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Whether you’re dealing with tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or another form of tendonitis, you’ve likely looked into the best methods for relief. During your research, you may have heard that some people swear by CBD creams for reducing discomfort from tendonitis.

Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon, aka a thick cord that attaches muscle to bone. Since CBD supports the body’s inflammatory response, it may help address the issue.*

CBD’s effects on your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system that helps regulate various physiological processes, including inflammation, may explain this possible benefit.

A 2016 study published1 in the European Journal of Pain found that topical CBD application reduced pain and inflammation in rats with joint pain (though this effect doesn’t necessarily translate to humans).

If you want to try out a CBD cream to manage your tendonitis, here’s a rundown of the best options to buy.

• Type: Broad-spectrum
• Potency: 250 mg of CBD
• Size: 4 oz
• Cost per mg of CBD: $0.22
• COAs: Yes 
• Subscription Discount: Yes

Pros: Non-greasy application, cooling sensation

Cons: Not travel size

Sourcing & Ingredients: Penguin CBD grows its own hemp in Oregon, without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers. 

Penguin CBD Cream indulges the senses with a peppermint lavender scent and a cooling sensation. It contains broad-spectrum CBD, which means it contains other compounds of the hemp plant in addition to CBD, but no THC. Reviewers have found that the cream is effective at relieving their pain.

View COAs here.

• Type: Isolate
• Potency: 250 mg, 500 mg, or 1,000 mg of CBD
• Size: 2 oz 
• Cost per mg of CBD: $0.10
• COAs: Yes
• Subscription Discount: Yes

Pros: Roll-on application keeps hands clean, made in the U.S.

Cons: Not easy to measure how much you’re using

Sourcing & Ingredients: Medterra sources hemp from organic farms in Kentucky. 

Applying a thick cream to relieve tendonitis when you’re on-the-go isn’t always ideal, which is where this product comes in. It has a convenient roll-on applicator, making application quick and easy. It incorporates CBD isolate, which is only CBD without any other cannabinoids found in hemp. The product is available in three strengths, with 4 mg, 8 mg, or 16 mg of CBD per serving.

View COAs here.

• Type: Full-spectrum
• Potency: 100 mg of CBD
• Size: 3 oz
• Cost per mg of CBD: $0.45
• COAs: Yes
• Subscription Discount: Yes

Pros: Contains arnica, vegan

Cons: Squeeze tube container may lead to product waste

Sourcing & Ingredients: Populum grows the hemp for its proudcts in Colorado.

This cream contains full-spectrum hemp CBD, meaning it has additional cannabinoids, including up to 0.3% THC by dry weight. The company goes above and beyond to ensure the quality of its products, putting its products through three rounds of testing (one in-house and two through third party labs).

View COAs here.

• Type: Full-spectrum
• Potency: 500 mg
• Size: 1 oz 
• Cost per mg of CBD: $0.10
• COAs: Yes
• Subscription Discount: Yes

Pros: Full-spectrum, made from U.S.-grown hemp

Cons: On the higher end of pricing 

Sourcing & Ingredients: CBDistillery uses hemp grown in the U.S.

Along with full-spectrum hemp CBD, this product contains heavy-hitting moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil. As a balm, it’s easy to rub in without any trace of greasy residue. Reviewers report feeling surprised by how effective it is for relieving pain.

View COAs here.

• Type: Broad-spectrum
• Potency: 1,000 mg of CBD or 3,000 mg of CBD
• Size: 1.7 oz
• Cost per mg of CBD: $0.05
• COAs: Yes
• Subscription Discount: No

Pros: Vegan, made in the U.S.

Cons: No discounted subscription option

Sourcing & Ingredients: CBDfx sources hemp from farms in Kentucky. 

With 1,000 mg of CBD in a 1.7 oz container, CBDfx Muscle & Joint Cream is an especially potent option. It contains broad-spectrum hemp CBD alongside ingredients like menthol, a popular ingredient in pain-relief creams due to its cooling and pain-relieving properties.

View COAs here.

• Type: Full-spectrum
• Potency: 500 mg
• Size: 2 oz
• Cost per mg of CBD: $0.10
• COAs: Yes 
• Subscription Discount:  No

Pros: USDA-certified organic, made in the U.S.

Cons: No variety in size or potency

Sourcing & Ingredients: Cornbread sources hemp from an organic farm in Kentucky. 

Transparency: Cornbread has its products tested by a third-party lab. You can view its lab results here. 

Made with full-spectrum hemp and menthol, this cooling lotion is USDA certified organic. Reviewers are impressed by how fast they notice the lotion relieving their pain and soreness upon application. Cornbread sources its CBD from the flower of the hemp plant only (rather than including the stalk, stem, and leaves) to create CBD-rich products.

• Type: Full-spectrum
• Potency: 2000 mg of CBD
• Size:  2.9 oz
• Cost per mg of CBD: $0.03
• COAs: Yes
• Subscription Discount: Yes

Pros: USDA certified organic, made from U.S.-grown hemp

Cons: Relatively expensive

Sourcing & Ingredients: Extract Labs sources hemp from farms in the U.S.

Transparency: Extract Labs uses third-party testing. You can find the results for all of its products here.

Each tin of Extract Labs CBD Muscle Cream contains 2000 mg of full-spectrum hemp CBD, along with arnica, menthol, and shea butter. The product is USDA certified organic and only contains eight recognizable ingredients, so it’s an ideal option if you like to be familiar with what makes up your products. Extract Labs extracts its CBD from the hemp flower alone rather than the whole plant.

If you’re dealing with pain from tendonitis, a CBD cream may be an effective solution. The CBD creams above go through third-party lab testing and have received positive feedback from reviewers. You can also take factors like potency and cost into consideration when choosing the best option for you.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.