Source: IACM
by Dr Arno Hazekamp
What is Cannabis oil?
Concentrated cannabis extracts, also known as Cannabis oils because of their sticky and viscous appearance, are increasingly mentioned by self-medicating patients as a cure for cancer. In general, preparation methods for Cannabis oil are relatively simple and do not require particular instruments. The purpose of the extraction, often followed by a solvent evaporation step, is to make cannabinoids and other beneficial components such as terpenes available in a highly concentrated form. Cannabis oil is usually taken orally, by ingesting a small number of drops several times a day. Please find here some information on the question whether cannabis can cure cancer.
How is Cannabis oil prepared?
Various methods have been described for the preparation of Cannabis oil. The most popular method, as described by former (skin)cancer patient Rick Simpson from Canada, suggests the use of naphtha or petroleum ether as a solvent for the extraction. Following the success of Simpson oil, a number of related recipes have sprung up, emphasizing small but significant changes to the original recipe. Examples include focusing on safer solvents such as ethanol, or preventing exposure to organic solvents altogether, by using olive oil.
What is naphtha or petroleum-ether?
In general, petroleum-ether and naphtha refer to very similar products, even though different names may be used around the world; e.g. in some countries naphtha is equivalent to diesel or kerosene fuel. Both solvents are a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), often available in a wide range of qualities. All the solvent components should be considered harmful and flammable, and some of them, such as hexane and benzene, may be neurotoxic. Both naphtha and petroleum-ether are considered potential cancer hazards according to their manufacturers. Moreover, products sold as naphtha may contain added impurities (e.g. Coleman® fuel) which may have harmful properties of their own.
Are residual solvents a health risk?
Although Cannabis oils are usually concentrated by evaporating the solvents that were used for extraction, this does not completely eliminate residual solvents. As a result of sample viscosity, the more concentrated an extract becomes, the more difficult it will be to remove the residual solvent from it. In such a case, applying more heat will increase solvent evaporation, but simultaneously more beneficial components (such as cannabinoids or terpenes) may be lost as well. The use of non-toxic solvents should therefore always be advised, so that potential residues are not harmful to health.
What is the best and healthiest way to prepare Cannabis oil?
Recently, an analytical study was performed to compare several generally used preparation methods on the basis of cannabinoids, terpenes, and residual solvent components. Solvents tested included ethanol, naphtha, petroleum-ether, and olive oil. Based on this study, the following recommendations can be made:
As extraction solvents, ethanol and olive oil were shown to perform the best, extracting the full range of terpenes and cannabinoids present in cannabis plant material very efficiently. Additionally these solvents are safe for consumption.
Unfortunately, pure ethanol also extracts large amounts of chlorophyll from cannabis material, which will give the final extract a distinct green, and often unpleasant, taste. Removing chlorophyll by filtering the ethanol extract over activated charcoal was found to be effective, but it also removed a large proportion of cannabinoids and terpenes, and is therefore not advised. Additionally, in many countries consumption-grade ethanol is an expensive solvent, as a result of added tax on alcohol products.
Of the solvents tested, this leaves olive oil as the most optimal choice for preparation of cannabis oil for self-medication. Olive oil is cheap, not flammable or toxic, and the oil needs to be heated up only to 100°C (by placing a glass jar containing the product in boiling water for 1-2 hours) so no overheating of the oil can occur. After cooling down and filtering the oil it is immediately ready for consumption. As a trade-off, however, olive oil extract cannot be concentrated by evaporation, which means patients will need to consume a larger volume of it in order to get the same therapeutic results.
Preheating of cannabis to ‘activate’ (decarboxylate) the cannabinoids may result in loss of terpenes as a result of evaporation. If the full range of terpenes is desired in the final Cannabis oil, dried buds and leaves can be used directly for extraction, without preheating.
About the author
Dr Arno Hazekamp is a phytochemical researcher at the Department of Plant Metabolomics of Leiden University, The Netherlands. He also coordinates the R&D program at Bedrocan BV.
THE BEST WAY TO PRODUCE CANNABIS OIL
Agreed. These are all scammers please do not take these people seriously. The oil may very well work but all these testimonials are BS. Use the website above to LEARN, rick simpson does not want and will not take your money.
THE BEST WAY TO PRODUCE CANNABIS OIL
So then by your claim olive oil and ether are equally effective and safe. Why then do you later say olive oil is ideal even despite the volume/dosage ratio issues mentioned? For that fact shouldn’t it be said that they are equal you just have to use a lot more of one which is also the one that is not smokeable? Sorry I hate to play the devil’s advocate but it sounds like for versatility and potency the ether method would be best.
THE BEST WAY TO PRODUCE CANNABIS OIL
ether is NOT safe. it very easily ignites and can cause explosions
THE BEST WAY TO PRODUCE CANNABIS OIL
This is really interesting stuff. I recently saw Rick Simpson’s documentary on his oil and his story – “Run from the cure” available on YouTube. I did not realize that the “naphtha” he refers to is actually diesel. That seems incredibly dangerous to make and not the kind of thing that I would feel comfortable ingesting. Olive oil on the other hand sounds an appealing solution.
My question is, according to Rick Simpson, 1 pound (just under half a kilo) of buds will give you 1-2 ounces (30-60g) of oil, once concentrated. If one where to use olive oil to process the same quantity of dried cannabis flowers, how much oil would you need and what size dose would you need to have the equivalent of 1 gram of Rick’s concentrated oil?
THE BEST WAY TO PRODUCE CANNABIS OIL
I can confirm the findings concerning olive oil and cannabis. For medicinal purposes in managing electrosensitivity and chemical sensitivity, I have ingested indica strains by smoking, vaporizing, using alcohol based tincture, using alcohol based oil extraction (Rick Simposn), drinking in milk (Bhang) and in food.
The olive oil ingestion is so far superior for my medical needs. The medical benefit lasts for 24 hours. No smell of vapor or smoke. The oil extract is refrigerated. Alcohol extraction works but doesn’t feel rounded like the olive oil extract.
Current recipe: one ounce of cured and ground indica bud, two cups olive oil and 4 cups water in a pressure cooker. I bring it up to steam and let it run for an hour on low heat so that the pressure vent remains slightly up. I strain it and then siphon off the oil directly from the water using suction. You can also freeze it and then scrape it off. Dosage 1 tablespoon a day.
For all practical purposes, if you make an extraction using 2 cups (96 teaspoons) olive oil, 6 cups of water, 16 ounces of leaves and bud then your daily dosage according to the Rick Simpson protocol would be 1 teaspoon.
For scientific purposes it would be good to find out if olive oil has a saturation point at which it stops binding the cannabinoids. This would suggest using more olive oil.
THE BEST WAY TO PRODUCE CANNABIS OIL
This might sound silly but what about really dried buds put through an oil extractor like this one for instance?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK62GUjSd6w
THE BEST WAY TO PRODUCE CANNABIS OIL
the psychonaut’s kitchen gained new horizons with D-Limonene, a safe and effective solvent.