How to Use CBD Oil on Feet

Co-authored by Aimée Shunney, ND and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: June 2, 2022 References

Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, is a chemical found in hemp that’s known to help soothe pain and treat inflamed skin. While there hasn’t been much research done, many people use CBD oil to help relieve their sore and aching feet. If you want to see if CBD works for you, first look for a high-quality oil that you can either use topically or orally. Put the product on your feet or take it by mouth so you can feel pain relief. Just be sure to talk to your doctor before you start using CBD oil to make sure it’s right for you!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Picking a CBD Product

1
Choose a topical CBD oil to apply it directly to your feet. Topical CBD oils are usually mixed into lotions or creams so they’re easy to spread onto the affected area. Pick an unscented oil if you don’t want a noticeable smell, or choose one that’s scented if you want to make your feet smell better. Check at local drugstores or online to see what kind of topical oils they carry.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Expert Interview. 31 January 2020.}
- You can find a topical CBD relief cream online here.
- Get a topical CBD oil with built-in moisturizers if you also want to make your feet feel softer.
- Do not eat topical CBD oil since it usually contains ingredients that aren’t safe to consume.
2
Use a liquid oil or tincture if you also want full-body relief. CBD oil and tinctures can be taken orally to help relieve pain throughout your entire body. Choose a flavored product if you want the CBD oil to taste better, or use one without added flavor if you want it to have a slight floral taste. Look for CBD oils or tinctures at your local drugstore to see what they have available.^{[2]
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- Since you swallow oils and tinctures, they may not relieve pain in your feet as well as if you apply CBD topically.
- Tinctures and oil work well if you have a hard time bending down or reaching your feet.
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3
Start with an oil that has a low potency. Look for the amount of CBD in the oil on the front of the package listed in milligrams. Start with an oil that has 250 mg or 500 mg of CBD at first so you can test how much it affects your body. As you get more comfortable taking CBD and know how it feels, you can start trying CBD oils with a higher amount of CBD, such as 750 mg or 1,000 mg.^{[3]
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- You can find CBD tinctures for purchase online here.
- CBD affects everyone differently. While it may only take 1 dose of a lower concentration for you to feel the effects, another person may need to take multiple doses or use something stronger.
- Divide the amount of CBD by the size of the package to find the actual concentration of the product. For example, if you have a 30 mL bottle of oil with 500 mg of CBD, the equation would be 500/30 = 16.67 mg of CBD per 1 mL. The oil will be more potent if it has a higher amount of CBD per milliliter than another brand.
Warning: Only take the recommended serving size when you first start CBD since too much could make feelings of pain or anxiety worse.
4
Get full-spectrum CBD oil for the most effectiveness. Full-spectrum oils also contain other natural chemicals from the hemp plant and enhance the effects of CBD. Look on the package to see if it says “full-spectrum” or “whole-plant.” If you don’t see it listed on the front of the package, check the ingredients to see if they’re listed there.^{[4]
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- Full-spectrum oils may also contain trace amounts of THC, but not enough to feel any of the psychoactive effects.
- You can also choose an isolate oil that’s pure CBD oil, but it may not be as effective.
5
Look for oil that’s been extracted with CO2 or ethanol for the safest substance. There are many processes used to extract CBD from hemp, but some of them use toxic chemicals like butane. Check the product label to see if the manufacturer uses ethanol or CO2, which creates a clean and safe oil. If you can’t find the extraction process on the label, research the company online to see if they include it on their website.^{[5]
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- Don’t buy CBD oil if you can’t determine the extraction process since it may contain harmful chemicals or additives.
6
Check that the oil has been lab-tested. Third-party labs check the CBD oil once it’s extracted to determine if it’s safe to use and free of contamination. Look for a seal or label on the packaging saying that the oil was tested by a lab. If you can’t find anything on the package, try researching the company online to see if they list the lab reports there. Otherwise, don’t buy the product since it could be low-quality.^{[6]
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- Many times, CBD oils have a batch number that you can look up online to find the lab results.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using the CBD Oil

1
Wash and dry your feet so they’re clean. Use warm, soapy water when you clean your feet so you remove any dirt or bacteria. Scrub your feet thoroughly with a washcloth or loofah until they’re completely clean. Use a towel to dry your feet so there isn’t any moisture when you apply a topical cream.^{[7]
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- You don’t need to wash your feet if you’re taking an oral CBD oil.
- Put on CBD oil right after you bathe or take a shower since your feet will already be clean.
2
Rub topical CBD oil onto your feet to help ease pain. Look for the dosage size on the side of the packaging, and scoop out the topical CBD oil with your finger. Work the cream into areas where you feel the most pain so it absorbs into your skin better. The CBD oil should start working within 20–30 minutes and soothe your pain for about 2–3 hours.^{[8]
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- CBD oil may have negative interactions with medications, such as blood thinners. Talk to your doctor before using the oil to make sure it’s safe to use.
- Try to stay off your feet for the first few minutes after applying the oil so it doesn’t rub off while you walk around.
- If you don’t feel the effects of the CBD oil, you may need to apply another dose or use a product with a stronger concentration.
- You can reapply the topical CBD oil 2–3 times per day.
Tip: Put on a pair of socks after you apply the oil if you want to also moisturize your feet and keep them soft. Socks can also prevent the oil from coming off of your feet.
3
Hold the oil under your tongue for 30 seconds if you’re using a tincture. Use the dropper provided with the package to take 1 dose of the oil or tincture out of the container. Put the dose underneath your tongue and hold it there for up to 30 seconds so it can absorb into your body. Swallow the remaining oil or tincture and wait for about 20–30 minutes for the pain in your feet to subside. The oil should continue working for about 3–4 hours.^{[9]
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- You can use tincture or oil orally 2–3 times daily.
4
Talk to a doctor if you don’t know the source of your foot pain. If you’ve noticed that your pain continues for 1–2 weeks and you don’t know the cause, schedule an appointment with a doctor or podiatrist. Tell the doctor where you feel the most pain and let them know if it’s severe. Your doctor will examine your foot and may run additional tests to find out what’s causing the pain.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Expert Interview. 31 January 2020.}
- CBD oil is usually not a permanent solution to foot pain.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I take CBD oil under my tongue?

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine in Santa Cruz, California where she specializes in women's health and hormone balancing. She also consults with various companies in the natural products industry including CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil. Dr. Aimée educates consumers, retailers, and healthcare providers about CBD oil through written articles, webinars, podcasts, and conferences nationwide. Her work has been featured at the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Conference, and on Fox News. She earned her ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001.

Aimée Shunney, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Doctor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

For tinctures, drops, and sprays, you put it in your mouth and swish it around for 30 seconds or so to spread it around in your mouth. Make sure you get coat the cheeks and the area under your tongue. This is the fastest way to get it into your bloodstream.
Question

Can you use CBD oil on your feet?

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine in Santa Cruz, California where she specializes in women's health and hormone balancing. She also consults with various companies in the natural products industry including CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil. Dr. Aimée educates consumers, retailers, and healthcare providers about CBD oil through written articles, webinars, podcasts, and conferences nationwide. Her work has been featured at the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Conference, and on Fox News. She earned her ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001.

Aimée Shunney, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Doctor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can, but you have to make sure you're using CBD oil that is explicitly designed to be applied topically.
Question

What is the recommended dose of CBD?

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine in Santa Cruz, California where she specializes in women's health and hormone balancing. She also consults with various companies in the natural products industry including CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil. Dr. Aimée educates consumers, retailers, and healthcare providers about CBD oil through written articles, webinars, podcasts, and conferences nationwide. Her work has been featured at the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Conference, and on Fox News. She earned her ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001.

Aimée Shunney, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Doctor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

There is no recommended dose. It can be a bit of a trial and error process to figure out what the right process is for you. Don't give up right away on your treatment plan if you don't feel anything. Just keep gradually increasing the dose until you find what works for you.

Warnings

Talk to your doctor before using CBD products since they could interact with other medications you take, such as blood thinners.^{[11]
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Side effects of CBD may include loss of appetite, dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, or diarrhea.^{[12]
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