{"id":1259,"date":"2022-07-15T15:35:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T15:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomnews.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=1259"},"modified":"2025-11-12T19:50:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T19:50:48","slug":"what-is-rso-oil-use-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/education\/what-is-rso-oil-use-for\/","title":{"rendered":"What is RSO Oil Used For?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are new to medicating with cannabis and have wondered, \u201cwhat is RSO\u201d or  \u201cwhat is RSO oil used for,\u201d then you\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RSO stands for Rick Simpson Oil.
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Rick Simpson is a retired Canadian engineer turned medical cannabis activist. In 2003, Rick was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. Rick had successfully used medicinal marijuana to treat a prior condition and had read some research about THC\u2019s (Tetrahydrocannabinol) cancer fighting potential. So, he decided to use cannabis to try to cure his skin cancer.

Rick produced an extremely concentrated form of THC oil. According to Simpson, after a few days of applying the cannabis oil to the spots on his face and neck, the spots went away.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This oil became known as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and it is produced from strong Indica strains with high THC levels, typically between 60% – 90%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RSO Oil – Why Indica and Not Sativa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reason Indica strains of cannabis are used to create RSO oil is that Indicas are known to provide full-body sedative effects that can leave patients feeling relaxed and sleepy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Since sleep is an essential component of the healing process, strong Indica strains can help to promote much needed rest and relaxation for those battling serious medical conditions, like cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about the differences between Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid Strains<\/a> of medical cannabis, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rick Simpson Oil Made Available to Those Who Need It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rick Simpson never sold his RSO oil or tried to profit from his discovery. Instead, he has openly shared his process of making RSO and has encouraged people to make their own oil at home.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since using RSO  oil to treat his skin cancer, Simpson has grown his own cannabis and supplied thousands of cancer patients with his oil at no charge. These days, RSO is available at many medical cannabis dispensaries across the country.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term RSO is sometimes confused with FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil).
Although the two are similar in their powerful potential benefits, they are not the same.

So, before we get into the benefits of RSO, the conditions it treats, how it\u2019s produced, and how much RSO you should take, let\u2019s cover the differences between RSO and FECO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What\u2019s the Difference Between RSO and FECO?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The distinction between RSO and full extract cannabis oil (FECO) comes down to the type of solvent and amount of heat used during the extraction process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In both RSO and FECO, solvents are used to separate the cannabinoids and other active compounds from the plant material. Then heat is applied to help evaporate the solvent \u2013 leaving behind the resin extract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full Extract Cannabis Oil <\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Full Extract Cannabis Oil typically uses ethanol or CO2<\/sub> to extract cannabinoids like THC and CBD as well as the terpenes and other active compounds found in cannabis. With FECOs, lower temperatures are used to extract the active compounds, and as a result, more cannabinoids are left behind in the resin.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rick Simpson Oil<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), naphtha or alcohol are used in the extraction process instead of ethanol. For RSO, higher temperatures are required to evaporate the naphtha or alcohol during the extraction process than FECO.

As a result of the higher temperatures, some of the plant\u2019s terpenes can be lost in the process. Although some of the terpenes are lost, RSO does retain chlorophyll and other health enhancing compounds that evaporate at higher temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is RSO Used For?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RSO is considered to be a harmless, non-addictive natural medication that may be helpful in the treatment of cancer. But its use is not limited to those battling cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the commonly known benefits of cannabis, and its active compounds, is that it is one of the most effective anti-inflammatory medications available, with very few serious side effects.

And, since chronic inflammation is a common factor in so many illnesses, RSO is believed to be helpful in the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including using RSO for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n