The articles and anecdotes about what CBD has done for people are becoming more and more common. With so many CBD products available, it can be challenging deciding which one to try. Especially when you can find it everywhere. From the gas station to the natural food store, you can find CBD salve, tinctures, vape pens, flower and more.
Simple Apothecary would like to help you with this process. First,I’ll offer a simple explanation on just what CBD is. If you already know about cannabinoids, you can skip ahead to the 10 Questions.
CBD and Cannabinoids Explained
Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in the cannabis plant. Humans require levels of cannabinoids in their body to maintain homeostasis, or overall health. Yes, we actually have an endocannabinoid system! While other plants such as echinacea and black pepper can provide cannabinoids, as you may have guessed by the name cannabis is the plant with the most available. CBD (cannabidiol) is the most current celebrity cannabinoid. Probably the most famous though is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the cannabinoid that gives the “high” feeling.
Experts believe there may be over a hundred cannabinoids available in cannabis, many of which have not been identified yet. Each one has its own properties, but in fact work best when combined. CBD is arguably the most talked about cannabinoid in terms of medical benefits. However, it works best when it is combined with the other cannabinoids. Yes, believe it or not, even THC has medicinal qualities.
Getting Enough Cannabinoids
Ingesting CBD and other cannabinoids through tinctures and edibles is excellent for building up consistent levels of CBD in the body. A daily dose is needed to build and maintain levels, which can take time. While steady levels of cannabinoids is ideal, it can be an issue when you’re in a situation that demands immediate relief.
That is where topical salves and creams come in. Topical salves can be an excellent alternative to ingestion for a quick uptake of cannabinoids, without the lung irritation. Keep in mind though that more CBD isn’t always better or necessary.
10 Questions to Consider When Choosing a Topical CBD Salve
Okay, all that information is awesome, but how do you choose one? There are literally hundreds available online and in stores, with some not even worth the jar they’re in. That’s where Simple Apothecary comes in.
I’ve created a list of 10 things to help you make the best choice on a topical CBD salve. Hopefully this makes your decision a little easier, so you can quickly get that feeling of relief into your hands.
1. What is the source of the CBD?
Hemp derived CBD is the only legal form of CBD on a federal level in the United States of America. Individual states may allow CBD sourced from cannabis (you can find out at NORML.org). For most people, hemp-derived CBD works just as well as cannabis-derived CBD.
2. Where is the hemp grown?
Industrial hemp is grown in many countries around the world, including the United States. With global warming and the cost of transportation, the more local the hemp production, the better. Keep in mind too that not all countries have strict organic processes to help you avoid harmful chemicals.
3. Is the hemp organic and non-GMO?
I’m sure this goes without saying, but pesticides are not good for your body. Period. Altering plant structure to allow for pesticides makes a plant GMO, or genetically modified. The fact is, the jury is still out on whether this is good for our bodies or not.
4. How much CBD is in it?
There should be a clear statement of how much CBD you can expect from the product. This is shown either in total milligrams (mg) per package, or as “mg/g”. That means you can expect a particular amount of milligrams (mg) of cannabinoids for every gram (g) of product.
5. How much THC is in it?
If the product is full-spectrum it usually means there are at least trace amounts of THC in it. As long as it is at or below .03 mg/g or .3%, it is federally legal. While you can find salve made with only CBD, it may not be as effective.
6. What about the other cannabinoids?
Again, full-spectrum is the key here. The different cannabinoids in the plant work together to create an entourage effect. That means when there is more than one cannabinoid available, the combined effect is MUCH stronger.
7. Is there a guarantee on the amount of CBD?
The only way to make sure a product has as much CBD as it claims, is an independent laboratory. Some larger companies will test their own products, which doesn’t mean anything. The FDA published a study showing that many CBD products do NOT have the amounts claimed. If the company isn’t transparent on testing, they aren’t worth your money. Some companies will show a lab report, but it’s still a scam. Some of those very lab reports prove there is less CBD in the product than claimed.
8. Is CBD the only active ingredient?
CBD can be okay on its own, but works even better when combined with other active ingredients. Essential oils are powerful, but they need to be of high-quality. Otherwise they become just fragrance and lose their medicinal properties.
9. What other ingredients are used?
Many products use cheap fillers, like palm oil or chemical based ingredients. Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Be just as mindful of what you put ON your body, as you do what you put IN it. Pay attention to the additional ingredients.
10. What are the ethics of the company?
Are they transparent with their business practices? Do they give back to their community? Who are they beholden to? As the CBD industry is one of the fastest areas of economic growth, new companies are popping up daily. If supporting a small business is important to you, be sure to do research into the company before buying.
Where do I find a salve like that?
Simple Apothecary hopes this list of questions helps you to make an informed decision on choosing a topical CBD salve. I also hope that it’s obvious by now that my own relEASE 250 Hemp CBD Salve fits the bill when answering these questions.
relEASE 250 Hemp CBD Salve with Synergistic Essential Oils
After reading those 10 questions, I want to show you why relEASE 250 Hemp CBD Salve is your answer. I believe I make one of the best salves for relief.
SOURCE
I only use a certified organic hemp extract grown in Oregon, USA. The extract is independently tested to be free of pesticides and heavy metals before it even gets to me. This is a third-party I trust as their ethics align with Simple Apothecary’s.
LAB TESTED
relEASE 250 is lab tested through an independent third-party. I post those results on the product page under the “testing” tab. In other words, I pay someone to test my salve to ensure consistent levels of CBD. You know what you can expect every time you open a jar.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
CBD levels will be (or slightly higher than) 250 mg in each 2 ounce jar of salve; and in each 0.5 ounce trial-size container there is 62.5 mg (or slightly higher than).
Federally-legal trace amounts of THC are in my salve. This trace amount offers the benefits of topically-applied THC, without any chance of getting “high”. Applying THC to the skin means very little gets into your blood stream, especially as so little is present to begin with.
FULL-SPECTRUM HEMP
relEASE 250 Hemp CBD Salve is full-spectrum, which means there are more cannabinoids than just CBD in it. You also get the benefits of trace amounts of other cannabinoids such as CBG and CBN.
ALL-NATURAL & CHEMICAL-FREE
relEASE 250 Hemp CBD Salve is chemical-free, with only all-natural ingredients that are as organic and non-GMO as possible. There are no low-quality or chemical fillers. You can put this salve on your skin with confidence.
THE RIGHT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
relEASE 250 Hemp CBD Salve has additional active ingredients. 12 essential and infused oils are combined with the CBD to create one powerful effect. The infused hemp oils are made in-store using organic ingredients. The organic essential oils are from a third-party I trust. I chose this company because of the purity of their oils, the consistency in quality, and their commitment to testing.
AN ETHICAL COMPANY
Simple Apothecary is a company with ethics. Yes, I said ethics. I started this company based on principles that include transparency and honesty. In fact, Simple Apothecary has a publicly posted ethos.
I HOPE THAT HELPED!
Sorting through so much information on CBD, hemp, and cannabis can be challenging. Legally and ethically, I can’t tell you if CBD products will help you. If you’re curious to learn more though, I encourage you to read the reviews on relEASE 250. I hope this guide assists you in making an informed decision on which product to choose.
#SimpleApothecary #relEASE250 #BestCBDSalve #SimpleRelief
