Making Cannabis Tintcure with Apple Cider Vinegar

I don't think this will work well, what proof (alcohol percentage) does the vinegar have? If its under 100 proof (50%), don't even bother.. Better use 150 proof and up, 195 proof being best.

And if you do make it, make sure to decarb your bud before you add it to the alcohol (you do this by putting your herb in the oven for 30 mins @220f)

 

because you use alcohol as the solvent for your tincture. Everything that isn't alcohol is useless as a solvent (in this case). It would be like trying to mix the herb with water, this also doesn't work.

You can use lower proofs, but your tincture will be less efficient. And you don't have to put so many question-marks after your sentences, it makes you look like a 13 year old !!!!

 

Yes your right about the alcohol being the bonding agent part.

If you want to use this solution as an edible to get high, olive oil would not be such a good choice. If it's just for topical applications to cure some skin condition (cold soars perhaps?) then it should be just fine.

Also, you don't have to use everclear, any liquor that is high proof works, be it rum, wodka, gin,... If you want to get high using this solution, i wouldn't go below 120 proof. 100 proof does work, just not as good. And since i do not live in the UK, i can't recommend any brands.

 

That's going to be the weakest tincture ever and such a waste.

 

if its just for topical application i'd go with the isopropyl (use google first to see if this doesn't have any negative effects for your skin)

isopropyl is used to strip the thc from the plant material verry quickly, so i'm guessing a few minutes of shaking it then straining would be sufficient, you could let it sit for a few days if you want to be sure. I'm no expert on threating cold sores like this. I read about it and it seems to be effective. However, you should figure out if THCa is efficient aswell. If its not you'll have to decarb first.

 

99% will work just fine.

 

It's good that your instincts are telling you to avoid the rubbing alcohol, beyond that though you've got a bit of reading to do!


I definitely don't recommend using rubbing alcohol even for topical applications (ie. as the vehicle to promote transdermal penetration/absorption), the only time many of us consider it acceptable for a truly medicinal purpose, is when it's used as a solvent, that is later purged or evaporated off, and removed from the finished product. Even then, we still like to start with drinking-grade ethyl alcohol.


But that being said, simple cider vinegar has an acid content of only 4% - 6%, and a pH between 2.25 and 3.00 depending how it's made and the region it comes from... cannabis glandular material needs a MUCH higher percentage of the component it is soluble in, in order to be effective, similar to an alcohol extract.


What you have, is very primarily water.. and cannabis glandular material is not considered water soluble.



The lower the percentage, the less effective it will be, and the more processing it needs and the longer it will take to provide any sort of sensation, or absorption ability.

A strong acid can help break down cannabis glandular material (and then there's cannabis acetate) but it is not an optimal carrier for absorption, and you certainly would not want to put it on your skin, in the strength required to break down cannabis glandular material, so an additional and better carrier is still required for the eventual delivery, transdermal or otherwise.


There are SO many ways to make great topical canna oils, lotions, and creams, and gels, that I don't even know where to begin! But washing your herbs and hash in simple vinegar, is just not one of them.


I would recommend making an oil, glycerin or a citric acid extract that can be infused with a blend of your favorite oils, such as coconut, olive, emu and others, and I definitely suggest playing around with your favorite aromatic oils... lavender, sage, vanilla, sandalwood, eucalyptus, teatree... they are all wonderful! and many essential oils have highly medicinal and therapeutic value of their own, having analgesic, anti-inflammatory and even anti-mutagenic/anti-cancer properties to name just a few.


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If you follow a good canna oil, glycerin or citric-lecithin extract recipe, then it's just a matter of blending to the consistency you desire with any of the above mentioned ingredients, or even your favorite designer skin-care product... I've had patients provide me with lotions, which were hundreds of dollars more expensive than the meds they had me put into them.

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Making a good topical, is just like any edible recipe; the most important parts are the extraction and the availability of your meds.

A medium-chain triglyceride canna oil enhanced with lecithin, as it is, all on its own, is THE topical canna oil... anything you wish to do with it beyond that, is gravy.



Lecithin is used in pharmaceutical grade transdermal applications, and coconut oil is a wonderful skin carrier for minerals and vitamins, for the human equivalent of 'foliar feeding'.



Many people 'prep' their skin with coconut oil, before applying pharmaceutical topicals, to enhance their absorption and minimize waste.




*** To take some of the confusion and stress off, just think of the lotion or topical gel that you plan to 'build' using that oil or citric-lecithin extract, as nothing more than a simple brownie batter.


If you add your canna to that brownie batter in the wrong way, it certainly may look like a brownie (or a lotion) when it's finished... but it's not going to work. Same goes for your lotion or topical oil.


But if you take the time to promote transdermal bioavailability beforehand, you'll be rewarded with the combined and fully functional benefits of ALL the components, including your canna. ***





Here are a few places for you to begin reading...


BadKat's Highly Activated & Bioavailable, Med-Grade Canna Oil (starting with flowers/bud/trim etc)

Med-Grade Canna Oil






BadKat's Highly Activated & Bioavailable, Med-Grade Cannabis Concentrate (Edible & Smokable recipes included... similar to BHO, but made with food grade/drinking alcohol)


-Medical Grade Cannabis Concentrate-






BadKat's Highly Activated & Bioavailable, Med-Grade Hash Oil (starting with dry-sift hash, same as capsule recipe, oil can also be used for cooking)


Med-Grade Hash Oil








BadKat's Easy Citric Acid & Lecithin Extraction

Easy Citric Acid & Lecithin Extraction/Infusion





Remember:

Simply dissolving 'to the naked eye' in alcohol or oil, is not enough to promote trasndermal OR oral bioavailability!

Stripping glandular material is one thing, the promotion of bioavailability is another matter entirely.


That's why iso-hash can be washed in a matter of seconds, but even fully pre-activated Dragons require a bit of initial heat, and for the best effect several weeks or even months of resting, for any amount of bioavailability to occur.




Back to your topical blends... keep in mind that a drop or two is all you'll need, when working with essential oils!

(A drop or two of essential oil, per 3 - 6 fluid oz's of base-oil that is.. certain essential oils are more potent than others, a drop of sage may be sufficient but a drop of cinnamon or lemongrass oil may be too much! So add it slowly... you can always add more aromatics if you need to, but removing them without doubling the recipe is a bit difficult )



You can be much more liberal with your coconut, cocoa, emu, jojoba, shea, olive and other pre-made or store bought base lotions, oils and butters.



Hope this helps... Good luck!

 

nvm BKS took over ^-^

 

yes glycerin is a known safe compound (can't believe i didn't think about it myself, must be cause i never used it)