The best recipes to make yourself
Cannabis is an ingenious plant with countless medicinally valuable properties. The cannabinoids are the active medicinally effective components of the plant. More than 80 cannabinoids have been discovered so far. No cannabinoid is as psychoactive as THC, but most cannabinoids, such as CBD (cannabidiol), also have valuable medicinal properties that help many patients live with or even overcome certain diseases. In our following series, we want to take a closer look at the topic of cannabis cosmetics and medicinal cannabis preparations for external use. We will give some examples, your own knowledge, personal experiences and your favourite scents will round it all off and make it something unique. Have fun reading 😉
Some general tips for making cannabis cosmetics and therapeutic marijuana applications
Dried cannabis flowers contain terpenes and cannabinoids in the highest concentration, much higher than in other parts of the cannabis plant. Just as with smoking, vaporising or eating, well-stored and high-quality cannabis flowers should always be used for cannabis spa. They have the best qualities in terms of aroma and therapeutic effects.
It is best to combine a cannabis strain with natural flavours and fragrances that go very well with or are very similar to that strain. For example, a sweet cookie variety goes very well with vanilla or cinnamon in salves or lotions.
Varieties with citrus aromas, on the other hand, are better suited for a combination with roses (creams).
Hashish, kief or even small resinous trim leaves can be used for various cannabis preparations. The small trim leaves contain less cannabinoids than the flowers but still a considerable amount. They are excellent for various homemade spa blends.
Likewise, ointments, lotions and bath additives can be made from the fresh, highly aromatic cannabis flowers, which are still full of life and energy. The still living plant also possesses its very unique therapeutically valuable cannabinoid profile.
Prepare cannabis spa from your favourite strains
For the various cosmetic and therapeutic spa blends, any cannabis strain can be used depending on one's own preference or experience. As mentioned, dried flowers, fresh flowers, trim leaves, hashish or kief can be the base. The cannabis strain is chosen according to the desired medicinal effects and based on your previous experience or that of other patients. If possible, always use the best and highest quality flowers. This applies to all medicinal uses. They simply have the highest potency and the best aroma.
If a high CBD content is desired, a cannabis strain is used that also has a very high CBD value. Combinations that have a balanced mixture of different cannabinoids are described by many patients as particularly helpful and effective. The interaction of all the effective parts of the cannabis plant is what makes the plant so effective and what it is.
Enjoy and promote your health with our cannabis spa tips and recipes. Cannabis is a non-toxic plant with many beneficial effects that is safe and leaves plenty of room for creative healing blends of your own.
Do I get high on cannabis preparations or spa treatments?
Typically, spa applications with cannabis have no psychoactive effect. When cannabis or cannabis extracts are applied to the skin, there is no high, but there are a lot of terapeutic effects. Some cannabis mixtures may well have a psychoactive effect depending on their application or if certain baths are involved. When cannabis preparations are applied to mucous membranes, a psychoactive effect is especially to be expected.
Cannabis spa for pain made easy
When it comes to quick application and production of various mixtures, ointments and baths for everyday use, the main ingredients are those that are easy to obtain and can often be found in every household. At first, it is about implementing simple quick recipes and getting to know different techniques. Later come the more complex recipes.
Olive oil in cannabis spa
Olive oil is excellent for various cosmetic and therapeutic recipes with cannabis, also for external use. Olive oil has a high content of oleic acids (simple unsaturated fatty acids) and helps other components to penetrate deeply into the skin. A cold-pressed, high-quality virgin olive oil should be used as a priority.
If olive oil is processed cold (from the refrigerator or freezer) it has a relatively firm and creamy consistency and can then be used more easily as an ointment or massage oil.
Ingredients for quick cannabis spa applications
- Cinnamon as powder or in sticks
- Ginger, fresh or as a powder
- Turmeric powder
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Marigold
These are all common and frequently used ingredients with additional therapeutic effects that are often used in cannabis creams, lotions or cannabis baths. These ingredients are known for their warming and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as their aroma.
Salt in Cannabis Spa
Salt is mainly used for cannabis bath salts. It is best to use a high-quality salt that is rich in minerals: e.g. sea salt or pink Himalayan salt. But also Epsom salt (Epsom salt) or even ordinary kitchen salt can be used. A coarse structure of the salt is particularly recommended.
Oranges, lemons and limes can also be used in cannabis spa recipes. Medicinal and aromatic herbs in fresh or dried form, preferably from your own garden or balcony, or organic.
For a very potent and effective cannabis ointment, use about 3.5g of dried cannabis flowers or 7g of trim leavesfor 250ml of olive oil. The less potent the cannabis is, the more of it needs to be used to achieve the same effect as very high quality buds. If you only have a "weaker" weed available, increase the amount to 5-7g per 250ml of olive oil. For Kief, 1-2g should be sufficient. Recipes with a high cannabinoid content are described by many patients as particularly effective.
A quick cannabis massage oil/cannabis cream recipe
The following recipe is made cold and should be placed in the fridge for a creamy texture or in the freezer for a firm consistency. Both are easily absorbed into the skin.
In liquid form (at room temperature) this recipe can be used very well as a massage oil or warmed up for a particularly relaxing feeling.
Before the cannabis flowers in this recipe can develop their full potency, they need to be decoliated, just like when cooking with cannabis. You can do this in the oven and quickly get a cannabis oil that has a lightly roasted aroma. To do this, place the cannabis flowers in a shallow fireproof dish and place in the oven at 150° C for 30 minutes.
The other method results in a fresher and more flowery aroma of the finished oil. A pan or rice cooker is used for this. This slower method took a few hours and it is possible to add other natural flavours and fresh or dried herbs. Both methods use cannabis flowers that have been well dried beforehand.
Cannabis Oil Basic Recipe
The following basic recipe serves as a basis for many other blends, recipes and massage oils. A variety of herbs, medicinal plants and natural aromas can be added to this basic recipe. It is particularly suitable for sensitive skin because it contains no other plant additives. Only cannabis and olive oil.
In a clean environment, a sterilised container, dark and in the refrigerator, the cannabis oil can be stored for several weeks.
This is what is needed:
- 250ml olive oil
- 3.5g dried cannabis flowers/1-2g Kif/7g cannabis trim
- 720ml water for the method in the pan, do not use water in the oven
- Put the olive oil in a pan with the dried cannabis flowers and the water. Bring everything to a gentle simmer. If you want to add herbs or natural flavours, you can also add these, e.g. vanilla, cinnamon, anise....
- Simmer the mixture over low heat for 60-90 minutes. If you use a rice cooker, it is best to set it to "brown rice" cooking (30-45 minutes) and then leave the oil in the rice cooker as long as it is still warm.
- The 750ml of water should be enough for the whole process, if it gets too little, it can be refilled during the process. Do not allow the oil to fry and burn the cannabis flowers. This would change/deteriorate the aroma and also the effects.
- Use a coarse, clean cotton gauze cloth or fine-mesh sieve and strain the finished oil mixture into a clean, disinfected container. Let all the oil drip off well.
- At room temperature, the oil and water separate after some time. Now place the olive cannabis oil in the freezer for one hour. The oil becomes very solid. After one hour, the solid oil can be separated from the water with a warm spoon and filled into a clean, disinfected container. Then store in a cool and dark place.
To disinfect the vessels, place them in boiling water for 15 minutes and then dry them well.
Variations
Cinnamon cannabis oil against pain and inflammation
+ 4g cinnamon powder or 5 cinnamon sticks
Cinnamon, for example, can be added to the quick basic recipe. This spice is known for various therapeutic effects and has a warming effect on the skin. Cinnamon creams make cold feet and hands warm. Cinnamon counteracts fungal infections has anti-inflammatory properties. It is used externally for pain, inflammation, arthritis and rheumatism and gives the massage oil/cannabis ointment the wonderful cinnamon-y relaxing and woody scent.
The cinnamon should not be brought into the eyes during processing. It can be used as a powder or as whole sticks.
Spicy Cannabis Massage Oil
Add 3 known hot spices to the quick basic recipe from above:
+ Ginger: 5g ginger powder or 15g fresh ginger root.
+ 2g cinnamon powder
+ ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
This produces a cannabis massage oil that has a very warming and anti-inflammatory effect. The mixture of cannabis and cayenne pepper in this recipe provides a potent anti-pain oil/ointment. You should avoid getting this ointment in your eyes or on mucous membranes at all costs!
Fresh Herbs - Cooling Cannabis Massage Oil
This recipe is suitable for cooling pain relief and for irritated skin. The following herbs are added to the basic recipe:
+ 3g dried mint leaves
+ 3g dried camomile
+ 3g dried thyme
+ 3g dried marjoram
Of course, other herbs with which you have already had good experience can also be used instead of these herbs. It is best to shake or stir the cannabis herbal oil well before each use, it does not contain any stabilisers that keep all parts evenly distributed in the cream.
Juicy Fruits Cannabis Massage Oil
In this variation, various fresh fruits are added to the basic recipe from above. There are no limits to creativity. Here are some examples of fresh ingredients that are very suitable for this:
+ Buddha finger (fruit from a rare very aromatic citrus tree grown mainly for its aroma).
+ rose petals
+ Lime/lemon, natural citrus oils
+ Fresh mint/rosemary
+ Orange, natural orange oil
The fresh ingredients are added as soon as the olive oil and cannabis flowers are added to the pan and heated together.
Quick marijuana oil bath
If you like vaping, this is the recipe to get the most out of your cannabis flowers. The crushed cannabis left over from vaping can still be used for many cannabis recipes (cosmetic and medicinal). Vaporising never completely removes all cannabinoids from the flowers.
You can collect the remaining/used buds from the vaporizer, store them well and when enough has been gathered, make a medicinal ointment. The vaporised buds are already decarboxylated and do not need to be heated.
The basic ingredients are the same as above:
- 3.5g high quality dried cannabis flowers or 3.5g vaporised buds
- 240-450ml olive oil
Add to this for the quick cannabis oil bath: various dried herbs or dried plant parts: Cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, mint, camomile, lavender... depending on your wishes and preferences.
All the ingredients are mixed together, heated briefly in a pot and then poured into a glass jar when everything has cooled down. The whole thing should be stored in a very cool and dark place for at least a month before the oil is filtered with a fine-meshed net or sieve. Now all the plant parts are sieved out and the all-natural cannabis oil bath is ready. It should always be stored in a cool and dark place.
The cannabis oil bath is rich in valuable and natural ingredients. You know all the ingredients because you have made it yourself and there are no limits to your creativity to try out and create different combinations.
Our UV-safe borosilicate glass jars keep medicinal creams and oils fresh and protect them from light and rapid degradation of cannabinoids.
You might also be interested in: Cannabis cosmetics, medicinal ointments and creams with cannabis, cannabis spa (2nd part)