+ Where are you located?

I live and work in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. I don't have a physical store, but you can find my products at farmers markets and stores in Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as a few stores in other states. You can see a list of locations that carry my products here.

+ What's the difference between full spectrum, broad spectum, and isolate?

CBD You may have seen the terms “full spectrum”, “broad spectrum”, and “isolate” on CBD labels. These terms describe different categories of CBD products.

Full spectrum CBD products contain CBD and so much more: trace amounts of dozens of other cannabinoids (including THC), plus terpenes, flavonoids, chlorophyll, fatty acids, and other compounds.
Broad spectrum has the THC removed, but retains the other constituents.
CBD isolate has everything removed except for the CBD molecule.

Cannabinoids work synergistically, meaning they need each other in order to do their job effectively. When cannabinoids are consumed together, a phenomenon known as the entourage effect will take place. The entourage effect suggests that combining multiple cannabinoids together, along with the other constituents in the hemp plant, creates a stronger impact than any single cannabinoid can have on its own. In fact, studies have shown that full-spectrum CBD products are many times more effective than CBD Isolate.

At Primal Botanical, we believe that you deserve the highest quality product containing the most effective version of CBD. That's why all of our products are full spectrum, with all the goodness of the hemp plant intact.

+ Can I take CBD? What about drug interactions?

CBD is safe for anyone to apply topically unless they are allergic to one of the ingredients.

Internally, CBD is very safe even at high doses, but it does interact with some medications. If you take prescription medications, check with your health care provider before taking CBD internally. CBD acts on the liver enzymes which metabolize many medications, and taking CBD internally can result in too much or too little medication in the bloodstream. Grapefruit affects the liver in the same way, so if you have been cautioned about consuming grapefruit while taking a medication, the same caution is warranted for CBD. Some drugs, such as blood thinners, cancer chemotherapy, and seizure medications, warrant increased caution; for people taking any of these medications, CBD should not be taken without a doctor’s approval. There is not enough information available to recommend using CBD during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

+ Can I give Primal Botanical CBD to my dog?

Absolutely! The only differences between CBD oil marketed to humans and CBD oil marketed to dogs is the flavoring and additives. While bacon-flavored CBD oil might sound appealing, your dog doesn’t need all those artificial ingredients. Conversely, if using CBD oil for humans, it’s important to choose one without unnecessary additives (especially xylitol, a sweetener which can be fatal to dogs). Most customers choose unflavored CBD oil drops for their dogs. You can learn more about CBD for dogs here.

+ How much CBD should I take?

Figuring out the best dose can be tricky and often requires a period of trial and error. The effective dosage can vary widely depending on the individual and the condition being treated. For internal use, it’s generally recommended to start with a very small dose and gradually taper up every few days until you reach your desired results. A starting dose might be as small as 4 or 5 milligrams. Studies have used doses in the hundreds of milligrams with no ill effect. Keeping a journal documenting dosages and observations can be very helpful. For external use, apply generously as needed. You can download a free CBD dosing guide here, or download printable CBD instructions here.

+ What's the best way to take CBD?

The most effective way of taking CBD internally is to put the oil under the tongue for a couple of minutes, then swallow. This method, known as sublingual administration, allows a portion of the compounds to be absorbed by the capillaries in the mucous membranes. This bypasses the digestive system and liver. The compounds reach your bloodstream and interact with the endocannabinoid system within minutes. The remainder is swallowed and slowly digested. This delivery method has the benefit of providing both immediate and long-lasting relief.

To take CBD oil drops sublingually, fill the dropper with the desired amount of oil, and squirt under the tongue (try not to touch the dropper to any part of your mouth!). Let the oil sit there to absorb for a couple of minutes, then swallow. You can also swish it around in your mouth. If you find it difficult to use the dropper, you can squirt your dose into a spoon instead.

Alternatively, you can add CBD oil drops to any food or drink. However, CBD and other compounds will then go through the digestive tract, where more will be metabolized by the liver and be unavailable to the body, so you may need to increase your dose. It will also take longer to feel the effects when immediately swallowed.

Remember that oil and water don’t mix, so if you try to stir your oil into your coffee, you’ll end up with an oily slick at the top. Blending will give you a more appetizing result.

You can download a printable set of instructions here.

+ Will CBD get me high?

Very, very unlikely. Our oil tests at THC levels of N.D. - not detected. However, not detected is not the same as zero. If you are extremely sensitive and take a very large amount of CBD oil, it is theoretically possible that you might feel some “high” effect. If this is of concern to you, try it at a time and location where this wouldn’t be an issue.

+ Will CBD make me test positive on a drug test?

Possibly, when taken internally. All full-spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, which may show up on a drug test. The risk is less when taking a broad-spectrum or CBD isolate product, but there have been reports of people testing positive for THC even when taking a THC-free CBD product.

+ Can using CBD topically make me test positive on a drug test?

No. When applied topically, the cannabinoids in CBD oil interact with receptors locally, but they are not absorbed into the bloodstream, so they cannot result in a positive blood test.

+ Does CBD have side effects?

CBD has few side effects and is considered a safe substance to take at a wide range of doses. Side effects of CBD taken internally in large doses may include:

Dry mouth
Increased tremor in certain groups
Low blood pressure
Lightheadedness
Drowsiness
Diarrhea
Increased heart rate

+ Where does your hemp come from?

I use hemp flower organically grown in Cabot, Vermont.

+ What's the difference between rubs and body butters?

Rubs will melt at temperatures above 76º.
Body butters will become more soft or firm as the temperature changes, but will only melt at hot temperatures, such as being left in the sun or in a hot car.
Rubs rapidly melt when applied to the skin and absorb thoroughly and quickly, without leaving the skin feeling oily.
Body butters rapidly melt when applied to the skin and provide a long-lasting, luxurious, deeply moisturizing effect.

Rubs are almost completely comprised of hemp-infused coconut oil (plus arnica-infused coconut oil, in our Rapid Recovery rub) with just a small amount of essential oils added. Coconut oil changes texture dramatically when the ambient temperature changes. It will be a perfect soft texture at room temperatures of 60º - 70º. It begins to melt at 76º and will become completely liquid on a hot day. As soon as the temperature cools off, it will harden up again and be the same as before it melted. It can be used in its solid or liquid state. If kept in the fridge, it will be very hard and crumbly and should be melted in the palm before applying to the body. If the temperatures are consistently hot, you may prefer to keep your CBD rub refrigerated.

Body butters contain hemp-infused coconut MCT oil, plus shea butter and beeswax. They are much more consistent. They will soften and firm somewhat depending on temperature, but won’t melt unless they get quite hot. Don’t leave them in the sun or in a hot car! Shea butter can sometimes become grainy. This is normal and doesn’t mean it’s gone bad! The grains form because the different fatty acids solidify at different temperatures. It can be used in its grainy state, or there are a couple of easy fixes to get it back to silky smooth. See instructions below!

For a longer shelf life, it’s best to keep rubs and body butters refrigerated if the temperature is consistently above 80º for an extended period of time.

+ My body butter turned grainy!

Body butters made with shea butter can sometimes become grainy. This does not mean it has gone bad! The grains are tiny beads of shea butter that have separated from the other ingredients. The beads will melt on contact with the skin, but if you would like it smooth again, there are two very easy methods to return it to its silky-smooth state.

Oven method:

Place the jar in an oven-safe dish and remove the lid.
Set your oven to 170° and put the dish in the cool oven as it warms up.
When the body butter is entirely melted, stir thoroughly, replace the cap, and put the jar in the fridge for an hour.
Remove from the fridge and let it return to room temperature. It should be nice and smooth again.

Or:

Hot water method:

Tighten the lid of the jar and place in a bowl of warm water, with the water level well below the bottom of the lid.
Add enough water to a pot so the water line would fall just below the lid of the jar (about 1-2 inches depending on the size of the jar)
Bring the water to a simmer and then turn off the heat.
Taking care not to burn yourself, place the jar in the hot water (make sure the lid is on tight!) and leave in for 15-30 minutes until the body butter is completely liquid.
Remove the jar from the water, dry it, shake it well (make extra sure the lid is on tight!) or stir thoroughly, and put it in the fridge for an hour.
Remove from the fridge and let it return to room temperature. It should be nice and smooth again.

You can download a printable set of these instructions here.

+ Are your products lab tested?

Yes, my products are tested by an independent lab to assure accurate dosing. Lab results can be viewed here or with the link below.

+ Your labels state that cannabinoid amounts are approximate. Why?

Not from concentrate! I make CBD oil from whole hemp flower, not from concentrates or isolates. Since hemp is a living, dynamic organism, cannabinoid amounts in the plant vary, and so do the amounts in our oil. Let’s explore this a bit:

Do you have an orange tree in your back yard? Me neither - not in Vermont! Let’s imagine. You pick three oranges off your tree, and squeeze them separately into three glasses of juice. If you sent samples from each glass of juice off to a lab for testing, they would most likely be chemically very similar but not identical; the amounts of water, sugars, acids, vitamins, and flavonoids would vary slightly. Making a CBD oil product using whole hemp flower is like this - because it’s made from the whole plant, the chemical constituents vary.

Orange juice made from concentrate results in a more consistent and predictable product. The constituents are separated out, concentrated, recombined, and diluted so that each batch is basically identical. This is why you can buy the same brand of juice in California and in Vermont and it will taste exactly the same. Most available CBD oils (such as CO2 or ethanol extracts) are concentrated and precisely reconstituted to make full spectrum or broad spectrum products.

A CBD isolate product can be compared to taking pure vitamin C that has been isolated from oranges. All other components have been removed, leaving a single active ingredient.

Whole plant medicine will never be as precise as products which have been lab-extracted and reconstituted, but I believe a gentle whole-plant preparation results in the truest essence of the plant. Different methods can all produce high-quality products; which type you choose is a matter of personal preference. My products are tested by an independent lab; you can see test results here.

+ Can I sell Primal Botanical products in my store?

Absolutely! Contact me at primalbotanical@gmail.com and I will send you wholesale pricing info.

+ Can I become a Primal Botanical affiliate?

Yes! When you sign up as an affiliate, I'll give you a coupon code and a personalized link that you can share with clients, friends, and family, or on your website or social media. You will earn 15% cash back from all sales made from your referral link. Learn more HERE, or email me if you have questions.

+ I have questions about shipping or returns.

I ship via USPS Priority or First Class mail. Shipping is free for orders over $100; for orders under $100, there is a flat shipping charge of $8. For more information about shipping, returns, and refunds, please see my shipping and return policy HERE, or email me if you have questions.