A CBD tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of the cannabis plant, intended for sublingual administration or addition to foods and beverages. While many commercial and traditional methods rely on high-proof grain alcohol (ethanol) as the solvent, it is possible to create effective extracts at home without it. This article focuses on safe and effective non-alcoholic alternatives for preparing a CBD-rich liquid extract from raw hemp material. These methods utilize common food-grade substances to extract beneficial compounds, resulting in a product commonly referred to as an infused oil or a non-alcoholic tincture.
Preparation Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation is a mandatory preliminary step for any product using raw CBD flower or hemp biomass, regardless of the solvent chosen later. Raw hemp contains cannabidiolic acid (CBDa), the acidic precursor to the active cannabinoid, CBD. Applying heat to the raw plant material converts this inactive CBDa into the pharmacologically active CBD compound. Without this conversion, the final liquid extract will contain very little usable CBD and lack the desired therapeutic efficacy.
To perform decarboxylation, the raw hemp material should first be finely ground to maximize surface area exposure without turning it into a powder. The ground material is then spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and heated in an oven. A common temperature range is 230°F to 250°F (110°C to 121°C) for 30 to 45 minutes. Monitoring the temperature is important, as overheating can cause the degradation of cannabinoids and terpenes, reducing the potency and altering the flavor profile.
Choosing Non-Alcohol Solvents
The selection of a solvent is dictated by CBD’s chemical nature, which is highly lipophilic, meaning it dissolves readily in fats and oils. Carrier oils like Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil, hemp seed oil, or olive oil are the most effective non-alcoholic mediums for extraction. The fatty acids in these oils act as the solvent, binding to the cannabinoids during heating to create a potent infused oil. MCT oil is often preferred for its neutral flavor, long shelf life, and high concentration of saturated fats, which enhance cannabinoid absorption.
Another viable option is vegetable glycerin (VG), a sweet, viscous liquid derived from plant oils. VG is often chosen by individuals who wish to avoid dietary fats or oils in their extract. However, VG is significantly less efficient at extracting cannabinoids compared to food-grade oils. The resulting VG extract will be noticeably weaker in potency, requiring a much larger dose to achieve the same effect as an oil-based extract.
Step-by-Step Carrier Oil Extraction
The carrier oil method provides the highest yield and is the most effective DIY approach to creating a non-alcoholic CBD liquid. The process relies on a low and slow infusion technique, often utilizing a double boiler or slow cooker to maintain a consistent, gentle temperature. Before beginning, ensure the decarboxylated hemp is ready, along with a high-quality carrier oil (such as organic MCT oil), a thermometer, mason jars, and fine-mesh straining cloth.
A suitable starting ratio is one part decarboxylated hemp material to five to ten parts of carrier oil by weight or volume, depending on the desired final concentration. For example, 10 grams of hemp and 100 milliliters of oil creates a moderately potent final product. Combine the decarbed material and the chosen oil in a mason jar, ensuring the lid is securely fastened but not overtightened to allow for slight expansion.
The jar is placed into a double boiler or slow cooker partially filled with water, creating a gentle heating bath. Maintain the oil temperature between 160°F and 180°F (71°C and 82°C) for several hours. This temperature range facilitates the transfer of cannabinoids into the oil without causing significant degradation of beneficial compounds, such as volatile terpenes. Monitor the water level and temperature throughout the infusion period to prevent overheating or scorching the oil.
Allow the oil and hemp mixture to infuse for a minimum of four to six hours, giving the fat molecules sufficient time to fully dissolve and bind with the CBD. Extending this process up to eight hours can maximize extraction efficiency, provided the temperature remains stable. After the infusion period is complete, the mixture must be allowed to cool slightly before the final straining step.
The final step involves carefully pouring the infused oil through a fine strainer lined with several layers of cheesecloth or a clean muslin bag. This separates the liquid oil from the spent plant material without introducing unwanted sediment or debris. Avoid squeezing the plant material to extract every last drop of oil, as squeezing releases chlorophyll and other bitter plant compounds, which can give the final tincture an unpleasant green flavor.
Using Vegetable Glycerin for Extraction
Extracting cannabinoids using vegetable glycerin (VG) differs from the oil method due to VG’s physical properties and lower extraction efficiency. Because VG is thick and less effective at dissolving cannabinoids, it benefits from slight dilution before infusion. Mixing VG with a small amount of distilled water (e.g., a 9:1 ratio of VG to water) helps reduce viscosity and improves its ability to penetrate the plant material.
The mixture of decarboxylated hemp, VG, and water is combined in a jar and heated in a similar water bath, but the infusion time is significantly longer. Due to VG’s lower efficiency, the mixture must be heated for an extended period, often ranging from six to twelve hours. This prolonged heat exposure compensates for the solvent’s weakness and encourages the maximum possible transfer of CBD.
While the heat must remain gentle, the temperature may approach 200°F (93°C) to aid the less-efficient extraction. Heating above 200°F risks caramelizing the VG, resulting in a burnt taste. The final product will have a naturally sweet flavor from the glycerin, which can mask the earthy taste of the hemp. However, the concentration of CBD will be lower than an equivalent oil-based extract, meaning a larger volume of the VG tincture is required for the same potency.
Storage and Potency Estimation
Proper storage is necessary to maintain the integrity and shelf life of the homemade non-alcoholic tincture, especially for oil-based extracts which can become rancid. Finished tinctures should be transferred into dark glass bottles (amber or cobalt blue) to protect the contents from light exposure. Light and heat are the primary agents of cannabinoid degradation, so bottles should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
When stored correctly, oil-based extracts can maintain their potency for up to a year, while VG extracts may have a slightly shorter shelf life. Estimating potency provides a helpful starting point for dosing. To estimate, the user needs the total milligrams of CBD contained in the starting material, typically provided by the hemp supplier’s lab report.
The total milligram count is divided by the total volume of the final liquid extract, measured in milliliters. For example, if 1,000 milligrams of CBD were extracted into 100 milliliters of oil, the resulting potency is approximately 10 milligrams of CBD per milliliter. This method provides a reasonable estimate of the concentration, though it does not account for the small amount of CBD that remains in the spent plant material after straining.