Does CBD oil expire?
Many people on Instagram ask me how to store CBD Oil… Or when our medicine expires in general.
CBD is a natural product and because of this, it tends to degenerate and break down with age.
With proper storage, high-quality CBD products can preserve not only their cannabinoid content but other elements such as terpenes and flavonoids as well.
Our tincture and oil are packaged in glass vials.
The glass is dark to prevent exposure to light. We also include a dropper in order to help with serving size and keep the medicine as clean as possible. We store our salve in dark glass jars as well and recommend that people use clean hands or a utensil when applying the salve from the jar.
If the packaging has been damaged, find a clean airtight container and transfer the medicine.
According to DirectCBD, ‘High-quality CBD oil has a long and stable shelf life. Its longevity is similar to that of hemp oil and stays good for 14-24 months. Replace your CBD products after 2 years regardless, as the product can begin to lose potency and flavor.’
CBD oil does not need to be refrigerated but if you prefer the taste and temperature a bit colder, it is fine to keep it in the fridge. If the instructions on the packaging require refrigeration then store it in the fridge.
Does Coconut Oil Need to Be Refrigerated?
We use coconut oil in our products and ask people not to refrigerate it, although for best practice, to keep it in a dark cool place not exposed to varying temperatures. Keeping CBD in the fridge may cause the medicine to harden and you will need to run the bottle under hot water to use it.
Changing the temperature from cold to warm and warm to cold messes with the potency, causing a faster degeneration of CBD oil.
It is wise to follow the directions on the package when dosing and storing CBD products because they come in many forms.
How to Store CBD Oil?
When storing CBD Oil keep these pointers in mind:
- Make sure that the bottle is upright and firmly sealed
- Keep the contents free of contaminants
- Place it somewhere with moderate temperature
- Store it away from extremes in heat, cold, light, or moisture
- Do not store CBD in cupboards that are located near appliances that give off heat (store away from the heat of the oven or stove)
- Do not store CBD Oil near a window where the sun can reach it
- Do not leave your CBD Oil inside the car where it will be exposed to temperature changes
Does CBD Oil Need to Be Refrigerated?
Most people recommend storing CBD in a cool, dark pantry, away from windows and the stove. If you bring it to work a desk drawer or cabinet is acceptable. If you are traveling keep the bottle in a resealable sandwich bag to help keep the mess to a minimum.
In general, CBD is mixed with a carrier oil like liquid coconut oil (MCT), olive, vegetable, or hemp seed oil – to name a few. Best practices call for storing your CBD in the same way you would store the carrier oil if it were on its own.
If you live in a hot climate and you have no air conditioning and the heat in the house is intense, then refrigerate it. Don’t freeze it.
It is also important to keep your CBD away from air. Oxygen has the ability to alter the chemical balance of CBD oil – a process known as oxidative stress. Most hemp CBD products come in airtight bottles or oral applicators. These are specifically designed to prevent air exposure. Try to keep your CBD product in its original container for quality assurance. After opening, make sure to put the cap back on with a tight seal to extend the product shelf life. If you need to transfer your CBD product, make sure the new container is adequate for long-term storage.
Whether you are putting CBD oil under your tongue, vaping it, cooking with it, rubbing it on your skin, or popping a pill or edible, all cannabinoids will degrade when exposed to light, heat, or oxygen. The best way to keep any CBD-infused product fresh and safe is to ensure that all three of these elements are well-controlled.
How Long Does CBD Tincture Last?
CBD tinctures are among the longest-lasting oral forms of cannabidiol. If stored properly, a well-made tincture can last for decades. The best way to prevent the degradation of CBD tinctures is to put them in an amber or blue dropper bottle and store them in a dark, cool place.
From our experience, holistic medicine works better when it is respected, stored and applied with healing intention and care. Always keep your CBD storage area clean and protected.
We make sure that our medicine is never alone and we personally deliver it or when that is not possible, we make sure to include some palo santo, sage or another medicine (salve tin) to accompany the travelling medicine. The same intention should be applied to storage; keep your CBD with other natural medicines or spiritual items.
I usually tell people that oil lasts a year and tincture lasts forever.
We have never tested it, however, and that is a project I am undertaking and will, a year from now, be able to report on – scientifically. In the meantime, we believe that science will prove that our holistic medicines are not that different from pharmaceuticals when it comes to aging.
As the medicines age, they lose potency, but losing potency doesn’t mean they are worthless. They are still medicine, they just lose some luster, much like old nuns. Still strong medicine, less a slight amount of potency.
May they all forgive me for my analogy.
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