A Beginner's Guide To CBD Flower: Basics, Benefit, And Uses

CBD flowers (hemp flowers) have grown so much in popularity in recent years. This has led to an overload of information about hemp and CBD, some true, and others, not quite. But what is the fact about CBD and hemp flowers? And why do they seem special? Find out here.

What is CBD Flower?

The history of the hemp plant, including its use for medicinal purposes goes as far back as 2800 BC. Hemp cultivation originated in Central Asia, where people originally cultivated the plant for its fiber. From there it was imported into Europe and the Americas. 

Hemp flower, or CBD flower, refers to the dried aromatic bud of the hemp plant. This is different from marijuana, though both are equally strains of the same plant, Cannabis sativa. Legally, marijuana is any cannabis plant with THC content exceeding 0.3%. 

On the other hand, hemp contains CBD and it cannot contain more than 0.3% of THC. Therefore, CBD flowers from hemp plants do not get you intoxicated (or 'high') when ingested. And they can also be legally cultivated and consumed all over the US.

The Benefits of CBD Flowers

One of the most common questions among CBD enthusiasts is whether the flowers are as effective as CBD oil. The best case for CBD flowers is that they provide the most effective entourage effect. Scientists found out years ago that the compounds on hemp plants interact with each other to provide a balanced impact on the body. 

Also, CBD flowers are aromatic and contain different flavors, depending on their strain. This is due to the presence of terpenes on the buds. These compounds also have their own health benefits. In fact, every compound present in hemp (cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc.) has varying degrees of positive impacts on the body. 

All these compounds work better when consumed together rather than separately. This is why full-spectrum or ‘whole plant’ CBD products are more popular than other types, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Broad-spectrum products lack THC and isolate products lack every other compound, leaving only CBD.

The point is that you can never go full-spectrum and enjoy the most benefits of the entourage effect than by consuming CBD flowers. Unlike CBD oil, the flowers are unprocessed and haven't gone through the rigorous extraction methods.

Being therapeutic, CBD is helpful for managing stress, anxiety, pain, inflammation, depression, etc. They are also useful in the treatment of certain other conditions, chief of which is epilepsy. 

How to Consume CBD Flowers

CBD flowers lend themselves to different consumption methods. Some prefer to eat raw hemp leaves. Take note, though, that they taste bitter. In addition, some argue against it, claiming that the cannabinoids in the flowers are activated by exposure to heat, just like tea in hot water. 

Instead, you can cook the flowers with oil or butter and on low heat. This consumption method, though, slows the effect of the CBD on the body and might even lower its potency. This is because the substance passes to the digestive system where it is broken down before being absorbed into the body.

Likewise, smoking is an option. Smoking particularly increases the bioavailability of CBD since it goes directly into the lungs. CBD bioavailability is the rate at which CBD enters the bloodstream; the higher, the better. That makes the effects noticeable almost immediately. Smoking CBD may also be an effective method to battle cigarette addiction successfully.

The major concern with CBD flower consumption is dosing. There is no reliable way to know how much CBD you are indeed consuming. More so, regardless of quantity, the precise effects of hemp on the body varies by the physiology of the consumer as well as the strain of the flower. So with this, you have to go through some trial and error until you reach a dosage that fits your system. On the other hand, you can always speak to a doctor to determine how much is safe for you to consume.

Conclusion 

CBD flowers have grown in importance, as more people come to terms with their health benefits. The high CBD, low THC plants are a healthier alternative to marijuana, which contains excess amounts of THC. You only have to ensure that you're purchasing your flowers from a reliable source - like Cannabis Source LLC - that has cultivated and packaged the hemp plants under the best conditions. Reach out to them on Instagram @Cannabishempmart1.

In addition, if, for some reason, you can't consume the flowers, there are many other administration methods you may consider: vapes, oils and tinctures, topicals, etc. CBD flowers provide you with a lot of options.