary for survival. Numerous variables (e.g., fluid balance, body temperature) come into play, and all of which must stay within their respective limits.

Like many scientific terms, the word "homeostasis" (coined in 1930 by the physician Walter Cannon), is derived from the Greek, specifically for homeo “same” and stasis “steady.” 

What is a CBD Salve, and How Does it Differ From the Standard Salve?

A standard salve is typically made of natural wax, usually pure beeswax. Other options for the natural wax component are Candelilla wax and fatty oil bases like coconut oil.

A fatty oil base, known as the “carrier” for the medicinal or therapeutic compound, will “carry” the medicine that is found in the salve.

With CBD salves, fatty acids are the molecular devices that carry the CBD compound. Oils with a high content of fatty acids are able to carry more CBD. This is why coconut oil is considered the best oil carrier for making CBD salves.

If you’re allergic or sensitive to coconut oil, either of the following options may work better for you:

Hemp seed oil

Sunflower oil

Olive oil

Avocado oil

Grapeseed oil

Pomegranate seed oil

Do CBD Salves Actually Work?

As more research is being conducted to explore the benefits of CBD, many users have come out to speak up for their respective products of choice.

Our Full Spectrum CBD Salve is one of the most popular products that we offer in our artisanal CBD line. Brand reputation and customer service is our top priority, so everything we make is crafted in small batches to preserve the terpene and cannabinoid profile of each product.

All of our CBD products come from locally sourced hemp, grown in Colorado and are tested by a third-party lab. Each and every one of our products are gluten-free, and contain all-natural non-GMO ingredients.

With growing anecdotal evidence on its side and a growing number of topical CBD products gaining popularity, chances are you will find the right products that work for your specific needs. When choosing your CBD salve, be sure to invest some time in exploring brand reputation.