The Top Ten Medicinal Herbs for the Garden: How to Grow and Use Healing Plants
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Read the full articleto get expert information, links, pictures and resources: written by Juliet Blankespoor with Meghan Gemma
1.Calendula, Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis, Asteraceae)
An Edible flower and also used for treatment of wounds, rashes, dry skin.It is great for teas and is antifungal, antibacterial, lymphagogue (stimulates the lymphatic system), emmenagogue (stimulates the menses), and digestive anti-inflammatory.
2.Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca, Lamiaceae)
Easy to grow and highly versatile and used as a tincture or tea.Excellent for anxiety, stress, headaches, muscle sprains and aches. Motherwort fully lives up to its name in helping to increase parental patience. Many mothers find that motherwort softens the edginess brought on by sleep deprivation, endless laundry and dishes, and uppity wee folk.
A gorgeous vine native to the southeastern United States and is an important sedative and pain reducer. The stems, leaves, and flowers can all be gathered for medicine, and used fresh or dried in tea or tincture form.
4.Echinacea or Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, Asteraceae)
As an excellent immune-stimulating tea or tincture, it is drought tolerant and attracts bees and butterflies.
5.Holy Basil, Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum syn. O. sanctum, Lamiaceae)
A close relative to common basil, its leaves and flowers are used as as a medicinal tea for colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, headaches, arthritis, diabetes, stress, and anxiety. Its adaptogenic effect offers an uplifting energy and helps with mental clarity and focus.
6. Meadowsweet, Queen of the Meadow (Filipendula ulmaria, Rosaceae)
The leaves and flowers have a pleasant wintergreen aroma and flavor, and are used internally for inflammation, fevers, heartburn, and peptic ulcers. Most people, including finicky children, love the tasty tea. Meadowsweet is a wonderful tonic for arthritis.
7.Jiaogulan, Southern Ginseng, or Sweet Tea Vine (Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Cucurbitaceae)
it is used as a tonic for longevity and vitality. The leaves are brewed into a medicinal tonic tea for anxiety, stress, depression, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. This vine is an easy-to-grow adaptogenic tonic, which contains some of the same compounds.
Spilanthes is one of the easiest to grow medicinal herbs, and kids absolutely love it! This striking plant has golden, globe-shaped flowers with a red center, leading one seed company to market them as “eyeball plant.” The tingly numbing sensation of its flowers affords relief to toothaches, and is used in many tooth and gum formulas, as it is antimicrobial.
9.Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica, Urticaceae)
The greens and tea of nettles are high in minerals, vitamins, and chlorophyll; namely Vitamin A and C and calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. The leaves and seeds are used medicinally in teas and foods for allergies, arthritis, and as a kidney tonic.
10.Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa, Lamiaceae)
Wild bergamot has a pungent aroma and flavor and can be enjoyed in tea or prepared as a tincture. The lavender flowers are edible and can be used as a garnish or tossed into salads for an extra splash of color. It attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.Great for upper and lower respiratory congestion.
Julia Parsell is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor with an emphasis on the intersection of science and the sacred. She writes from experiences and transformative understandings that have led her to an authentic and peaceful life. She goes by these names: grandmother, mother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. As home educator of her three children, she also developed/ran cafes, and maintained various leadership roles within her community. Her greatest desire is to encourage others to live life fully. Her passions are family, art creation, writing, and trail blazing. She lives in Western North Carolina.
9 Reasons to Include Ashwagandha in Your Health Regimen | Dr. Joseph Mercola
Known as Rasayana in Ayurveda, ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that enhances your body’s ability to withstand stress and is considered to be a rejuvenator
Ashwagandha contains compounds known as withanolides, which have not only antioxidant and anti-stress activities but also enhance immunity, protect the heart and offer neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, and anti-tumor effects
Ashwagandha has notable benefits for relieving stress and anxiety and supporting brain health, such that taking ashwagandha for 90 days improved memory and focus
Withanolides have also been shown to suppress pathways responsible for several inflammation-based illnesses, including arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cancer
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Known as Rasayana in Ayurveda, ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that enhances your body’s ability to withstand stress and is considered to be a rejuvenator.1 According to Ayurveda, ashwagandha is also known as:2
Balya — increases strength
Brusya — Sexual performance enhancer
Vajikari — Spermatogenic
Kamarupini — Libido enhancing
Pustida — Nourishing
Also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, ashwagandha contains compounds known as withanolides, which have not only antioxidant and anti-stress activities but also enhance immunity, protect the heart and offer neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, and anti-tumor effects.3 Its name comes from the Sanskrit word “ashwa,” or horse because its root smells like horse urine and gives you the power of a horse when consumed.4
Nine Reasons to Consume Ashwagandha
In addition to withanolides, ashwagandha contains phenolic acids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins, which offer a wide variety of pharmacological activities. Together, ashwagandha and its bioactive compounds may benefit diseases such as arthritis, impotence, amnesia, anxiety, and more. Ayurvedic doctor Dixa Bhavsar explained on social media:5,6
“This miracle herb has taken the medical world by storm (especially during #covid). And for good reason. Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng) is immune boosting, anti-inflammatory, sleep inducing, anticonvulsant, anti-stress, and antibacterial properties, this herb is like the one-stop shop for all ailments.”
Why else might you want to consider ashwagandha?
1. Relieve Stress and Anxiety — In a study of 125 adults who took ashwagandha or placebo daily for 90 days, those who took ashwagandha had lower serum cortisol levels — a measure of stress — and higher scores on a happiness questionnaire, “suggesting significantly lower stress levels and significantly better psychological well-being and sleep quality.”7
Another study involving 64 individuals who had a history of chronic stress evaluated the effectiveness of a full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root to help reduce stress and anxiety. Those in the study group took 300 milligrams (mg) of ashwagandha root twice a day for 60 days.
Analysis of the data revealed a significant reduction in stress assessment at the end of 60 days when compared to the placebo group. People taking ashwagandha also had substantially lower serum cortisol levels.8 According to the study, which was published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine:9
“The findings of this study suggest that a high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.”
2. Improve Cognitive Function — Ashwagandha has notable benefits for brain health, such that taking ashwagandha for 90 days improved memory and focus in cognitively sound adults between the ages of 20 and 55.10
In another study of adults with mild cognitive impairment, eight weeks of ashwagandha supplementation twice daily led to significantly greater improvements in immediate and general memory, executive function, sustained attention, and information-processing speed compared to placebo.11
The herb was also found to improve aspects of cognition, including verbal working memory, response time, and social cognition response in people with bipolar disorder.12
3. Better Sleep — If you’re looking for a sound night’s rest, sleep hygiene should be your go-to response, tending to things like eliminating light in your bedroom, turning off electronics well before bedtime, and going to bed and waking at approximately the same time each day. However, ashwagandha maybe provides a natural complement to these strategies.
In an analysis of five randomized controlled trials containing 400 participants,13 ashwagandha extracts had a beneficial effect in improving sleep. The benefits were most pronounced in those with insomnia, those who took a dosage of 600 mg per day or more and used ashwagandha for at least eight weeks.
As a pleasant “side effect,” those who took ashwagandha had improved mental alertness when they woke up, along with less anxiety. A 2020 study also tested ashwagandha for its ability to promote sleep. Based on the results, the researchers believe the herb could be an alternative treatment for insomnia.14 It found that ashwagandha root extract improved sleep quality and helped in managing insomnia.
While both healthy subjects and people with insomnia reported significant improvement in sleep parameters from ashwagandha, the improvement was more significant in those with insomnia.
4. Boost Immune Function — Withanolides in ashwagandha have immunomodulating properties that can either stimulate or suppress your immune system to help fight infections, cancer, and other diseases.15 As explained in the Journal of Clinical Medicine:16
“Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera or WS) which is mentioned in the Rasayana group of medications in the Ayurveda tradition of India has been extensively investigated as an immunomodulatory agent.
The components in WS mainly withanolide glycosides exert their immunomodulatory action by mobilizing and activating macrophages and induce proliferation in murine splenocytes. This effect has been suggested to be the idea of its use as a Rasayana in Ayurveda.”
In a randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded study, subjects received either 60 mg of ashwagandha extract or a placebo. The extract significantly improved the immune profile by modulating both the innate and adaptive immune systems. According to the researchers, the effects were so impressive that “[b]oosting the immune system of people at risk of infection and during widespread infections can be targeted with WS extract.”17
Withaferin A (WFA), found in ashwagandha, has also been found by at least two independent research groups to bind to the viral spike protein in SARS-CoV-2. By interfering with the spike protein, as well as not affecting ACE2 expression in the lungs, researchers concluded it “demonstrates real potential as a therapeutic agent to treat or prevent the spread of COVID-19.”18
5. Anti-Inflammatory Effects — Ashwagandha and its withanolides are powerful anti-inflammatories. The herb suppresses inflammatory responses in microglial cells, which are found in the central nervous system, by “simultaneously down-regulating the NF-kB and upregulating the Nrf2 pathways.”19
Animal studies also suggest that ashwagandha produces an anti-inflammatory response that’s comparable to the anti-inflammatory drug hydrocortisone sodium succinate.20 Withanolides have also been shown21 to suppress pathways responsible for several inflammation-based illnesses, including arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis22, and cancer.
6. Anticancer Potential — Ashwagandha has been found to interfere with the growth of new cancer cells while leaving normal cells untouched, while also helping to induce programmed death of cells and sensitize cancer cells to apoptosis.23
Multiple studies have found anticancer effects from both ashwagandha and its active component WFA,24 for a variety of cancers including prostate, leukemia, breast, pancreatic, glioblastoma multiforme, and colorectal. At least two uses for the herb and its compounds were suggested by a review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences:25
“First, given the safety record of WS [Withania somnifera], it can be used as an adjunct therapy that can aid in reducing the adverse effects associated with radio and chemotherapy due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Second, WS can also be combined with other conventional therapies such as chemotherapies to synergize and potentiate the effects due to radiotherapy and chemotherapy due to its ability to aid in radio- and chemosensitization, respectively. Taken together, all evidence to date indicate the potential of WS or WFA in cancer management.”
7. Arthritis Benefits — Because of ashwagandha’s anti-inflammatory properties, it’s often used in managing arthritis. When researchers analyzed 77 registered clinical trials in India to look for evidence of ashwagandha’s anti-arthritic properties,26 they found “a dosage of 6 gm in powder form or extracts in tablets, or 500- to 1000-mg capsule consumed for a duration of 8 to 12 weeks may be useful in managing symptoms of arthritis in patients.”
Traditionally, ashwagandha is noted in Ayurvedic manuscripts as being an effective remedy for rheumatoid arthritis (Amavata) and osteoarthritis (Sandhi-gata Vata).27 Another review article noted:28
“Patients of rheumatoid arthritis receiving Ashwagandha root powder showed excellent response. Their pain and swelling completely disappeared. A double-blind placebo-controlled study, combining Ashwagandha, turmeric and zinc, showed significant improvement in pain and inflammation.”
8. Anti-Obesity Properties — Ashwagandha’s WFA also has anti-obesity properties, helping to enhance energy expenditure and ameliorate obesity by triggering mitochondrial biogenesis and browning-related gene expression.29 Separate research also suggests WFA may protect against diet-induced obesity by attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance.30
9. Sexual and Reproductive Health Benefits — In men struggling with infertility, ashwagandha has been shown to balance their luteinizing hormone,31 which controls reproductive organ function in both men and women. Ashwagandha can also help boost testosterone levels in men,32 which can have a beneficial effect on libido and sexual performance.
It’s also been shown to improve the quality of semen in infertile men, in part by inhibiting reactive oxygen species.33 In otherwise healthy women, ashwagandha has been shown to improve arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and overall sexual satisfaction.34 Ashwagandha root extract may also help to relieve mild to moderate symptoms of menopause in perimenopausal women.35
Work With an Integrative Health Care Practitioner
When using powerful nutraceuticals like ashwagandha, working with an Ayurvedic or integrative health care practitioner can help ensure you receive optimal benefits. Depending on your health status and other factors, for instance, it can have differing effects. Bhavsar explained:36
“The leaves of ashwagandha helps in losing weight. Yes, you heard me right. Mostly I see people getting confused when they hear its useful for weight gain & weight loss at the same time. So this is just to clear the confusion. Its dosage depends on the patient’s condition, prognosis & the mind-body type.”
While ashwagandha is generally safe, well-tolerated, and nontoxic, it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or people taking sedatives. Making sure you’re getting a high-quality product is also of utmost importance. To ensure effectiveness, I recommend using 100% organic ashwagandha, free of fillers, additives, and excipients.
A medical marijuana card helps a patient with a recommendation from a qualified doctor to grow, possess, or distribute marijuana for personal use despite the lack of federal drug tests for safety and effectiveness. A medical cardholder is not allowed to manufacture, distribute, or sell any form of marijuana. The primary benefit of a medical card, or cardholder ID, is the presence of a medical card number. This number is used by the State to track transactions made in accordance with the laws regarding growing, possessing, and distributing marijuana.
Since Minnesota is the only state to have legalized marijuana for adult use, other states have enacted laws regarding its sales and distribution. Some states have legalized recreational marijuana but do not allow doctors to recommend its use. However, most states, including Minnesota, regulate the distribution of medical marijuana according to the calendar year in which it was legalized.
Common Reasons People Buy Marijuana:
According to a study by the American Medical Association, the three most common reasons that people buy marijuana are to relieve chronic pain, reduce stress, and help with anxiety and mood disorders. Two of these three reasons can actually be done while operating a vehicle, but cannot get you high enough to do so under the influence of marijuana. Thus, many people are getting caught up in the “haze” of being in a car during the hours when they are legally allowed to smoke.
Medical Marijuana Card:
To combat the problem of driving under the influence of marijuana, many states have taken up measures that require people to obtain an MMJ (or Medical Marijuana Card) or a valid license from their state government. In states like Michigan, where medical marijuana is legal almost twenty-four hours a day, anyone over the age of eighteen who has qualified for the program may obtain a Minnesota card. These cards provide proof that the person has a legitimate need for the drug and they are not “bought” by dealers, which is strictly illegal. In addition to the card, patients are required to undergo random drug screenings at designated places.
Besides a valid medical card, those seeking a card also need to take a drug court program. Under this program, they agree to abide by certain guidelines on their consumption of the drug. If they are caught buying or using marijuana, they face criminal charges. If they are convicted of a felony, they lose their license to buy or possess. While the medical marijuana card can help prevent arrest, it does nothing to mitigate the criminal record and may not get them a job, either.
States that have legalized medical marijuana have found that many doctors do not want to prescribe it due to its association with illicit drugs. There are also mixed feelings among parents, police, and even the local prosecutor’s office, who are finding it difficult to prove that it is dangerous when used by adults. Those seeking a card would be wise to research the laws in their jurisdiction before trying it.
Apply for Enrollment:
The only way to get access to other types of marijuana medical cards is to apply for enrollment through the state health department. All applicants must first get a recommendation from their primary physician, who can give them access to a complete list of approved providers. Applicants must then submit fingerprints and submit other information to get access to the application database. Once there, they must wait to get approved before they can purchase any product. Approval takes about a week and there are about fifty medical marijuana products on the market at any given time.
In addition to getting a card from your primary care physician, you may also want to try going straight to a grow shop in your neighboring state. While growing marijuana in another state may not be as closely monitored by local law enforcement, they are probably not as strict about whether or not to grant a card. The card alone is no proof that the person actually has a legitimate use for the drug, just that they were caught doing it and committed to doing so for one reason or another. It is still considered a crime, even if done in another state.
How Can CBD Hemp Flowers Help with Panic Attacks?
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Social Anxiety and Panic Attacks
People deal with anxiety and stress daily. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses in cities and towns. People often resort to and seek medical help to treat anxiety because of how severe it can get. Panic attacks and anxiety affect daily tasks and make it inconvenient to lead a stress-free life. Anxiety disorders and attacks can exist on multiple levels and occur at any point. It usually happens when the body is in stressful situations that cause a feeling of discomfort. People tend to experience different symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, low morale, irritation, restlessness, and much more.
These symptoms are likely to grow and affect daily tasks and human relationships. While there exist medically prescribed treatments for anxiety, CBD acts as an organic alternative that works without side effects and has numerous medicinal properties. It is a valuable form of reducing the frequency of anxiety and stress.
How does CBD work with Panic Attacks and Anxiety?
Cannabidiol or CBD is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC that uses psychoactive properties, CBD is free from any mind-altering compounds and is naturally beneficial for multiple reasons. CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid system of the body and regulates bodily functions. It balances the system and transfers signals between neurons. CBD exists in multiple variants and forms. A hemp flower is a form of cannabis that contains CBD that is popular to treat anxiety. A CBD hemp flower has buds that hold cannabidiol without THC. They contain terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids that are advantageous in dealing with anxiety and stress.
CBD regulates functions inside the body by affecting our nervous and immune systems. The compounds have a relaxing effect on the body and signal the body to calm down. The benefits of CBD are numerous. CBD flowers help with inflammation, nausea, chronic pain, insomnia, and concentration.
1. Social Anxiety – CBD is known to react with the body and relax the nervous system by creating balance. It helps people with a variety of anxiety disorders by relaxing muscles to destress. It helps in situations of stress wherein the body panics and tenses itself. Hemp flowers contain low to negligible levels of THC and calm the body down.
2. Natural Antidepressant – Several panic attacks also occur due to previous depression periods. CBD boosts serotonin levels by showing stress-induced depression. Serotonin allows the body to feel happy and elevates mood. CBD hemp flowers are also known to work faster than other medications. Smoking CBD hemp flowers causes them to react immediately by entering the bloodstream.
3. Antiseptic Properties – CBD has shown stabilizing characteristics in racing thoughts, hallucinations, depression, and other disorders. CBD has neuroprotective properties which reduce the rate of panic attacks by controlling muscle spasms and stress reactions. These calming properties allow CBD to act as a natural alternative that mellows and soothes the body into relaxation.
4. Relaxes Fear – CBD has shown signs of reducing past conflicts and memories that create a sense of fear. It decreases the expression of fear and enhances the process of eliminating fearful memories. The flower is neither dangerous nor harsh. It is safe to consume in a variety of manners.
A panic attack is a temporary situation of terror or anxiety due to internal or external circumstances that stress the body and prevent it from reacting the way it usually does. People tend to lose control during attacks and respond in different ways during an outburst. They are not pleasant to experience and ruin the mindset or mood for the entire day. Frequent panic attacks also cause panic disorders that require constant medication. While they are not life-threatening, they severely impact morale and general confidence. They can ruin moods and upset work efficiency, relationships, and routines.
The entourage effect is a popular effect of the hemp flower when consumed whole and not isolated. That allows the flower to produce its full effect with better results. The consumption of the hemp flower as a whole enables properties and compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids to act together. That produces a better result than these compounds taken in isolation. There are usually 3 methods of consuming the hemp flower –
1. Smoking – This is the easiest and most common way of consuming CBD hemp flowers. There are also numerous ways to smoke the flower. The effects are felt instantly through this method. They can be rolled or inhaled through a pipe.
2. Vaping – This method is through a device called a dry herb vaporizer. The device heats the flower and releases a cloud of smoke to inhale. This method is known to be safer than smoking as it avoids the production of tar.
3. Infused Oils – This method is slightly more complex as CBD is extracted and infused with oil and then kept below the tongue or turned into edibles for consumption at leisure.
CBD Hemp flowers contain valuable compounds such as CBD and CBG that reduce stress, pain, and inflammation. They are known for their therapeutic effects. They contain terpenes which are responsible for giving flowers their unique scents and flavors. Terpenes also ease panic-related symptoms in addition to their distinct smell, taste, and reaction.
Conclusion
People suffer from anxiety daily. It occurs to many people on different levels. Some are serious, and the others are rare and momentary. Millions of people suffer from panic attacks where their bodies cannot react according to will and respond with outbursts of tension and stress. While medications do exist, they come with their side effects and take weeks to react. CBD is an organic and harmless alternative that soothes the body. CBD hemp flowers can be consumed in many ways and immediately interact with the body. A majority of people have noticed immediate and positive changes in stress relief. More people need to explore hemp flowers as a helpful alternative to existing medications and treatments.
How Medical Marijuana Works and Which Conditions It Treats
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People with severe conditions are trying their best to find the right doctor and right medications for their illnesses. They can not bear the pain any more as well as feels their illnesses are making their life situation worse. Therefore, they would be willing to try any medication to be able to make their situation better. Medical marijuana has been legalized in some areas and patients with severe illnesses are using them to make their condition lighter. Doctors on the other hand support medical marijuana since they have studied and seen the effects on their patients. But how medical marijuana works, and which conditions it treats still pops in people’s minds.
Marijuana is a plant that has been used a long time ago. Doctors who believe it has the potential to cure illnesses continued to do their research and come up with several forms of medical marijuana to try its effectivity, and they were not disappointed. Research is continuously done and more and more symptoms are being alleviated from using medical marijuana. In Louisiana alone, patients who use medical marijuana have shown to improve their condition.
Is Marijuana Safe And Effective As Medicine?
Marijuana is safe as long as you will use the right dosage that your doctor recommends. Anything in excess is not good especially if it’s marijuana we are talking about. Marijuana has two components: CBD (cannabidiol) which is known as the non-toxic part and is responsible for reducing inflammation and pain
The components of cannabis CBD operate in the largest neurotransmitter in the body known as the endocannabinoid system. This is responsible for regulating and modulating homeostasis which includes appetite, reproduction, temperature and sleep/wake up cycle. They work in lock-and-key mechanism, the two components act as keys and receptors act as locks. That’s how medical marijuana works; they reduce pain and other reactions of the body by interacting with receptors.
What Are Some of the Conditions That Medical Marijuana Help Treat?
Medical marijuana can relieve a lot of symptoms of different illnesses listed in New Orleans, Louisiana such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, depression, rheumatism, and Alzheimer’s disease. All of these illnesses have symptoms that are annoying such as chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia and vomiting.
Chronic Pain
Severe illnesses are associated with extreme pain that a patient can not handle most of the time. There are a lot of studies that show cannabis treatment has been helping patients to manage pain during their attacks, for instance during chemotherapy cancer patients suffer additional pain when they undergo their chemotherapy. Cannabis treatments come to the rescue to relieve that pain.
Insomnia
Lack of sleep is one factor that can make a person weak, especially ones who are suffering from medical conditions. Sleep makes the body rest to recover a bit. Without sleep people can get more ill, with medical marijuana people can doze off to sleep, so they can rest their bodies. Cannabis can interfere with the sleep/wake up cycle as long as proper dosage is taken. Otherwise, one might stay awake 24 hours or more, so correct dosage is important to get the right effect.
Anxiety
People with mental illness are always anxious and this can trigger them to be more depressed and in a bad mood. Use of medical marijuana can help them calm down and relax. By calming they can avoid progressing to a very bad mood and will avoid them from getting too emotional. Study shows that cannabis treatment has indeed aided people with mental illness to stay calm when anxiety attacks happen.
Information on how medical marijuana works, and which conditions it treats have been discussed and another important thing to know about medical marijuana would be, how to get permission to use one. In areas where medical marijuana is allowed, they require marijuana medical card. There are requirements and steps to follow. You can apply for your marijuana medical card in New Orleans, Louisiana if you live in this area .They can assist and guide you throughout the process until you get your card or approval. If you think you need medical marijuana don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.
What Are The Health Benefits Of CBD?
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CBD has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is a plant compound that claims to be beneficial for anxiety, heart issues, and skincare. You can attain CBD through various products, such as vapes, edibles, supplements, foods, and drinks. It is even available as skincare now. Thus, you may wonder if it is safe and what the potential benefits are. For more information, keep reading.
CBD that contains no, or less than 0.3% of THC, is considered safe as it has minimal side effects. It is a cannabinoid that is derived from the cannabis plant. The CBD chemical is very different from THC as it does not provide the psychoactive “high” effect.
If you want to purchase CBD, you can do so legally in many countries across the world now. It has been deemed a medicinal product that is safe and provides health benefits, so you can find it online or in some stores. Harvest HOC has what you want when it comes to cannabinoids, which are easily accessible online. They offer a range of products to suit and meet your every need.
Now, onto the health benefits. Are there any? If so, what are they? We are only covering those that are backed by science. Of course, you cannot believe anything you read. So, when using CBD oil for certain health benefits, ensure you are using it wisely and only if there is a science to back up the claims.
Reduces anxiety
Anxiety is a common mental health issue that affects billions of people worldwide. CBD does not offer psychoactive effects, yet it can calm the mind. Several studies suggest that after using CBD orally, signs of anxiety are reduced.
Helps manage pain
CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory. Pain causes inflammation or is worsened by inflammation. Thus, using CBD to relieve the inflammation will help reduce the pain to make it manageable. CBD can be used orally or directly on the affected area for pain relief.
Relieves arthritic pain
Arthritic pain is often caused by swelling of the joints. As CBD has proven to help reduce swelling, it can be an effective treatment for arthritis patients. Again, for pain CBD may be best used directly on the affected area. For instance, if you suffer from arthritis in your wrists, you can rub an oil or skincare-infused product onto the area to reduce swelling and pain.
Helps with sleep
As far as how CBD may affect sleep, some research indicates that the cannabinoid CBD may interact with specific receptors, potentially affecting the sleep/wake cycle. With a calmer mind, the body can shut off better and drift off into a night of improved sleep. This is especially useful for those who struggle with sleep due to anxiety.
Always ensure to follow the CBD oil dosage requirements, purchase from verified sellers, and use only to attain the health benefits.
Venezuela announced they have had encouraging results treating COVID-19 patients with Carvativir, an oral solution made from extracts of thyme and oregano
Historically, thyme has been used to treat coughs and upper respiratory infections, with evidence it also is effective against herpes and other viruses
Media outlets are quoting skeptics before the data have even been published, following closely in the footsteps of the hydroxychloroquine precedent
Officials are pushing a gene-based injection with an unknown track record over effective preventive strategies and at-home treatments, such as vitamins D and C, and zinc, nebulized hydrogen peroxide, or drugs with low side effect profiles like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made the news when he began promoting Carvativir, an oral solution made from extracts of thyme and oregano, for the treatment of COVID-19.1 Long before placebo-controlled, randomized studies were the gold standard for clinical trials, people relied on results from small groups of people.
If a traditional medicine had positive results in a community, it was used. Without statistical analysis or comparing p-values, people had to rely on the proximate results. This meant a traditional medicine that was only nominally better than doing nothing may not have been adopted by indigenous people as the effects would not have been as obvious.
Through testing and experimentation, this served communities well in treating infections and other health conditions where treatment success could be measured quickly, such as using ginger for an upset stomach. One such traditional medicine is wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), long used in the treatment of respiratory and digestive issues.2
Many of the benefits of thyme are from the essential oils made from Thymus vulgaris,3 which include potent compounds like thymol, camphene, linalool, and carvacrol. Thymol is the most active constituent of thyme essential oil. Levels can vary depending on the climate, extraction method, and production practice, ranging from 3% to 80%.4
While thyme has a long history in traditional medicine, more recent scientific analysis and clinical studies have demonstrated another powerful effect the essential oil has on health.
Venezuela Reports Encouraging Results Using Carvativir
Reuters wrote that Maduro “is promoting a “miracle” medication derived from thyme called Carvativir that he said neutralizes COVID-19 with no side effects, although some doctors say it is not backed by science.”5 According to the report, Maduro said the solution was tested on people who were being treated at emergency medical facilities and at a Caracas hospital.
During a televised broadcast, he claimed Carvativir had been through nine months of study and clinical application on people who had been “very sick” and “intubated,” yet had subsequently recovered.
In another statement, Venezuela’s National Academy of Medicine confirmed the solution has therapeutic potential against coronavirus but cautions it may be prudent to “wait for more data from the Carvativir tests … to consider it a candidate for an anti-COVID-19 medication.”6
While doctors have also acknowledged that thyme essential oils have been used for centuries on infections but have not been established against COVID-19, Venezuelan scientists, including Hector Rangel, a virologist who led studies on COVID-19 vaccines, assured the media that Carvativir has demonstrated activity against cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.7
Maduro has promised studies will be published demonstrating Carvativir’s effectiveness. Due to the “tremendous controversy” generated over his initial comments, he now calls the medication “complementary” in the treatment against COVID-19.8
Headlines and Media Outlets May Not Tell the Whole Story
It becomes difficult to isolate evidence and data when headlines and articles are not impartial, such as “A Traditional Herb Created By Catholic Holy Doctors Criticized By World Health Experts”9 and “Doctors Skeptical As Venezuela’s Maduro Touts Coronavirus ‘Miracle’ Drug.”10 Instead of preparing arguments based on data, the media appear to be crafting their own narrative.
This has recent historical precedent when the fight over using hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 was highly politicized and covered by the media, in a role that can be likened to genocide.
It’s impossible to estimate how many lives may have been saved had journalists done their due diligence and reported on the science truthfully as opposed to taking their lead from businesses that spend the most on advertising, namely drug companies.
Carvativir may or may not be effective or complementary in the treatment of COVID-19, yet before the data can be released, the drug is labeled as quackery. As most in the holistic field have been aware, there is an undercurrent of censorship used to mislead people that ultimately line the pockets of the pharmaceutical industry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many conventional doctors have also gotten a taste of what it’s like to have potentially life-saving treatments censored. July 23, 2020,11 Dr. Harvey A. Risch, professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, published an op-ed in Newsweek in which he expressed his dismay and frustration on this topic as it pertains to hydroxychloroquine.12
“I have authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications and currently hold senior positions on the editorial boards of several leading journals.
I am usually accustomed to advocating for positions within the mainstream of medicine, so have been flummoxed to find that, in the midst of a crisis, I am fighting for a treatment that the data fully support but which, for reasons having nothing to do with a correct understanding of the science, has been pushed to the sidelines.
As a result, tens of thousands of patients with COVID-19 are dying unnecessarily … I am referring, of course, to the medication hydroxychloroquine.
When this inexpensive oral medication is given very early in the course of illness, before the virus has had time to multiply beyond control, it has shown to be highly effective, especially when given in combination with the antibiotics azithromycin or doxycycline and the nutritional supplement zinc.
Physicians who have been using these medications in the face of widespread skepticism have been truly heroic. They have done what the science shows is best for their patients, often at great personal risk.
I myself know of two doctors who have saved the lives of hundreds of patients with these medications but are now fighting state medical boards to save their licenses and reputations. The cases against them are completely without scientific merit.”
Thyme Has Demonstrated Antiviral Activity
The Venezuelan Minister for Science and Technology, Gabriela Jiménez, confirmed that the active ingredient in Carvativir is isothymol isolated from oregano and thyme.13 While the essential oils from thyme have not been scientifically proven against COVID-19, there is scientific evidence they have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Historically, thyme has been used to help control cough associated with an upper respiratory infection. One tested combination14 used with upper respiratory infections is thyme and primrose in combination with thymol, which was shown to alleviate cough and shortness of breath and to shorten the length of the infection.
Evidence has also shown thyme is active against herpes15 and other viruses, likely by interfering with the protein envelope that surrounds virulent viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. One study16 published in 2017 showed thymol was highly selective and a promising candidate against herpes infections.
Research from the University of Ahvaz17 showed extracts from thyme provided protection against the Newcastle virus that causes illness and death in birds and is transmissible to humans. Another analysis18 showed essential oil from Thymus transcaspicus, a variety of thyme, had moderate antimicrobial and antiviral activity.
Thyme has also been evaluated against the influenza virus as antiviral-resistant strains continue to emerge. Essential oils have been tested in experimental conditions, but one study19 tested essential oils from eucalyptus, Citrus bergamia, and Thymus vulgaris in vapor form.
Vaporized essential oils from thyme, among others, displayed 100% inhibitory activity without adverse effects on the epithelial layers, suggesting they could be “potentially useful in influenza therapy.”20
Officials Push Vaccine Over Prevention and Treatment
Carvativir is not the first cost-effective potential treatment to be ridiculed in the media in favor of sitting and waiting until an unproven genetic experiment can be unleashed on the public under the guise of Operation Warp Speed and a COVID-19 vaccine.
While the results on Carvativir are not yet published as of this writing, there are other effective and long-standing preventive measures and treatments for this virus. Although the recently released shot is being called a vaccine, by medical definition it’s more accurately an experimental gene therapy that could prematurely kill many people.
As I discussed in “How COVID ‘Vaccines’ May Destroy the Lives of Millions,” the way in which the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are produced may increase the risk of anaphylaxis. Additionally, free mRNA can fuel chronic, long-term inflammatory diseases.
As I also wrote in the article linked above, equally shocking are the personal videos sharing the severe side effects people are experiencing — videos which are quickly removed by social media platforms, ostensibly for violating some term of service. It’s hard to fathom how a personal experience can be considered “false information.”
Whether you choose to take the vaccine or not, it is important to remember that it does not stop you from getting COVID-19 and may not be effective against the virus as it naturally mutates in the environment. It is essential you take steps to protect your overall health and be aware of the strategies you can use to prevent infection and be treated early at home to reduce your risk of severe disease.
Recently, doctors have returned to basic supportive care and treatments and have experienced better survival rates and patient outcomes. As the pandemic has progressed, doctors have also recognized the need for early outpatient treatment in order to halt the progression and lower the risk of severe disease.
Consider These Steps to Reduce Your Risk
One of those outpatient treatments that have been maligned in the media is a combination of hydroxychloroquine and zinc. Hydroxychloroquine acts as a zinc ionophore, helping to move zinc into the cells. Zinc helps prevent the replication of viruses inside the cell, which is why it has had such good results in shortening the common cold.
Evidence has also suggested that people admitted to the hospital with low zinc levels have a higher likelihood of dying from COVID-19.21 Low levels of vitamin D have also been associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease. Vitamin D optimization may help prevent infection and reduce the risk of severe symptoms.
In June 2020, I launched an information campaign about vitamin D that included a downloadable scientific report detailing the science behind vitamin D. A randomized double-blind study, published December 2020,22 demonstrated that giving critically ill patients with COVID-19 high doses of vitamin D could significantly reduce the number of days they spend in intensive care and reduce their need for ventilation.
A mathematical reanalysis of data from an earlier trial concluded there’s a “strong role for vitamin D in reducing ICU admission of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.”23 Ivermectin is another drug that’s been found to be useful in all stages of the infection. However, the real strength appears to be as a preventive.
As I reported in “Can Ivermectin Help Prevent COVID-19 Deaths?” two states in India with high population rates are reporting24 the lowest and second-lowest fatality rates in all of India after having added ivermectin to their treatment protocols.
As reported in Trial Site News, health officials in India had recognized the urgency in treating and preventing the illness, but, “Such urgency is in short supply in the U.S., where the single-minded focus is on vaccination.”25
Two other treatments for COVID-19 that have shown significant positive results are vitamin C and the MATH+ protocol. As reported in Nutrients, “Vitamin C’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating effects make it a potential therapeutic candidate, both for the prevention and amelioration of COVID-19 infection, and as an adjunctive therapy in the critical care of COVID-19.”26
In response to this landmark review, the Alliance for Natural Health launched an international vitamin C campaign.27 Founder and scientific director Rob Verkerk, Ph.D., noted there are several reasons to take supplemental vitamin C:28
Your body cannot make it.
Most people do not get enough from their diet.
Your body’s requirement for vitamin C can increase 10-fold during an infection, disease, or physical trauma.
Vitamin C is also a part of the MATH+ protocol developed by the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Working Group (FLCCC). You can read more about this protocol, which has been successfully used to treat COVID-19, in “Quercetin and Vitamin C: Synergistic Therapy for COVID-19.”
Consider These Steps to Take Control of Your Health
My personal choice for treating upper respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, is nebulized hydrogen peroxide. In the video above I demonstrate how the solution should be mixed and administered for the best results.
It’s a home remedy I recommend everyone familiarize themselves with, as in many cases it can improve symptoms in mere hours. You can also use it as a preventive strategy if you know you’ve been exposed to someone who is ill.
The recent events over the past year have aptly demonstrated how crucial it is for you to take control of your health. In the past year, there have been a rising number of suicides,29 drug overdoses30, and mental health conditions,31 many of which may have stemmed from fear. It is important to remember you do not have to be afraid and that fear is what is being used to manipulate your behavior.
Take the time to gather the necessary tools you’ll need to protect your health, reduce your risk of infection and hasten to heal if you are infected. Then take a few minutes to share this important information with your friends and family members.
Many of the effective preventive and at-home treatment strategies are not shared by the media, as most are advocating you wait with bated breath for a vaccine. You can improve your health and make a difference in others’ lives.
As Overdose Deaths Hit Record High, Study Shows Cannabis Significantly Reduces Opioid Use
Despite the state spending thousands of dollars a second – ticketing, kidnapping, caging, and killing evil drug users, the rate of lethal drug overdoses in the last 15 years has skyrocketed at near-exponential rates.
According to the most recent data on overdose deaths, despite the state’s immoral war on drugs, 2020 will go down as the deadliest year in history for overdoses.
Drug overdoses were linked to more than 81,000 people’s deaths between June 2019 and May 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, jumping 18 percent compared to the previous 12-month period. Such deaths rose 20 percent or more in 25 states and the District of Columbia, the report said.
These rates are increasing as the lockdowns persist. However, though many of the overdoses can be attributed to the state’s tyrannical lockdown orders, the spike in deaths began before the lockdowns.
Across the board, drug use and deaths associated with drug use have increased at alarming rates. No amount of AR-15s, SWAT police, MRAPs, or any other military gear has had a hand in lowering these statistics. In fact, the increase in overdose deaths nearly perfectly coincides with the increase in militarization in the last decade and a half.
One drug, or rather plant, which is still viciously sought after in the state’s immoral war on drugs could be the key to slowing this epidemic.
In spite of some form of cannabis being legal in some fashion in well over half the country, the government still violently and with extreme prejudice continues to seek out those who dare possess it.
This barbarous prohibition is especially insidious given a recent study out of Victoria, Canada showing that the use of medical cannabis by qualified patients over a six-month period is associated with significant decreases in the use of prescription opioids and other medications.
According to data published in the journal Pain Medicine, opioid drug use patterns over a six-month period were assessed in a cohort of 1,145 authorized medical cannabis patients. Researchers discovered that baseline opioid use was reported by 28% of participants. At the completion of the assessment, opioid use among participants dropped to 11% at 6 months. What’s more, all the participants’ mean opioid dosage fell by 78 percent over the trial period.
As Norml.org points out, researchers also reported declines in subjects’ use of prescription anti-depressants, benzodiazepines, and anti-seizure medications.
“Study subjects also reported improvements in their overall quality of life, including changes in their physical and psychological health, over the course of the trial,” according to the report.
“The high rate of cannabis use for chronic pain and the subsequent reductions in opioid use suggest that cannabis may play a harm reduction role in the opioid overdose crisis, potentially improving the quality of life of patients and overall public health,” the researchers concluded.
These findings are not a new discovery. It simply backs up a trove of research already published. In fact, TFTP has been reporting on it for years.
As TFTP previously reported, in a recently published study in a peer-reviewed journal, Melvin D. Livingston, Tracey E. Barnett, Chris Delcher, and Alexander C. Wagenaar, set out to see if any association existed between Colorado’s legalization of marijuana and opioid-related deaths in the state.
The researchers looked at all of the available data from the year 2000 to the year 2015. What they discovered may come as a shock to many. While the rest of the nation struggles with a burgeoning fatal opioid and heroin overdose crisis, the State of Colorado saw opioid deaths reduced while its population exploded.
It has long been stated that cannabis is a “gateway” drug, which leads users to experiment with other drugs, leading up to the most deadly, such as heroin. But the researchers in the study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that the availability of safe and legal cannabis actually reduced opiate deaths:
“Colorado’s legalization of recreational cannabis sales and use resulted in a 0.7 deaths per month…reduction in opioid-related deaths. This reduction represents a reversal of the upward trend in opioid-related deaths in Colorado.”
The researchers concluded, “Legalization of cannabis in Colorado was associated with short-term reductions in opioid-related deaths.”
It’s not just that study either. There were other studies showing that deaths from opioids plummet in states with legal cannabis and that 80 percent of cannabis users give up prescription pills. A Feb. 2017 study confirmed that opioid dependence and overdoses dropped significantly in medical cannabis states.
In January 2017, the National Academies of Science published an exhaustive review of the scientific literature and found that one of the most promising areas in medical cannabis is for the treatment of chronic pain.
As TFTP previously reported, an experimental study showed exactly how cannabis works to treat actual opioid addiction – by actually blocking the opioid reward in the brain.
“This study sought to determine whether the cannabis constituent cannabidiol attenuates the development of morphine reward in the conditioned place preference paradigm. Separate groups of mice received either saline or morphine in combination with one of four doses of cannabidiol using three sets of drug/no-drug conditioning trials. After drug-place conditioning, morphine mice displayed robust place preference that was attenuated by 10 mg/kg cannabidiol. Further, when administered alone, this dose of cannabidiol was void of rewarding and aversive properties. The finding that cannabidiol blocks opioid reward suggests that this compound may be useful in addiction treatment settings.”
Those who continue denying the evidence, while continuing to lock people in cages for a plant, will ultimately be judged by history. They will not be the heroes they claim to be now, however, they will be remembered as the ones responsible for mass incarceration, fostering the police state, and dealing a near-death blow to freedom.
About the Author
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world. Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project. Follow @MattAgorist on Twitter, Steemit, and now on Minds.
**This article (As Overdose Deaths Hit Record High, Study Shows Cannabis Significantly Reduces Opioid Use) was originally published at The Free Thought Project and is re-posted here with permission.**
Is CBD Right For Me? How To Find Out
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If you are like most people, you are starting to hear about cannabidiol (CBD) benefits and want to find out if it is right for you.
You have probably seen different endorsements by your favorite celebrities, athletes, and even a few famous businesspeople. When hearing or reading about these endorsements, you might think that there should be significant credence to this compound.
But of course, you are aware that not everything that works for others will work just as well for your mental distress or physical anguish. Sure, you are right to be skeptical over new products that you may not have had exposure to in the past.
A keen reader and worldly individual such as yourself may want to start your journey with some research and genuinely realize the benefits, what it is all about, and why it may matter to you. There is certainly quite a bit of information out there on CBD, or other types, like CBD shatter, that may not be very clear and contradictory.
Here is a simple but brief guide that will help you understand how CBD may be right for you.
Differentiate Between Marijuana and CBD
The very first question many beginners is if CBD and marijuana are the same. The answer is that they are quite different from each other. Individuals may turn to marijuana for the elevated sensation.
They might seek to alter their state of mind and experience a certain feeling of pleasure and joy with the THC compound found in cannabis.
The first aspect to realize is that CBD is not THC. It does not have any psychoactive properties and will not provide you with a high feeling.
CBD Is A Cannabinoid
Recall that the cannabis plant breaks down into several components. There is the marijuana component that comes with the elevating tetrahydrocannabinol compound (THC).
One can also notice another element of the plant. It is known as hemp. This hemp plant has many different uses in various industries ranging from clothing to the maritime segment.
The hemp component of the cannabis plant has had broad use for centuries now. Individuals realize that this component does not have any intoxication.
Both of these components will possess cannabinoids, but they do not have to contain THC. The type of cannabinoid gaining prominence is CBD because of its many therapeutic capabilities minus the high.
Now, you are aware that THC is responsible for bringing about an elevated feeling while CBD, a product that one extracts from hemp, will provide health benefits without the high.
What is A Cannabinoid?
Surprisingly, cannabinoids are chemical compounds that interact with specific receivers present in your system. These receivers pick up signals and release different signals that can control inflammation, mental state, hunger, and even pain modification.
Did you know that your body will create compounds similar to THC regularly? These chemicals are known as endocannabinoids and note the reason why cannabinoid receptors are present within the human system.
When one looks at the picture from that perspective, CBD can be right for you. It can serve as a supplement like multivitamins, or it can serve as something more that helps you increase your mood, minimize anxiety and depression, and provide more energy.
A few people may find that CBD can make them nauseous, if you fall into that category, after trying it several times, it may not be right for you. But the majority of people find that it can serve as a benefit to their lives.
5 Conditions for Which You Can Try CBD Oil
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In the past few years, federal marijuana control has slackened. Though this is mostly an issue states handle on their own, if you look across the country, you’ll see more regions where you can use pot recreationally. You can also legally purchase CBD products even in states where you can’t use cannabis freely.
There are definitely a multitude of CBD products available now, such as gummies, oils, balms, creams, etc. They vary in terms of their composition and cost. Doctors have started recommending them for all types of conditions, and many individuals report positive results.
Let’s look at some of the conditions for which you might use CBD oil.
Arthritis
If you want to look at CBD oil benefits, you can start with pain relief. As most people get older, they experience pain, either acute or chronic. It’s pretty much inevitable, as the body begins to break down the older you get.
You might start to feel some arthritis-related pain. You can get arthritis in:
Your hands
Your knees
Your elbows
Generally, people experience arthritis at any articulation point. It can be quite painful, and some people get it to the point where they can barely walk.
You can use over-the-counter pain meds for some relief, but you can also use CBD oil. You can rub it on your most painful areas multiple times each day, and it should help you get around easier.
Many people think about former soldiers having PTSD, but the reality is that lots of civilians deal with it too. Aside from the other reasons we mentioned, during the Covid-19 pandemic, many doctors and hospital workers are starting to show some of the signs. If they work in trauma wards, they are seeing people die from the coronavirus every day.
Any of these individuals can utilize CBD oil. They can rub it on their chest and breathe it in while lying quietly for a while. If they’ve got a spouse or partner, that individual can rub it on their backs. The afflicted person will likely feel much better if they get into this habit.
Insomnia
Some people deal with insomnia,and it can be very irritating. Most doctors feel that adult humans need 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
If you don’t get that one time, you’ll probably be fine, but if you keep missing sleep night after night, that’s no good. You might try using caffeine to prop yourself up, but at some point, your body is going to crash.
You can combat this with various ayurvedic treatments, such as melatonin, but you can also use CBD oil. Many individuals who try rubbing it on their bodies report that they sleep better and longer afterward. Like PTSD-afflicted individuals, you can start using it before bed, and you should see positive results quickly.
Anxiety or Depression Symptoms
2020 has been the year where more people are experiencing depression or anxiety than ever before. It has been a hellacious rollercoaster ride, with the pandemic, the presidential election, climate disasters, and mass layoffs and evictions.
With all of that going on, it’s not easy to stay in a positive mental place. You can talk to a therapist, but you can also use CBD oil. Many people who feel anxious or like they can’t get out of bed to face the day can use this cannabis-derived product, and it will make them manage the symptoms of anxiety.
Cancer Symptom Relief
Some doctors are also telling their cancer patients to use CBD oil. If you are going through a chemotherapy regimen, it can leave you feeling tired and weak. Some people can barely walk afterward.
Hopefully, it will have some positive effects, but in the meantime, you need something to help you with the recovery process. You can get a family member to give you a nice massage with CBD oil. In some cases, it even helps stimulate the appetite, which many people lose as they go through chemo.
As time passes, it seems likely we will see more CBD oil uses. It can help individuals of any age who have so many different maladies.
As scientists are better able to identify and isolate the different cannabinoids, we should see a widening cannabis-derived product array. So far, we’ve only scratched the surface.
Could This Common Herb Help Diabetes and Blood Pressure?
In studies, Indonesian bay leaves show the ability to reduce fasting blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes and to help lower blood pressure in pregnant women
Testing showed a bay leaf drink reduced uric acid levels linked to gout and it increased angiogenesis in an animal model potentially improving recovery after ischemic damage
The true bay leaf is also known as the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), while the leaves used in these tests were Indonesian bay leaves (Syzygium polyanthum). Most dried bay leaves in the U.S. are imported
Research on L. Nobilis showed improved wound healing and antiviral, analgesic, anticholinergic activities and more
Bay leaves are popularly used in pickling, marinating, and flavoring stews, soups, and stuffing. They come from the bay laurel tree native to Mediterranean countries. The leaves can be up to 3 inches long and are almond-shaped. You’ve likely seen cooking shows or read recipes that recommended adding a bay leaf to savory soups and stews but removing it before eating. As Serious Eats describes the bay leaf:1
“It’s understandable why you may think they’re optional. Bay leaf, by its very nature, plays second fiddle to other, more prominent flavors. But just as a grind of black pepper, some sautéed anchovies, or a softened leek might not be instantly recognizable in a stew, they add a layer of subtle background music for the stars of your dish to play over.”
Although the initial flavor is reminiscent of Vicks VapoRub, originating from the chemical eugenol that’s the largest compound in the bay leaf, the flavor changes after simmering for an hour or two and adds a complex profile that many people enjoy in their soups and sauces.
Biting into a bay leaf is unpleasant, which is why they’re left whole in the cooking and fished out before serving. You can find fresh and dried bay leaves at most grocery stores. For the most part, dried bay leaves are generally imported from the Mediterranean region, and fresh bay leaves are shipped from California.2 Although they’re both called bay leaves and used in nearly the same way, the plants are not directly related.
What Bay Leaf Is in Your Spice Rack?
The true bay leaf is also known as bay laurel and is a broadleaf evergreen tree native to Western Asia, Northern Africa, and southern Europe.3 The botanical name is Laurus nobilis and it can be grown as a houseplant.
However, you may have seen the leaves of other species commonly sold as bay leaves since the leaves are similar in morphology, aroma, and sometimes flavor.4 These substitutes include:5
Cinnamomum Tamala (Indian bay leaf)
Litsea glaucescens (Mexican bay leaf)
Pimenta racemosa (West Indian bay leaf)
Syzygium polyanthum (Indonesian bay leaf)
Umbellularia californica (Californian bay leaf)
While they look similar, the flavor and odor after cooking are not what you would expect from L. Nobilis. As the writer at Serious Eats describes, throwing a fresh bay leaf into a bechamel sauce resulted in something that “tasted like I’d tipped a bottle of cold medicine into it.”6
In a recent study, researchers compared the Laurus nobilis, commonly sold in Nigerian markets, against the leaves of Syzygium guineense (S.guineense) and Syzygium eucalyptoides (S. eucalyptoides) in search of a possible replacement for the bay laurel.7
The researchers used a commercial sample of Laurus nobilis as the gold standard and compared essential oils obtained through hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The largest constituents in L. Nobilis were eucalyptol, alpha-pinene, and camphene.
There were 75 compounds in L. Nobilis, 16 of which matched S. guineense essential oil, with six matching compounds in S. eucalyptoides. Syzygium guineense has historically been used in folklore medicine by people in African countries. The researchers included it to analyze the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the essential oil.
Syzygium eucalyptoides is native to Western Australia, where the fruit is eaten to help prevent cancer, fight asthma, and lower the risk of diabetes. The leaves, bark, and fruit of the Syzygium polyanthum plant have a variety of traditional uses, including to treat high blood pressure, gastritis, diarrhea, and skin diseases.
Bay Leaf Extract Lowers Fasting Blood Glucose Level
Past studies of Syzygium polyanthum demonstrated the ethanol extract of the essential oil had antioxidant activities and was safe for humans. In a study presented at the 6th International Conference on Public Health in Indonesia, researchers discussed their study in which they investigated the effects of the ethanol extract on fasting blood sugar in study participants with Type 2 diabetes.8
The pilot study used a randomized control trial design with a small sample size of eight individuals. Those receiving the intervention consumed 350 milligrams (mg) of the extract in capsule form once a day for 14 days. The control group took a placebo for the same time period.
Data were collected on the day before the intervention began and after the participants had taken the supplement for 14 days. Following the intervention, the fasting blood sugar in the group receiving the supplement was lower than in the control group.
The researchers believe the statistical nonsignificant difference was related to the small sample size in a pilot study and concluded the Syzygium polyanthum ethanol extract may be an effective means of lowering blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes.9
The results support an earlier animal study using a methanol extract of S. polyanthum testing for hypoglycemic activity. The researchers wrote that people with diabetes in Indonesia commonly included the leaf in traditional medicine to control blood sugar.10
The researchers evaluated the possible mechanisms through which the extract exerted the antihyperglycemic activity and found it inhibited the absorption of glucose from the intestines and increased the uptake in muscle tissue. A second animal study showed rats that received S. polyanthum extract had a 65.91% lower blood glucose than those in the control group.11
Bay Leaf and Soursop Help Lower Uric Acid Levels
In a study published in Scientific Reports, the researchers sought to investigate the potential bidirectional association between gout and Type 2 diabetes.12 They used data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, and concluded that the results suggested having an incident of gout is related to the development of diabetes in normal-weight individuals — yet those with diabetes had a lower risk of gout.
A second study also found people who developed gout had an increased risk of developing diabetes.13 Gout is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood that’s the result of increased production or decreased excretion.14 According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, nearly 4 million people in the U.S. have gout, which is a form of inflammatory arthritis.15
In an evaluation by the same organization, the researcher found treatment for gout exceeded $11,000 per patient each year, which is much higher than previous estimates.16 Researchers from Perintis Institute of Health Science in Indonesia sought to compare the effect of Indonesian bay leaf drink against soursop juice to reduce uric acid levels and thus impact on gout development.17
Soursop fruit is also called Graviola and is a creamy textured, strongly flavored fruit some compare to pineapple or strawberries.18 The researchers did a pretest and a post-test after intervention with 17 participants who drank the bay leaf drink and 17 who consumed soursop juice.
Although both groups had lower levels of uric acid at the end of the intervention, the researchers found those who consumed the soursop juice had a statistically greater reduction. However, bay leaves have been a traditional part of Ayurveda remedies in the treatment of gout, both in tea form and as an external application.19
Supplement Lowers Blood Pressure and Promotes Angiogenesis
Indonesian bay leaf (Syzygium polyanthum) also influences your vascular system. In one study from Indonesia published in 2020, the researchers evaluated the effect that bay leaf extract could have on vascular endothelial growth.20
They used an animal model in which acute coronary syndrome was surgically induced and the animals then treated with the bay leaf extract. On evaluation, the researchers found a significant expression of vascular endothelial growth factors in the treatment group as compared to the control group.
This led them to conclude bay leaf extract could have a potential effect on angiogenesis and act as an adjuvant treatment that may lead “to a better prognosis for reperfusion on ischemic tissue.”21 This has the potential to improve recovery after cardiovascular events that trigger tissue ischemia and damage.
A second recent study published in the International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology evaluated the effect Indonesian bay leaf may have on the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of pregnant women with high blood pressure.22
The researchers engaged 39 pregnant women and split them into 19 in the intervention group and 20 in the control group. The women in the intervention group were given 14 days of 80 mg of Indonesian bay leaf nanoparticles with 10 mg of nifedipine, while the control group received just the nifedipine.
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and control angina,23 and is prescribed in the treatment of high blood pressure in pregnancy.24 The data showed there was a greater decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the intervention group where the medication was augmented with bay leaf nanoparticles.
Multiple Health Effects Attributed to Laurus Nobilis
Many of these studies used Syzygium polyanthum extract, but other researchers have evaluated the health benefits of true bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) and found several successful pharmacological uses. Traditionally, the leaves have been used as antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory or antidiabetic remedies. Animal studies have also found L. Nobilis contributes to:25
Wound healing
Anticonvulsant activity
Analgesic capabilities
Antimutagenic processes
Immunostimulant capabilities
Antiviral uses
Anticholinergic action
Repellent qualities against the common mosquito
Antibacterial uses against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus intermedius
It’s important to know that when you buy bay leaves with the scientific term Laurus nobilis, you want it to be the genuine article and not some knock-off from an ornamental plant. They must be from the laurel tree, so shop for quality. While some herbs, when dried, become powdery and tasteless, bay leaves can be dried with very little change in the aromatic components.26
Bay leaves are a classic ingredient in savory sauces, and delicious on seafood, meats, and numerous vegetable dishes. One FYI: Due to the presence of a high concentration of eugenol, bay leaf oil (or bay oil) may be a skin and mucus membrane irritant. If you want your bay leaves to last, store them in the freezer, which is helpful if you want to buy them in bulk.
Chili peppers are a type of fruit in the nightshade family that’s associated with longer life by reducing the risk of all-cause mortality and heart- and cancer-related deaths
Scientists attribute the health benefits to capsaicin, the bioactive compound that triggers the sensation of heat in your mouth or on your skin; capsaicin is found in the seeds and inner white membrane
After analyzing the personality of people who enjoy the heat of the chili pepper, evidence shows some are drawn to spicy foods and may not be as sensitive to the heat as others
Health benefits associated with capsaicin include promoting long-term heart health, fighting the growth of cancer cells, pain relief, and weight loss
Researchers from Cleveland Clinic in Ohio reviewed health records of more than 570,000 people from four large studies and found, as compared to those who rarely or never ate chili peppers, that those who ate them on a regular basis reduced their risk of death from heart-related sources by 26%, from cancer by 23% and from all-cause mortality by 25%.1
This reduction in the potential risk of death is significant and could make an impact on the number of people with heart disease and cancer. An American Heart Association report released in January 2019 found 48%, or 121.5 million, adults in America had cardiovascular disease.2
The 2020 statistical update showed cardiovascular disease continues to be the No. 1 cause of death, accounting for 859,125 deaths in 2017 and claiming more lives every year than chronic lower respiratory disease and all forms of cancer combined.3
According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be an estimated 1.8 million people diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. and an estimated 606,520 people will die in 2020.4 The sheer number of people who may experience an impact on their longevity by making simple changes to their nutritional intake is overwhelming.
While chili peppers are not the answer for everyone, it is important to note that scientific evidence continues to mount supporting the hypothesis that you can take control of your health by making consistent changes in your lifestyle choices.
Chili Peppers May Extend Your Life
You may find chili peppers in your favorite Tex-Mex foods or Indian curry. Preliminary data presented at the American Heart Association virtual conference titled “Scientific Sessions 2020”5 suggest that those who regularly eat chili peppers could have a longer life.6
The researchers hypothesize this is a result of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and blood glucose mediating properties known to be present in chili peppers. Each of these factors may play a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer.
To reach this determination, the team analyzed 4,729 studies and included four large studies with health outcomes from China, the U.S., Iran, and Italy. They were surprised that past published studies demonstrated that regularly eating chili peppers could reduce the overall risk of all-cause mortality.
Senior author Dr. Bo Xu commented, “It highlights that dietary factors may play an important role in overall health.”7 Xu, a cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic, went on to say in a press release:8
“We were surprised to find that in these previously published studies, regular consumption of chili pepper was associated with an overall risk-reduction of all-cause, CVD (cardiovascular disease) and cancer mortality. The exact reasons and mechanisms that might explain our findings, though, are currently unknown.
Therefore, it is impossible to conclusively say that eating more chili pepper can prolong life and reduce deaths, especially from cardiovascular factors or cancer. More research, especially evidence from randomized controlled studies, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.”
Xu cautioned there were several limitations, including that the four studies only had limited information on health data and confounding factors that may have influenced the results. He also noted the amounts and types of chili pepper the participants ate during the studies were also different.9 The researchers are continuing to analyze the data and plan to publish the literature review.10
What’s the Secret Ingredient?
Capsaicin is the bioactive compound in chili peppers responsible for the hot and spicy kick,11 and the likely compound researchers named as a potential explanation for the benefits they found.12
Chili pepper is a fruit pod belonging to the nightshade (Solanaceae) family. Other members of the Solanaceae family include tomato, potato, eggplant, cayenne pepper, and paprika.13 The plant is a perennial shrub that grows up to 1 meter (3.2 feet) in height and is native to Central America.14
Capsaicin is concentrated in the seeds and the inner white membrane found when you cut the pod open. The plant produces capsaicin as a protection against fungal attack.15 Peppers with more capsaicin are spicier and hotter. While it’s colorless and odorless, it tricks your brain into perceiving heat where it touches your body.
This burning sensation is what you experience when you eat the peppers, as it is not a taste. Instead, the compound stimulates nerves that send two messages to the brain of warmth and intense stimulation. The burning sensation is a combination of these two messages.16
Although the benefits of foods that contain capsaicin are plentiful, as I discuss below, eating chili peppers is not a cure-all and some people cannot tolerate the compound or the flavor. As with many other things, too much of a good thing is not always a better thing. Eating too much capsaicin can trigger nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and a burning sensation in your gastrointestinal tract.17
The Capsaicin Connection
Many of the health benefits from chili peppers come from the compound capsaicin. There are hundreds of varieties of peppers that come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and degrees of hotness. How the heat is measured is based on the work of Wilbur Scoville in 1912. He developed a test to measure chili peppers’ pungency and heat that is now called Scoville heat units.18
Different factors can affect the perception of heat and the units are used to measure anything that’s made from chili peppers. Scoville’s first tests depended on a panel of taste testers and the units were based on how to dilute the pepper mixture must be before it lost the sensation of heat.
The test now uses high-performance liquid chromatography and measures the concentration of capsaicin in the product. The scale ranges from zero to 2.2 million. For example, the common bell pepper has zero Scoville heat units (SHU). Popular banana peppers range from zero to 500 SHU and Anaheim peppers can go as high as 2,500 SHU. Jalapeno peppers range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU and serrano peppers top out at 23,000 SHU.
If you’re looking for more heat, Komodo dragon peppers range from 1.4 million to 2.2 million SHU and the supreme hot chili pepper, the Carolina Reaper, is measured at 2.2 million-plus SHU. When scientists measure pure capsaicin, they find it contains 16 million SHU.
Capsaicin is the active ingredient used in self-defense pepper spray. The spray burns the skin on contact and has a SHU ranging from 2 million to 5.3 million, depending upon the brand. Yet, it’s this same compound chili makers use to create their spicy concoctions that have health benefits for those who partake regularly.
In the 1980s Paul Rozin, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, studied chili and the people who ate it, describing a form of “benign masochism.”19 The term was used to describe how some people enjoy negative emotions when there is no real threat to their safety, like riding a roller coaster or watching a scary movie.
Later, another team of researchers from Penn State set out to discover if there were personality traits that drew some people to love spicy foods and found those who liked the burn weren’t as sensitive to the heat.20
“They don’t rate it as intense. And again we’re not sure if that means that biologically they’re not getting as much of a response, or if they’re desensitized, or if they are the type of person who went skydiving the day before, so the burn of capsaicin in relation to the rush of adrenalin doesn’t rate that high.
We expected the sensation-seekers to rate spicy meals higher, for example, and they did. But there was variation in their responses depending on the type of spicy meal. Some people like Asian cooking — which may include capsaicin but has other chemesthetic ingredients, too, like ginger and Wasabi — yet they don’t like chili barbecue. Why do they like one type of spicy and not another?”
Adding Ginger Boosts Anticancer Activity
Capsaicin has been studied extensively and it may surprise you how many health benefits have been associated with the compound. For instance, capsaicin may help promote long-term heart health. In one animal study involving rodents with high blood pressure, the animals experienced relief after eating food mixed with capsaicin.21
The researchers suggested the compound activated the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which contributes to vasorelaxation and lowered blood pressure. Capsaicin may also help promote healthy functioning of the digestive tract.
In one study researchers suggested capsaicin could be a gastroprotective agent in those with Helicobacter pylori mucosal damage or who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).22 Capsaicin may participate in the fight against cancer by attacking cancer cell growth.23
The results of one study presented at the 2019 Experimental Biology meeting in Orlando, Florida, showed capsaicin could reduce metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma, which is the majority of all non-small cell lung cancers.24
While it can act on its own, in combination with 6-gingerol, a compound found in raw ginger root, evidence shows it has greater potential. In one animal study using mice prone to lung cancer, researchers found that when fed a combination of capsaicin and 6-gingerol, they had a reduced risk of lung cancer.25
While under observation, all the mice that received capsaicin developed lung tumors; half the mice that received 6-gingerol developed lung tumors, but only 20% of the mice given the combination developed cancer.
Capsaicin Plays a Role in Pain Relief and Weight Loss
Capsaicin plays a role in pain relief, in part by depleting your body’s supply of substance P. This is a chemical component of nerve cells involved in transmitting pain signals to your brain. Capsaicin also works by desensitizing sensory receptors in your skin.26
That’s why capsaicin is used in topical creams and patches, which deliver an intense burning sensation that ultimately relieves pain. In one case study, scientists acknowledged that capsaicin was most often analyzed for relieving postherpetic neuralgia after shingles and in HIV-associated neuropathy.27
In an effort to determine if it had efficacy in other forms of neuropathic pain, capsaicin was used in a man who had persistent wound pain after a bomb explosion. He experienced an 80% reduction in symptoms after using a capsaicin patch.
The compound also may play a role in weight loss when added to your diet. In a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, participants were given 10 grams of red pepper during a meal.28
After eating, the researchers monitored the participants’ energy expenditure and learned that chili peppers increased carbohydrate oxidation for as much as 150 minutes after the meal. Scientists found your body can burn an extra 50 calories per day when you consume capsaicin regularly and:29
“… would produce clinically significant levels of weight loss in 1-2 years. While capsaicinoids are not a magic bullet for weight loss, the evidence is that they could play a beneficial role, as part of a weight management program.”
Several studies have demonstrated that capsaicin may help reduce hunger as well.30,31 According to a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition, including capsaicin during the meal had no effect on satiety but did reduce the production of ghrelin, the hormone responsible for triggering hunger, within 15 minutes after the meal.32
In another study, after 12 weeks of supplementation, participants were found to eat less and had a reduction in their waist-to-hip ratio.33 While not a magic bullet, chili peppers may be one weapon you can add to your arsenal of healthy food and lifestyle choices that help you take control of your health.
Kids Consuming CBD, an Explanatory!
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CBD, which is short for cannabidiol, is a drug derived from hemp. It is commercially available in various ways, from liquid to chewable gums. It has become very common as a therapy for several disorders, including those that exist in infants.
CBD isn’t going to get you high. While CBD is generally obtained without a prescription, Epidiolex, a drug made from CBD, is available on a prescription from your doctor. Epidiolex is recommended for two severe, unusual types of epilepsy in children: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Parents also use commercially produced CBD to treat such disorders in infants, such as anxiety and hyperactivity. Caregivers can also use it for children on the autism spectrum to help to alleviate those autism symptoms. CBD has not been thoroughly tested for safety or efficacy. While there is promising research on CBD, particularly for seizure control, much is still not known about it.
What’s CBD oil?
CBD is a chemical component in both marijuana (Cannabis sativa) plants and hemp plants. The molecular composition of CBD is the same after it has been removed from any plant. However, there are variations between the two. One of the key differences between hemp and Cannabis sativa is the amount of resin they produce. Hemp is a low-resin plant, and it is a high-resin plant. Much CBD is present in plant resin. Resin also includes tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical compound that gives marijuana its intoxicating effects. There is much more THC in marijuana than there is in hemp. The CBD extracted from marijuana plants may or may not have THC in it. This is also true to hemp-derived CBD, though to a lesser degree. In order to prevent providing THC to the children, please try to separate CBD rather than full-spectrum CBD, whether it is hemp-derived or marijuana-derived. But rather than Epidiolex, which is a prescription drug, there is no way to be positive.
Best CBD Oil & Gummies for Kids
CBD-infused gummies are the easiest way to use CBD for infants. They have consistent, accurate doses of non-psychoactive CBD clothed in a tasty gummy candy. Look for gums that contain either 5 or 10 mg each and split them into smaller doses as required. Just like the gum vitamins, make sure you store them out of your children’s reach!
CBD oils are still a safe choice to use with infants, just make sure you use anything on the lower end of the potency spectrum (less than 500 mg).
Is CBD going to make my child high?
This is the first question most parents ask before they plan to give CBD to their children. The response to this question is a resounding no—as long as the THC content of the substance selected is below 0.3 percent. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive component in the cannabis plant. It is the compound responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana.
CBD is different—it has no psychoactive effect. These two cannabinoids are similar in many ways, but there is a crucial distinction in how they interact with the body. THC stimulates a set of brain receptors (CB1 receptors) that initiate the release of a serotonin cascade in the brain—a high production. The CBD does not activate these receptors. Instead, it acts by supporting cannabinoids already existing in the body—it does not create any psychoactivity.
Is it legal to give children CBD?
Recreational cannabis products containing more than 0.3 percent THC are not suitable for minors. In fact, providing THC-containing items to children is absolutely unlawful.
However, as we mentioned, CBD has no intoxicating influence. It is regarded as a dietary supplement in the United States. Most countries around the world consider CBD to be the same degree. Modern extraction methods enable producers to strip THC from their finished products—allowing children to obtain it safely and lawfully. That said it is best to contact your child’s doctor before you send them CBD.
When should I consider giving my child a CBD?
Many parents use CBD to help their child cope with insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy, and pain—but there are many other opportunities to use the supplement.
Relieving or avoiding nausea before driving a long car (it doesn’t work for all children)
Alternative pain treatment for minor pain (more serious pain should be managed with the most suitable options available)
To ease anxiety in nervous or autistic children
Supporting a full night’s sleep in children with insomnia (nightmares is a common cause)
To relieve the effects of such epileptic disorders (Dravet Syndrome)
Relax the lungs and chest muscles to assist with coughing.
To treat inflammation associated with autoimmune disease
These are only a few examples, there are several other explanations for using CBD goods with infants. Read more about CBD’s health effects.
Disclaimer: Content from the ConsciousLifeNews.com website and blog is not intended to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on this website is intended for general consumer understanding and is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. As health and nutrition research continuously evolves, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information presented on this website.
The Cost of CBD Oil vs Other Pain Relief Treatments
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Physical pain; be it from physical impact, tissue damage or regular body aches can be the source of immense frustration. As such, analgesics are as common in the U.S and other parts of the world. Statistics actually show that in developed countries, over 10% of adults use one or more prescription pain medications in a month for regular and chronic pain.
CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant as CBD and mixed with natural oils such as coconut oil. Today, CBD oil is quickly gaining precedence in the health and wellness industry in reducing inflammation and treating both anxiety and depression.
Perhaps most noteworthy, CBD has been particularly effective in helping cancer patients as well as alleviating neuropathic pain; one of the most difficult pains to treat.
Great right? Well, arguable in truth. The greatest controversy surrounding CBD oils is their high prices. Click here let’s take a deeper look.
The Cost of CBD Oil for Pain Relief
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like naproxen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen cost between $5 to $10 for 100 pills. The price of generic OTC drugs is even lower, going as low as $2.
Many users, therefore, complain that they are too expensive, while others believe that they are worth every dollar. A mere 30ml (1 ounce) bottle of CBD oil could cost anywhere from $30 to over $200.
This price variation stems from several factors like 3rd party testing, amount of CBD, and so on. To understand why these oils are more expensive than other pain relievers, here are some of the factors that determine the cost of CBD oils.
Factors That Influence the Cost of CBD Oil
1. The Type of Hemp Plant in Use and Its Availability
Since CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, the price of CBD oils is determined by the origin of the plant and its availability. It is a rare commodity in some countries thus increasing the price of the end product. The largest CBD companies source their raw material from large domestic hemp farms making their prices a bit friendlier.
2. Natural or Synthetic?
Some hemp plants are natural while others are synthetic. Since the synthetic plant is more expensive to grow, CBD oil extracted from it tends to be pricey. That said, depending on the type of hemp plant used, the price of the end product varies.
3. Amount of Third-Party Testing Costs
Before CBD oils are released into the market, they have to undergo thorough testing by a third party to certify that they are safe to use. This is a requirement for all products extracted from the hemp plant. As a result, third-party testing imposes extra costs on CBD oil.
4. Premium Ingredients Included in the Manufacturing Process
CBD oil products contain additional ingredients such as organic coconut oil and natural flavors. This natural approach to treatment renders them a much healthier option, making them more costly.
CBD Oils as the Ultimate Choice
People have sought all kinds of pain relief mechanisms to end their discomfort. To that venture, CBD oil has emerged as a natural and effective method of relieving pain.
The quality of CBD oils and their efficacy in pain relief surpasses just about all alternatives in the market. Better yet, apart from physical pain relief, they can be used to reduce acne, anxiety, and depression. As such, these oils are worth every penny.
Essential Tips on How to Identify the Best CBD Product
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CBD is now finding its way into the healthcare field. Different studies have shown that CBD has medicinal values and can help cure some threatening health challenges. Some of the health challenges that CBD can solve are; stress, anxiety, depression, cancer, diabetes, and others. To get the best result, you also need to choose the best quality product to tackle your problem. Here are the crucial tips to consider in identifying the best quality CBD product:
Company Transparency
There are some companies out there that sell CBD products without being concerned about their customers. Some companies use shoddy methods of extraction by using cheap and toxic chemicals when extracting the CBD oil. Looking for a transparent company on its way of extraction and its source is significant since you will be able to be confident in the quality of the product they produce. Looking for a transparent CBD wholesale distributor company is also very important since you will be able to know if the products are from a reliable source or not. You also need to check the label if the company is transparent enough to include the third-party lab test. A third-party lab test is essential to look at since it is done by an independent body, ensuring the right quality product.
The THC Level
The THC substance is found in both marijuana and hemp. This is the substance that is known for producing a psychoactive effect. The reason why hemp is mostly preferred over marijuana during the extraction of CBD oil is the amount of THC level present in both of them. Hemp is considered to have a low level of THC compared to marijuana. The best product to select is the one that has got zero percent of THC. When looking at the THC level, the extraction method is also important here since there are other methods such as the isolation method that lives no traces of THC. In contrast, others such as the whole plant will ensure that other hemp contents are available in the product.
The Method of Extraction
Before you buy any CBD product, you need first to look at the manufactures method of extraction. Some companies use an unscrupulous extraction method, for instance, the usage of harmful chemicals such as propane, butane, pentane, and hexane when extracting the CBD oil from the plant. The best way of removing the CBD oil is by the use of Ethanol or carbon dioxide. The most common method of extraction is ethanol extraction, where Ethanol is used as a solvent. It is considered to be one of the safest ways of extracting CBD oil. In carbon dioxide extraction, it is used as a solvent under pressure in a frigid environment.
The CBD Source
Like any other manufactured product, you need to have suitable quality materials to ensure that you have the right quality product. Therefore, CBD’s source goes down from the CBD wholesale distributor to the country where it came from to the farm where the hem was planted and produced. Plants usually absorb what is on the soil. A good quality soil will ensure profitable quality hemp growth and production. Looking for farmers who use the best planting method and the best planning materials is excellent and will help you get the best CBD products.
