5 Things you Didn’t Know About CBD Balms

A balm is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin.” This is a fairly broad definition which is fitting because balms are a fairly broad category of topical ointments. Many people may think of lip balm when they first hear the term while others (especially Seinfeld fans) will think of an almost magical healing elixir. NO matter what you think of, you are probably right as balms come in all types of forms and for different uses. It is this versatility that makes balms such a great vehicle for CBD.  

Cannabidiol (CBD), is a chemical compound from the Cannabis sativa plant that is known for its healing properties. It is a close cousin of marijuana but it offers the benefits of the well-known drug without the psychoactive properties – the “high”. CBD comes in many forms, from oils to pills to vapes to edible gummies and more. CBD can be used to manage various conditions, including ADHD, anxiety and sleep disorders. 

CBD balms are among the most popular products in the category and have many benefits for users. To help you understand more about this popular delivery system, here are 5 things you didn’t know about CND balms.

1. CBD Balms are Generally Made with the Same Ingredients

While there are many differences you will find between CBD balm products from various companies – or even within the same company – most balms you find will actually contain the same general ingredients as tinctures – the “standard” way of administering CBD oil. Most products will be made of a combination of a natural wax product and a fatty oil as a base. You will find beeswax as the wax base in the vast majority of CBD balms and the oils you will commonly find include avocado oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or MTC oil.

In addition to the base, there will be the CBD extract and possibly other ingredients to customize the balm such as fragrances and essential oils. The CBD extract can be full spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate. Full-spectrum means it includes all the chemicals found in the hemp plant, including THC (the psychoactive ingredient). This is generally under 0.3% though. broad-spectrum is the full complement of compounds with the THC specifically removed, and isolate is pure CBD. Preliminary studies have found full-spectrum is more effective than isolate but each form has its benefits.

2. CBD Balms May Help with a Variety of Health Conditions 

CBD balms are used to provide relief for many medical conditions. Users report that CBD balms, when applied directly to the skin can help with issues such as pain relief for joint and muscle pain or chronic conditions like arthritis. It is also known to help with headaches and migraines, menstrual cramps, and many common skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and more.

CBD has been shown to have similar properties to pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen and naproxen which help it reduce the inflammation. Similar to other mainstream drugs and treatment options, CBD oil will last a while and you will likely never have to worry about expiration dates. This inflammation is what causes many of the issues mentioned above. While more research is still to be done, both early studies and anecdotal information are very positive about the overall health benefits of CBD on the conditions discussed here as well as a host of other physical and mental health conditions.

3. CBD Balms Go Right to the Source

The reason that balms are thought of as superior to other CBD delivery systems for certain conditions is that applying the balm topically allows the CBD to be delivered right to the spot of the issue without any dilution. It gives you maximum CBD benefits to treat the specific issue you want to treat. This differs from other delivery systems of CBD.

When you take CBD in pill or edible form, it must pass through your digestive system before it enters other parts of your body. Oils and vapes are absorbed into your bloodstream before they are distributed. While these are very effective methods to get certain benefits from CBD, to help treat what balms most help treat, these methods dilute the quantity and quality of CBD that gets directly to the source of your issue.

4. The CBD Concentration Matters

While most CBD balms are created with similar ingredients, not all CBD balms are created equal. Reading the label to find out what the concentration of CBD per ounce is very important. Even though the CBD in balms don’t get diluted as it does in other delivery systems, it still only works well if you have a certain level of CBD in the ointment.

According to Griffin Lynch, Co-Owner BATCH by WI Hemp Scientific, “CBD balms offer relief right where users need it. By applying the CBD topically, it does not go through your digestive system which can degrade some portion of the CBD. But here’s the secret to making sure that CBD balms actually work for you. We find many people complain about not experiencing any relief when in fact they are using a diluted product. We’ve found the minimum effective concentration to be 250 mg CBD per ounce”

5. CBD Balms Can Be Preventative as Well as Therapeutic 

While a recent medical study found that around 62% of CBD users use CBD to treat a medical condition, CBD balms can be preventive as well. These balms are believed to be especially effective as preventative treatments for your skin. While it is commonly used to treat common skin problems above, it can also be used by anyone looking for healthier looking and feeling skin.

Many CBD balm users use the products on a regular basis as part of their daily skincare routine. They report that CBD balms can help soothe, heal, and soften your skin and many of the ingredients in these balms have a great moisturizing effect as well. Just keep in mind, these balms do have differing levels of CBD so you want to consult your physician before starting a daily routine and it is always advisable to start with smaller doses to test its effect on you and your body.  

Conclusion 

Now you know some of the most important things you need to know about CBD balms. When purchasing CBD balms to try out, always make sure you check the ingredients and CBD concentration and purchase the products from a reputable company. If you do this, chances are you will have a good CBD balm experience and hopefully look and feel better than you did before.