Today, I want to introduce you to my new favourite CBD product: EQL Water Soluble CBD with Lemon, Ginger, Black Pepper and Turmeric.
I have been writing about cannabis and CBD on my website for over two years. During that time, I’ve been able to try hundreds of different CBD products. Oils, balms, sprays, dried flower, lube. You name it, I’ve tried it (apart from suppositories, that is).
The ones that I continue to use and find helpful are a high-quality oil, a balm and flower. I’ll generally have all three in my house. However, I have now added EQL’s water soluble CBD to my list of staple CBD products.
In fact, it’s the only CBD product I use daily as part of my health and wellness regime.
What is water soluble CBD?
Water soluble CBD is a pretty new development. CBD is typically only fat-soluble, meaning it mixes well with fat molecules and not water molecules. This is why CBD is most commonly sold infused in a base carrier oil like hemp seed oil, MCT oil or olive oil.
The problem with these infused oils, however, is that are not well absorbed by the body. In fact, only about 10% of CBD oil you swallow is absorbed, while taking it sublingually (under the tongue) results in only 35% absorption rates at most (probably lower).
Water soluble CBD is made by breaking CBD molecules apart so they are small enough to effectively blend with water molecules. A few different methods are used, but the basic idea is that these smaller CBD compounds, or nanoparticles, are combined with a micro-emulsifier at high pressure or with microscopic structures that can be used to encapsulate the CBD molecules.
This particular product from EQL is water-based, with added cannabis extract, ginger extract, turmeric extract, lemon essential oil, black pepper extract, MCT oil, and steviol glycosides as a sweetener. The cannabis extract is from CBD-rich hemp distillate with minor amounts of CBG.
Why do I love it?
I think cannabis is a remarkably therapeutic plant. However, there are many other potent therapeutic herbs. By mixing the CBD-rich extract with turmeric, ginger and black pepper, you get an absolute powerhouse of herbs.
Turmeric is an especially powerful anti-inflammatory, while ginger is well-known to have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, as well as a wide range of other health benefits. Black pepper, meanwhile, is high in antioxidants and can even increase the absorption of turmeric and other nutrients.
I find that such a well-rounded mix of herbs combined with the increased absorption rates of water-soluble technology, provides me with a very effective tonic that will help keep me healthy and full of vitality. I don’t have any particular health issues, so I use this mix from EQL as an all-round preventative and an important part of my health regime.
Another reason I love it: it tastes great when mixed with cold sparkling water. Try one dropper full mixed in a cold bottle of San Pellegrino to see for yourself. It gives the bubbly water a subtle yet crisp and refreshing twang; slightly sharp and bitter thanks to the lemon juice. It looks cool too.
How do I use it?
As stated above, I mix one dropper full, which is 1ml, into one litre of water or other drink. My favourite is sparkling water but I know not everyone likes it as much as I do.
Cold still water works well too, but really you could add it to any drink you like. It could be an interesting addition to a cocktail or mocktail. The taste is subtle enough that it won’t overshadow other ingredients, but distinctive enough that it can add a really nice hint of flavour to more plain drinks.
I tried taking a few drops under my tongue because I assume that the nanoparticles of CBD would absorb well sublingually as well as through the gut. The taste was quite strong and I could really feel the heat of the ginger. I haven’t used this method since.
Where to buy it?
You can buy this 30ml bottle from HempElf. They also have another flavour, Sweet Orange and Ginger with added zinc. I’ve tried this too and it has a much sweeter taste than the lemon, turmeric and ginger flavour. I prefer the lemon flavour as I already enjoy adding lemon juice to my water.
The cost is £45 and each bottle contains 500mg of CBD (as well as CBG) which works out as 16.6mg/ml. This is great value for a water-soluble CBD product, especially considering it is produced to GMP standards from high-quality hemp distillate.
Good news for inflamed people
It works