There are many tinctures on the market, and it can be tough to figure out which one to choose and how to use them. In the case of the beautiful Juna Drops, I consider them my lifestyle drops. Founder Jewel Zimmer has created a line of three full-spectrum formulations (Nude, Jade, and Gold), as well as a Nude hemp CBD tincture for those of you out of state (or if you want a CBD product you can travel with). If you’ve had a hard time finding a tincture that you enjoy the taste of (or effects), these elegant and silky formulations will likely appeal to you. My mother, who is very sensitive to any dank notes, is happily taking her Nude CBD drops every morning. Meanwhile, her daughter (yours truly) is a dedicated user of the Jade in the evenings. 

San Francisco–based Jewel Zimmer has a deep background in food: she’s a certified level one sommelier, and she was also a pastry chef in the fine-dining world, working for some top restaurants and chefs (she has made not one but two birthday cakes for Julia Child!). She launched her own chocolate line in 2009, , which was carried in Barneys and Dean & DeLuca, and was big in Japan (always fun to say). She was ahead of the curve even back then, working with a chemist to extract polyphenol antioxidants from the cocoa bean and then infusing it back into her chocolate. Her interest in treating food as medicine was piqued. Not only did her artisan chocolates have health benefits, but they were also exquisite—I remember trying them years ago.

Zimmer’s background in fine dining means taste is very, very important to her, along with sourcing, and precision in making things. It has all served her well in how she looks at and works with cannabis. After being approached by numerous companies interested in having her create infused chocolates for them, she finally started to pursue what that would look like when she was connected with a neuroscientist who wanted to infuse chocolate. It was during that time, as she was researching cannabis for months, that she really fell in love with the plant, and all of its sophisticated qualities and attributes. She ended up developing a CBD chocolate, and would you believe she had to spend almost a year convincing the seed investor that people were really going to buy it? This was about three years ago, and boy, have things changed. 

She ended up pivoting to making tinctures after using the drops for multiple applications. Juna sources single-origin cannabis from Flow Kana's boutique farmer-partners in Mendocino. The plants are all outdoor/sun-grown, and reflect the incredible terroir in which they are sustainably grown. I remember one evening, Jewel was excitedly showing me pictures of the flower used for her CBD—the buds were the prettiest pink! Beauties. For the 2017 harvest, Zimmer tasted 27 different strains that were micro-extracted to land upon the optimal flavor and terpene profiles.

Juna drops are made with CO2 extraction, and she works with her extractor to pull out all of the terpenes at the coldest temperature possible; after the cannabinoids are activated with heat, the terpenes are added back in. This adds an extra cost, but this way the terpenes from these superior plants aren’t compromised. Every batch is tested for cannabinoid and terpene profiles to maintain consistency (along with all the other testing, from pesticide screening to residual solvent analysis).

She also uses a premium, organic MCT (medium chain triglyceride) oil made from coconuts. MCT has some nutritional benefits and helps with brain function, plus it's very bioavailable and easily absorbed by the body. Unfortunately, you can’t buy many of the top MCT oils wholesale, so this is yet another cost Zimmer takes on to create a superior product. As I have mentioned in previous features, some people may have a sensitivity to MCT, which can lead to an upset stomach (typically at larger doses, like a tablespoon). You may need to try another kind of oil (like olive oil) if that happens, while most people won't have any issues at all. Remember, you have your own chemistry and need to find what works and feels best for you.

I’m enchanted by the ethereal flavor of Juna drops—they have light yet complex herbal notes, and a touch of floral prettiness to them, which makes them easy to drop into all kinds of beverages, or right into your mouth. Zimmer treats cannabis like food, and you can taste it in the delicacy of these formulations.

Let’s look at the line of Juna drops:

Nude: CBD

Clear, connected, balanced

If you’re looking to add CBD to your routine, the Nude drops are designed for daily use. They don’t have intoxicating effects (although they can promote feelings of calm, or clarity, and may help lessen anxiety). There are 5mg of full-spectrum CBD per 1ml dropper—if you’re exploring a CBD regimen, maybe start with a half dropper (2.5mg of CBD) sublingually and go from there. Hold it under your tongue as long as possible and let it absorb. The next day, try it again—same amount. See how it feels. 

The goal is to eventually dial in your MED (minimum effective dose). It can take time to build up the effects of daily CBD use and treatment, like a month, so be patient. If you’re looking to explore use for general homeostasis or chronic issues, consider trying a small dose (2.5mg) two or three times a day, before meals, and titrate from there. 

See how you react to CBD at bedtime: some folks can be activated by it, so it may be better for daytime, but some people take CBD to promote relaxation in the evening.

Zimmer enjoys dropping Nude into her morning coffee, and it has an interesting and synergistic effect: it ends up both CBD and caffeine react with the receptor adenosine. Coffee blocks this receptor, which causes alertness, but also creates the jitters. Meanwhile, CBD binds to this receptor, and promotes feelings of ease. So when taken together, you can perk up and enjoy an extra lift without getting edgy—try it for yourself.

She also uses it in the afternoon to help her focus more effectively—she found that the cumulative effects of taking Nude twice daily work best for her. See what jives best for you. It’s also a good thing to have around in case you ever over-consume THC—CBD can help dial down the euphoric effects of THC.

Jade: 1:1

Serene, leisurely, cinematic

Oh, Jade. I love you so. This 1:1 beauty is one part CBD to one part THC; a 1ml dropper contains 2.5mg of CBD and 2.5mg of THC…and a whole lot of magic. I really enjoy this tincture in the evening as part of my unwinding time. It gives a slight lift and adjustment to my perception of things, while a serene, chillaxed feeling pervades my body. It creates a softness, a light floatiness, without any paranoia. I’m a late-night worker, so I enjoy Jade when I have a couple hours of articles to read, emails to cruise through, light writing, or for some of that inspirational internet browsing I enjoy, like looking at light art, videos, and listening to music. Movie night, even better.

You can Jade to a beverage, or tonic, or even tea at night. It’s a perfect microdoser tincture—you can try a half-dropper for 1.25mg of CBD and THC to start, and then see how the full dropper feels in time, on another day. If you consume Jade under your tongue, expect to feel some effects in 30–45 minutes. Be sure to give it at least 60 minutes before consuming more. If you consume it as an edible with food or in a beverage, expect onset in approximately 60 minutes or more.

I don’t like to promote mixing alcohol and cannabis unless you’re an experienced user since each potentiates the effects of the other. But if you want to enjoy a little wine or a low-ABV cocktail in the evening along with some cannabis, Jade is a pretty ideal companion. Zimmer agrees—she enjoys wine with her husband at home, and Jade is also part of her nightly routine. (It can also help you consume less wine, but reach the same level of chill contentment. Just tread carefully when combining, especially on an empty stomach—not recommended.)

Gold: THC

Shiny, happy, present

Oh, hello, you bright and shiny thing. The Gold drops live up to their name, with 5mg of THC per 1ml dropper. These drops are an excellent microdosing tool since you can just add 1mg at a time for a little zip, a little pop, a little brightness. It’s a great way to dial in and explore how different milligram doses of THC feel for you. Since psychoactive effects are typically felt at 2mg–2.5mg, you could just do 1mg and keep things sub-psychoactive, but still derive some potential benefits from the THC, like lessened anxiety or a lift in mood. Maybe do another 1mg dose later in the day, see how that goes. The next day, you could try 2mg, and a few days later, 3mg. Tap the gas (oh-so lightly). See how it feels. Take notes. Find your cruising altitude.

If you consume Gold under your tongue, expect to feel some lift in 30–45 minutes. Be sure to give it at least 60 minutes before consuming more. If you consume it as an edible with food or in a beverage, expect onset in approximately 60 minutes or more.

Or, in my case, you can take them with you to the nude beach during a heatwave for an epic, sunny day in nature—the light shimmering and dancing off the ocean equated to how I was feeling inside. Exhilarated. 

Nude: Hemp CBD

I just want to add a quick note here that Juna also has a hemp-derived, full-spectrum CBD tincture, ideal if you don’t live in California, or perhaps you want to be able to travel across state lines without any worry (just be sure to know regulations before doing so—not all states are equal). There are a number of terribly sourced and made hemp CBD tinctures out there, but this is one made responsibly and painstakingly, with health benefits in mind. You can read more and order it here.

One more thing to look forward to: Zimmer is working on her own infused chocolate line for 2019. Yessssss!

Visit juna-world.com for more info and the mymilligram page on getsava.com to purchase any of the three cannabis-derived drops.

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.