Homemade Cannabis Topical

Learning to make my own cannabis topical was a game changer for me.  Much of what is sold at legal dispensaries is fairly low potency and contains ingredients more commonly found in over-the-counter muscles rubs.  I use my topical on the bottoms of my feet at bedtime to help the symptoms of my neuropathy.  Consequently, I’m looking for something soothing and relaxing, without the strong smelling ingredients found in muscle rubs.  I’ve made multiple types with varying degrees of success.  The one I’m posting here is my favorite by far.  I keep a tin of it on my bedside table and another tin in my purse to help my arthritic hands during the day.

Before you can make this recipe, you first have to make what serves as the base, and that’s cannabis infused coconut oil.  Click here to go to that recipe – Easy Crockpot Cannabis Infused Coconut Oil

Despite what many people think (I know that I used to think this!), coconut oil does NOT smell like coconut.  So you’re not going to smell like a giant Pina Colada, and any edible you make using infused coconut oil won’t taste like coconut.

All the ingredients for this topical are easy to find, either in local stores or online, and are reasonably priced.

Homemade Cannabis Topical

Peg Bascom
There are many recipes for cannabis topicals but this one is by far my favorite. It does not have a strong scent and soaks into the skin quickly without leaving an oily feeling residue.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Double Boiler A stainless or glass bowl over a pan of hot water works just fine
  • Jars or Tins These will be used to hold your finished product

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cup Cannabis Infused Coconut Oil (click here to learn to make your own http://thecannabislady.com/easy-crockpot-cannabis-coconut-oil/)
  • ⅓ cup Beeswax Pastilles
  • ⅓ cup Olive Oil

Instructions
 

  • Melt ⅓ cup beeswax pastilles in double boiler.
  • Keep pan at very low heat and don't let the water come to a boil.
  • Stir in the infused coconut oil. The low heat is critical as too high a temperature will the destroy the cannabinoids and terpenes found in your infused coconut oil.
  • Stir in ⅓ cup of olive oil. Make sure to add this last, once the beeswax and cannabis coconut oil are melted and mixed together. This will give you the best consistency for the finished product.
  • If desired, stir in optional drops of essential oil, and/or vitamin E oil, or shea butter.
  • Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Remove from heat and pour into the jar or storage container of your choosing. Make sure you use containers that are easy to reach into so you can access all of your topical. I use shallow, wide aluminum tins.
  • The cannabis topical will harden as it cools, then it's ready to use.
  • It's best to store the finished topical in a cool, dark location because light degrades cannabinoids. If you use glass jars, be sure to use amber or cobalt colored ones that will block UV light.

Notes

  • Some people like to add essential oils.  I apply my topical at bedtime to the bottoms of my feet to help with my neuropathy.  Consequently, I like to add oils that are known to have calming properties.  Lavender, lemon or yuzu, bergamot, ylang ylang, jasmine, and clary safe all fall into this category.  But any essential oil that you find pleasing can be used. Here’s a link that provides specifics about essential oils. Six Aromatherapy Essential Oils for Stress Relief and Sleep