This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on March 12, 2014.
Cannabinoids and possibly other healing components of the plant are absorbed directly through the skin; the anti-inflammatory properties are outstanding, reducing recovery time from injuries and promoting healing of lesions. Topical cannabis has also been used by my lupus patients and rheumatoid arthritis patients to increase the function of joints and decrease nodule formation.
– Frank Lucido, MD
- Melt 2 cups of coconut oil in the microwave.
- Place coconut oil in a sauce pan.
- Preheat oven to 200 F
- Crush 7 grams of high quality marijuana or 14 grams of low quality and place on a baking sheet.
- Put baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove marijuana from the oven and place in the sauce pan with the coconut oil.
- Simmer for 30-45 minutes (DO NOT BOIL) and stir often.
- Strain oil from marijuana with a cheese cloth.
- Melt 1 ounce of beeswax and combine with 5 ounces of cannabis infused coconut oil in sauce pan on low heat.
- Add 1 TBSP of Vitamin E oil.
- Remove from low heat after 5 minutes and let the mixture cool for an hour.
- Apply to joints, skin and achey parts of your body. NEVER APPLY TO OPEN WOUNDS.
Do I need to refrigerate after cooling?
I put the ones I am not using in the fridge and leave the one I am using out it is easier to use when it’s room temp.
I ground up my leaves into a powder. Can I skip the oven part since they are already so fine?
I have not tried it yet, but plan on making the lotion so . I’ll let you know after I try it.
For best results, simmer at 200 degrees F in a multi-cooker or low-setting in a crockpot would probably suffice. Most people say 10 minutes – 30 minutes. I do it for 12-24 hours.
If you do not bake or simmer the flower, it will not activate the cannibinoids (ie thc, cbd, etc) so in a nutshell, you might as well leave it out all together.
**Sorry I did not specify – simmer the flower in your chosen oil**
Whats the ratio if i want to mix cannabis infused oil with apothecary lotion?
Thank you!
Are you using dry flower or fresh cut?
I use dry
How much do u use if your using hash?
It needs to be decarboxylated in the oven, but wouldn’t it decarb in the hot oil?
I would think you could certainly reduce the time, but heating the leaves is what will release the nutrients, so I’d not skip it altogether.
I use my bubble hash water and coconut oil on a real slow burn. It will solidify on top about 6-10 inches thick. That’s the goods right there. Use for baths, lotion. Medical applications that Helps relax the body. Works gd for r.a., body pains,anxiety, and. U h more. I li,e to add a .IL LA ender extract to make it that much h better. Ran a 12 run batch and used it to make mine.
I have a laundry list of spinal cord injuries and inflammation in my sacral joint. I believe this would help me, however I do see a pain management physician once a month and I have to take a urine drug screen evert time. Would this lotion cause me to test positive for thc?
Yes, not sure if it would be above the 5 nanogram limit, but blood tests would show presence
Thanks, Jim. How long would this amount of oil last?