CBD oils and salves are two products used to relieve pain and inflammation. Although they can both be effective, there are critical differences between them.
For example, CBD oil needs to be absorbed sublingually, meaning that it must be held under the tongue until it dissolves and has been absorbed into the bloodstream through the gums and mouth tissue. On the other hand, salve needs to be rubbed into the skin or applied topically.
Read on to learn more about CBD oils and salves and how they work so you can make a well-guided decision.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is derived from cannabis and hemp plants that have been bred to contain high levels of cannabidiol (CBD). CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC but much less than marijuana, which explains why its effects are so different from traditional marijuana-based products.
Because of its low THC count, CBD oil for pain won’t get you high or lead to dependence or addiction. Medical experts advise against taking large doses of CBD oil to avoid getting too high for your good.
How CBD Oil Works
CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) using naturally occurring cannabinoids in hemp plants, including cannabidiol and THC. CBD isn’t psychoactive like THC, meaning it doesn’t make you high. Instead, CBD offers many health benefits, including pain relief and a possible defense against neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
You can take CBD oil in a few different ways. It is most commonly consumed through vaporization (smoking) but can also be ingested in other forms, such as edibles or capsules and tinctures.
What Is a Salve?
A salve is a topical medication used to treat wounds and minor aches and pains, such as muscle soreness or joint pain. Salves are common oils with active herbal ingredients, such as eucalyptus and calendula oil.
The main difference between salves and CBD oil is that CBD oil does not contain any active herbal ingredients. However, it does contain cannabidiol (CBD), which has been found to have many health benefits, including reducing inflammation and relieving pain.
How Salve Works
Topical solutions like salves and lotions are applied directly to affected areas of your body to soothe, hydrate, and nourish your skin. These treatments work to enhance overall skin health and treat localized ailments. Most people have a jar or tube of topical pain relievers in their medicine cabinet, but not everyone understands how these products work.
So, Which One Is Better Between CBD Oils and Salves
The truth is the better option depends on what you are looking for.
While CBD oil and salves can effectively treat pain, they are pretty different products with unique pros and cons. CBD oil is a concentrated liquid product derived from marijuana plants; salves are plant-based ointments infused with cannabis or CBD extracts. As such, salves are more versatile in application than oils are.
Those who favor stronger treatment can opt for oil, while those who don’t mind using a bit less CBD to treat their symptoms can use a salve instead.
Nonetheless, they share CBD as an ingredient that is much better than prescription drugs at relieving chronic pain. CBD doesn’t trigger opioid receptors in your brain or nervous system, so there are fewer side effects associated with its use than medical drugs.
It also doesn’t interfere with other medications and has no adverse reactions when combined with other drugs.
However, new scientific research is still being conducted on its mechanisms of action and how beneficial it is at optimizing pain.
