How to Infuse Honey With CBD
With the rise in popularity and expansion of the cannabis market, more people than ever are interested in trying CBD-infused edibles. While some are intrigued by the thoughtful creations, others want to enjoy various products. That’s why we want to elaborate on how to infuse honey with CBD and the process behind it.
Even though it may sound peculiar to combine these two, many people prefer this option over smoking a joint. Also, since this herbal remedy can be concocted at home, there’s a growing interest in DIY CBD-infused honey. While some use it as a natural sweetener or tea addition, others turn to this option to save money.
Regardless of your reasons, careful preparation is needed for the best outcome. Continue reading to discover more, as well as how to use CBD-infused honey!
Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: NIKCOA
How to Infuse Honey With CBD
In simple terms, infusing honey with CBD includes heating the cannabis plant to activate its beneficial compounds and then combining them with honey. The main ingredients you’ll need are honey, CBD products, and a double boiler. When securing a double boiler, remember that it usually includes a boiling pot and a glass jar that fits inside it.
Preparing for infusion
First, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients suitable for the process. Alongside the dosage considerations, we recommend acquiring quality honey and CBD to maximize their potential benefits. Here are some tips for choosing the right products we at Sorting Robotics have found most useful.
Choosing the honey
The first factor to consider when choosing the right honey for a CBD infusion is its raw and unprocessed properties. Picking such honey will ensure you make the most out of its beneficial enzymes. Also, when this ingredient is unprocessed, it’s thought to retain more natural nutrients, leading to better quality results.
The second factor you should consider is if the honey is locally sourced. Alongside supporting your local beekeepers, many prefer this option due to its potential benefits regarding seasonal allergies. Thus, visiting your local farmer's market is a great place to start.
Lastly, we at Sorting Robotics always recommend using products with organic certification. This way, you’ll know it’s free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. Having such certification also indicates that the honey is produced using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Choosing the CBD
You don’t need to be an expert to know that choosing the right CBD product is of utmost importance for your safety and well-being. So, you should first focus on whether the product has been third-party lab tested.
Most cannabis-based products include certificates of analysis that highlight their potency and purity. These tests will ensure that the product has been accurately labeled and that it doesn’t contain any contaminants.
Besides the third-party lab testing, you should also be mindful of the product’s extraction method. Some methods may leave harmful residues or solvents that potentially risk your health. Thus, it’s best to use CBD extracted with less invasive methods, like CO2 extraction, from organically grown hemp.
Moreover, you should choose the desired CBD spectrum. Most people choose between full-spectrum or broad-spectrum options depending on their desired effects. They’re often praised for their additional compounds, such as cannabinoids and terpenes, which might potentially enhance the infusion’s effects.
Dosage considerations
The dosage considerations are the last factor you should know when infusing honey with CBD. Alongside the product’s potency, this might highly affect the strength of the infusion and the effects you may feel. If you don’t have any prior experience in the process, it’s important to start with a low dosage and gradually increase it.
Additionally, if you’re unsure how CBD may affect you, it’s recommended that you consult a healthcare professional to determine the right dose for you. This is especially important if you’re taking medication or have an underlying medical condition.
Infusion methods
After gathering the required ingredients, choose your desired infusion method. This can either be an oil-based or direct method. Regardless of your choice, you’ll have to decarboxylate the cannabis through heat for it to be effective.
This process activates the plant’s benefits, possibly making CBD more effective in the body. For this, heat the oven to 240 degrees Fahrenheit and place a baking tray of evenly ground cannabis. Even though it’s recommended to bake it for 30 minutes, never exceed the 40-minute limit, as you may risk damaging the terpenes.
Oil-based infusion method
This infusion method includes using oil, cannabis, a strainer, and a pot. First, you should choose a suitable oil to infuse the CBD with. Some of the best options are coconut, avocado, and olive oil. It’s important to note that the cannabis plant must bind to fat molecules to be digested since it's fat-soluble.
When it comes to the ratio of cannabis to oil, it’s best to use the 1-to-1 volume ratio to start. This amounts to 7 grams of cannabis to 1 cup of oil. Those looking for a lighter effect can lower the cannabis dose to 3.5 grams per cup.
The next step is to decarboxylate the cannabis, as mentioned above. Once done, you have to set up a double boiler and heat it on a low setting. Then, add the oil to the top portion or bowl of the boiler while ensuring it’s separated from the water.
With the oil between 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, add the cannabis and stir. Leave it there for two to four hours while stirring occasionally. Finally, strain the finished cannabis oil and combine it with the honey.
Direct infusion method
If you want to infuse the cannabis with honey directly, first follow the same decarboxylate method to activate it. Then, you once again need to set up a double boiler to begin the process.
Once ready, add the desired amount of honey into a jar in the double boiler and wait for it to heat up. The next step is to add the appropriate dose of cannabis. As mentioned, starting with a 1-1 ratio is best.
If you notice that it’s not dissolving, you should turn up the heat and start stirring. This will ensure that the CBD is distributed evenly for the best results. Once the concoction is complete, remove it from the double boiler and let it cool off.
If there are no undissolved parts, you can store the honey in your desired container and use it. However, if you notice undissolved parts, repeat the same process until you get the desired outcome.
Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: NIKCOA
Benefits and Versatility of CBD-Infused Honey
Besides the different infusion methods, this combination is praised for its numerous potential benefits and versatility. To better understand, we’ll elaborate on both of them separately.
CBD-infused honey recipes
You should know that numerous CBD-infused honey recipes are available online. This leads to various usage options depending on the consumer’s taste. Some of the best options might be the following:
Smoothies: This honey can be easily combined with a blend of frozen fruits and almond milk. However, you should only use a single tablespoon to be safe with the dosage.
Toast: Many people prefer to use CBD-infused honey as toast toppings. Just grab a piece of toast and apply the product.
Salad dressing: When using CBD-infused honey as a salad dressing, combine it with Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and balsamic vinegar. This popular mixture is praised for its sweet and savory taste.
Tea: When using this honey as a tea sweetener, it’s recommended to use a single tablespoon not to surpass the recommended dose.
Yogurt parfait: This recipe involves layering yogurt, fresh fruits, and granola in a glass or container. If you want to spice it up, you can drizzle a little of the honey on top for a healthy snack.
CBD-infused honey benefits
While many people tend to use CBD-infused honey for potential relaxation, there are numerous potential benefits one can experience from it. Since both substances have unique benefits, combining them may give you a kickstart you didn’t know you needed. Thus, here are some of the benefits you may experience by consuming this honey:
Antioxidant properties: Honey is highly praised for being a potential natural antioxidant.
Antibacterial properties: Honey is also used for potentially treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It’s tough to have antimicrobial properties effective when treating different kinds of bacteria.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Potentially stimulates the production of prostaglandin E2 and cyclooxygenase-2, which act as inflammatory mediators.
Accelerating healing processes: May enhance wound treatment, leading to better outcomes. This is due to its antimicrobial efficacy against fungal isolates and clinical bacteria.
Relief from physical discomfort: Even though CBD isn’t known to directly reduce pain, studies show that patients with chronic pain reported possible improvements in their quality of life and sleep.
Neuroprotective properties: CBD affects the endocannabinoid system by potentially enhancing these molecules in the cannabinoid receptors. Thus, it’s thought to activate metabotropic receptors for adenosine and serotonin indirectly.
Storing and Using CBD-Infused Honey
If you plan to infuse honey with CBD, you should also know the proper storage options and usage. We have included several storage methods to ensure that the CBD-infused honey lasts as long as possible.
First, you should always keep your finished product in an air-tight container. This will ensure that no air or moisture comes in contact with the honey and prevent it from losing quality. So, keeping it in honey jars, containers, or glass jars with air-tight lids might extend its shelf life and keep it fresh.
After you’ve chosen the right container, you should then store it in a cold and dark place. Never keep your CBD-infused honey in direct sunlight, as it may degrade the CBD and lose its potency.
Lastly, you should watch out for contamination and avoid it. Always use clean utensils to prevent bacteria growth from moisture and contaminants.
Once you’ve decided on the ideal storage option, you can enjoy your final product. As mentioned, some prefer this concoction with tea, while others apply it as a sweetener in various foods. Remember to start with smaller doses and gradually build tolerance regardless of your preferred consumption method.
Safety and Legal Considerations
Before infusing honey with CBD, remember the following safety and legal considerations. First, always check your CBD products for certificates of analysis. This way, you’ll ensure they’re safe to use and don’t have any unwanted harmful substances.
Even though many countries have already legalized the use of cannabis, it’s still recommended to check any local legal regulations for such products. There are still places where the use of this plant is considered illegal and can lead to various legal issues.
Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: MarinaMos
Conclusion
After discovering how to infuse honey with CBD, choosing your preferred infusion method and use is up to you. Remember to always dose your product accordingly not to overstep your boundaries.
Take the time and carefully choose your desired product to ensure a high-quality result. Even though it’s a lengthy process, it’s worth the struggle!
