How CBD Salve Helps With Pain

By: T.J., Sunset Lake Dir. of eCommerce

As a farmer at Sunset Lake CBD, I understand what it means to have sore, aching muscles. After a long day in the field, my muscles and joints need some relief before I can get to sleep. I can’t afford to miss a day of work, so I use our CBD salve for pain relief.

Our full-spectrum CBD salve can help alleviate the aches and pains that so many of us experience. In the rest of this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of topical CBD, how Sunset Lake CBD makes its CBD salve, and how I use it on a near-daily basis.

What Is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid produced by flowering hemp and cannabis plants. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive and won’t make you feel high after use.

Full-spectrum CBD is a special designation we give to the essential oil we extract from hemp flower. It contains not only CBD, but all of the cannabinoids and terpenes present in the flower. This includes a small amount of THC (<0.3% THC).

What is CBD Salve?

Salves are any mixture of beeswax, oil, and optional healing herbs. They are for topical use only. Generally, you use salves to treat or prevent skin discomfort. More specialized salves, like those infused with CBD and arnica, can benefit the muscles and joints under the skin, too.

We can call any salve made with CBD-infused oil or CBD-rich hemp flower a “CBD salve.” Here at Sunset Lake, we opt to make our CBD salves with MCT oil infused with hemp grown right here in Vermont.

Using CBD Salve For Pain

If you plan on using topical CBD for pain, there are a few things you should consider.

Reduce Inflammation and Irritation: Studies are still inconclusive (according to the FDA), but we suspect that CBD may have some anti-inflammatory effects. These properties may be able to reduce swelling and irritation caused by injuries, bug bites and calm sunburns.

Block Pain Receptors: This study, out of the European Journal of Pain, found that topical full-spectrum CBD penetrated the skin and blocked pain receptors in the body. While this can bring you much-needed relief, be mindful not to rely on pain blocking. Pain can be your body’s way of telling you to slow down.

No Psychoactive Effects: If you’re still subjected to drug testing at work, you should avoid ingesting full-spectrum CBD products. However, CBD topicals don’t ever make it into your bloodstream, meaning that you can use them without fear of testing positive for THC.

Price: Generally, because we make CBD topicals with more specialized ingredients, they will cost more than other products. If you’re looking for general body relief, look at ingestible CBD. But if you’re looking for localized pain relief, you may want to spend a little extra on CBD salve.

How We Make CBD Salve

Here at Sunset Lake, we believe in the power of our hemp plants and only the highest quality ingredients. The base of our CBD Salve + Arnica is pretty simple:

Full-Spectrum CBD: We first combine decarboxylated hemp extract with organic MCT oil for our base. Diluting our extract in oil allows us to distribute the CBD evenly throughout the final product.
Arnica-Infused Sunflower Oil: Arnica is a small yellow flower found in mountainous areas throughout the world. They’ve been used topically for millennia to treat bruises and inflammation.
Organic Frankincense: Frankincense is a woody, lemony-scented resin from trees in the Boswellia genus. It has long been valued for its health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties. Particularly, the boswellic acid found in the resin is noted for its ability to limit redness and swelling in the skin.
Organic Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil closely resembles sebum, the oily substance produced by our skin. As a result, jojoba allows your skin to more easily absorb our CBD salve.
Find the full ingredient description here

How I Use CBD Salve To Manage Pain

Depending on the day and my level of soreness, I use the CBD Salve at least once, sometimes half a dozen times a day. After workouts, I’ll use the salve to manage next-day soreness. I’ll also use the salve after my morning shower to moisturize my hands.

There is no limit to how much CBD you can use topically, which is good news for folks who may want to use CBD to treat their chronic pain. As of right now, we don’t know of any negative potential side effects.

To apply your CBD salve, scoop a small amount, about the size of a nickel, from the jar with your finger. This is easier when the salve is at room temperature or warmer. Rub that small amount into your skin wherever you’re experiencing discomfort. If you’re unsure about how much salve to use, less is more, especially because you can always apply more.

We suggest waiting 30 minutes between applications to the same spot. This delay will allow your skin to absorb the CBD.

Ways to Increase Benefits:

You can use our CBD salve for pain any time you need. However, heat is a great way to expedite absorption. Some ways to do this include:

Applying CBD Salve directly after a hot shower.
Apply the CBD Salve to an irritated area and place a hot pad on top. Be sure to put a barrier between the pad and your skin.

If you can use full-spectrum CBD products, we recommend using CBD oil in conjunction with your salve. Using both will allow for localized relief and full-body relaxation.

Updated: June 24, 2024