WHAT IS A CBD SALVE?
In the general sense of function, there is no real distinguishing between a salve, a balm, and an ointment. One can use all three terms more or less interchangeably.
The Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health officially defines an ointment as: “a semisolid preparation for external application to the skin or mucous membranes … [that] consists of medicinal substances incorporated in suitable vehicles. (Called also salves and unguents).”
In less clinical, easier-to-understand terms, a salve (or balm or ointment) is a medicine-infused concoction wherein one applies the medicine (in this case CBD) directly to the skin.
Regarding CBD creams and CBD lotions, the only real difference between them and salves/balms/ointments is that creams and lotions use a bit of water and moisturizing agents in their bases. Salves and balms only use fatty oils and wax as a base, with no water.
This accounts for a difference in texture more than anything else. The real functional differences, which we’ll talk about in just a moment, lie more in the specific ingredients used and the amount of CBD present in the salve.
CBD SALVES: HOW DO THEY FUNCTION?
It’s easy to visualize the absorption process of something like oral CBD oil or a CBD gummy. You swallow it, then it dissolves into the digestive gut and eventually makes its way into the bloodstream. With topicals, it is harder to visualize how the CBD ends up functioning at the cellular level.
In reality, the skin is an incredibly active and functional organ. In fact, it’s the largest organ in the human body. And while it does act as a barrier to potentially harmful substances, it also acts as a useful molecular passageway. It is quick, for instance, to absorb lipid-based oils (such as the ones that comprise CBD salves).
When you apply a CBD salve topically, the lipids in the oil base transport phytochemicals across skin cell membranes. At this point, the CBD can initiate its physiological mechanisms on surrounding cell and tissue layers.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CBD SALVES AND CBD OILS?
In terms of CBD salves vs. CBD oils, the key difference is that one consumes an oil by placing drops under the tongue. Salves, on the other hand, are applied topically by rubbing directly onto the desired area.
Some users claim that salves work quicker than CBD oils. Of course, there is no real quantifiable evidence for this. It does make sense, however, being that one applies a CBD salve directly at the source (the phytochemicals don’t have to travel through the digestive system or go through multiple stages of absorption).
Like other topical ointments (i.e. Icy Hot), in fact, some notice the effects of CBD salves almost immediately. Generally, oral CBD oils can take up to an hour to kick in.
FINAL THINGS TO CONSIDER
One important thing to remember about CBD salves (or any kind of hemp-based CBD product) is that they won’t get you high – or even slightly buzzed.
Most CBD-containing products come from industrial hemp – not marijuana. Though the two plants both belong to the same biological genus and species (Cannabis sativa), hemp is a CBD-heavy strain of cannabis that contains very little THC. THC, of course, is the psychoactive component of the plant, It is responsible for the euphoric, mind-altering highs.
So if you’ve been skeptical about using hemp or other CBD-related products because you don’t want to get stoned or became a “pothead”, you’ve got nothing to worry about in that regard.
CBD salves… They won’t work for everyone!
Also, keep in mind that while CBD salves work well for thousands of individuals, they don’t have the same effect on everyone. It’s important to do your own research, try out different products, and explore with various natural ingredients in order to find a salve that’s suitable for you and your needs.
Words taken from Marijuanabreak.com.