CBD topicals have been a gamechanger for so many peoples’ routines, offering a more targeted way to combat localized issues through the incredible properties found within the hemp plant. Topicals come in all kinds of forms these days, from rich and moisturizing creams to fast-absorbing and highly soothing salves. While all of them share cannabidiol (CBD) as a common ingredient, companies can formulate their topicals with all kinds of botanicals, herbs, and more.
It is extremely common for CBD-based topicals to contain essential oils. Besides the fact that this offers a natural fragrance to the product, many popular essential oils are valuable in terms of their properties, which may offer directly useful effects to the skin as well as the muscles and joints.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils refer to the extracted oils derived from plant material in the herbal or botanical world. Essential oils contain highly concentrated levels of terpenes, which are chemical compounds that determine a plant’s flavor, aroma and benefits. Terpenes are, in fact, present in the hemp plant as well, and responsible for many of its effects.
Producing essential oils can be done through various methods, including steam distillation and cold-pressing techniques. They are generally well-tolerated by the skin when they are diluted, as they are in CBD topical products.
How Do Essential Oils Benefit a Topical Formula?
Most people who incorporate CBD topicals into their routines are seeking out holistic solutions to their daily needs. As essential oils are also completely natural, it makes sense that they would make their way into topical formulas.
The terpenes found in essential oils can serve two purposes.
·1.They give a product a fragrance, which offers aromatherapeutic value. For instance, lavender is known as a calming scent, while orange can be invigorating. Many people want to apply a topical that smells appealing, and this is where essential oils can really come in handy.
·2.Perhaps even more importantly, essential oils come with valuable benefits. Most people apply topicals for help with physical discomfort found within the tissue of the muscles and joints. Cannabidiol can certainly help in this area, but so can numerous essential oils that offer both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Top Essential Oils You Can Find in Hemp-Based Topical Products
There are countless essential oils out there, as any plant can be run through an extraction process and turned into an essential oil. But, some ones in particular are more common in CBD topicals than others, primarily because of their properties that pertain to physical discomfort, but also because they smell wonderful.
#1: Peppermint
A known analgesic, peppermint essential oil offers a cooling effect that works its way into the muscles and joints to soothe them quickly. It’s no surprise that menthol comes from the mint family, and menthol is a large component of peppermint in particular.
#2: Eucalyptus
Menthol is also found in eucalyptus essential oil, offering the same cooling effect as peppermint, which can be extremely helpful to those with aches and pains. Eucalyptus also offers an invigorating sensation to the mind when inhaled, and can be very helpful with its general analgesic activity.
#3: Lemon
Lemon essential oil offers a high dose of limonene, a terpene that also happens to be very abundant in sativa strains of the hemp plant. Limonene is known for its mood-lifting capabilities, but it’s also rich in anti-inflammatory properties along with vitamin C and antioxidants that can be great for the skin.
#4: Lavender
Lavender’s soothing properties can work with both body and mind. Many people instantly feel more at ease when they inhale the scent of lavender, but those soothing effects also interact with the skin, joints and muscles. Lavender is rich in anti-inflammatory activity, making it a very useful topical agent.
#5: Rosemary
Not only is rosemary both anti-inflammatory and analgesic, but it’s anxiolytic as well, meaning that it can put the mind at ease when it’s inhaled. Rosemary offers a fresh, herbal aroma that many people can’t get enough of.
#6: Clove
Clove essential oil has a numbing effect when applied topically and is a common holistic substitute for lidocaine. Adding clove essential oil to a CBD topical may offer analgesic properties to the skin, muscles and joints.
#7: Lemongrass
Lemongrass is an unsung hero in that its anti-inflammatory properties are quite impressive, yet it’s less commonly used than the other essential oils above. But, you can still find plenty of CBD topicals that contain lemongrass. Not only does it offer these effects to the deep tissue, but many find the scent extremely mood-enhancing.
#8: Chamomile
Chamomile is best known for its calming effects to the mind, but it can also provide those same effects to the tissue of the joints, muscles and skin when applied topically, as it’s quite a powerful soothing agent. Chamomile may help ease up physical tension, making it a valuable addition to a topical formula.
#9: Tea Tree
Tea tree is more commonly known for its skin-related properties than its effects on physical discomfort, although it is anti-inflammatory. Tea tree is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent that can be incredibly useful for those with various skin-related ailments.
A Gentle Word of Caution
Essential oils are generally regarded as safe when applied to the skin. However, some people have allergies to specific ones. If you are allergic to a plant, and that plant’s essential oil is in a topical, you should stay away. Because essential oils concentrate the compounds to which some are allergic, you may have a skin reaction that causes a lot of discomfort. Also, if you’re currently taking any prescribed skin medications, it is best to consult with your doctor and even a dermatologist first before using any CBD topical-based solution.
CBD Topicals Enhanced with Essential Oils: Mother Nature at Her Best
Combining the powerful properties of CBD with the well-known effects of essential oils can offer a holistic powerhouse of ingredients that take standard topicals to new heights. Many essential oils have the ability to make topical formulas even more effective than they already are.