What is FECO? Let’s dig into it! Maybe you’ve heard of FECO or maybe you’ve heard it called by another name such as RSO, RBO, or EOCO. All of these are BRANDS of FECO, Full Extract Cannabis Oil with different methods to achieve a similar product.
FECO is a full spectrum, concentrated whole-plant extract with a dark thick consistency and a wide variety of beneficial molecules and terpenes. FECO dates all the way back to the 1800s when vegetable oil was used as the extract solvent. Over the years many different methods to create FECO have been discovered and used.
Not all FECO is made with the same solvents, however the extraction process is similar. Raw cannabis flower is placed in a solvent, and the trichomes separate from the plant material into the solvent. The solvent is then purged to create a pure extract. The most common used solvents and extract methods are ethanol, CO2, BHO, medical-grade isopropyl alcohol, and food-grade alcohol.
In 1980, FECO as medicine became more widely accepted for cancer patients. There have been many advocates, including well known Rick Simpson who used his brand of FECO, “RSO” to treat his skin cancer. Its important to note here that Rick’s recipe was intended for topical use and not ingestion. Rick used Naphtha, a hazardous chemical, for his solvent which is highly recommended to not ingest anything using this solvent, and many processors have substituted medical grade isopropyl alcohol for the solvent in his recipe.
The active compounds found in FECO, THC and CBD were found to be both antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic, meaning the compounds arrest the spread of cancer as well as causes apoptosis “cell suicide” of malignant cells while helping with nausea, pain, and many other symptoms many cancer patients face.
FECO is most commonly available in syringe form but can be consumed in several ways, however smoking it is NOT recommended. Due to the strong flavor and the residue FECO leaves behind, many people find it is easier to consume FECO in capsules, tinctures or hiding it in food. Another common method of consumption of FECO is based on the Pechoti Method, application of FECO thru the belly button with a bandage. FECO combined with other ingredients can also be used to make suppositories, pain creams, salves, edibles and much more!