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A Beginner's Guide to Taking CBD Oil

A Beginner's Guide to Taking CBD Oil

If you’ve never taken CBD oil before, but you want to try it out, you’re probably wondering how it works and what the best way to consume it is.

With so many different ways out there, it’s more about finding the best method for you that makes it easy to integrate into your daily routine. 

From simply popping it under the tongue to adding it to food or drink, we’ll get into the best ways to take CBD oil so it doesn’t feel like a hassle. We’ll also walk through different strengths and how to take it and use it safely.

Plus, if you don’t like the taste of hemp, adding it to food or choosing a delicious flavour, like our tangy apple, makes a world of difference!

Key takeaways 

  • CBD oil is usually taken by placing the amount shown on the product label under your tongue, holding it there for up to 60 seconds, and then swallowing. 

  • Check how many milligrams of CBD the serving contains rather than relying only on the number of drops.

  • Beginners should start on a low strength and slowly work up to a higher strength if needed over time. 

  • Morning or evening use can both work well, so choose a consistent time that fits naturally into your routine and is easy to remember.

  • You can also add CBD to food, cold drinks, or simple recipes, as long as the product is intended for oral consumption.

  • CBD oil can be taken on an empty stomach, but food may affect how much CBD your body absorbs

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil, also known as cannabidiol oil, combines CBD extract with a carrier oil, most commonly MCT or hemp seed oil. When the carrier oil is added, it dilutes the concentrated CBD extract, making it easier for people to measure and consume. 

While CBD is one of the naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant, it doesn’t have the same intoxicating effects as THC, making it a better choice for those who don’t want to experience any psychoactive effects. 

A lot of CBD oils nowadays are also moving away from that natural hemp taste by adding juicy flavourings, which gives those who don’t like the taste of hemp a more enjoyable way to take it.

There are also different types of CBD used in these oils! Some oils contain CBD isolate, which means the CBD has been separated from most other compounds found in the plant, while broad-spectrum CBD oil may contain CBD alongside other cannabinoids and plant compounds, but without detectable THC.

You can also get full-spectrum CBD oil, which contains a wider range of naturally occurring compounds from the hemp plant, without the THC. 

Before taking CBD oil, read the label

Sure, CBD oil can be beneficial for a lot of people, whether they’re hoping to use it to wind down before bed or feel a little bit more supported during the day. Yet, it’s not made for everyone. 

If you’re serious about incorporating CBD into your everyday routine, always, always make sure to read the label first! With so many different products and strengths out there, just because it looks good doesn’t mean it’s the right match for you.

Here’s what you should be checking:

  • The total amount of CBD

  • The amount of CBD per serving

  • The recommended serving

  • Other ingredients and allergens

  • Batch and testing information

The strength of CBD oil is normally displayed prominently on the front of the bottle in milligrams, such as 500mg, 1,000mg or 2,000mg. If you’re completely new to CBD, start on a low strength first, monitor any effects, then increase gradually if you need to.

At Natural Strains, we publish all of the lab reports for our products so you know exactly what you’re getting before you buy. These are all done by independent third-party labs to provide the most accurate, unbiased results possible.

Our CBD oils are also free from additives, gluten, gelatine, and GMOs, so you can enjoy natural flavourings and a clean product that’s made with you in mind. 

How to take CBD oil under your tongue

The most common way to take CBD oil is to place it under your tongue, which is known as the sublingual method.  

It’s the simplest and quickest approach to consuming CBD, as it reaches your bloodstream fast and you don’t have to mess about with mixing it into your food or drink. 

Step 1: Measure the right amount

The only thing with CBD oil is that you have to make sure you get the right amount yourself. While CBD gummies come pre-measured, this falls into your own hands with CBD oils. 

To do so, simply use the pipette or dropper supplied with the bottle to measure the amount stated on the label. Your pipette will most likely have markings to guide you, but avoid filling the pipette completely unless the label specifically tells you to take a full pipette.

Step 2: Place the oil beneath your tongue

Tilt your head back slightly and lift your tongue towards the roof of your mouth. 

Then position the pipette over the soft area underneath your tongue and gently release the measured oil onto the area.

Try not to touch your tongue, teeth, lips or the inside of your mouth with the pipette to stop bacteria or saliva being transferred back to the bottle.

Step 3: Hold the oil in place

Instead of swallowing straight away, let the oil sit under your tongue for around 60 seconds to soak in, and then swallow it. 

Try to avoid talking, drinking, or swallowing immediately and keep your mouth still to make it easier to hold the oil in place. If you end up accidentally swallowing some quickly, just replace the amount you swallowed with a bit more oil.

Step 4: Swallow the remaining oil

Once you’ve held it there for enough time, swallow it all at once. 

CBD oil has a natural earthy, nutty, or slightly bitter flavour, which will differ depending on the product and the type of carrier oil used, so if you don’t like this, buy a flavoured CBD oil instead. If apple or cherry sounds up your street, take a look at our flavoured oils. 

You can also drink some water after swallowing if you want to clear the taste from your mouth. 

Should you shake CBD oil before taking it?

With some CBD oils, you may need to give it a bit of a shake before using it to help distribute the ingredients evenly, especially if the product contains several hemp-derived compounds or added flavourings.

Just avoid shaking it too aggressively and do it for a few seconds before taking it straight away.

How much CBD Oil should a beginner take?

When taking CBD oil for the first time, begin with the lowest serving shown on the product label. 

Once you’ve taken a serving, don’t take another one, even if you can’t feel any effects. It can take a while to set in, especially if you have a slower metabolism. Counting drops is only useful when the product label clearly states how much CBD each drop contains, so base it of milligrams instead. 

For example:

Total CBD in the bottle ÷ bottle size = CBD per millilitre

That means a 30 ml bottle containing 500mg of CBD would contain approximately the following:

500mg ÷ 30ml = 16.7mg of CBD per millilitre

Working out what dosage to start at can be really confusing; that’s why we’ve created a dosage calculator which takes into account your weight and the strength you desire to take to see what dosage you should aim for. 

However, this should be used as a guide only, as other factors like underlying health conditions, your age, current medication you’re taking, and whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding all determine what dosage you should take. 

If you’re unsure, speak to your GP first.

When is the best time to take CBD oil?

The best time to take CBD oil all depends on how your daily routine usually plays out and the time you’re most likely to remember to take it. 

If you’re more likely to remember to take it at the same time every morning before you leave the house, then do that. If you’d prefer to take it at night before bed to help you wind down, then that’s completely fine too.


Just take it at a consistent time every day and check whether you can take it alongside any other supplements or medications you’re taking. Consistency matters more than anything else!

3 other ways to take CBD oil

Sure, placing CBD oil under the tongue is one of the simplest and most common ways to use it, but it’s not the only way. 

If you really dislike the taste or you’re just not confident using a pipette straight into your mouth, you can add it to food and drink instead. Just make sure the oil you’ve purchased is designed for oral consumption, as some are made to rub into the skin instead. 

1. Add CBD oil to food

You can mix CBD oil into a small portion of food, making it a tasty way to consume it without the fuss of holding it under your tongue. 

Foods that work well include:

  • Yoghurt

  • Porridge

  • Smoothie bowls

  • Salad dressing

  • Dips

  • Nut butter

  • Soup

Try adding it to a smaller portion of food you know you’ll finish so you consume the full amount of CBD. CBD oil may also have a noticeable flavour, so mixing it with strongly flavoured foods can make the taste less obvious.

2. Mix CBD oil into a drink

Another option is to add your measured serving to a cold drink such as juice, a smoothie, or a protein shake.

Bear in mind that oil doesn’t always mix evenly with water-based drinks, so some of it may float on the surface or stick to the sides of the glass. 

Add it to a smaller drink, stir it thoroughly and drink the full amount to make sure you consume the full CBD dose. It can also be added to tea or coffee; just let the drink cool down a bit before doing so.

3. Use CBD oil in simple recipes

Another great way to consume CBD oil is by adding it as an extra ingredient to a simple recipe, one that doesn’t require prolonged exposure to high temperatures, like an uncooked sauce or smoothie. 

Add a small amount of CBD oil to an individual portion rather than pouring it freely into a dish. Using it in a recipe can make the taste less noticeable and is a fun way to consume it, but it’s probably not efficient for an everyday routine. 

Can I take CBD oil on an empty stomach?

There’s nothing that says you can’t take CBD oil on an empty stomach, but just know that whether you take it before or after eating may affect how your body absorbs the CBD, so it’s important to follow the instructions on the bottle. 

Research involving oral cannabidiol has found that eating alongside taking CBD can increase the amount of CBD that reaches the bloodstream compared with taking it while fasting.

Meals containing a higher proportion of fat, like avocado, eggs, nuts, or full-fat yoghurt, appear to have a particularly noticeable effect because CBD is fat-soluble, allowing it to be absorbed more quickly. 

Shop tasty, healthy CBD oils 

Are you ready to make CBD oil a part of your daily routine? 

Investing in a good-quality oil from the get-go can make all the difference. At Natural Strains, our CBD oils are available in different strengths and fruity flavours to suit beginners and more experienced users alike.

Each product also comes with clear serving information and independent lab reports, helping you understand exactly what you’re taking. Browse the collection today and find the right CBD oil for you.