If you’re dealing with chronic pain, menstrual pain, or other sorts of aches and pains, you might want to think twice before you reach for that painkiller or even an advil. Even if you don’t want to get high, cannabis can help — in the form of a topical treatment. There are tons of cannabis topicals on the market these days, some with higher percentages of CBD to treat ailments like inflammation, and others with majority THC. No matter what the cannabinoid ratio is, however, you won’t feel any psychoactive effect. Rather you might feel a bit of tingling in the area where you’ve applied the topical. Here are some of our favorites to jump start your search for the best cannabis creams and oils.
Papa and Barkley
If you’re looking for discreet pain relief without having to think about periodically rubbing in a topical, try Papa and Barkley’s Relief Patch. It provides transdermal cannabis delivery over 12 hours for consistent relief. Each patch is made with more than 30 milligrams of cannabinoids and varies in CBD:THC ratios, including 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3.
Apothecanna
Apothecanna’s Relieving Body Oil is made with arnica, peppermint, juniper, clove, avocado oil, and of course cannabis. It functions as a moisturizer, an anti-inflammatory, and a pain reliever for sore muscles, swollen joints, and distressed skin. Perfect for all skin types, the body oil is especially helpful in dry climates or after time spent under the sun.
Whoopi & Maya
If you have period cramps, Whoopi & Maya’s cannabis rub will seep right through your skin and target your pain. Made with a blend of beeswax and nourishing oils, the blend functions as an analgesic to relax uterine cramping and relieve sore joints and back pain. It contains white willow bark, which is an active ingredient in aspirin, as well as ginger to increase blood flow and circulation to the abdominal area, and St. John’s Wort, which elevates your mood. A four-ounce jar contains 50 milligrams of THC and 15 milligrams of CBD.
Cannabis Basics
The Remedy pain stick by Cannabis Basics integrates CBD, THC, and THCA, as well as Arnica Montana and other medicinal botanicals. This all-purpose pain reliever is convenient — you can toss it in your purse and apply it as easily as you’d apply deodorant without getting your hands oily. Rub it around your temples, neck, muscles, joints, or wherever you feel pain or inflammation. It also works as for aromatherapy.
Flour Child Collective
Flour Child’s Relief Balm is made to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and specifically target muscular or joint pain, arthritis, and sciatica. Made with mango butter, kokum butter, avocado oil, sunflower oil, and beeswax, it also has a moisturizing effect and is useful for eczema, psoriasis, sunburns and other burns. Each 1.5-ounce jar has a 3:1 ratio of CBD to THC, meaning 45 milligrams of CBD and 15 milligrams of THC.
Om Edibles
Made with beeswax, shea, cocoa butter, and spicy essential oils, Om Edibles describes its Lion Balm as similar to Tiger Balm. It’s especially uses for aches, pains, sprains, headaches, and skin irritations, and dry skin, so long as you don’t have an open wound. A two-ounce container of the balm has 10 milligrams of THC, while the largest container has 50 milligrams.
Doc Green’s
Doc Green’s Canna Balm is the company’s most potent topical, made with more than 500 milligrams of active cannabinoids per one ounce container. The balm features raw, solventless CO2 concentrate cannabis flower, as well as olive oil, bee pollen, myrrh resins, and essential oils containing healing, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. It can be used for deep muscle injuries, as well as surface skin conditions.
