What Are CBD Oil Tinctures — and Are They the Best Way to Take CBD?

CBD oil tinctures are widely considered one of the most effective and efficient ways to get CBD into your system — and for good reason. A tincture is a simple combination of CBD extract and a carrier oil, such as MCT (coconut) oil, that can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) for fast absorption directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system entirely. This means more CBD reaches your endocannabinoid system at full potency, with a faster onset of effects compared to capsules or edibles.

Whether you're new to CBD or looking to optimize how you take it, tinctures offer a flexible, precise, and highly bioavailable option worth understanding. Here's everything you need to know about how they work, why MCT oil matters, and how to choose the right one for you.

What Are CBD Oil Tinctures?

CBD oil tinctures are one of the most effective and easiest ways to get cannabidiol into your bloodstream and experience its positive results. They are also one of the oldest and most tried and tested methods for consuming it. But what exactly are they?

Put simply, tinctures are a combination of CBD extract and a carrier oil. They can also include other compounds like terpenes or flavonoids. Oftentimes, different essential oils are added as well for an added or unique flavor. At Urban Roots Hemp Co., our tinctures combine a high quality CBD extract with MCT oil (coconut oil).

Why Is There MCT Oil in My CBD Oil Tincture?

As we mentioned, our Urban Roots CBD oil tinctures include coconut oil (MCT oil). The reason for this is that the MCT oil helps the CBD penetrate the bloodstream more easily when the tincture is consumed through the digestive system. Basically, the MCT oil carries the CBD extract right to your blood, increasing its bioavailability.

In other words, it allows the CBD to pass through your digestive system in greater concentrations than it otherwise would. The result is that you reap more benefits from the CBD that passes through your digestive system. And who doesn’t want more bang for their buck!

Potential Positive Effects of MCT Oil

Not only does MCT oil help CBD penetrate your blood and, as a result, your endocannabinoid system, it also has some potential health benefits of its own. Some positive health effects of MCT oil may include:

• Promoting weight loss
• A good source of energy
• Reduced lactate buildup in muscles
• Managing Alzheimer’s
• Contains fatty acids that fight yeast and bacterial growth
• Reduce the risk of heart disease
• May help manage blood sugar levels

The combination of CBD and MCT oil in a tincture dropper is a match made in heaven for your body’s health and wellness needs!

Benefits of Sublingual CBD Consumption

CBD oil tinctures can be consumed sublingually, meaning under your tongue. This mode of consumption is extremely beneficial, because the CBD can avoid your digestive system all together. Why is this important? Because things take a long time to pass through your digestive system, and by the time they pass through your stomach, liver, and other organs, they can lose some of their original potency.

In a metabolic process called “first-pass,” CBD is broken down into hundreds of constituent components called metabolites, many of which go to waste and don’t get used by our bodies. When this process essentially eliminates some of the CBD taken, that means the CBD’s bioavailability has been reduced.

This is actually where the MCT oil is extremely helpful. Like we mentioned, the coconut oil essentially protects the CBD oil, allowing more of it to get through.

Consuming CBD sublingually, however, allows you to avoid the digestive system completely. There are a large number of capillaries beneath your tongue that connect to the sublingual and submental arteries, which are branches of the lingual and facial arteries, respectively.

By placing the CBD oil directly beneath your tongue, it comes into contact with and is absorbed by your mucous membrane. From their it enters the capillaries and then is swept into the larger arteries. After that, it is in your body’s highway system and can reach the CB1 and CB2 receptors that are found throughout your endocannabinoid system.

CBD Oil Tincture Products at Urban Roots

We carry a wide variety of CBD oil tincture products that are suited to different health issues, needs, and tastes. All of them allow for a faster onset of effects than other consumption measures, which is ideal to see what dose is right for you and your body.

Many tinctures are made through a process that involves absorbing the cannabinoids or other plant medicines into high proof alcohol and then straining out the plant material. At Urban Roots Hemp Co., however, our tinctures are just CBD and MCT oil. They do not contain any alcohol.

• CBDaily Tincture - A smooth blend of coconut (MCT) oil combined with CBD allows each consumer to choose their desired dosage with every drop. This unflavored tincture has no added flavorings and is a good starting point if you don't prefer flavored options. 
• Relax Tangerine Tincture – A soothing blend of tangerine coconut oil paired with CBD and terpenes.
• Uplift Tincture - A smooth LEMON blend of coconut (MCT) oil combined with CBD allows each consumer to choose their desired dosage with every drop.
• Balance Tincture – Peppermint flavoring, coconut oil, and CBD extract are all added together in our Balance product.

Our CBD oil tincture products include ingredients that are sourced for their high quality, digestive properties, and bioavailability ensuring every drop counts! The power of hemp-derived terpenes optimizes the experience by ensuring the “entourage effect” is working in every drop.

In addition to our CBD isolate tincture products, which contain pure CBD, we also carry full spectrum options. Our full spectrum tinctures offer a broad range of cannabinoids in addition to CBD in order to stimulate your endocannabinoid system.

Choose Local, High Quality CBD Tincture Products

When deciding which type of CBD to purchase, it’s important to choose products from reputable brands that use only the highest quality ingredients. Try to avoid getting caught up in “hype products” you see being advertised by celebrities, as they are not necessarily the most high quality or sustainably sourced options.

Plus, if you’re like us then you love to support small businesses! At Urban Roots Hemp Co., our CBD topicals are tested by independent labs for quality and CBD levels, so you can be sure that you’re purchasing a reputable product.

In addition to our CBD oil tinctures, Urban Roots Hemp Co. also provides capsule, topical, edible, and pet CBD products, so you can find the one that best fits your health and wellness needs and goals. And remember, we are always available to answer your questions!

Frequently Asked Questions: CBD Oil Tinctures

What is a CBD oil tincture? A CBD oil tincture is a liquid CBD product made by combining a CBD extract with a carrier oil — most commonly MCT oil (coconut oil). They typically come in a small dropper bottle, allowing you to measure and control your dose easily. Some tinctures also include terpenes, flavonoids, or natural flavorings like peppermint, lemon, or tangerine.

How do you take a CBD oil tincture? The most effective method is sublingual consumption; placing the oil directly under your tongue and holding it there for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing. This method allows the CBD to absorb through the mucous membrane and enter the bloodstream quickly via the capillaries beneath the tongue, bypassing the digestive system for faster, more potent effects.

Why is MCT oil used in CBD tinctures? MCT oil (coconut oil) acts as a carrier that improves the bioavailability of CBD. When CBD passes through the digestive system, a significant portion can be broken down and lost before it reaches the bloodstream in a process known as "first-pass metabolism." MCT oil helps protect and carry the CBD through this process so more of it gets absorbed and put to use by your body.

What is the difference between CBD isolate and full spectrum tinctures? CBD isolate tinctures contain pure CBD only, making them a good option for those who want a straightforward product with no other cannabinoids. Full spectrum tinctures contain a broader range of cannabinoids in addition to CBD, which work together to stimulate the endocannabinoid system through what is known as the "entourage effect" — potentially amplifying the overall benefits.

How much CBD tincture should I take? Dosage varies by individual body weight, metabolism, and the specific health or wellness goal you're addressing. If you're new to CBD, it's best to start with a low dose and gradually increase until you find what works best for you. Because tinctures have a faster onset than capsules or edibles, they make it easier to gauge your body's response and adjust your dose accordingly.

Are CBD oil tinctures safe? CBD tinctures are generally well tolerated with no serious known side effects for most people. To ensure safety and quality, always choose products from reputable brands that use independently lab-tested ingredients and clearly disclose their CBD content and sourcing. At Urban Roots Hemp Co., all products are tested by independent labs for quality and CBD levels.

Do CBD tinctures contain alcohol? Some tinctures on the market are made using high-proof alcohol as a solvent to extract cannabinoids. However, not all tinctures contain alcohol. At Urban Roots Hemp Co., tinctures are made with only CBD and MCT oil, with no alcohol involved in the process.