What Is The Difference Between Whole Plant Vs Flower Extraction?

As the CBD market expands, it’s becoming less of a question of whether consumers should use CBD, and more about which CBD products to choose and how to ingest them. Regarding the quality and purity of CBD oil, there are a number of processes throughout production that not only alter the integrity of the final product, but how much of an “entourage effect” you experience.

The entourage effect is highly beneficial for boosting the natural therapeutic properties of CBD; and as long as it is extracted and purified to the correct standard, CBD oil will feature only trace amounts of THC. Before we delve too deeply into the benefits of high-grade whole plant extraction, first we will outline how CBD is extracted from hemp plants in the first place.

How is cbd extracted?

CBD can be extracted in many ways as long as you havethe equipment to match. However, not all methods arecreated equal. Until recently, butane, propane, and alcohol were the critical solvents used for extraction; today, they cannot outpace the efficacy and quality of CO₂ extraction.

CO₂ extraction offers a level of control and precision the previously listed methods could never achieve. With state-of-the-art technology and expert extraction specialists, supercritical CO₂ passes through plant matter under stringent temperature and pressure controls. The result is a greater selection of cannabinoids and terpenes extracted, with even the most fragile compounds retained. By employing this unique process, cannabinoids that are often lost or destroyed can be preserved and included in our product range.

That is precisely what you get at Cibdol—CBD oil produced to the highest standard by extraction specialists all residing under the roof of our world-class laboratory in Switzerland. There is, however, a difference between whole plant extraction and pure CBD isolates derived from flowers, regardless of whether high-grade CO₂ was used to obtain both.

So you may be wondering, why does Cibdol aim for whole plant extractions?

Whole plant extraction

Individuals the world over use CBD oil for a multitude of reasons. However, its potential healing power comes not only from CBD, but the rich collection of fellow cannabinoids and terpenes within the plant structure. When we use the term “whole plant”, we are actually referring to the entire spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes provided by the cannabis flowers and small leaves. It is the inclusion of these compounds that enhances the natural therapeutic properties of CBD. As mentioned previously, this phenomenon is commonly regarded as the entourage effect.

By utilising whole plant extraction, not only will specific terpenes and cannabinoids be retained—many of which would be destroyed under older, more redundant extraction methods—but the number of additional compounds can be carefully controlled. This ensures consumers get a product that wholly incorporates the power and full spectrum of the cannabis sativa plant.

Flower extraction

If whole plant extraction retains a spectrum of cannabinoids and other chemicals, flower extraction targets select parts of the cannabis plant with the purpose of extracting specific cannabinoids—in this case CBD—and discarding any additional compounds. While cannabidiol has earned recognition in its own right, studies show a bell-shaped dose-response to higher concentrations of pure CBD.

Essentially, CBD’s ability to promote improved health and wellbeing on its own starts to drop off once you reach certain dosages. With whole plant extraction, the more diverse selection of plant chemicals act as natural synergists to CBD, thus improving its efficacy beyond that of CBD in isolation.

At cibdol, we focus on whole plant extraction

The reason we focus on whole plant extraction is simple; a more diverse product is produced, not only with the selection of cannabinoids and terpenes preserved, but in the product's therapeutic potential for various ailments. Focussing specifically on CBD in isolation does and will have some benefits, but it only provides part of the complete plant “picture”. By preserving additional components, we can continue to see the true benefits of the hemp/cannabis plant.

Back to the original question, how can you ensure you get the best-quality CBD oil possible? The answer is, with products that utilise full-spectrum or whole plant extractions, just like the entire range available at Cibdol.