 What is Toxic Mold?Unfortunately, mold problems are not unusual in the home, and the shower is a classic location to find black mold flourishing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, molds in general are very common in homes and buildings and they can grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture. Toxic mold exposure and the ensuing poisoning can cause a wide range of health problems. Symptoms are actually really serious. I want to note that according to the CDC, the term “toxic mold” is not accurate. However, it does admit that molds (like black mold) can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins) that are toxic or poisonous. So maybe we should call it toxin-producing black mold. Really this is just semantics - it creates toxic harm in your body, so toxic seems accurate. There are many common black/toxic mold symptoms including:
Symptoms can also include nausea, vomiting, as well as bleeding in the nose and lungs. Studies have also linked household mold exposure to depression and anxiety. The extent of toxic mold symptoms depends upon the number of spores inhaled and the duration of exposure. Black mold easily causes mold allergy symptoms, and symptoms likely persist until you get rid of the the black mold. Sometimes people don’t realize the health problems they’re having are actually black mold symptoms. Mold is not something to ignore because it only gets worse the longer you ignore it. Read about mold removal HERE. The rest of this article deals with the healing & aftermath after removal.  Cleansing the BodyProbiotics: Mold's Worst Nightmare Probably the most important supplement for recovering from mold-induced illness is a good probiotic. Your gastrointestinal tract is your first line of defense against mold and its toxins, and having a GI tract populated with beneficial flora is crucial for optimal immune function. Probiotics help repopulate your GI tract with these beneficial bacteria. The "good" bacteria help keep the "bad" bacteria (and other organisms like mold and yeast) in check. This is why, as discussed earlier, antibiotics are so counterproductive if you have a fungal infection. Without the proper microflora, fungi and their toxins can break through the walls of your intestinal tract and enter your bloodstream. When your bowel is toxic, the rest of your body soon follows. Sensing this toxicity, your immune system reacts with a vengeance, trying desperately to overcome this perceived assault, which results in systemic inflammation. And when your blood is full of toxins, your organs responsible for cleansing it (liver, kidneys, skin, lymph) become overloaded and multi-system health problems can occur—which is what many people experience after mold poisoning. Your immune system produces antibodies to the mold (the antigen). If your overload is severe enough, you can experience "serum sickness," which can appear as a severe, unrelenting flu-like syndrome. The worst cases can take years to resolve unless aggressive action is taken. RECOMMENDATION: Life9 Probiotic A healthy gut is SO important to overall health. Foods like sauerkraut and fermented foods offer this gut support. These probiotics help by introducing live bacteria and yeast to balance and create healthy gut flora so your gut can do all the amazing things it is supposed to do. This unique probiotic combines 17 billion live cultures from nine beneficial bacteria strains. It helps promote healthy digestion, supports gut health, and helps maintain normal intestinal function for the overall support of a healthy immune system. Life 9 is designed with targeted-release capsules, a dual-sorbent desiccant, and a special bottle and cap to ensure that your Life 9 stays fresh and effective. Activated Charcoal Activated charcoal can be taken as a supplement for mold cleansing. Most people don’t think about mold living in their bodies, but it can, and activated charcoal is a potent natural treatment. It traps toxins in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so the body doesn’t reabsorb them. Activated charcoal is made from a variety of sources, but when used for natural healing, it’s important to select activated charcoal made from coconut shells or other natural sources. Garlic Garlic is a potent antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, immune system stimulant, and detoxification agent. Garlic also helps clean out the respiratory tract. The best form is raw, whole garlic, rather than a supplement derived from garlic, as it is the synergism of the whole food that makes it so clinically active. Eat the cloves whole, or run them through your juicer alongside your veggies. Omega-3 Omega-3 fats are also very important. Omega-3 is one of the most important essential nutrients out there. Three recent studies even found that omega-3 deficiency can cause or contribute to serious health problems, both mental and physical, and may be a significant underlying factor of up to 96,000 premature deaths each year. RECOMMENDATION: OmegaGize3 OmegaGize 3 is going to help you get those fatty acids and so much more. This offers a combination of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D-3, and CoQ10 (ubiquinone, great to support your brain and memory) combined with DHA fish oil and a blend of essential oils, all of which support brain, heart, eye, and joint health. Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA are strongly linked to improved cardiovascular health. OmegaGize3 contains also the following essential oils (supporting the body while improving bioavailability):
 Therapeutic Essential Oils + MoldPlants not only play a vital role in the ecological balance of our planet, but they have also been intimately linked to the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of mankind since the beginning of time. From cleansing to supporting every system of the body, pure therapeutic essential oils can provide one of the targeted solutions to restore balance and feel your best. Boosting the immune system natural allows it to grow stronger and fight off major illness. Targeted essential oils for the problem of toxic mold: 🌱Oregano / Vitality Oregano Oregano essential oil is one of the most potent essential oils. This oil has been used for centuries for cleansing and immune-enhancing benefits. Oregano essential oil, along with cinnamon, thyme, and cumin oils inhibited the production of aflatoxin by aspergillus fungus. Oregano oil is a wonderful purifying agent and immune booster. NOTE: The therapeutic oils mentioned are to support the body & immune system cleanse and heal from exposure. In addition, there are dozens of oils that will help alleviate the discomfort from any symptoms you may be facing while you are healing (headache, sore joints/muscles, sleeplessness, anxiety, sadness, etc). The Premium Starter Kit (mentioned below) has oils that target each of these. 🌱Thyme / Vitality Thyme Thyme essential oil is one of the primary oils suggested for mold. Thyme has been used for everything from Candida albicans to people struggling with mold infections. Thyme is a powerhouse of an oil. This oil can also have a cleansing and purifying effect for the skin. 🌱Cinnamon Bark / Vitality Cinnamon Bark Cinnamon oil has been shown to be one of the strongest oils for use in battling mold. In a test done on four essential oils, cinnamon showed the best inhibitory effect against mold growing on food. Wax papers with a 6% solution of cinnamon oil used on breads constrained mold growth by 96%. Another study by the International Journal of Food Microbiology showed that a combination of essential oils, including cinnamon bark oil, suppressed bacterial growth for 60 days. The study suggests that cinnamon oil could be considered an alternative to other food preservatives. This essential oil contains strong cleansing and immune enhancing properties as well. 🌱Ginger / Vitality Ginger Ginger is also an antifungal and antibacterial. It helps dislodge congestion in your respiratory tract, and is also a great digestive aid. Ginger essential oil also makes a great addition to fresh juice or tea. 🌱Clove / Vitality Clove Clove essential oil is great for dealing with fungal growth. Clove is a powerful antioxidant that can help ward off free radicals and maintain a healthy immune system. Cloves are derived from an evergreen tree native to Indonesia. The flower buds are often used as a spice. The essential oil of clove has been used medicinally in Chinese and Indian medicine and herbalism as a painkiller for dentistry. The famous Aspergillus niger (also known as black mold) is especially sensitive to clove oil. This suggests promising effectiveness in cleaning molds on hard (non-porous) surfaces. Cloves have been shown to put an end to Candida growth in the mouth and intestine. A study found that clove “had a fast killing effect on yeast cells.” 🌱Tea Tree Another helpful essential oil, this oil can be an effective source for naturally treating small mold issues on surfaces and fabrics. Tea tree essential oil is a powerful natural anti-fungal that is often used in nontoxic cleaning solutions, and can also be beneficial in dealing with mold and mildew smells. If you need to kill mold or mildew on clothing, or to eliminate a musty odor, simply add a few drops of tea tree oil & Thieves blend to the wash cycle. This will also help kill mildew buildup in the washer and can be used to rinse and refresh clothing that was left in the machine too long. If you have a small mold area to clean you can mix 1 tsp tea tree oil with 15 drops Thieves blend and 1 cup of water and put in a spray bottle. Once you have determined that the mold contamination is safe to clean yourself, you can spray this formula on the problem area, let it soak for awhile, and then carefully wipe clean. If you are cleaning a porous surface you may not want to dilute with water as this may feed the mold growth. Test a small area to make sure it does not damage the item. This should kill most spores and prevent the mold from returning. If you have a water issue or leak, you will want to make sure to get it fixed so that you do not have the same issue return. NOTE: These are not the only therapeutic essential oils that will support your overall healing and immune system. While this list is the perfect place to start, many oils (as long as they are non-GMO, hyper-organic, and directly from the farm) can support your body. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations of blends and singles based on your specific needs and symptoms. As always, contact the ApothecaryMama for support and recommendations or to purchase the world’s purest oils & supplements mentioned in this article).  EO Detox + CleanseIn addition to diffusing (aromatic) and topical use of the previously mentioned essential oils, ingesting therapeutic essential oils with numerous benefits can support the body to cleanse, heal & boost your immune system. In an empty capsule (gelatin or vegetarian is fie) add the following:
Take this 2-3x daily for at least 90 days, reduce to daily until all symptoms have abated for an additional 90 days. Periodic use of this blend will help boost immune system and cannot cause any contraindications or harm. That’s the beauty of the world’s purest oils! Because the function of the liver is so key to overall health and healing, you may also consider the Cleansing Trio Kit. The Cleansing Trio Kit contains the products you need to begin improving your health through cleansing your system and eliminating waste by specifically supporting normal liver function. Augmented with herbs that are rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, fiber, and essential oils, the Cleansing Trio will give you new energy and an improved sense of well-being. Kit includes: Essentialzyme, ComforTone, and ICP.  Diet + NutritionCutting Off the Fungal Food Supply One of the most beneficial interventions in recovery is a radical change in diet. Cut out every food that fuels fungal growth—namely, sugars, grains and grain-based foods, and simple carbohydrates. By eliminating milk, bread, crackers, pasta, cereal, nearly all fruit, and anything made from refined white flour, you literally STARVE the mold out of your bodies. Fungi, including yeast and molds, need sugar in order to survive. So what you eat really matters, since any organism living in your body depends on your diet to sustain it. Fungi will thrive on a diet high in fructose, sucrose (table sugar), lactose (milk sugar) and other sugars. This is not new information. Low sugar diets have been popularized in the battle against Candida overgrowth (Anti-yeast diet, Candida Diet, etc.), and mold thrives in similar conditions as yeast. It makes perfect sense that people with fungal infections begin to regain their health when they begin taking away the fungus' food supply. Sugar also suppresses your immune system and commonly contains mold contamination itself, which are two good reasons to avoid it. But cutting out sugar and grains may not go far enough. Top 10 Foods to Avoid if You Have Mold Sensitivity/Exposure People who have been exposed to toxic mold can become "sensitized" in such a way that they react to a variety of different agents in their food and environment, as if they are allergic to them. It may take only a very minute exposure to trigger a major recurrence of symptoms. So you must take steps to make your environment as mold-free as humanly possible—so that you're not breathing fungi or eating fungi. There are several types of food that should be avoided if you are mold-sensitive because they are subject to mold contamination. In their book, the Billings include a list of the top-ten mycotoxic foods, compiled by David A. Holland, MD and Doug Kaufmann, which I'm including for you below. As you can see, many of those top-ten foods are grains.  Basically, the closer you stick to a basic diet of fresh organic vegetables, lean organic meats, and fresh, pure water while recovering, the less risk you'll have of additional mold exposure and reactions. It's wise to avoid eating out because you just can't control what is put into your food unless you prepare it yourself. You have to go beyond being a good label reader and become a "food detective." You may want to do some vegetable juicing to accelerate your healing. Juicing helps alkalize your body, and for the most part, fungi can't grow in an alkaline environment. Juices assimilate very quickly into your system with very little effort or energy by your digestive tract—like an intravenous infusion of whole food nutrition! Juices should be consumed immediately after being juiced (within 15 minutes is best) as the enzymes degrade rapidly thereafter. NOTE: Young Living supplements with digestive enzymes can really help support cleansing & healing. Support + Creating a PlanLiving an authentic healthy lifestyle requires commitment - healing from an illness, recovering from addiction, or cleansing from toxic exposure requires a commitment & dedication above and beyond general wellness. BUT IT CAN AND WILL WORK! If you work for it. Often those suffering with illness, especially when it is something misunderstood by the limited conventional medical way of thinking (ie. Mold exposure, fibromyalgia, depression etc), there comes a feeling of isolation and despair. Along with the physical systems, which are quite real and devastating, your peace of mind and hopefulness may have been dampened. If you take away anything from this collaboration of information let it be that you are not alone. There is hope, there is a way, and you can be happier + healthier NOW. Support here is always freely given regardless of your circumstances. Please do not hesitate with any questions you have, help with acquiring the therapeutic essential oils & supplements mentioned (at a 24% discount) or simply one-on-one coaching to create your individual healing protocols.  Get your Premium Starter Kit with many of the oils mentioned in this article, plus a free air-purifying ultrasonic diffuser HERE. With your starter kit you also get wholesale discount pricing on all supplements mentioned in this article. Activated Charcoal we recommend can be purchased HERE. Disclaimer HERE.
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 Did you realize that all the things you are already buying, like toothpaste, laundry soap, hand soap, lotion, cough drops, supplements, granola bars, pancake mix, vitamins, skincare... Young Living MAKES THOSE! Except they are way healthier for you, filled with the GOOD stuff, safe ingredients - the ones you can pronounce - all while you could be saving money AND getting other products you want to try for FREE. We call this transfer buying, because no need to spend MORE money- you are just spending it in a different place- on the things that are way better for you and your family. (So simple and smart!) Transfer buying is for EVERYONE. It's making the choice to do better, now that ya know better (cause now ya know!) Of all the health changes to make- this is the MOST IMPORTANT- Kick “fragrance” to the curb When you see ‘fragrance’ on a personal care product's label, just read it as ‘hidden chemicals.’ Why should you care? This is a major loophole in the FDA's federal law that allows manufacturers to include nearly ANY ingredient (even toxic ones) in their products under the name ‘fragrance’ without ACTUALLY LISTING the chemical. ‹‹‹— just keep re-reading that until it sinks in. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. Scary fact: Many ingredients in "Fragrances" are KNOWN carcinogens as well as endocrine and reproductive disrupters (decreased sperm counts, birth defects, hormone disruption) and these 'fragrances' may also contribute to kidney and liver damage. Oh, and are you or your child an asthma sufferer? You just might wanna google the link between asthma and synthetic fragrance. We all just want the best for our families, and this kind of deception makes me so sad for the millions of men and women who think they are buying safe "clean" products and emptying their pockets to do so! Let's ditch and switch them now- and opt for a safe, clean, plant based product that shows up at your door monthly. What’s next on your “get out of my house” list?  Grief, a short word to describe an abyss of emotions. A deep excruciating pain, deep in the pit of your stomach. A void deep inside that nothing can seem to fill up. Going to sleep hoping that when you wake up, this devastating event would have just been a really bad dream. Yes, losing someone dear to us can conjure all these emotions and much, much more. It is something we will all face in our life. Some more than others, some more intense than others - but no one is immune to this sometimes overwhelming emotional experience we call grief. Some may have only experienced grief losing a pet - others with a parent, child or close friend/loved one. The emotion comes regardless of whom we lost and can manifest in different ways, but we all face this darkness. It is the opposite side to love and feels so BIG because we love so deeply. Life right? There is no magical trick to reliving grief, it must be fully felt and gone through to heal. Numbing with mind altering substances (prescription meds, alcohol, non-scrip drugs etc) or avoidance behaviors does not alleviate grief, it postpones and morphs it into something destructive. Anger, addiction and despair can take over our spirit when we try to run from the pain. Trust me. Allowing the feelings to fully express in order to pass through is the only healthy way to survive, thrive and build character able to find the purpose and joy in life after a deep loss. But there are things you can do to lovingly support your mind, body and spirit to pass through the experience of grief to come out the other side in a healthy way. Aromatherapy is one of the effective methods you can use to great effect in supporting your body and mind moving through grief and its related emotions like sadness, helplessness, anger, regret, remorse, and frustration. AROMATHERAPY SUPPORT FOR GRIEF When there is grief, not only are we *feeling* the pain, but our body goes through an intense process. When we feel stalled in the process of grief, we don’t move forward and our inertia often manifests in muscle and joint aches, sleeplessness, anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, reduced immune function, the adenoids and the adrenal glands shut down; and more. Essential oils have properties to support our body & spirit go through these processes in a healthy way. Use the essential oils & blends we use in everyday life for these physical manifestations: Digestive issues - DiGize, lemon, ginger, fennel, peppermint, TummyGize (supplement: Allerzyme, Comfortone, Essentialzyme, Digest+Cleanse) Headache - tension: lavender, marjoram, roman chamomile, MGrain; migraine: MGrain, peppermint, lavender, frankincense (supplement: Cortistop, Master Formula, Ninxia Red & Nitro) Sleeplessness - lavender, Peace&Calming, cedarwood, marjoram, vetiver, patchouli, roman chamomile, valerian (supplement: Sleepessence) ProTip: A restful night’s sleep is the foundation on which all emotional healing is based, do not let this go unsupported. Nightmares/Interrupted sleep - Dreamcatcher, Surrender, lavender, orange, bergamot, Sleepyize, vetiver, valerian, sandalwood (sacred or RH) Immune Boosting - Thieves, Purification, oregano, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon bark, frankincense, lemon (supplement: InnerDefense, SuperC, ImmuPower)  STAGES OF GRIEF & CORRESPONDING ESSENTIAL OILS These stages don’t necessarily occur in the order listed nor in a clear cut fashion. Shock & denial can be interwoven with bargaining with God. Depression can be immersed with anger and guilt. You may skip a stage, get stuck in some, or zoom through after the initial pain and get to the healing. These are simply to help you understand and therefore not judge, the many things you will most likely feel and experience. No matter what, you must let yourself go through each without suppression and hopefully without judgment (easy advice for me to give, been hard to follow). The intensity of your emotions in each stage is the expression of your intense love. You cannot grieve if you did not first love deeply. Give yourself grace. Note: You will notice overlap and repetition in oil suggestions. Given grief is never clear cut in its stages, your aromatherapy support will as well. As with all therapeutic essential oil usage, remember to use what works for you. Play around with singes and blends, topical and aromatic usage until you get the right fit. Use suggested singles to make a blended roller or combine in the diffuser. Start with a few drops of 3-7 oils suggested and see how you feel. Your needs may change daily - and that’s okay. SHOCK & DENIAL Denial is the first of the five stages of grief. It helps us to survive the loss. In this stage, the world becomes meaningless and overwhelming. Life makes no sense. We are in a state of shock and denial. We go numb. We wonder how we can go on, if we can go on, why we should go on. We try to find a way to simply get through each day. Denial and shock help us to cope and make survival possible. Denial helps us to pace our feelings of grief. There is a grace in denial. It is nature’s way of letting in only as much as we can handle. EO’s - SARA, Journey On, RuTaVala, Trauma Life, Joy, White Angelica, orange, melissa, marjoram, frankincense, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood (sacred or RH), bergamot, roman chamomile, jasmine, lavender GUILT & ANGER Anger is a necessary stage of the healing process. Be willing to feel your anger, even though it may seem endless. The more you truly feel it, the more it will begin to dissipate and the more you will heal. There are many other emotions under the anger and you will get to them in time, but anger is the emotion we are most used to managing. The truth is that anger has no limits. It can extend not only to your friends, the doctors, your family, yourself and your loved one who died, but also to God. You may ask, “Where is God in this? Underneath anger is pain, your pain. Anger at yourself can manifest as guilt. Guilt you weren’t enough, didn’t say I love you enough, didn’t protect the loved one, or in the case of miscarriage - guilt your body failed. It is natural to feel deserted and abandoned, but we live in a society that fears anger. Anger is strength and it can be an anchor, giving temporary structure to the nothingness of loss. EO’s - Forgiveness, Acceptance, InnerChild, Joy, Journey On, White Angelica, Peace&Calming, Tranquil, Valor, vetiver, orange, roman chamomile, rose, neroli, cardamon, ylang ylang, myrrh, palo santo, pettigrain DIALOGUE & BARGAINING Before a loss, it seems like you will do anything if only your loved one would be spared. “Please God, ” you bargain, “I will never be angry at my wife again if you’ll just let her live.” After a loss, bargaining may take the form of a temporary truce. “What if I devote the rest of my life to helping others. Then can I wake up and realize this has all been a bad dream?” We become lost in a maze of “If only…” or “What if…” statements. We want life returned to what is was; we want our loved one restored. We want to go back in time: find the tumor sooner, recognize the illness more quickly, stop the accident from happening…if only, if only, if only. Guilt is often bargaining’s companion. The “if onlys” cause us to find fault in ourselves and what we “think” we could have done differently. We may even bargain with the pain. We will do anything not to feel the pain of this loss. We remain in the past, trying to negotiate our way out of the hurt. People often think of the stages as lasting weeks or months. They forget that the stages are responses to feelings that can last for minutes or hours as we flip in and out of one and then another. We do not enter and leave each individual stage in a linear fashion. We may feel one, then another and back again to the first one. EO’s - Valor, Acceptance, Journey On, Faith, Joy, Grounding, Release, Believe, Peace&Calming, orange, bergamot, sacred frankincense, frankincense, coriander, Northern Lights Black Spruce, roman chamomile DEPRESSION After bargaining, our attention moves squarely into the present. Empty feelings present themselves, and grief enters our lives on a deeper level, deeper than we ever imagined. This depressive stage feels as though it will last forever. It’s important to understand that this depression is not a sign of mental illness. It is the appropriate response to a great loss. We withdraw from life, left in a fog of intense sadness, wondering, perhaps, if there is any point in going on alone? Why go on at all? Depression after a loss is too often seen as unnatural: a state to be fixed, something to snap out of. The first question to ask yourself is whether or not the situation you’re in is actually depressing. The loss of a loved one is a very depressing situation, and depression is a normal and appropriate response. To not experience depression after a loved one dies would be unusual. When a loss fully settles in your soul, the realization that your loved one didn’t get better this time and is not coming back is understandably depressing. If grief is a process of healing, then depression is one of the many necessary steps along the way. EO’s - Valor, Joy, Hope, Freedom, Journey On, Present Time, Joy, Release, Trauma Life, InnerChild, Surrender, rose, copaiba, sacred frankincense, Idaho Blue Spruce, vetiver, lavender, peppermint, palo Santo, valerian, clary sage ACCEPTANCE Acceptance is often confused with the notion of being “all right” or “OK” with what has happened. This is not the case. Most people don’t ever feel OK or all right about the loss of a loved one. This stage is about accepting the reality that our loved one is physically gone and recognizing that this new reality is the permanent reality. We will never like this reality or make it OK, but eventually we accept it. We learn to live with it. It is the new norm with which we must learn to live. We must try to live now in a world where our loved one is missing. In resisting this new norm, at first many people want to maintain life as it was before a loved one died. In time, through bits and pieces of acceptance, however, we see that we cannot maintain the past intact. It has been forever changed and we must readjust. We must learn to reorganize roles, re-assign them to others or take them on ourselves. Finding acceptance may be just having more good days than bad ones. As we begin to live again and enjoy our life, we often feel that in doing so, we are betraying our loved one. We can never replace what has been lost, but we can make new connections, new meaningful relationships, new inter-dependencies. Instead of denying our feelings, we listen to our needs; we move, we change, we grow, we evolve. EO’s - Acceptance, Clarity, Higher Unity, Joy, Journey On, Trauma Life, Present Time, lavender, spikenard, sacred frankincense, frankincense MEANING Grief is a reflection of the connection and love you felt for your loved one that still resides in your heart. You came here you loved. Every tear is an evidence of that love. And if you have a thousand tears to cry, you can’t stop at five hundred. Remembering and honoring our loved one to find hope and purpose in our life and theirs. This is an extension of acceptance, but a stage that many do not reach. Despair is a useless and silly emotion after grief because we cannot see the ‘bigger picture.’ If you hold that God can bring beauty and meaning to everything you’ve suffered and every tear you’ve shed - keep your heart open to finding the meaning in the loss so you can truly honor your loved one by living a life of joy, meaning and purpose. EO’s - Higher Unity, Joy, Journey On, Clarity, Live with Passion, Transformation, Envision, Joy, cardamon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, lavender, ylang ylang  WHAT PURE THERAPEUTIC ESSENTIAL OILS CAN DO Release emotional trauma; alleviate physical symptoms of stress; re-establish a positive energy flow throughout the body; quiet the mind, bring balance to the mind, spirit, and emotions, allowing one to release past trauma and become grounded in the present time; empower the physical and spiritual bodies; overcome fear and opposition so we can stand tall during adversity; brings a feeling of calmness, peace, and relaxation; release feelings of anger and promotes forgiveness, elevating the mind and bringing out the gentle characteristics within oneself for a positive outlook on life; freedom to strive for your highest potential; alleviate feelings of anxiety, stress, fear, and emotional trauma; energizing and stimulating to the conscious mind, allowing for the support necessary to make changes, especially mental and emotional changes; calm and soothe nervous tension and to help alleviate fears and emotional trauma. Joy, for example, when inhaled, it brings back memories of being loved, being held, sharing loving times, feeling and opening those blocks in our lives where perhaps we have shut down to love or receiving love or love of self. When there is grief, the adenoids and the adrenal glands shut down; Joy opens these glands. This blend contains: Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Lemon, Coriander, Tangerine, Jasmine, Roman Chamomile, Palmarosa & Rose. CONSISTENCY & SUPPORT These are tools to help us frame and identify what we may be feeling in the process of grief, and aromatherapy suggestions to help support your body and mind move through and beyond one of life’s biggest challenges. Hourly usage so your body is constantly filled with this natural plant medicine is key, consistency. You may not be in a space for self-care, so asked a loved one to make sure the diffuser is always filled and to make you a roller, to add a drop of orange to your water to support your body keeping cortisol to a minimum, etc. Need support here? Let me now and I would be happy to make you something custom. Don’t let your nutrition go by the wayside - processed junk food & excessive sugar will drag your natural defenses down, making everything worse. Again, ask for help from family and friends to bring you nutritious comforting meals (when you feel like eating). Have a glass of Ningxia Red or a PureProtein shake if a meal seems intolerable. Grief is not linear in its experience. One day you feel filled with acceptance and moving towards meaning - to find yourself stricken with depression the next day. you have to honor the loss of your loved one. You may feel judged by others, maybe they say your grief is too long, too little, or not right. Forget what anyone else says or thinks. You’re not responsible for what they think or feel. It’s up to you to experience your own grief. No one will grieve like you and you don’t want to grieve like anyone else. There’s no right or wrong way to outwardly mourn. Just allow yourself the time and space to feel the grief you feel on the inside. Avoid alcohol and other suppressive substances throughout this process. The do not serve your body, mind or honor your loved one. The temporary escape will need to be reckoned with later anyway - so face it head on. That is the only way to heal. Speaking to a trusted friend or relative, who will not judge or try to fix you, can help. If your suffering turns towards self-harm and you feel you have nowhere to turn, seek support from a trained therapist. You are not alone. Please feel free to comment or PM with any questions or suggestions of your own. As always, I am here to be of service to you and your family in any way I can. This is a topic I know well - so if I can support you it would be my honor. Much love xx ApothecaryMama LIME ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS: FIGHT CANCER, SOOTHE INFLAMMATION, BOOST MOOD AND MORE!
How can you use the essence of lime to improve your wellness? Here is your categorized discussion of some of lime’s amazing health benefits. COUNTER ACT STRESS EFFECTS WITH LIME |
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CAN LIME ESSENTIAL OIL ADDRESS WEIGHT LOSS STRUGGLES?
Weight loss is an ongoing battle for an ever-growing number of American men and women. It is distressing that even our children are increasingly struggling to control their weight in a healthy, nurturing way. In addition to healthy eating habits, using essential oils can help.
You've probably seen the recommendations to drink fresh lemon or lime beverages to help lose weight. But lime essential oil is an even more concentrated, and, though it has a different chemical profile than the juice, may contribute to weight-loss efforts as well. It's one of my seven top essential oils for weight loss support!
Lime essential oil has been proven to help prevent weight gain in this murine study. In another study, subjects were given capsules with lime essential oil before lunch and dinner, and capsules of coriander seed after lunch and dinner. Even with no additional lifestyle changes, they showed significant weight loss in just a few weeks. Those who were given higher doses lost the most weight on average.
D-limonene was shown in this study to help prevent and treat high triglyceride (fat) levels, high cholesterol levels and in this murine study, helped balance high blood sugar levels. This was true even in subjects consuming a terrible diet and who already carried excessive weight.
This information obviously is not meant to encourage poor food choices, but rather to offer hope that essential oil therapy for weight loss can offer great results. Starting from where you are, even if you feel you haven’t completely fixed your diet yet, is important. Make simple switches in your sweeteners, your meat, and look for healthy recipes your family will enjoy.
You've probably seen the recommendations to drink fresh lemon or lime beverages to help lose weight. But lime essential oil is an even more concentrated, and, though it has a different chemical profile than the juice, may contribute to weight-loss efforts as well. It's one of my seven top essential oils for weight loss support!
Lime essential oil has been proven to help prevent weight gain in this murine study. In another study, subjects were given capsules with lime essential oil before lunch and dinner, and capsules of coriander seed after lunch and dinner. Even with no additional lifestyle changes, they showed significant weight loss in just a few weeks. Those who were given higher doses lost the most weight on average.
D-limonene was shown in this study to help prevent and treat high triglyceride (fat) levels, high cholesterol levels and in this murine study, helped balance high blood sugar levels. This was true even in subjects consuming a terrible diet and who already carried excessive weight.
This information obviously is not meant to encourage poor food choices, but rather to offer hope that essential oil therapy for weight loss can offer great results. Starting from where you are, even if you feel you haven’t completely fixed your diet yet, is important. Make simple switches in your sweeteners, your meat, and look for healthy recipes your family will enjoy.
LIME ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS INFLAMMATION
Inflammation is a necessary part of healing, in fact, your body cannot heal without a degree of inflammation. However, chronic or excessive inflammation can cause numerous very serious inflammatory conditions, including:
Citrus oils such as lime essential oil are proven by peer- reviewed studies in mice to be active, safe, and effective anti-inflammatory agents. They seem to specifically address inflammation at its cellular source.
If you or a loved one suffers from an inflammatory condition, add lime essential oil to your daily diffuser blend, uplifting room spray, or pillow sachet to support healing.
- asthma
- atherosclerosis
- certain cancers
- Crohn's disease
- hay fever
- active hepatitis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- chronic peptic ulcer
- periodontitis
- sinusitis
- tuberculosis
- ulcerative colitis
Citrus oils such as lime essential oil are proven by peer- reviewed studies in mice to be active, safe, and effective anti-inflammatory agents. They seem to specifically address inflammation at its cellular source.
If you or a loved one suffers from an inflammatory condition, add lime essential oil to your daily diffuser blend, uplifting room spray, or pillow sachet to support healing.
ANTI-AGING ANTIOXIDANTS IN LIME ESSENTIAL OILS
Lime essential oil prevents and treats signs of aging such as dark skin spots, deep wrinkles, fine skin lines, skin dryness, and lack of elasticity. The high levels of antioxidants even help with brain fog and memory lapses. While no essential oil can turn back the clock two decades overnight, specific components in lime essential oil (such as limonene) are among the best sources of antioxidants safe for regular use.
This means, one of our our favorite essential oil roll-ons not only treats visible signs of aging, but some of the physical deterioration as well if it is caused by oxidative stress. And of course the antimicrobial benefits makes it great for healthy homemade deodorants and other body-care recipes.
This means, one of our our favorite essential oil roll-ons not only treats visible signs of aging, but some of the physical deterioration as well if it is caused by oxidative stress. And of course the antimicrobial benefits makes it great for healthy homemade deodorants and other body-care recipes.
WHAT ARE LIME ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS FOR MAJOR HEALTH CONCERNS?
Lime essential oil doesn't just benefit sleep concerns and mild anxiety. Studies are showing health benefits and healing support for major medical issues too! Isn't God amazing?
Cancer fighting. Lime essential oil has been shown to fight cancer cells in general. Lime juice has also been shown in vitro to specifically target pancreatic cancer cells — among the most painful and difficult cancers to treat. Breast cancer cells are also destroyed by components present in lime essential oil.
Cancer fighting. Lime essential oil has been shown to fight cancer cells in general. Lime juice has also been shown in vitro to specifically target pancreatic cancer cells — among the most painful and difficult cancers to treat. Breast cancer cells are also destroyed by components present in lime essential oil.
HOW WERE LIMES USED IN HISTORY?
Click here tLimes were used throughout history in a variety of ways. It's interesting to look back and see how the benefits of lime essential oil were hinted at throughout historic uses! While they used lime fruit because of the lack of modern distilling methods, it's a fun peek nonetheless.
The original vitamin C supplement? British explorers frequently carried limes aboard ship to prevent scurvy. All citrus fruits are well known to protect against this unpleasant, but completely preventable disease. Some captains are said to have felt so strongly about the necessity of preventing scurvy that they ordered every crew member to eat a lime, including a bite of the peel on a fixed schedule. Most of a lime’s volatile oils and vitamin C are in the peel, so this was a wise practice.
Dried lime. People in semi-tropical climates have long relied upon this food preservative and flavoring to help prevent food borne pathogens long before refrigeration was available. Whole limes were kiln- or oven- dried, then broken and crumbled onto meat as needed.
Dried lime has also been simmered in oil warmers for house blessing— this may have been the ancient precursor to modern essential oil diffusers. Lime is still used effectively to preserve food and to brighten the energy in our homes.
Preserved lime. Crushed in a jar with salt and left to naturally ferment, or pickle itself, lactic acid preserved limes and lemons were probably the first foods ever cultured specifically for their probiotic benefits. When traditionally prepared by this method, limes (and lemons) and their peels lose their sharp bitter bite.
The flavors meld with the fruit into a slightly salty, mellow, sweet-tart condiment that is still popular worldwide today. Who knew citrus fruit could provide your daily dose of good bacteria?
Natural insecticide. Lime essence makes a note-worthy insecticide—it successfully kills the vermin responsible for grain damage among others, such as mosquitoes. When properly diluted and applied, steam distilled lime essential oil may be a good tool in your insect repellent arsenal.
The original vitamin C supplement? British explorers frequently carried limes aboard ship to prevent scurvy. All citrus fruits are well known to protect against this unpleasant, but completely preventable disease. Some captains are said to have felt so strongly about the necessity of preventing scurvy that they ordered every crew member to eat a lime, including a bite of the peel on a fixed schedule. Most of a lime’s volatile oils and vitamin C are in the peel, so this was a wise practice.
Dried lime. People in semi-tropical climates have long relied upon this food preservative and flavoring to help prevent food borne pathogens long before refrigeration was available. Whole limes were kiln- or oven- dried, then broken and crumbled onto meat as needed.
Dried lime has also been simmered in oil warmers for house blessing— this may have been the ancient precursor to modern essential oil diffusers. Lime is still used effectively to preserve food and to brighten the energy in our homes.
Preserved lime. Crushed in a jar with salt and left to naturally ferment, or pickle itself, lactic acid preserved limes and lemons were probably the first foods ever cultured specifically for their probiotic benefits. When traditionally prepared by this method, limes (and lemons) and their peels lose their sharp bitter bite.
The flavors meld with the fruit into a slightly salty, mellow, sweet-tart condiment that is still popular worldwide today. Who knew citrus fruit could provide your daily dose of good bacteria?
Natural insecticide. Lime essence makes a note-worthy insecticide—it successfully kills the vermin responsible for grain damage among others, such as mosquitoes. When properly diluted and applied, steam distilled lime essential oil may be a good tool in your insect repellent arsenal.
IS THERE A DOWNSIDE TO LIME?
With all the remarkable and almost unbelievable applications for lime essential oil to improve your health, home, and life, you may rightly wonder whether there is any downside to using lime oil.
There is a lot of buzz in the essential oil world regarding photosensitivity of skin after using citrus oils. It is true that expressed/pressed citrus oils can cause you to be very susceptible to sunburn for hours after application, and they are really only appropriate for products that are well diluted, used in the evening, and washed off in the morning (or that are used on completely unexposed skin).
So, there is no downside at all? Actually, there is one caveat. Here, kitty, kitty.
Some cats may be extremely sensitive to essential oils—especially citrus essential oils such as lime or key lime. See more about our recommendations for using essential oils for animals in this post with Dr Janet Roark.
The GRAS is always greener… the GRAS designation means that upon inspection for safety, a product or ingredient is Generally Recognized As Safe. Steam distilled, fresh lime essential oil received the GRAS designation, such as the exclusive non-GMO certified GRAS hyper-organic ingestible Vitality Line from Young Living.
Remember, dilute essential oils appropriately for maximum safety. xo, AP
There is a lot of buzz in the essential oil world regarding photosensitivity of skin after using citrus oils. It is true that expressed/pressed citrus oils can cause you to be very susceptible to sunburn for hours after application, and they are really only appropriate for products that are well diluted, used in the evening, and washed off in the morning (or that are used on completely unexposed skin).
So, there is no downside at all? Actually, there is one caveat. Here, kitty, kitty.
Some cats may be extremely sensitive to essential oils—especially citrus essential oils such as lime or key lime. See more about our recommendations for using essential oils for animals in this post with Dr Janet Roark.
The GRAS is always greener… the GRAS designation means that upon inspection for safety, a product or ingredient is Generally Recognized As Safe. Steam distilled, fresh lime essential oil received the GRAS designation, such as the exclusive non-GMO certified GRAS hyper-organic ingestible Vitality Line from Young Living.
Remember, dilute essential oils appropriately for maximum safety. xo, AP
| | |
Just when we didn't think the producer of the world's purest essential oils, directly from the farm to your family - couldn't improve on the Premium Starter Kit...we did!
This is where we all start, with the foundational kit of oils that every single individual and family needs and can use. The 2019 Premium Starter Kit includes 12 full bottles of therapeutic essential oils + a FREE Dessert Mist Diffuser + a membership where you get 24% off any oils and products in the future (with option to take advantage of the the Wellness Subscription box for FREE monthly products and money back).
What you get baby:
This is where we all start, with the foundational kit of oils that every single individual and family needs and can use. The 2019 Premium Starter Kit includes 12 full bottles of therapeutic essential oils + a FREE Dessert Mist Diffuser + a membership where you get 24% off any oils and products in the future (with option to take advantage of the the Wellness Subscription box for FREE monthly products and money back).
What you get baby:
- Desert Mist Diffuser
- Premium Essential Oils Collection;
- Lavender 5-ml
- Peppermint Vitality™ 5-ml
- Lemon Vitality™ 5-ml
- Valor® 5-ml
- Peace & Calming® 5-ml
- Frankincense 5-ml
- Thieves® Vitality™ 5-ml
- Citrus Fresh™ Vitality 5-ml
- Raven™ 5-ml
- DiGize™ Vitality™ 5-ml
- PanAway® 5-ml
- Stress Away™ 5-ml
- 2 AromaGlide™ Roller Fitment
- Thieves® Waterless Hand Purifier, 1 oz.
- Thieves® Household Cleaner 1-oz. sample
- 2 NingXia Red® 2-oz. samples
- Product Guide and Product Price List
- Essential Oil Display Tray
- Young Living Lifestyle Booklet
- Essential Oils Magazine
- Essential Edge News
- Member Resources
- Access to our private FB S.E.E.D. SOCIETY education groups, walking you through how to use your oils (and the business if you take advantage of that optional opportunity!)
- Team resources helping you know where to start!
- A membership with 24% off all other Young Living products! It gets you exclusive access to wholesale prices
PART 1: What is CBD and CBD Oil?
If you take a look at the news headlines, it’s easy to see just how much people are talking about cannabis, and this topic is far from being old news. In fact, the discussion about medicinal marijuana has recently started to include CBD products. Unfortunately, however, this discussion has turned more into a debate that is actually a tangled mess of myths, false claims, and actual facts, making it hard to know what is true and what isn’t.
As CBD has gained more and more attention across the nation, we recognize that many of our customers are interested in learning more about what CBD actually is and what it can do. To help you easily find answers to your questions, we have created an eleven-part series of blog posts.
During this series, we will cover some of the most frequently asked questions about CBD and provide essential information you won’t want to miss. Here’s what you can expect to learn in this big 'ol blog post:
What is CBD and CBD oil?
What is the difference between THC and CBD?
What is the difference between hemp, cannabis, and marijuana?
What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
How does CBD work in the body?
CBD and Terpenes
What are the health benefits of CBD?
CBD for mental and emotional health
Choosing a good CBD oil
Let’s get started!
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. Odds are you are familiar with the cannabinoid THC, which is the compound that produces the psychoactive, or “high”, effect in the drug marijuana. It is important to note, however, that while CBD is a cannabinoid like THC, it is not psychoactive and will not get you “high”. We will go more into this in part two of this series.
Cannabinoids Are Already In Your Body
Did you know that your body naturally produces its own cannabinoids similar to CBD? The cannabinoids that your body produces are called endocannabinoids, and they travel through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to regulate just about everything in your body, from your mood to vital conditions.
Your endocannabinoid system has several cannabinoid receptors that interact with your body’s natural cannabinoids through chemical stimuli. This interaction helps regulate everything, including your mood, pain management, and appetite. If one or more of these normal functions gets unbalanced, your body will synthesize, or combine, the cannabinoids it needs in order to restore balance throughout the body.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is the essential oil extracted from the hemp cannabis plant. It contains concentrated levels of the specific cannabinoid CBD, and a minimal or non-existent amount of THC.
Why Do We Need CBD Products or Supplements?
This is a great question! Although our bodies do naturally produce cannabinoids, there are cases where the body struggles to produce enough cannabinoids to restore complete balance, or homeostasis. Recent studies of this condition, called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency, have shown that lower levels of cannabinoids can cause people to become more susceptible to a wide range of ailments and diseases, including migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, and fibromyalgia.
When the body fails to produce the necessary amount of cannabinoids to create homeostasis, CBD products, like CBD oil, can help your body carry out its natural balancing process. We will dive more into just how CBD does this in part five.
What to expect in part two: What is the difference between THC and CBD?
As CBD has gained more and more attention across the nation, we recognize that many of our customers are interested in learning more about what CBD actually is and what it can do. To help you easily find answers to your questions, we have created an eleven-part series of blog posts.
During this series, we will cover some of the most frequently asked questions about CBD and provide essential information you won’t want to miss. Here’s what you can expect to learn in this big 'ol blog post:
What is CBD and CBD oil?
What is the difference between THC and CBD?
What is the difference between hemp, cannabis, and marijuana?
What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
How does CBD work in the body?
CBD and Terpenes
What are the health benefits of CBD?
CBD for mental and emotional health
Choosing a good CBD oil
Let’s get started!
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. Odds are you are familiar with the cannabinoid THC, which is the compound that produces the psychoactive, or “high”, effect in the drug marijuana. It is important to note, however, that while CBD is a cannabinoid like THC, it is not psychoactive and will not get you “high”. We will go more into this in part two of this series.
Cannabinoids Are Already In Your Body
Did you know that your body naturally produces its own cannabinoids similar to CBD? The cannabinoids that your body produces are called endocannabinoids, and they travel through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to regulate just about everything in your body, from your mood to vital conditions.
Your endocannabinoid system has several cannabinoid receptors that interact with your body’s natural cannabinoids through chemical stimuli. This interaction helps regulate everything, including your mood, pain management, and appetite. If one or more of these normal functions gets unbalanced, your body will synthesize, or combine, the cannabinoids it needs in order to restore balance throughout the body.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is the essential oil extracted from the hemp cannabis plant. It contains concentrated levels of the specific cannabinoid CBD, and a minimal or non-existent amount of THC.
Why Do We Need CBD Products or Supplements?
This is a great question! Although our bodies do naturally produce cannabinoids, there are cases where the body struggles to produce enough cannabinoids to restore complete balance, or homeostasis. Recent studies of this condition, called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency, have shown that lower levels of cannabinoids can cause people to become more susceptible to a wide range of ailments and diseases, including migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, and fibromyalgia.
When the body fails to produce the necessary amount of cannabinoids to create homeostasis, CBD products, like CBD oil, can help your body carry out its natural balancing process. We will dive more into just how CBD does this in part five.
What to expect in part two: What is the difference between THC and CBD?
PART 2: What is the difference between THC and CBD?
Many people are aware of THC and its effects on the human mind and body, particularly when consumed as marijuana. As CBD has come more into the spotlight, many people are associating CBD with the same effects as THC. While THC and CBD are similar, there are some significant differences that are important to understand.
What are THC and CBD?
Before we can discuss the differences between THC and CBD, we need to first understand what they are. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD stands for cannabidiol. Both of these chemical compounds are two of the most popular cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. While there are over 100 other cannabinoids in cannabis, they occur in such small amounts that they really don’t have much of an effect.
What makes THC and CBD so different?
The main difference between CBD and THC is how they interact with the body. Our bodies naturally produce their own cannabinoids called endocannabinoids, which move and interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). In your endocannabinoid system, there are two main cannabinoid receptors: the CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor.
When consumed, THC molecules bind directly to your CB1 receptors, which are concentrated mostly in the brain. By binding to the receptors, THC activates the receptor, which stimulates the mind and body. This ultimately creates the famous mild-altering and “high” effects of marijuana.
CBD, on the other hand, does not bind directly to your body’s cannabinoid receptors. Instead, it influences your receptors indirectly through a process called modulation (the fluctuation of cells based on changes in their environment).
What are THC and CBD?
Before we can discuss the differences between THC and CBD, we need to first understand what they are. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD stands for cannabidiol. Both of these chemical compounds are two of the most popular cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. While there are over 100 other cannabinoids in cannabis, they occur in such small amounts that they really don’t have much of an effect.
What makes THC and CBD so different?
The main difference between CBD and THC is how they interact with the body. Our bodies naturally produce their own cannabinoids called endocannabinoids, which move and interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). In your endocannabinoid system, there are two main cannabinoid receptors: the CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor.
When consumed, THC molecules bind directly to your CB1 receptors, which are concentrated mostly in the brain. By binding to the receptors, THC activates the receptor, which stimulates the mind and body. This ultimately creates the famous mild-altering and “high” effects of marijuana.
CBD, on the other hand, does not bind directly to your body’s cannabinoid receptors. Instead, it influences your receptors indirectly through a process called modulation (the fluctuation of cells based on changes in their environment).
*Photo Credit: https://www.leafscience.com/2017/11/22/thc-cbd-difference/
Because CBD does not directly bind to or activate your cannabinoid receptors, it does not cause any kind of “high” effect, unlike THC. Rather, CBD helps regulate the amount of endocannabinoids that your body naturally produces while also facilitating many health benefits, more of which we’ll discuss below and in part seven of this series.
In short, THC binds directly to your cannabinoid receptors, which overstimulates the mind and creates the “high” effect. CBD does not bind to your receptors and thus cannot change your state of mind.
Different Health Benefits of THC and CBD
Another main difference between THC and CBD is the health benefits they provide. While both cannabinoids are known to relieve pain and have multiple therapeutic benefits, there are also some major differences in how THC and CBD affect the body.
THC, especially when consumed as marijuana, is known to have a relaxing and euphoric effect. Consumers often experience heightened senses, a feeling of having no cares or worries, and muscle relaxation. This is all a result of the THC binding directly to the CB1 receptors in the brain and altering your state of mind.
CBD does not alter your state of mind, although it can help reduce feelings of anxiety. It also has a host of health benefits that affect more of your physical well-being. According to LeafScience, such benefits include protecting against seizures and convulsions, assisting with cancer prevention, and preventing inflammation. We will go more in depth on CBD’s health benefits in part seven of this series.
Even though THC and CBD are fairly similar, the important things to remember is that they really are quite different, and the most significant difference is that CBD will not alter your mental state or make you “hight” like THC will. That means you can get all of the health benefits of cannabis without any negative side effects.
What to expect in part three: what is the difference between hemp, cannabis, and marijuana?
Because CBD does not directly bind to or activate your cannabinoid receptors, it does not cause any kind of “high” effect, unlike THC. Rather, CBD helps regulate the amount of endocannabinoids that your body naturally produces while also facilitating many health benefits, more of which we’ll discuss below and in part seven of this series.
In short, THC binds directly to your cannabinoid receptors, which overstimulates the mind and creates the “high” effect. CBD does not bind to your receptors and thus cannot change your state of mind.
Different Health Benefits of THC and CBD
Another main difference between THC and CBD is the health benefits they provide. While both cannabinoids are known to relieve pain and have multiple therapeutic benefits, there are also some major differences in how THC and CBD affect the body.
THC, especially when consumed as marijuana, is known to have a relaxing and euphoric effect. Consumers often experience heightened senses, a feeling of having no cares or worries, and muscle relaxation. This is all a result of the THC binding directly to the CB1 receptors in the brain and altering your state of mind.
CBD does not alter your state of mind, although it can help reduce feelings of anxiety. It also has a host of health benefits that affect more of your physical well-being. According to LeafScience, such benefits include protecting against seizures and convulsions, assisting with cancer prevention, and preventing inflammation. We will go more in depth on CBD’s health benefits in part seven of this series.
Even though THC and CBD are fairly similar, the important things to remember is that they really are quite different, and the most significant difference is that CBD will not alter your mental state or make you “hight” like THC will. That means you can get all of the health benefits of cannabis without any negative side effects.
What to expect in part three: what is the difference between hemp, cannabis, and marijuana?
PART 3: What is the Difference Between Hemp, Cannabis, and Marijuana?
One of the greatest misunderstandings that leads to confusion in the debate about cannabis and CBD is the fact that cannabis and marijuana are the same thing. Then, people started throwing in the word hemp, and now just about everyone is lost. By clearing the air about the confusion between these three terms, our hope is to make it easier for you to decide if CBD products are right for you. So, let’s get to it!
What is Cannabis?
In short, quick terms, cannabis is simply a plant. More specifically, it is the plant that both hemp and marijuana come from. Cannabis is one of the oldest crops in the world with records of its use dating as far back as the 2,000s B.C.
Cannabis Species
Think back to your high school biology class. Do you remember that lesson you had about species, genus, and families within plant groups? If not, that’s alright. Here’s a little refresher: a genus is the generic name of a group of plants, and the species are specific types of that genus. Cannabis is the genus, or generic name, of a group of plants. Within the cannabis genus, there are several different species.
In 1753, botanist Carl Linnaeus classified and named the first species of cannabis as sativa. 30 years later in 1783, naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck found a different species of cannabis, which he named indica. While these two are the most commonly known species of cannabis, there are others, but they do not contain the same levels of cannabinoids as sativa and indica to be of much interest in the debate about CBD and THC.
The reason we bring up the cannabis species is because there is a lot of confusing information about the difference between sativa and indica. Traditionally, Cannabis indica has been classified as a sedative that provides more relaxing effects, and it is associated as the plant that gives you the common “high” effects due to its higher levels of THC. This plant is shorter and stockier with fatter, fan-like leaves. Basically, this is the species of cannabis that we see the most pictures of when we see cannabis products and dispensaries.
On the other hand, Cannabis sativa is known as a stimulant that results in greater alertness, euphoria, and increased energy. This tall, skinny plant has thinner, finger-like leaves, and is higher in CBD than the indica species.
What is Cannabis?
In short, quick terms, cannabis is simply a plant. More specifically, it is the plant that both hemp and marijuana come from. Cannabis is one of the oldest crops in the world with records of its use dating as far back as the 2,000s B.C.
Cannabis Species
Think back to your high school biology class. Do you remember that lesson you had about species, genus, and families within plant groups? If not, that’s alright. Here’s a little refresher: a genus is the generic name of a group of plants, and the species are specific types of that genus. Cannabis is the genus, or generic name, of a group of plants. Within the cannabis genus, there are several different species.
In 1753, botanist Carl Linnaeus classified and named the first species of cannabis as sativa. 30 years later in 1783, naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck found a different species of cannabis, which he named indica. While these two are the most commonly known species of cannabis, there are others, but they do not contain the same levels of cannabinoids as sativa and indica to be of much interest in the debate about CBD and THC.
The reason we bring up the cannabis species is because there is a lot of confusing information about the difference between sativa and indica. Traditionally, Cannabis indica has been classified as a sedative that provides more relaxing effects, and it is associated as the plant that gives you the common “high” effects due to its higher levels of THC. This plant is shorter and stockier with fatter, fan-like leaves. Basically, this is the species of cannabis that we see the most pictures of when we see cannabis products and dispensaries.
On the other hand, Cannabis sativa is known as a stimulant that results in greater alertness, euphoria, and increased energy. This tall, skinny plant has thinner, finger-like leaves, and is higher in CBD than the indica species.
| Cannabis Crossbreeding Now that you know that one species of cannabis is higher in THC and the other is higher in CBD, you’d imagine that related products would come from their respective plants, right? Well, it’s not quite that simple. |  |
Both Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa naturally contain levels of both THC and CBD, even if they are higher in one than the other. Today, most extracts in the U.S. come from the sativa species, which is higher in CBD. However, cultivators have spread their breeding to include both sativa and indica in order to create a product with their desired results.
Here’s how it works: because sativa is naturally higher in CBD, those who want to create CBD products don’t have to modify too much of the sativa plant in order to get the results they want. However, in order to ensure that products are safe and contain minimal or no levels of THC, cultivators can crossbreed and modify the plant to create specific strains.
Now, what about marijuana and products with high levels of THC? Whether a supplier or farmer chooses to grow sativa or indica species of cannabis, marijuana almost always comes from crossbred and modified strains of either species. This selective breeding allows farmers to produce plants that contain higher levels of THC so that they and their customers can get the results they want.
In the end, cultivators, farmers, and suppliers of any type of cannabis often take the best qualities of both the sativa and indica species to get the specific strains and results they want. This can include products that are 50% CBD and 50% THC, or dominant in either CBD or THC. In today’s world, it is rare to get products that com from an unaltered sativa or indica plant.
Now, keep in mind that even though most THC and CBD products come from hybrid plants, these products are by no means less natural than if you were to eat the plant directly. Hybrids and crossbreed often come from using the natural parts of the different cannabis species. In short, you can still find products that have been modified but are still 100% natural.
The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana
Now that you know all about cannabis and its most common species, let’s get into the difference between hemp and marijuana. Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis in the fact that they both come from the cannabis plant. But, that’s about where the similarities end.
What is Hemp?
Hemp comes from the Cannabis sativa species of the cannabis plant, which is taller and contains fewer leaves. The fibers from the sativa plant stalks are often used industrially to create rope, clothes, paper, clothing, biofuels, bioplastics, cosmetics, dietary supplements, foods, and more.
Hemp is defined as the generic strains of the cannabis plant that are higher in CBD. It is industrial and non-intoxicating. While sativa is naturally higher in CBD, hemp products can be modified to ensure that they contain .3% or less of THC, which is the legal requirement. Hemp products will not make you “high”, but they can provide you with the medicinal benefits you may need, more of which we’ll discuss in part seven of our CBD series.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana can come from either the sativa or indica species of the cannabis plant. However, it is important to note that no matter which species it comes from, marijuana is most often a hybrid strain of cannabis. These crossbred strains come from controlled growing conditions to produce plants that contain the optimal amount of THC. Depending on the desired result, some crossbred marijuana strains can contain as much as 30% THC.
Marijuana comes from the dried flowers, stems, leaves, and seeds of the cannabis plant, and it is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Because of its high THC levels, marijuana will give you a “high” effect that alters your senses, changes your mood, relaxes your muscles, and can even cause hallucinations or delusions. If used long-term, marijuana can hinder the way your brain communicates between the areas in the brain used for memories, learning, and thinking. Using marijuana can also lead to several major health issues, including breathing problems, heart problems, hindered child development during and after pregnancy, intense vomiting and nausea, paranoia, and increased depression or anxiety.
Summary
We know that was a lot of information, so let’s take a moment to sum everything up:
Cannabis is a group of plants. Both hemp and marijuana come from cannabis. Cannabis has two main species that we use for CBD products and marijuana, namely Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Sativa is higher in CBD, and indica is higher in THC; however, just about all marijuana or hemp (CBD) products come from some type of hybrid strain of one of these cannabis species. Hemp refers to products that are high in CBD and cannot get you high. Marijuana refers to the illegal drug that is modified to be higher in THC in order to give you the mind-altering “high” effect.
What to expect in part four: What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
Here’s how it works: because sativa is naturally higher in CBD, those who want to create CBD products don’t have to modify too much of the sativa plant in order to get the results they want. However, in order to ensure that products are safe and contain minimal or no levels of THC, cultivators can crossbreed and modify the plant to create specific strains.
Now, what about marijuana and products with high levels of THC? Whether a supplier or farmer chooses to grow sativa or indica species of cannabis, marijuana almost always comes from crossbred and modified strains of either species. This selective breeding allows farmers to produce plants that contain higher levels of THC so that they and their customers can get the results they want.
In the end, cultivators, farmers, and suppliers of any type of cannabis often take the best qualities of both the sativa and indica species to get the specific strains and results they want. This can include products that are 50% CBD and 50% THC, or dominant in either CBD or THC. In today’s world, it is rare to get products that com from an unaltered sativa or indica plant.
Now, keep in mind that even though most THC and CBD products come from hybrid plants, these products are by no means less natural than if you were to eat the plant directly. Hybrids and crossbreed often come from using the natural parts of the different cannabis species. In short, you can still find products that have been modified but are still 100% natural.
The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana
Now that you know all about cannabis and its most common species, let’s get into the difference between hemp and marijuana. Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis in the fact that they both come from the cannabis plant. But, that’s about where the similarities end.
What is Hemp?
Hemp comes from the Cannabis sativa species of the cannabis plant, which is taller and contains fewer leaves. The fibers from the sativa plant stalks are often used industrially to create rope, clothes, paper, clothing, biofuels, bioplastics, cosmetics, dietary supplements, foods, and more.
Hemp is defined as the generic strains of the cannabis plant that are higher in CBD. It is industrial and non-intoxicating. While sativa is naturally higher in CBD, hemp products can be modified to ensure that they contain .3% or less of THC, which is the legal requirement. Hemp products will not make you “high”, but they can provide you with the medicinal benefits you may need, more of which we’ll discuss in part seven of our CBD series.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana can come from either the sativa or indica species of the cannabis plant. However, it is important to note that no matter which species it comes from, marijuana is most often a hybrid strain of cannabis. These crossbred strains come from controlled growing conditions to produce plants that contain the optimal amount of THC. Depending on the desired result, some crossbred marijuana strains can contain as much as 30% THC.
Marijuana comes from the dried flowers, stems, leaves, and seeds of the cannabis plant, and it is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Because of its high THC levels, marijuana will give you a “high” effect that alters your senses, changes your mood, relaxes your muscles, and can even cause hallucinations or delusions. If used long-term, marijuana can hinder the way your brain communicates between the areas in the brain used for memories, learning, and thinking. Using marijuana can also lead to several major health issues, including breathing problems, heart problems, hindered child development during and after pregnancy, intense vomiting and nausea, paranoia, and increased depression or anxiety.
Summary
We know that was a lot of information, so let’s take a moment to sum everything up:
Cannabis is a group of plants. Both hemp and marijuana come from cannabis. Cannabis has two main species that we use for CBD products and marijuana, namely Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Sativa is higher in CBD, and indica is higher in THC; however, just about all marijuana or hemp (CBD) products come from some type of hybrid strain of one of these cannabis species. Hemp refers to products that are high in CBD and cannot get you high. Marijuana refers to the illegal drug that is modified to be higher in THC in order to give you the mind-altering “high” effect.
What to expect in part four: What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
PART 4: What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
The CBD market is rapidly expanding, and the more you look into the various products that are available, the more you may notice that there are several products listed as CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, or broad-spectrum CBD.
These terms help separate different CBD products, but what exactly is the difference between them? In this part of our CBD series, we hope to make it a little easier to understand what broad-spectrum CBD is and how you can benefit from it.
What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
Before we can understand what broad-spectrum CBD is, we need to first discuss the two main types of CBD products: isolate and full-spectrum.
CBD isolate is a product that contains nothing but 99.9% pure CBD. During the extraction process, manufacturers who make CBD isolate simply remove everything from the plant extract except for the CBD cannabinoid. This means that there are no other cannabinoid strains (including THC), terpenes, oils, waxes, and chlorophyll in the end product. Once the extraction process is complete, you are left with a fine white powder, which is the form that CBD takes once extracted. You can add this powder to just about anything, including tinctures, oils, and edibles to help you experience the benefits of CBD. However, because CBD isolate is only CBD, you won’t get any additional benefits that come from the other cannabinoids and compounds that are in the cannabis plant.
On the other end, full-spectrum CBD contains everything that is naturally found in the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum CBD products are full of natural terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and cannabinoids, including THC. All of the various compounds in full-spectrum CBD products have their own therapeutic properties, which, when they work together, allow you to experience what is called the entourage effect. The entourage effect refers to when you get the benefits of all compounds working together instead of just a few working on their own, like what you’d get with CBD isolate. Although full-spectrum CBD contains THC, the amount of THC is naturally .3% or less, which is the legal and safe amount to ingest without experiencing the psychoactive effects of THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD is essentially the same as full-spectrum CBD, but without THC. This means that broad-spectrum CBD contains all of the naturally occurring flavonoids, terpenes, cannabinoids, fatty acids, and all other beneficial components within the cannabis plant, but has had the specific THC cannabinoid strain removed.
Choosing Between Isolate, Full-Spectrum, and Broad-Spectrum CBD
Each of these three types of CBD products offer their own benefits and can help address certain needs. Originally, people believed that CBD isolate would be more effective simply because it is pure CBD. However, in 2015, a study showed that full-spectrum CBD provides higher levels of relief, as well as longer-lasting relief. This can also be the case for broad-spectrum CBD because these two types of CBD are essentially the same, with the exception of their THC content.
Even though full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD may seem to be more effective, CBD isolate still has its place. CBD isolate is great for those who may not need all of the benefits of full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD.
In addition, CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD are great for those who cannot have THC in their system for legal purpose or drug tests, or for those who simply do not want to worry about ingesting THC. In you are in any of these situations, CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD may be for you simply because they do not contain any THC that can get into your system in the first place.
Benefits of Broad-Spectrum CBD
Because broad-spectrum CBD contains more than just CBD, you can get more benefits as the various components work together. Essentially, you get all of the benefits of full-spectrum CBD without the worry of ingesting the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. We will get more into the benefits of CBD and related products in part seven of our CBD series.
What to expect in part five: How does CBD work in the body?
These terms help separate different CBD products, but what exactly is the difference between them? In this part of our CBD series, we hope to make it a little easier to understand what broad-spectrum CBD is and how you can benefit from it.
What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
Before we can understand what broad-spectrum CBD is, we need to first discuss the two main types of CBD products: isolate and full-spectrum.
CBD isolate is a product that contains nothing but 99.9% pure CBD. During the extraction process, manufacturers who make CBD isolate simply remove everything from the plant extract except for the CBD cannabinoid. This means that there are no other cannabinoid strains (including THC), terpenes, oils, waxes, and chlorophyll in the end product. Once the extraction process is complete, you are left with a fine white powder, which is the form that CBD takes once extracted. You can add this powder to just about anything, including tinctures, oils, and edibles to help you experience the benefits of CBD. However, because CBD isolate is only CBD, you won’t get any additional benefits that come from the other cannabinoids and compounds that are in the cannabis plant.
On the other end, full-spectrum CBD contains everything that is naturally found in the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum CBD products are full of natural terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and cannabinoids, including THC. All of the various compounds in full-spectrum CBD products have their own therapeutic properties, which, when they work together, allow you to experience what is called the entourage effect. The entourage effect refers to when you get the benefits of all compounds working together instead of just a few working on their own, like what you’d get with CBD isolate. Although full-spectrum CBD contains THC, the amount of THC is naturally .3% or less, which is the legal and safe amount to ingest without experiencing the psychoactive effects of THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD is essentially the same as full-spectrum CBD, but without THC. This means that broad-spectrum CBD contains all of the naturally occurring flavonoids, terpenes, cannabinoids, fatty acids, and all other beneficial components within the cannabis plant, but has had the specific THC cannabinoid strain removed.
Choosing Between Isolate, Full-Spectrum, and Broad-Spectrum CBD
Each of these three types of CBD products offer their own benefits and can help address certain needs. Originally, people believed that CBD isolate would be more effective simply because it is pure CBD. However, in 2015, a study showed that full-spectrum CBD provides higher levels of relief, as well as longer-lasting relief. This can also be the case for broad-spectrum CBD because these two types of CBD are essentially the same, with the exception of their THC content.
Even though full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD may seem to be more effective, CBD isolate still has its place. CBD isolate is great for those who may not need all of the benefits of full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD.
In addition, CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD are great for those who cannot have THC in their system for legal purpose or drug tests, or for those who simply do not want to worry about ingesting THC. In you are in any of these situations, CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD may be for you simply because they do not contain any THC that can get into your system in the first place.
Benefits of Broad-Spectrum CBD
Because broad-spectrum CBD contains more than just CBD, you can get more benefits as the various components work together. Essentially, you get all of the benefits of full-spectrum CBD without the worry of ingesting the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. We will get more into the benefits of CBD and related products in part seven of our CBD series.
What to expect in part five: How does CBD work in the body?
Part 5: How Does CBD Work In The Body?
Through the first four articles in our CBD series, we’ve talked a lot about what CBD is, where it comes from, and some of its various forms. We know that CBD is a chemical compound called a cannabinoid, and it comes from the various strains of the cannabis plant, with the Cannabis sativa species being the naturally highest in CBD; however, we also know that in today’s world of advanced science, most CBD products come from hybrid strains of cannabis. In addition, we know that CBD provides many therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC.
It’s great that we’ve established this base, but it doesn’t really mean much to us if we don’t understand how CBD actually works and interacts with our bodies. Today, we’re going to dive into the body’s inner systems to see just what happens when you ingest CBD.
The Body’s Natural Cannabinoid System
Did you know that the human body has its very own cannabinoid system? It’s true! This system, called the enodcannabinoid system (ECS), runs throughout your entire body and produces its own cannabinoids. Here’s how it works:
The ECS contains two main types of cannabinoid receptors: the CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor. Enzymes within the body create cannabinoids, which are called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids interact with the ECS through the CB1 and CB2 receptors. What happens is that the endocannabinoids in our bodies link together with the receptors, like a lock and key. This “linking” effect activates the receptors, triggering them to carry out a series of responses that your body needs for healthy and proper functioning.
What Does the ECS Do?
The purpose of the ECS is to help regulate homeostasis within the body. Homeostasis is when the body maintains a constant internal environment. Maintaining homeostasis happens on a cellular level in every tissue, organ, and system, and it occurs through the use of the two main ECS receptors. CB1 receptors are concentrated mainly in the brain and central nervous system, but you can also find them in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and other tissues. The CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are mostly found in the cells that are associated with the immune system.
It’s great that we’ve established this base, but it doesn’t really mean much to us if we don’t understand how CBD actually works and interacts with our bodies. Today, we’re going to dive into the body’s inner systems to see just what happens when you ingest CBD.
The Body’s Natural Cannabinoid System
Did you know that the human body has its very own cannabinoid system? It’s true! This system, called the enodcannabinoid system (ECS), runs throughout your entire body and produces its own cannabinoids. Here’s how it works:
The ECS contains two main types of cannabinoid receptors: the CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor. Enzymes within the body create cannabinoids, which are called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids interact with the ECS through the CB1 and CB2 receptors. What happens is that the endocannabinoids in our bodies link together with the receptors, like a lock and key. This “linking” effect activates the receptors, triggering them to carry out a series of responses that your body needs for healthy and proper functioning.
What Does the ECS Do?
The purpose of the ECS is to help regulate homeostasis within the body. Homeostasis is when the body maintains a constant internal environment. Maintaining homeostasis happens on a cellular level in every tissue, organ, and system, and it occurs through the use of the two main ECS receptors. CB1 receptors are concentrated mainly in the brain and central nervous system, but you can also find them in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and other tissues. The CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are mostly found in the cells that are associated with the immune system.
Because the CB1 receptors are mostly in the brain and nervous system, they work to regulate more cognitive and mind-body processes, such as coordination and movement, appetite, mood, thinking, memories, pain management, and more. The CB2 receptors work more as a response to illness, and as a way to help the body avoid oxidative damage (the damage caused to cells and tissue when they can’t control the production of free radicals). Together, these two receptors help keep everything regulated within the body.
When a problem arises in the body, such as imbalanced pH or glucose levels, rising body temperature, cognitive issues, and illness, the body starts producing the necessary endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids will then activate the appropriate ECS receptors and trigger the body’s natural responses to restore homeostasis.
If We Have The ECS, Why Do We Need CBD?
Great question! While our bodies are great at maintaining homeostasis, many of us begin to experience problems when our bodies do not produce enough endocannabinoids to achieve full homeostasis, or to properly maintain it. This condition, called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency, is suspected to be an underlying cause of several health and mental conditions. When the body’s ECS does not function properly, the internal systems cannot remain regulated, which makes it easier for illness and disease to arise.
In various studies, scientists have determined that an endocannabinoid deficiency may lead to the development of migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and more. With the possibility of these and other issues arising from an endocannabinoid deficiency, it is so important that we make sure our ECS functions properly.
How CBD Helps Your Endocannabinoid System
When you have an endocannabinoid deficiency, or if your ECS isn’t working properly in some other way, a great way to support your ECS and restore homeostasis is to take cannabinoid supplements. CBD is an excellent cannabinoid supplement because it doesn’t just replace missing cannabinoids like traditional supplements. Instead, it supports and encourages your body’s ECS to work properly on its own.
When ingested, CBD works with your body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors to relieve endocannabinoid deficiency-related symptoms. Originally, scientists believed that CBD attaches directly to your ECS receptors; however, more recent studies show that CBD doesn’t do that. Instead, CBD influences your receptors indirectly, helping the body use more of its own endocannabinoids. In addition, CBD stops the enzyme that breaks down endocannabinoids. As a result, CBD helps to naturally increase your body’s endocannabinoid levels and relieve symptoms caused by an endocannabinoid deficiency.
But CBD doesn’t stop there. Studies show that CBD also interacts with several non-CBD receptors, including your dopamine and opioid receptors, which help regulate mood, cognition, and behavior; the TRPV-1 receptor, which helps moderate pain, inflammation, and body temperature; the GPR55 receptor, which helps reduce cancer cells; the PPAR receptor, which can help reduce the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease; and your 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which can help reduce nausea and vomiting, addiction, pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
A Note About How THC Affects the ECS
Many are aware that both CBD and THC provide a variety of therapeutic benefits; however, THC also has a psychoactive side effect. This happens because THC physically attaches to the CB1 receptors in the brain. This direct interaction over stimulates the ECS receptors and interferes with the body’s natural ability to create homeostasis. Because your CB1 receptors regulate appetite, cognition, motor skills, memory, mood, and other mental processes, the over stimulation of the receptors can cause each of these processes to also become over stimulated and impaired.
Because CBD does not directly attach to your ECS receptors, but instead works with your body’s natural endocannabinoid-producing system, you can experience the therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive and over-stimulated effects that THC causes.
What to expect in part six: CBD and Terpenes
When a problem arises in the body, such as imbalanced pH or glucose levels, rising body temperature, cognitive issues, and illness, the body starts producing the necessary endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids will then activate the appropriate ECS receptors and trigger the body’s natural responses to restore homeostasis.
If We Have The ECS, Why Do We Need CBD?
Great question! While our bodies are great at maintaining homeostasis, many of us begin to experience problems when our bodies do not produce enough endocannabinoids to achieve full homeostasis, or to properly maintain it. This condition, called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency, is suspected to be an underlying cause of several health and mental conditions. When the body’s ECS does not function properly, the internal systems cannot remain regulated, which makes it easier for illness and disease to arise.
In various studies, scientists have determined that an endocannabinoid deficiency may lead to the development of migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and more. With the possibility of these and other issues arising from an endocannabinoid deficiency, it is so important that we make sure our ECS functions properly.
How CBD Helps Your Endocannabinoid System
When you have an endocannabinoid deficiency, or if your ECS isn’t working properly in some other way, a great way to support your ECS and restore homeostasis is to take cannabinoid supplements. CBD is an excellent cannabinoid supplement because it doesn’t just replace missing cannabinoids like traditional supplements. Instead, it supports and encourages your body’s ECS to work properly on its own.
When ingested, CBD works with your body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors to relieve endocannabinoid deficiency-related symptoms. Originally, scientists believed that CBD attaches directly to your ECS receptors; however, more recent studies show that CBD doesn’t do that. Instead, CBD influences your receptors indirectly, helping the body use more of its own endocannabinoids. In addition, CBD stops the enzyme that breaks down endocannabinoids. As a result, CBD helps to naturally increase your body’s endocannabinoid levels and relieve symptoms caused by an endocannabinoid deficiency.
But CBD doesn’t stop there. Studies show that CBD also interacts with several non-CBD receptors, including your dopamine and opioid receptors, which help regulate mood, cognition, and behavior; the TRPV-1 receptor, which helps moderate pain, inflammation, and body temperature; the GPR55 receptor, which helps reduce cancer cells; the PPAR receptor, which can help reduce the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease; and your 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which can help reduce nausea and vomiting, addiction, pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
A Note About How THC Affects the ECS
Many are aware that both CBD and THC provide a variety of therapeutic benefits; however, THC also has a psychoactive side effect. This happens because THC physically attaches to the CB1 receptors in the brain. This direct interaction over stimulates the ECS receptors and interferes with the body’s natural ability to create homeostasis. Because your CB1 receptors regulate appetite, cognition, motor skills, memory, mood, and other mental processes, the over stimulation of the receptors can cause each of these processes to also become over stimulated and impaired.
Because CBD does not directly attach to your ECS receptors, but instead works with your body’s natural endocannabinoid-producing system, you can experience the therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive and over-stimulated effects that THC causes.
What to expect in part six: CBD and Terpenes
PART 6: CBD and Terpenes
When you walk by a flower bush or open a carton of fresh blueberries, you’ll get a whiff of distinct floral or fruity smells. Every plant around us, whether a tree, flower, fruit, vegetable, or herb, has a distinct smell, and it becomes easy for us to identify these plants simply by that smell.
The same goes for cannabis plants. Each variety of cannabis has its own distinct smell, just like different varieties of lavender or tulips have different and distinct smells. And the thing that gives each plant its own smell are the terpenes inside of it.
But terpenes do so much more than just make a plant smell nice (or not smell nice, if you’re the corpse flower). They also offer several therapeutic benefits, especially when they combine with cannabinoids, like those found in CBD oil. Today, we’re taking a closer look at what terpenes are and how they can enhance the benefits of CBD oil.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are molecules found in plants that produce a variety of different smells and flavors. Each plant has several different kinds of terpenes, but usually only a few dominate. These unique smells and flavors are designed to protect the plant and help it survive. For example, if an herbivore comes and starts eating a plant, that plant can respond by sending out certain terpenes, or a smell, that attracts carnivores to its herbivore enemy. When a plant is ready to be pollinated, it can produce different terpenes, or smells, that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Pretty neat, right?
If you're familiar with therpatic essential oils then you've most likely heard of terpenes before. Especially in the highest known-terpene oil in the world, Copaiba.
You will find terpenes in every plant, but you can also find them in many of today’s industrial products. Many companies use terpenes as fragrances, flavorings, or spices in their products, including cosmetics and perfumes.
Terpenes in Cannabis
In the cannabis plant specifically, there are over 100 different terpenes, each with its own unique flavor and smell. Of course, we only smell or taste the predominant terpenes, and each cannabis species (and ever other plant, for that matter) has varying strains and ratios of predominant and subdominant terpenes. This makes it so that every plant species has a different smell and taste, even if it similar to a related species. That’s why, in the earlier days, people could tell the difference between the sativa and indica species simply by the smell and taste of the plant.
Terpenes gather inside of trichomes, which are the tiny hairs on cannabis flowers that give the buds their frosty look. These trichomes, or glands, are also where the cannabis plant produces CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. Generally, terpenes are more concentrated in the flowers of unfertilized female cannabis plants, before the flowers undergo senescence (the process in which they age). As terpenes become more concentrated, they form an oil in the glands, which the plant can secrete as needed.
Terpenes in CBD Oil
Because terpenes create an oil in the cannabis flower, the essential oil from cannabis plants is essentially just the plant’s terpene profile – with the cannabinoids that are also in the glands. This means that once the essential CBD oil is extracted from the plant and bottled, the oil also contains the terpenes that were in the same glands (that is, if the terpenes aren’t removed from the oil after the extraction process).
Some people may think that CBD oil with terpenes is not “pure” CBD oil, but in reality, it is because all of the components in the oil came directly from the plant itself. Not only that, but having terpenes in your CBD oil can actually help enhance the benefits that CBD oil can provide.
Benefits of Terpenes
Terpenes work similar to and with the cannabinoids inside of the body, both those that your body produces naturally and those you ingest, like with CBD oil. This synergy between terpenes and cannabinoids creates what is called the “entourage effect”. In essence, the “entourage effect” is the process that both terpenes and cannabinoids bind to receptors and work together to enhance the therapeutic properties of both compounds. Basically, you get better results as the parts work together than you would if they were separate.
Although there are over one hundred different terpenes in cannabis plants, there are a few specific ones that tend to be more dominant than the others, and these terpenes bring new therapeutic benefits while also enhancing those of CBD. Let’s take a look at just a few of these dominant terpenes:
Myrcene: This terpene is commonly found in plants that are highly aromatic, such as mangoes, bay laurel, and basil. It provides a calming, sedative effect. It helps ease physical discomfort and lowers internal swelling.
Limonene: Found mostly in citrus fruits, this terpene can boost your mood, increase your mental focus, and reduce stress. Limonene can also help keep your body free of dangerous and harmful cells.
Pinene: As you may guess by the name, you can find this terpene in pine trees, as well as in some herbs, such as parsley and dill. Pinene helps ease inflammation and can promote better breathing. It can also help boost your mood and improve concentration.
Linalool: This terpene provides the typical fresh flower scent, and it has a great calming effect. It helps reduce stress and nervousness while also soothing muscle tension or spasms.
Terpenes and Cannabinoids Working Together
When terpenes and cannabinoids, like CBD, work together, you can experience enhanced therapeutic benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
We will get more into how CBD oil can benefit your body in part seven of this post.
The same goes for cannabis plants. Each variety of cannabis has its own distinct smell, just like different varieties of lavender or tulips have different and distinct smells. And the thing that gives each plant its own smell are the terpenes inside of it.
But terpenes do so much more than just make a plant smell nice (or not smell nice, if you’re the corpse flower). They also offer several therapeutic benefits, especially when they combine with cannabinoids, like those found in CBD oil. Today, we’re taking a closer look at what terpenes are and how they can enhance the benefits of CBD oil.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are molecules found in plants that produce a variety of different smells and flavors. Each plant has several different kinds of terpenes, but usually only a few dominate. These unique smells and flavors are designed to protect the plant and help it survive. For example, if an herbivore comes and starts eating a plant, that plant can respond by sending out certain terpenes, or a smell, that attracts carnivores to its herbivore enemy. When a plant is ready to be pollinated, it can produce different terpenes, or smells, that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Pretty neat, right?
If you're familiar with therpatic essential oils then you've most likely heard of terpenes before. Especially in the highest known-terpene oil in the world, Copaiba.
You will find terpenes in every plant, but you can also find them in many of today’s industrial products. Many companies use terpenes as fragrances, flavorings, or spices in their products, including cosmetics and perfumes.
Terpenes in Cannabis
In the cannabis plant specifically, there are over 100 different terpenes, each with its own unique flavor and smell. Of course, we only smell or taste the predominant terpenes, and each cannabis species (and ever other plant, for that matter) has varying strains and ratios of predominant and subdominant terpenes. This makes it so that every plant species has a different smell and taste, even if it similar to a related species. That’s why, in the earlier days, people could tell the difference between the sativa and indica species simply by the smell and taste of the plant.
Terpenes gather inside of trichomes, which are the tiny hairs on cannabis flowers that give the buds their frosty look. These trichomes, or glands, are also where the cannabis plant produces CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. Generally, terpenes are more concentrated in the flowers of unfertilized female cannabis plants, before the flowers undergo senescence (the process in which they age). As terpenes become more concentrated, they form an oil in the glands, which the plant can secrete as needed.
Terpenes in CBD Oil
Because terpenes create an oil in the cannabis flower, the essential oil from cannabis plants is essentially just the plant’s terpene profile – with the cannabinoids that are also in the glands. This means that once the essential CBD oil is extracted from the plant and bottled, the oil also contains the terpenes that were in the same glands (that is, if the terpenes aren’t removed from the oil after the extraction process).
Some people may think that CBD oil with terpenes is not “pure” CBD oil, but in reality, it is because all of the components in the oil came directly from the plant itself. Not only that, but having terpenes in your CBD oil can actually help enhance the benefits that CBD oil can provide.
Benefits of Terpenes
Terpenes work similar to and with the cannabinoids inside of the body, both those that your body produces naturally and those you ingest, like with CBD oil. This synergy between terpenes and cannabinoids creates what is called the “entourage effect”. In essence, the “entourage effect” is the process that both terpenes and cannabinoids bind to receptors and work together to enhance the therapeutic properties of both compounds. Basically, you get better results as the parts work together than you would if they were separate.
Although there are over one hundred different terpenes in cannabis plants, there are a few specific ones that tend to be more dominant than the others, and these terpenes bring new therapeutic benefits while also enhancing those of CBD. Let’s take a look at just a few of these dominant terpenes:
Myrcene: This terpene is commonly found in plants that are highly aromatic, such as mangoes, bay laurel, and basil. It provides a calming, sedative effect. It helps ease physical discomfort and lowers internal swelling.
Limonene: Found mostly in citrus fruits, this terpene can boost your mood, increase your mental focus, and reduce stress. Limonene can also help keep your body free of dangerous and harmful cells.
Pinene: As you may guess by the name, you can find this terpene in pine trees, as well as in some herbs, such as parsley and dill. Pinene helps ease inflammation and can promote better breathing. It can also help boost your mood and improve concentration.
Linalool: This terpene provides the typical fresh flower scent, and it has a great calming effect. It helps reduce stress and nervousness while also soothing muscle tension or spasms.
Terpenes and Cannabinoids Working Together
When terpenes and cannabinoids, like CBD, work together, you can experience enhanced therapeutic benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
- Greater dopamine activity
- Increased serotonin activity
- Increased control on how much THC crosses the brain-blood barrier
- Increased blood flow
- Enhanced activity in the cerebral cortex
We will get more into how CBD oil can benefit your body in part seven of this post.
PART 7: Health Benefits of CBD
In the previous sections we’ve been talking a lot about CBD: what it is, how it works in the body, the difference between it and THC, and more. All of this is important, but what exactly can CBD do to improve your health?
Well, as we’ve discussed in our previous sections, we’ve learned that CBD really does have an effect on the brain and body as it works with your body’s natural cannabinoids. As a result, CBD can have a host of remedial benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things CBD can help with.
Health Benefits
CBD Benefits for Emotional and Mental Health
As we mentioned in part five, CBD doesn’t just interact with your body’s cannabinoid receptors; it also interacts with several other receptors in the brain. Some of these include dopamine and serotonin receptors, which makes it so that CBD can have the same relaxing and uplifting effects as antidepressant medications. As a result, CBD can help you maintain balanced, calm, and positive emotions. We will dive more into how CBD can help with these and other mental health conditions in our next post.
CBD for Overall Physical Health
Some of the most common uses for CBD is to improve overall health. Whether they use it to just get through the day or to help treat a pre-existing condition, many people vouch for CBD. Among the many things that people have said CBD can do for your health, these are some of the most common ways that CBD can help improve physical well-being:
In addition to these benefits, some doctors and scientists have performed various studies on how CBD oil can help reduce seizures in those who suffer from epilepsy. In fact, the FDA has approved at least two CBD oil products for treating epilepsy.
CBD for Sleep
CBD oil and other CBD products have a great relaxing effect on both the mind and body. This is great for those who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. For those who struggle to sleep due to anxiety and an overactive mind, CBD can help calm the mind to promote more regular sleep cycles.
In smaller doses, CBD can also help keep you alert and avoid daytime drowsiness. This can help you have the energy you need throughout the day, so you don’t have to take afternoon naps. As a result, you can have a more regulated and natural sleep-wake cycle.
CBD for Beauty
Did you know that many people use CBD products to enhance their daily skincare and beauty routines? CBD is great for treating skin blemishes. It also helps reduce the appearance of red or itchy skin, so you can walk out of your home with confidence!
CBD oil is also full of other natural compounds, including omegas. Omega-3 in particular is great for strengthening and moisturizing hair, and coaxing out its natural shine.
Side Effects of CBD
CBD does have side effects, just like any other form of medicine, but CBD’s side effects are minimal and mild compared to mainstream drugs. Plus, CBD is not addictive, which is extremely important and appealing, especially when you need to take regular doses of addictive pharmaceutical medications, such as opioids and other painkillers.
When using any oil or product that contains CBD, you may experience some nausea, fatigue, and/or sleepiness. However, CBD provides a host of positive side effects at the same time, including the benefits we’ve already talked about. The best way that you can experience these benefits is by choosing a high-quality product that uses pure CBD oil.
Finding the Right Dosage to Achieve CBD Health Benefits
Although there are countless people who have discovered the health benefits for CBD for themselves, many doctors worry that there are not enough studies to confirm all of CBD’s health benefits or the proper dosage to achieve those desired results. Doctors cannot deny that some people experience greatly improved health as a result of using CBD products, but we also can’t ignore the limited number of studies.
As with any kind of medication, CBD will affect everyone a little differently, and everyone will need to test different dosages until they find the right amount of CBD that works for them. Due to limited studies on proper dosage amount, many doctors recommend starting at a low dosage (1-20mg) and see what that does for you over the course of one week. If you don’t notice any of the benefits after that first week, you can adjust your dosage by 5-10mg for the next week, and so on until you find the right dosage for you. Be sure to consult with your physician as you adjust your dosage. For basic dosage guidelines, check out this website.
What to expect in part eight: CBD for Mental and Emotional Health
Well, as we’ve discussed in our previous sections, we’ve learned that CBD really does have an effect on the brain and body as it works with your body’s natural cannabinoids. As a result, CBD can have a host of remedial benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things CBD can help with.
Health Benefits
CBD Benefits for Emotional and Mental Health
As we mentioned in part five, CBD doesn’t just interact with your body’s cannabinoid receptors; it also interacts with several other receptors in the brain. Some of these include dopamine and serotonin receptors, which makes it so that CBD can have the same relaxing and uplifting effects as antidepressant medications. As a result, CBD can help you maintain balanced, calm, and positive emotions. We will dive more into how CBD can help with these and other mental health conditions in our next post.
CBD for Overall Physical Health
Some of the most common uses for CBD is to improve overall health. Whether they use it to just get through the day or to help treat a pre-existing condition, many people vouch for CBD. Among the many things that people have said CBD can do for your health, these are some of the most common ways that CBD can help improve physical well-being:
- Decreases both internal and external swelling
- Aids in proper digestion
- Eases muscle soreness and tension
- Alleviates headaches and migraines
- Supports proper immune system function
- Aids in maintaining normal blood sugar
- Supports proper joint movement and fluidity
In addition to these benefits, some doctors and scientists have performed various studies on how CBD oil can help reduce seizures in those who suffer from epilepsy. In fact, the FDA has approved at least two CBD oil products for treating epilepsy.
CBD for Sleep
CBD oil and other CBD products have a great relaxing effect on both the mind and body. This is great for those who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. For those who struggle to sleep due to anxiety and an overactive mind, CBD can help calm the mind to promote more regular sleep cycles.
In smaller doses, CBD can also help keep you alert and avoid daytime drowsiness. This can help you have the energy you need throughout the day, so you don’t have to take afternoon naps. As a result, you can have a more regulated and natural sleep-wake cycle.
CBD for Beauty
Did you know that many people use CBD products to enhance their daily skincare and beauty routines? CBD is great for treating skin blemishes. It also helps reduce the appearance of red or itchy skin, so you can walk out of your home with confidence!
CBD oil is also full of other natural compounds, including omegas. Omega-3 in particular is great for strengthening and moisturizing hair, and coaxing out its natural shine.
Side Effects of CBD
CBD does have side effects, just like any other form of medicine, but CBD’s side effects are minimal and mild compared to mainstream drugs. Plus, CBD is not addictive, which is extremely important and appealing, especially when you need to take regular doses of addictive pharmaceutical medications, such as opioids and other painkillers.
When using any oil or product that contains CBD, you may experience some nausea, fatigue, and/or sleepiness. However, CBD provides a host of positive side effects at the same time, including the benefits we’ve already talked about. The best way that you can experience these benefits is by choosing a high-quality product that uses pure CBD oil.
Finding the Right Dosage to Achieve CBD Health Benefits
Although there are countless people who have discovered the health benefits for CBD for themselves, many doctors worry that there are not enough studies to confirm all of CBD’s health benefits or the proper dosage to achieve those desired results. Doctors cannot deny that some people experience greatly improved health as a result of using CBD products, but we also can’t ignore the limited number of studies.
As with any kind of medication, CBD will affect everyone a little differently, and everyone will need to test different dosages until they find the right amount of CBD that works for them. Due to limited studies on proper dosage amount, many doctors recommend starting at a low dosage (1-20mg) and see what that does for you over the course of one week. If you don’t notice any of the benefits after that first week, you can adjust your dosage by 5-10mg for the next week, and so on until you find the right dosage for you. Be sure to consult with your physician as you adjust your dosage. For basic dosage guidelines, check out this website.
What to expect in part eight: CBD for Mental and Emotional Health
PART 8: CBD For Mental and Emotional Health
Did you know that one in every four people will be affected by some kind of mental health issue at some point in their life? Just in the United States alone, that’s over 80 million people! With so many people experiencing some form of mental illness, it’s no wonder doctors, naturalists, and victims alike are all searching for new and better ways to help improve mental health.
As we discussed in our last post, CBD provides a host of benefits for your physical health. But did you know that CBD can also improve your mental well-being? If you or someone you know suffers from a mental health issue, you may want to at least consider CBD as a treatment option that you can discuss with your doctor.
Before you do that, though, here’s a list of just some of the things CBD can do to help with your mental health:
Ease Feelings of Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues today. Not only can anxiety make you experience shortened breaths and unclear thoughts, but it can also affect your health by raising your blood pressure, causing digestive issues, and resulting in lack of sleep. To help ease your symptoms of anxiety, CBD helps your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) establish homeostasis, or harmony and balance, throughout your mind and body. This can ultimately help you feel calmer and experience fewer or less severe side effects of anxiety.
Improve Your Mood
If you experience frequent and/or severe feelings of sadness, CBD may help. When ingested, CBD works with several receptors in your brain to establish homeostasis. One of the receptors that CBD activates is your 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which is responsible for regulating your mood and anxiety levels. By targeting this specific serotonin receptor, CBD can enhance how your serotonin receptors send signals throughout the brain and body. As a result, you can experience fast and lasting antidepressant-like effects in a natural way.
Strengthen Your Endocannabinoid System
One way that CBD strengthens your ECS is by inhibiting the breakdown of anandamide. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid that is fundamentally linked to happy feelings. When you ingest CBD, it inhibits the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FFAH) enzyme that breaks down anandamide. By inhibiting the breakdown, CBD enables anandamide to last longer in the body, which strengthens your ECS.
It’s great to have a strong Endocannabinoid System, but why is it so important? Well, your ECS is responsible for regulating several systems within your body, including mental processing. Over the years, scientists have determined a link between a weakened or insufficient ECS and mental health issues, including depression. By strengthening your ECS, CBD can help reduce your chances of suffering from mental issues, or reduce the side effects you experience.
Aid in Psychosis Disorders
A psychosis disorder is when someone experiences impaired thoughts and emotions to the extent where they cannot identify what is reality and what is not. Examples of psychosis disorders include Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s. Psychosis can come about from various different things, but one interesting cause that scientists have found is the frequent use of high-THC products, such as marijuana. Studies show, however, that CBD can help counteract the negative side effects that THC can have on the brain. CBD does this by lowering the psychosis symptoms as well as improving general cognitive function.
Ease Side Effects From Traumatic Events
Many people experience an extreme case of anxiety as a result of a traumatic, frightening, or extremely stressful event. For some, this condition may be clinically diagnosed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), whereas others may have milder but still detrimental side effects. No matter the severity of the condition, those who suffer from such anxiety often experience nightmares or flashbacks of the event, which can cause them to feel extreme guilt, sadness, or irritability. One way that CBD can help reduce these effects is by activating the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which can help improve your mood and reduce anxiety.
Another way that CBD can help is by reducing the activity of the amygdala part of the brain. In short, the amygdala produces fear. It controls the way we respond to events, particularly frightening ones. CBD can reduce activity in the amygdala by inhibiting the FAAH enzyme (remember this from earlier?) and increasing the amount of anandamide in the body. As a result, you can experience greater and longer-lasting feelings of happiness instead of fear.
Reduce Compulsions and Addictions
For those who experience obsessive compulsions, CBD may help. Obsessive compulsions can interfere with day-to-day life in many different ways, and it can be a great hindrance for many people. When ingested, CBD can activate your 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which, in part, helps reduce compulsive behavior and instincts.
If you or someone you know suffers from an addiction of any kind, CBD may be able to help with that as well in several different ways. First, CBD can help reduce cravings. It can also help reduce any anxiety caused from such cravings, resulting in a calmer mind and greater ability to focus on quitting.
As you can see, CBD can help ease the effects of many mental health issues. If you or someone you know experiences one or more of these issues, it may be worth considering CBD. As always, be sure to consult with your doctor before using CBD, especially if you are already taking medications. You may be surprised, though, to see just what CBD can do for you.
As we discussed in our last post, CBD provides a host of benefits for your physical health. But did you know that CBD can also improve your mental well-being? If you or someone you know suffers from a mental health issue, you may want to at least consider CBD as a treatment option that you can discuss with your doctor.
Before you do that, though, here’s a list of just some of the things CBD can do to help with your mental health:
Ease Feelings of Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues today. Not only can anxiety make you experience shortened breaths and unclear thoughts, but it can also affect your health by raising your blood pressure, causing digestive issues, and resulting in lack of sleep. To help ease your symptoms of anxiety, CBD helps your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) establish homeostasis, or harmony and balance, throughout your mind and body. This can ultimately help you feel calmer and experience fewer or less severe side effects of anxiety.
Improve Your Mood
If you experience frequent and/or severe feelings of sadness, CBD may help. When ingested, CBD works with several receptors in your brain to establish homeostasis. One of the receptors that CBD activates is your 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which is responsible for regulating your mood and anxiety levels. By targeting this specific serotonin receptor, CBD can enhance how your serotonin receptors send signals throughout the brain and body. As a result, you can experience fast and lasting antidepressant-like effects in a natural way.
Strengthen Your Endocannabinoid System
One way that CBD strengthens your ECS is by inhibiting the breakdown of anandamide. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid that is fundamentally linked to happy feelings. When you ingest CBD, it inhibits the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FFAH) enzyme that breaks down anandamide. By inhibiting the breakdown, CBD enables anandamide to last longer in the body, which strengthens your ECS.
It’s great to have a strong Endocannabinoid System, but why is it so important? Well, your ECS is responsible for regulating several systems within your body, including mental processing. Over the years, scientists have determined a link between a weakened or insufficient ECS and mental health issues, including depression. By strengthening your ECS, CBD can help reduce your chances of suffering from mental issues, or reduce the side effects you experience.
Aid in Psychosis Disorders
A psychosis disorder is when someone experiences impaired thoughts and emotions to the extent where they cannot identify what is reality and what is not. Examples of psychosis disorders include Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s. Psychosis can come about from various different things, but one interesting cause that scientists have found is the frequent use of high-THC products, such as marijuana. Studies show, however, that CBD can help counteract the negative side effects that THC can have on the brain. CBD does this by lowering the psychosis symptoms as well as improving general cognitive function.
Ease Side Effects From Traumatic Events
Many people experience an extreme case of anxiety as a result of a traumatic, frightening, or extremely stressful event. For some, this condition may be clinically diagnosed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), whereas others may have milder but still detrimental side effects. No matter the severity of the condition, those who suffer from such anxiety often experience nightmares or flashbacks of the event, which can cause them to feel extreme guilt, sadness, or irritability. One way that CBD can help reduce these effects is by activating the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which can help improve your mood and reduce anxiety.
Another way that CBD can help is by reducing the activity of the amygdala part of the brain. In short, the amygdala produces fear. It controls the way we respond to events, particularly frightening ones. CBD can reduce activity in the amygdala by inhibiting the FAAH enzyme (remember this from earlier?) and increasing the amount of anandamide in the body. As a result, you can experience greater and longer-lasting feelings of happiness instead of fear.
Reduce Compulsions and Addictions
For those who experience obsessive compulsions, CBD may help. Obsessive compulsions can interfere with day-to-day life in many different ways, and it can be a great hindrance for many people. When ingested, CBD can activate your 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which, in part, helps reduce compulsive behavior and instincts.
If you or someone you know suffers from an addiction of any kind, CBD may be able to help with that as well in several different ways. First, CBD can help reduce cravings. It can also help reduce any anxiety caused from such cravings, resulting in a calmer mind and greater ability to focus on quitting.
As you can see, CBD can help ease the effects of many mental health issues. If you or someone you know experiences one or more of these issues, it may be worth considering CBD. As always, be sure to consult with your doctor before using CBD, especially if you are already taking medications. You may be surprised, though, to see just what CBD can do for you.
Young Living, the leader for 3 decades in producing the purest, best therapeutic essential oils in the world, will be introducing a line of CBD oil in 2019! No more guessing from the dozens of new-to-market companies trying to cash in on plant medicine.
We've mastered the sustainable art of non-GMO, hyper-organic farming longer than most of these companies have been around combined.
When you choose a company to support you and your family in the healing journey to health + happiness, you can feel at peace that every product we make, from CBD oil, essential oils, personal care, beauty + make-up, household products to supplements and ancient grain food sources -- will be the purest, best, 100% non-GMO, organic, ethically + sustainably farmed available in the world. Period.
People before profits.
Fill out the below form to stay updated and learn about life changing paint-based wellness:
We've mastered the sustainable art of non-GMO, hyper-organic farming longer than most of these companies have been around combined.
When you choose a company to support you and your family in the healing journey to health + happiness, you can feel at peace that every product we make, from CBD oil, essential oils, personal care, beauty + make-up, household products to supplements and ancient grain food sources -- will be the purest, best, 100% non-GMO, organic, ethically + sustainably farmed available in the world. Period.
People before profits.
Fill out the below form to stay updated and learn about life changing paint-based wellness:
PICEA MARIANA (P. MILL.) B.S.P. VAR. MARIANA
Black spruce is in the Pinaceae family which includes the Pines and Firs as well as Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica). Black spruce resin was used as a chewing gum; wound healing agent; tea against sore throat; salve greased on the chest against bronchial diseases while Black spruce needles were used in tea against cough; stomach disease because of tobacco abuse. The cones were also used in tea against cold and cough (Deeg, et al. 2012).
The essential oil is distilled from the needles. The essential oil is rich in the ester, bornyl acetate, and supported by monoterpenes (camphene and a-pinene).
TOP AFFINITIES FOR BLACK SPRUCE:
Black spruce is in the Pinaceae family which includes the Pines and Firs as well as Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica). Black spruce resin was used as a chewing gum; wound healing agent; tea against sore throat; salve greased on the chest against bronchial diseases while Black spruce needles were used in tea against cough; stomach disease because of tobacco abuse. The cones were also used in tea against cold and cough (Deeg, et al. 2012).
The essential oil is distilled from the needles. The essential oil is rich in the ester, bornyl acetate, and supported by monoterpenes (camphene and a-pinene).
TOP AFFINITIES FOR BLACK SPRUCE:
- Respiratory system: Colds, moist coughs, spasmodic coughs, bronchitis
- Immune System: Immune deficiency. General weakness. Strengthens immunity/ojas.
Specific for adrenal fatigue. Can be used with Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris). Use in a 1:2 essential oils to vegetable oil dilution. Gently massage into area above kidneys. Apply 2x a day.
The bornyl acetate content indicates that it could be a beneficial analgesic and anti-inflammatory (think musculoskeletal system: muscular aches and pains, stiffness, tension) essential oil, as well as being relaxing. Could blend with other ester rich essential oils or essential oils with a good ester content and the sedative alcohol, linalol.
Northern Lights Black Spruce is a key ingredient in Young Living's best selling blend, Valor.
Northern Lights Black Spruce is a key ingredient in Young Living's best selling blend, Valor.
Aromatherapy Recipes with Black Spruce
RELIEVE CONGESTION: RESPIRATORY STOCK BOTTLE
5ml bottle (approx 125 drops)
50 drops Northern Lights Black spruce
50 drops Eucalyptus radiata
25 drops Frankincense
**How to use: Add 25 drops to blank personal inhaler. Add 10-15 drops in water diffuser, or 2ml in nebulizing diffuser. Add 3-5 drops to bowl of hot water for steam inhalation.
RELIEVE CONGESTION: RESPIRATORY STOCK BOTTLE
5ml bottle (approx 125 drops)
50 drops Northern Lights Black spruce
50 drops Eucalyptus radiata
25 drops Frankincense
**How to use: Add 25 drops to blank personal inhaler. Add 10-15 drops in water diffuser, or 2ml in nebulizing diffuser. Add 3-5 drops to bowl of hot water for steam inhalation.
NOURISHMENT BODY OIL
1 fl oz of Jojoba or Grapeseed oil
0.5 fl oz of Calendula herbal oil
0.5 fl oz of Sesame oil
10 drops Northern Lights Black spruce
8 drops Rose
7 drops Royal Hawaiian or Sacred Sandalwood
1 fl oz of Jojoba or Grapeseed oil
0.5 fl oz of Calendula herbal oil
0.5 fl oz of Sesame oil
10 drops Northern Lights Black spruce
8 drops Rose
7 drops Royal Hawaiian or Sacred Sandalwood
MUSCLE ACHES AND PAIN GEL
3 Tbsp Aloe Vera Gelly
1 Tbsp Laurel Hydrosol (or Lavender or 5 drops lavender eo in 1/2 tbsp glycerin + 1/2 tbsp distilled water)
1 tsp. German chamomile Hydrosol
10 drops Northern Lights Black spruce
5 drops Laurus nobilis Vitality
5 drops Lemon
3 Tbsp Aloe Vera Gelly
1 Tbsp Laurel Hydrosol (or Lavender or 5 drops lavender eo in 1/2 tbsp glycerin + 1/2 tbsp distilled water)
1 tsp. German chamomile Hydrosol
10 drops Northern Lights Black spruce
5 drops Laurus nobilis Vitality
5 drops Lemon
ENHANCE IMMUNITY SALT SCRUB
2 cups Fine Himalayan Pink Sea Salt
1 cup (approx.) Sesame or other organic vegetable oil
15 drops Norther Lights Black spruce
6 drops Tea tree or Melaleuca quinquenervia
5 drops Eucalyptus radiata
5 drops Lemon
2 cups Fine Himalayan Pink Sea Salt
1 cup (approx.) Sesame or other organic vegetable oil
15 drops Norther Lights Black spruce
6 drops Tea tree or Melaleuca quinquenervia
5 drops Eucalyptus radiata
5 drops Lemon
Read more about Young Living's world class quality and our Northern Lights Black Spruce farm HERE
References:
Deeg, K, Eichhorn T, Alexie G, Kretschmer N, Andersch K, Bauer R, Efferth T. (2012). Growth inhibition of human acute lymphoblastic CCRF-CEM leukemia cells by medicinal plants of the West-Canadian Gwich’in Native Americans. Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. 2, 35–40.
Deeg, K, Eichhorn T, Alexie G, Kretschmer N, Andersch K, Bauer R, Efferth T. (2012). Growth inhibition of human acute lymphoblastic CCRF-CEM leukemia cells by medicinal plants of the West-Canadian Gwich’in Native Americans. Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. 2, 35–40.
Afternoon homework slump or commuting fatigue?
Need a boost to finish that project or study?
Simply want to boost focus, memory + be more mentally alert for your family?
Or maybe you constantly roll out of bed feeling tired, sluggish, and wondering how you’re going to deal with another day at the office?
Skip that extra dose of caffeine and try this simple combination of therapeutic essential oils to support your mental agility + focus.
Pure therapeutic essential oils that not only stimulate the nervous system but are cephalic as well (meaning that they improve memory and concentration!) make up this easy DIY on-the-go face mist.
Need a boost to finish that project or study?
Simply want to boost focus, memory + be more mentally alert for your family?
Or maybe you constantly roll out of bed feeling tired, sluggish, and wondering how you’re going to deal with another day at the office?
Skip that extra dose of caffeine and try this simple combination of therapeutic essential oils to support your mental agility + focus.
Pure therapeutic essential oils that not only stimulate the nervous system but are cephalic as well (meaning that they improve memory and concentration!) make up this easy DIY on-the-go face mist.
Vital Focus Mist
In a 1oz glass or stainless steel spray bottle combine the following essential oils:
7 drops Spearmint
7 drops Peppermint
5 drops Cardamon
4 drops Rosemary
Swirl to synergize.
Add 1 tsp vegetable glycerin*, mix well.
Slowly fill up to next of bottle with distilled water.
Mix thoroughly.
*VG can be skipped in a pinch, but you will need to shake VERY well before each use as oils will separate from water without it.
Close your eyes, spray on face and décolletage, breathe deeply. Use as often as needed.
This is a pick-me-up that works in seconds. No matter how busy you are you’ve got a few spare seconds.
You can use it all the time — while you're driving, working or doing any activity that requires your focus and attention.
ProTip: Use these same oils in your nearby diffuser to keep some pep in your step. Also, double the oils, ditch the VG & water, and use in a 10ml roller bottle filled with organic grapeseed oil for a brain boosting roller to send with your little one to school!
WHY DOES IT WORK?
The essential oils chosen here to support memory, focus + concentration in this blend are:
Spearmint Essential Oil: restorative, strengthens memory, stimulates the mind
Peppermint Essential Oil: stimulates nerves and brain, improves concentration and study
Cardamom Essential Oil: fortifying, tonic of the brain and nervous system
Rosemary Essential Oil: clears the mind, sharpens the memory and boosts the nervous system
ProTip: The Vitality line of the above oils work identically.
This is a pick-me-up that works in seconds. No matter how busy you are you’ve got a few spare seconds.
You can use it all the time — while you're driving, working or doing any activity that requires your focus and attention.
ProTip: Use these same oils in your nearby diffuser to keep some pep in your step. Also, double the oils, ditch the VG & water, and use in a 10ml roller bottle filled with organic grapeseed oil for a brain boosting roller to send with your little one to school!
WHY DOES IT WORK?
The essential oils chosen here to support memory, focus + concentration in this blend are:
Spearmint Essential Oil: restorative, strengthens memory, stimulates the mind
Peppermint Essential Oil: stimulates nerves and brain, improves concentration and study
Cardamom Essential Oil: fortifying, tonic of the brain and nervous system
Rosemary Essential Oil: clears the mind, sharpens the memory and boosts the nervous system
ProTip: The Vitality line of the above oils work identically.
Not so much into DIY? Buy a hand crafted bottle of VITAL FOCUS MIST HERE from the ApothecaryMama Shoppery.
Shared with permission from ThinkCrucial.com
When it comes to essential oils, everyone knows how to put them in a diffuser to reap the benefits of aromatherapy. But did you know that there are other ways that you can use your essential oil that will provide a tangible benefit to you and your loved ones? The positive properties of essential oils come from the oil’s natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years by hundreds of different cultures. They have been used not just for aromatherapy, but also personal care, cleaning, and even for their natural healing properties.
One thing to keep in mind when you use essential oils is that you should not use undiluted essential oils on your bare skin. There are some who disagree with this, saying that pure essential oil on the skin can be used for various things. However, because everyone’s tolerance and sensitivity to the compounds found in essential oil can vary widely, if you’ve never applied essential oils to your skin, dilute them.
When you dilute an essential oil, you use a carrier oil. Carrier oils are neutral and stable, so they will not evaporate or add unwanted properties to an essential oil. These include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or even shea butter. There is no real standard for dilution as every person has a different sensitivity to essential oils. In general, start with one drop of essential oil to ever teaspoon of carrier oil. This will give you a roughly 1% solution strength. From there, you can increase the amount of essential oil as need be to suit your tolerance and needs.
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years by hundreds of different cultures. They have been used not just for aromatherapy, but also personal care, cleaning, and even for their natural healing properties.
One thing to keep in mind when you use essential oils is that you should not use undiluted essential oils on your bare skin. There are some who disagree with this, saying that pure essential oil on the skin can be used for various things. However, because everyone’s tolerance and sensitivity to the compounds found in essential oil can vary widely, if you’ve never applied essential oils to your skin, dilute them.
When you dilute an essential oil, you use a carrier oil. Carrier oils are neutral and stable, so they will not evaporate or add unwanted properties to an essential oil. These include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or even shea butter. There is no real standard for dilution as every person has a different sensitivity to essential oils. In general, start with one drop of essential oil to ever teaspoon of carrier oil. This will give you a roughly 1% solution strength. From there, you can increase the amount of essential oil as need be to suit your tolerance and needs.
Cleaning With Essential Oils.
- Lemon or another citrus essential oil can dissolve gummy stuck-on disasters. Use a couple of drops to get gum out of hair or out of the carpet. A drop or two will remove tree sap from tools and sticky label residue from containers.
- Citrus essential oils are also great for cleaning permanent marker from non-porous surfaces.
- Spiders find peppermint oil repugnant. If you have an area where they like to lurk, put one or two drops of oil on a cotton ball and tuck it there.
- Keep ants out! Make a spray out of 5 drops of peppermint oil to 1 cup of water. Shake well and spray into cracks where you notice them coming in.
- When you change your box filters in your HVAC system, add a drop of essential oil onto the filter on the exit side. The oils will refresh your entire home.
- Eucalyptus Oil is great for cleaning. Combine with tea tree oil for a great cleaning spray. Add four drops of each to 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Use to remove mildew and you’ll be disinfecting and deodorizing at the same time.
- Make a natural disinfectant and cleaner by combining lemon and tea tree essential oils with warm water. Use in a spray container to clean hard non-porous surfaces naturally without harsh chemicals.
- If you or someone in your household smokes, get rid of the old smoky smell by adding tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and rosemary oil to warm water in a spray bottle. Spray when needed to naturally deodorize the air.
- If you have a dishwasher, add a drop or two of lemon essential oil before you start it. This will help ensure a spot free rinse that keeps your dishes sparkling.
Personal Healthcare.
- If you have kids who seem to get the before-bedtime wiggles and have trouble falling asleep, sprinkle some lavender oil on their pillow. You can also add a couple of drops onto their favorite teddy to help them calm down.
- If you’ve had a tough day on your feet, relax and soothe those tired dogs. Add a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil to a large bowl of warm water to help revitalize and soothe your feet.
- If you’re feeling tense and overwhelmed, apply diluted lavender essential oil to your temples. The smell will take effect more quickly than your normal diffuser.
- Peppermint oil, properly diluted, can help stave off or reduce the effects of a migraine. As soon as you feel one coming on, apply to your temple and the base of your neck to allow the blood flow to increase and your veins to relax.
- Lavender oil is a natural disinfectant. Apply diluted essential oil to a scrape of cut to keep it clean and reduce inflammation.
- Lavender can also help reduce tension in the jaw and neck by applying a few drops behind the jaw and massaging it into sore and stiff neck muscles.
- Add a diluted essential oil to sugar or rock salt to make your own homemade sugar or salt scrub. Use in the bath or on your face as you would a commercial product.
- Fight nausea from indigestion or sickness by breathing in peppermint oil. In some cases, ginger or lavender oil will also help.
- Lavender oil also helps take the itch and sting out of bug bites. Apply a few diluted drops and rub into the bite to soothe the sting.
- After workout muscle soreness can be soothed with a homemade eucalyptus rub. Add some eucalyptus and peppermint oil to an unscented lotion and rub into the affected area.
As you can see, essential oils have more uses than just percolating in your diffuser for aromatherapy. Experiment with your favorite oils to find out more things you can do to help improve your life.
Both positive and negative emotions are important and part of being human, but when we can’t manage them properly we can find ourselves in a downward spiral fast. This can have a serious impact on every aspect of our lives – especially our health.
Take an Emotional Detox Break
Taking regular emotional detox breaks will help you handle your emotions with ease and cleanse your entire system so that you can reach your full potential and enjoy the abundant life. This does not have to be a complicated drawn out process. Take a 15min walk a solely focus on you breathe & noticing life around you. Sit down for 2min to journal things you are grateful for.
Anything you choose to do, make it a regular part of your wellness routine to continuously improve your mental state. Which as we know directly effects your physically wellbeing. Those who choose to live with an over abundance of angst, anger, stress & discontentment are more prone to all illness. From autoimmune diseases, migraines & headaches, sleep disorders, common colds - to seriously illness such as cancer and degenerative diseases.
Our bodies & minds are an interconnected system of natural chemicals that can either serve us or make us feel miserable. What do you want to feel like?
DIY Emotional Detox Inhaler
Contrary to popular opinion, there are actually much fewer ways to use essential oils to detox your body compared to using essential oils to detox your emotions. EOs help calm your mind, boost your mood and help put you in a meditative, mindful state.
Take an Emotional Detox Break
Taking regular emotional detox breaks will help you handle your emotions with ease and cleanse your entire system so that you can reach your full potential and enjoy the abundant life. This does not have to be a complicated drawn out process. Take a 15min walk a solely focus on you breathe & noticing life around you. Sit down for 2min to journal things you are grateful for.
Anything you choose to do, make it a regular part of your wellness routine to continuously improve your mental state. Which as we know directly effects your physically wellbeing. Those who choose to live with an over abundance of angst, anger, stress & discontentment are more prone to all illness. From autoimmune diseases, migraines & headaches, sleep disorders, common colds - to seriously illness such as cancer and degenerative diseases.
Our bodies & minds are an interconnected system of natural chemicals that can either serve us or make us feel miserable. What do you want to feel like?
DIY Emotional Detox Inhaler
Contrary to popular opinion, there are actually much fewer ways to use essential oils to detox your body compared to using essential oils to detox your emotions. EOs help calm your mind, boost your mood and help put you in a meditative, mindful state.
 | Emotional Detoxification Inhaler Ingredients*
|
Instructions
*Essential oils must be 100% pure therapeutic grade, direct from the farm/distiller, hyper-orgnanic & non-GMO in order to have the desire effects. Store bought oils will not work and may not be safe.
**Learn more about essential oil science, safety & quality HERE.
***Get started with the most used & useful essential oil kit in the world HERE.
- Mix your essential oils in a glass ramekin or empty 5 or 15ml empty essential oil bottle. [PRO TIP: Make MORE of this blend than you need for the inhaler to also use as a roller, in your diffuser and to reinvigorate your inhaler from time to time!]
- Swirl to synergies.
- Add 20 drops of blend to the cotton wick after you've set it in the cap.
- Place top section on inhaler tube.
- Keep out away from heat and tightly sealed when not in use.
- Use during your emotional detox exercises (mediation, walking, yoga, prayer, etc) - especially when practicing forgiveness, self-love, spiritual growth and reciting positive affirmations.
- Use as often as needed.
*Essential oils must be 100% pure therapeutic grade, direct from the farm/distiller, hyper-orgnanic & non-GMO in order to have the desire effects. Store bought oils will not work and may not be safe.
**Learn more about essential oil science, safety & quality HERE.
***Get started with the most used & useful essential oil kit in the world HERE.
|
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