PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Rick Simpson oil is a type of medical cannabis oil typically made from the indica cannabis strain. Proponents of the oil believe that ingesting the oil or applying it to the skin can have medicinal benefits, like lowering blood pressure or alleviating certain illnesses. When making Rick Simpson oil, prepare and heat your ingredients in a well-ventilated area far from any open flames, stovetops, or sparks. Following the instructions carefully and taking precautions will help you stay safe as you make the oil.

Making Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)

Combine 1 lb (16 oz) dried cannabis with 1 gal (3.8 l) alcohol in a bucket. Attach cheesecloth to the top of a bowl and pour the solution into it. Repeat until all the plant material is removed. Pour the oil into a rice cooker. Siphon the oil out with a plastic catheter syringe when it becomes dark and greasy.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Cannabis Solvent

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Place 1 lb (16 oz) of dried cannabis and 1 US gal (3.8 l) of food-grade alcohol or isopropyl alcohol (if not ingesting) in a bucket. Indica cannabis strains make the best and most effective Rick Simpson oils. When you've added all of your cannabis to the bucket, pour in 1 gallon (3.8 l) of the alcohol.
    • Break up any larger chunks of cannabis with your wooden spoon before you add the alcohol.
    • Make sure your bucket can hold at least 2–3 gallons (7.6–11.4 l).
    • If you are going to ingest the oil internally, be sure that you use food-grade alcohol, such as an Everclear or over proof rum, rather than isopropyl alcohol.
  2. Crush the cannabis with your wooden spoon after you've added the alcohol. Continue stirring in circular motions for about 3 minutes or until most of the cannabis dissolves. [1]
    • At least 80% of the cannabis should dissolve into the mixture. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Transfer the cannabis to a bowl and let it sit for about a minute. If no cheesecloths are available, coffee strainers can be used as a substitute. [3]
  4. 4
    Stir the remaining cannabis and 1 US gal (3.8 l) of alcohol together. Add 1 gallon (3.8 l) more of alcohol to the bucket and stir the mixture until at least 80% of the cannabis has dissolved again. Save and store the drained alcohol in the bucket.
  5. When your plant material is completely separated, throw it away. Pour your drained alcohol into the bucket with the rest of your solvent. [4]
    • Discard the leftover cannabis material after you've extracted the alcohol.
  6. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Heating the Solvent and Siphoning the Oil

PDF download Download Article
  1. Fumes may emit from the rice cooker as the solvent is dissolved. Because alcohol is highly combustible, avoid any and all flames, stovetops, sparks, and cigarettes while you're heating the solvent. [5]
    • Alcohol is flammable and cannot be cooked near an open flame or spark.
  2. Pour the alcohol into your rice cooker until it is about three-quarters of the way full. Close and turn on your rice cooker to 210–230 °F (99–110 °C). [6]
    • Although you can heat your alcohol in a crock pot, it is not recommended. If your mixture heats to over 300 °F (149 °C), the cannabis will burn and become unusable.
    • Save the rest of your alcohol for later. As the alcohol evaporates, you will slowly add more until you have poured in the entire solvent. [7]
  3. Wait until the alcohol is about halfway evaporated. Continually fill the rice cooker with the alcohol to three-quarters full. Add a few drops of water (about 10 for every 1 pound (16 oz) added) as the solvent evaporates to keep the oil from overheating. [8]
  4. When you have added all of the solvent into the rice cooker and it has evaporated entirely, the oil will be the only liquid left in the rice cooker. It will be the consistency of thick grease and have a dark color when the alcohol has dissolved. [9]
  5. Dip the syringe into the oil, then slowly pull on the plunger until the syringe is filled with the oil. Remove the syringe from the rice cooker, then cover the top with its plastic tip to prevent spilling.
    • Do not transfer the alcohol into another container. You may need multiple syringes to siphon out all of the oil.
    • Store Rick Simpson oil in the syringes until you are ready to use it.
  6. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Using Rick Simpson Oil

PDF download Download Article
  1. Mix 1-2 drops of the Rick Simpson oil with a skin cream or medicinal salve and rub it on your skin. Apply the cream once a day. [10]
    • Coconut oil mixes well with Rick Simpson oil.
    • Taking Rick Simpson oil via a skin cream or salve results in the same theoretical benefits as ingesting it.
  2. If you're applying the oil to a wound for its potential healing properties, apply a few drops of Rick Simpson oil to a gauze bandage. Keep the bandage tightly wound around the wound and change it every 3-4 days.
  3. Each drop should be the size of one-half to one grain of rice. Work your way up from a small drop to a larger drop over several days to several weeks, especially if you have never ingested cannabis before. It takes the average person 3-5 weeks to ingest a full dose of Rick Simpson oil. [11]
    • Some alternative health advocates believe that a dosage of Rick Simpson oil a day can ease chronic pain, depression and anxiety, or symptoms of long-term illnesses (like cancer or diabetes). [12]
    • Put Rick Simpson oil under your tongue before swallowing for quicker absorption.
  4. Put between 1-3 drops into your favorite food spread and add it to your meal. If you dislike the ingesting of the oil but would prefer to take it orally, a dip or jam can mask the taste [13]
    • Eating Rick Simpson oil with food provides the same benefits as ingesting it alone.
    • You can also put Rick Simpson oil in a capsule and take it by pill if you would prefer.
  5. Although Rick Simpson oil is said to alleviate some medical symptoms, it is not a cure-all nor is it an alternative to clinical treatment. Talk to your doctor before adding Rick Simpson oil to your treatment plan and continue to receive regular medical treatment once you begin taking it.
    • If you have high blood pressure , for example, see a doctor alongside using alternative health treatments.
  6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Food-grade alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are flammable and cannot be used around open flames, stovetops, cigarettes, or electrical sparks.
      • Consult a licensed clinician before adding Rick Simpson oil to your medical routine. [15]
      • Although some cannabis advocates claim that Rick Simpson oil can cure cancer and diabetes, it is best used alongside clinical treatments rather than as an alternative. [16]
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • 1 pound (16 oz) of dried cannabis material
      • 2 gallons (7.6 l) of food-grade alcohol or isopropyl alcohol (if not ingesting)
      • Large bucket
      • Bowl
      • Wooden spoon
      • Cheesecloth
      • Rice cooker
      • Plastic catheter tip syringe

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make Rick Simpson oil, start by mixing 1 pound of dried Indica cannabis with 1 gallon of isopropyl alcohol in a bucket. Crush the cannabis with a wooden spoon and mix it to help the buds dissolve. Once most of the cannabis has dissolved, drain the solvent into a new container, using a cheesecloth or coffee strainer. Then, add another gallon of isopropyl alcohol and drain it again once 80 percent of the cannabis has dissolved. After you’ve drained the solution, fill a rice cooker ¾ of the way with it and set the temperature between 210 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit. When the solution evaporates down to the halfway line, keep filling it to three-quarters full. Once you’ve run out of solution, keep adding a few drops of water to stop the oil from overheating. When the oil develops a dark color and greasy consistency, siphon it into syringes to keep it fresh until you want to use it. For more tips, including how to use Rick Simpson oil, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 462,732 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Cynthia Pohlman

        Feb 24, 2023

        "I have been making medicinal salves and would like to expand my offerings, this article gives me more confidence in ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement