As awareness about the benefits of CBD oil grows, people are becoming more curious about the different types of CBD oils available. The world of CBD oil can be overwhelming, with different methods of extraction, formulations, and dosage options to consider. In this article we explore three of the most popular forms of CBD oil that are widely available: Whole Plant CBD Oil, Gold CBD Oil, and Broad Spectrum CBD Oil.
Here’s what sets these products apart from one another:
Whole Plant CBD Oil
Whole plant CBD oil is also commonly referred to as “full-plant” or “full-spectrum” CBD oil. As the name suggests, this oil is extracted from the entire hemp plant (latin name: cannabis sativa), including the leaves, flowers and stem. In the UK, whole plant CBD oil contains only trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), below the legal limit of 0.2% so you cannot get ‘high’ from them. In the US, some whole plant CBD oils contain higher levels of THC in the states where THC has been legalised.
Because whole plant CBD oil contains all of the naturally occurring compounds found in the hemp plant, it is a full spectrum CBD oil. This means that it contains many other cannabinoids, such as CBG (Cannabigerol), CBD-A (Cannabidiolic Acid) and CBC (Cannabichromene).
In addition to the full spectrum of cannabinoids, whole plant CBD oils can contain many different terpenes which are the aromatic compounds in the hemp plant like pinene, linalool, myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, and humulene. Whole plant CBD oils can also contain flavonoids (or cannflavins) such as apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin and glycosides.
Scientific studies have shown that the presence of the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids in CBD oil can increase the power and effectiveness of CBD oil. These compounds work in synergy to create an “entourage effect”, which enhances the overall therapeutic benefits of the CBD oil.
The best quality whole plant CBD oils are produced using supercritical CO2 extraction to extract the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids from the hemp plant. This high pressure method also extracts the plant lipids, waxes and chlorophylls from the plant which have a bitter taste.
The one criticism that some people have about whole plant CBD oils is that they have a bitter taste and this can prevent some people from holding the oil in their mouth for very long. As CBD is very bioavailable through the gums and membranes in the mouth, it is important to hold CBD oil under the tongue for a while to increase the absorption of the cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes into the bloodstream.
Bristol CBD offer the best value whole plant CBD oils in the UK based on the strength, quality and spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. To find out more view the list of whole plant CBD products here.
Gold CBD Oil
Gold CBD oil is also a full spectrum CBD oil containing the desired compounds from hemp plants, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in order to achieve the entourage effect. However the extraction process is slightly different so that the final CBD oil does not contain the bitter – tasting plant waxes, lipids and chlorophylls.
Gold CBD oil is extracted using sub-critical CO2 extraction which is a process that uses pressurized carbon dioxide in its liquid state as a solvent to extract CBD from hemp plants. When the temperature and pressure of CO2 are controlled, it creates a state between liquid and gas called the sub-critical phase. During this phase, CO2 can efficiently extract the desired compounds from hemp plants, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids while leaving behind the heavier and darker, bitter-tasting plant matter. These means that gold CBD oils have a mild taste that can be more palatable than whole pant oils and some people find it easier to hold gold oils in the mouth for longer.
The sub-critical CO2 extraction method is preferred over other methods because it produces a very clean CBD oil without any residual solvents or chemicals. Moreover, sub-critical CO2 extraction preserves the potency and efficacy of the CBD oil by maintaining the integrity of the plant’s compounds. Due to the costly and intricate nature of this method, only a few CBD manufacturers invest in this method.
Bristol CBD’s gold CBD oils are some of the only CBD products in the UK that are created using the sub-critical CO2 extraction method. This premium-quality CBD oil boasts a high concentration of CBD, as well as a full spectrum of other cannabinoids and plant compounds. Gold CBD Oil has a golden yellow color, which is a sign of its purity and the sub-critical CO2 extraction method used to make it. It contains trace amounts of THC (less than 0.2%) which means it is fully legal in the UK and EU.
Bristol CBD offer the best gold CBD oils in the UK based on the strength, quality and spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. To find out more visit the list of gold CBD products here.
Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
In the UK, broad spectrum CBD oils contain high levels of CBD, zero THC and a handful of other cannabinoids such as CBG and CBD-A. To produce broad spectrum CBD oil, several processes including filtration and distillation, are used to get rid of contaminants, leaving behind a pure product that is virtually tasteless.
While full-spectrum CBD oil retains all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds found in hemp, broad spectrum CBD oil is free of THC and most cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes making it a preferred option for those who want a cheaper form of CBD oil.
Broad spectrum CBD Oil can be used in various ways, including vaping, sublingual application, or adding it to edibles and skin products. This makes it one of the most versatile forms of CBD oil in the market.
Another advantage of broad spectrum CBD Oil is that it is flavorless. Some forms of CBD oil have a bitter taste or aroma, which may be overwhelming or unappealing, but broad spectrum CBD Oil is free of such qualities, making it very mild in taste.
While both full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oil are absorbed orally, broad spectrum CBD oil has a simpler, quicker absorption rate into the bloodstream, meaning that you may feel its effects more quickly than other CBD oils.
However because broad spectrum CBD oil contains fewer cannabinoids and other health-giving plant goodness like the terpenes and flavonoids you do not get the entourage effect. Some people may need to use more broad spectrum CBD oil to get the same effect that full spectrum oils achieve.
Bristol CBD’s broad spectrum CBD oils are incredibly good value for money and a great place to start your journey with CBD if you are on a budget. You can find out more about them here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whole plant CBD oil, gold CBD oil, and broad spectrum CBD oil all have their unique benefits, and choosing the right one for you comes down to personal preference and what effects you are looking for. Full spectrum CBD oils, like whole plant CBD oil and gold CBD oil, are the most potent as they contain all of the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Gold CBD oil has a more palatable taste than whole plant CBD oil but is slightly more expensive. Broad spectrum CBD oil is slightly less potent but still provides many of the health benefits associated with CBD oil.
Regardless of which type you choose, sustainable and organic farming and extraction methods are paramount along with the reliability of an authentic CBD product that is lab-tested. It’s recommended to opt for trusted brands that provide full transparency around its products, particularly its extraction and testing methods, to ensure a high-quality and effective product.
About Bristol CBD
Bristol CBD is the most trusted CBD brand in the UK with a trust score of 4.9 stars on both Google and Trustpilot. We also offer unparalleled customer service, support, guidance and advice and a 100% money back guarantee if you are not entirely satisfied with your CBD product.
If you have any questions about how to buy or use CBD products, please feel free to call us on 07706 031 935 at any time. We are always happy to share our experiences and help people to find the best solution for their own needs.
Please note that Bristol CBD staff are not qualified doctors or nurses and therefore we do not make any medical claims and cannot recommend CBD for specific ailments. Our articles are simply based on our own research and over 12 years experience of working with CBD. We always encourage people to talk with their GPs, physicians or nurses before taking CBD products.
