CBD oil is something that enters discussion regularly in today’s world, especially when it comes to managing health complaints such as anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain.
If you’re unsure exactly what it is, CBD is an organic compound from the cannabis plant. CBD oil cannot contain more than 0.2% THC (another compound within the cannabis plant that can cause psychoactive effects) in the UK, so you shouldn’t experience any of those effects that are associated with cannabis.
There are many products on today’s market from teas to creams to sweets, all promising to help with ailments you may have, from relaxing the central nervous system to aiding with sleep and anxiety, to helping support the immune system. Terpenes, the naturally produced compounds found in plants that are largely responsible for producing the scent, are thought to play an even bigger role than this in the Cannabis plant, which could explain how terpenes in CBD can help anxiety.
With evidence mounting that CBD holds numerous health benefits thanks to its interactions with the endocannabinoid system, you may be keen to see if CBD can have a positive effect on you, and while you will be reassured to know that the evidence supporting such benefits is surprisingly thorough, this doesn’t mean that simply grabbing a CBD product off the shelf is risk-free.
A combination of varying regulations across different countries and an increasing number of new start-up brands offering CBD products has led to a huge variety in quality. Since laws and regulations around CBD are still premature, people are responsible for their own purchasing decisions but are encouraged to make the right choice to experience the best results.
The average CBD content for the industry is 5%, so by sticking to products with 10% CBD content, you’re already looking at some of the better products available. This is important because the ideal dose varies quite a lot for different people with different conditions, so taking too little may make it more difficult to tell whether or not it works for you.
We’ve done some digging to find the best possible CBD oils available in the UK, allowing you to cut out the lesser quality products and give yourself the best possible chance of experiencing positive results.
1. Evopure Organic Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
Offering 10% CBD content at a very competitive price gets Evopure off to a good start, but that’s far from the only thing they do right. The company prioritises sustainable growth and environmental responsibility, offering sustainable hemp extraction practices from organically grown EU hemp.
Evopure also keeps the entire hemp plant in (excluding THC), meaning you can benefit from all of the other cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals in what is known as the ‘entourage effect’.
They also go the extra mile when it comes to providing third party testing – independent lab results for every batch are provided, meaning you know exactly what’s in your bottle. Add to this one of the best prices for an organic CBD oil with 10% content, and it’s difficult to argue with what Evopure are offering.
2. Bud and Tender Filter Pure CBD Oil
Bud and Tender is a great quality premium CBD oil and is one of the best tasting CBD oils available, coming with a variety of benefits such as third-party testing results, a childproof cap and fancy packaging.
This is a top shelf option, and likely not worth the extra cost for somebody new to trying CBD oil, but it remains an excellent quality product for those who are willing to push the boat out a little. Bud and Tender also offer a higher percentage option than 10% if you’re looking for a real high dose of CBD.
3. Snowden Healthcare CBD Oil 10 Percent Strength
Snowden Healthcare is a little different to the other options on this list in that they aren’t strictly a CBD company. They are a herbal wellness website with other products, but have recently launched a varied CBD range, which includes both sativa and indica forms of CBD oil.
Similar to Bud and Tender, Snowden is a higher priced option, but the range and quality of their products makes them highly appealing to long term CBD aficionados.
They win a spot on this list thanks to a ‘nature first’ strategy that prioritises high quality ingredients, sustainable extraction techniques, and the highest possible standards with regards to the end result, both for the product and environment. They are also manufactured in the UK from organic hemp which is a nice bonus.
4. Bristol CBD Gold CBD Oil Dropper
Bristol CBD’s option has had a lot of the plant material removed, leaving a smooth, golden liquid. If you are looking for the best possible benefits of the hemp plant, this could be a potential negative as the ‘entourage effect’ is likely reduced.
However, for some people, this isn’t their primary concern, and the naturally bitter plant-like taste of CBD oil is a big problem, therefore the smooth taste and easy dosage of this product makes it an amazing option for such people.
It is also 100% organic, vegan, and GMO-free and is made of organic hemp grown in the EU, so this is another top quality British option for trying out CBD oil to see how it works for you, especially if you are overly sensitive to the more natural tasting options above.
5. Beliebis CBD Oil Max Strength 10%
Beliebis offers another high-quality organic CBD oil made in the UK with 10% content. Their CBD oil is forest friendly, ethically sourced, and made entirely in the UK. Like most options on this list, it is completely free of nasty additives such as parabens and sulfates and is in a decent sized bottle that will last a while.
Beliebis is more of a mainstream option that would look at home in Holland & Barrett or similar but is a great solution for people who don’t mind the upfront cost at £90 per bottle and who are looking for long term dosage.
6. Hempura CBD Oil
Hempura is a UK based start-up that has grown rapidly in recent months by supplying other brands and they also offer a unique range of products that you are unlikely to see on any of the other websites listed here, including CBD chocolates and hemp flavoured tea.
Their product is high quality and full of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Their website doesn’t detail whether or not these are in the pre-existing natural ratios such as is the case for Evopure, which suggests they are likely added later artificially – but their presence is still a big benefit.
This unique range and high quality combine with an attractive price to give Hempura’s CBD product a safe space on our list.
7. Love Hemp CBD Oil
Love Hemp was founded in 2015 and manufactures premium CBD products, ranging from oils to edibles and cosmetics. All Love Hemp products are certified THC-free, third party tested under strict laboratory conditions and have a guaranteed CBD concentration.
The brand also offers a range of strengths higher than 10% and even offers multiple different flavoured CBD oils and CBD atomiser sprays, making them an amazing choice if you want to push the boat out a little more and try something different (or for those who dislike the natural flavour of CBD).
The final word
It’s natural to want to try CBD with all of the stories of health benefits and improved symptoms going around, but with so many options on the market, it is hard to know where to find a high-quality product.
The above options offer a good start but if you do decide to look elsewhere, the primary things you should look for are the following:
A reasonable and clear environmental policy. This may seem unimportant when we are talking about quality, but with hemp farms popping up all over the world, it’s important to ensure the ones we support have a responsible policy so that the damage to the environment caused by these farms can be minimised, or removed entirely. Organic hemp is a huge benefit for the same reason.
Broad spectrum CBD oil including cannabinoids directly from the hemp plant. CBD isolate doesn’t have the same benefits, and full spectrum CBD could have some psychoactive side effects. For safe and reliable management of health conditions, only broad spectrum is suitable.
Third party lab testing is a necessity so that you know exactly what goes into the product. A brand that is unwilling to do this either has something to hide or just isn’t willing to put in the extra work to get tested. In either case, they are best avoided.
Always check with your GP before trying out CBD, especially if you are on regular medication.
