Understanding CBD: The Power of Hemp CBD Medicines

CBD is the hottest plant in town, and now with Ohio’s official legalization of cannabidiol, it’s popping up on store shelves everywhere. But what is it exactly? CBD or cannabidiol is the non-psychoactive compound found in hemp or cannabis sativa and does not make you high, but is showing to be one of the most healing plants in the world.

For decades, anything to do with cannabis or marijuana had been outlawed, looked down on, and thought to be criminal by many. Even the very mention of the plant was shunned. Thankfully, since the invention of the internet, saner heads have prevailed, clearing up the truth and laying waste to the propaganda and smear campaigns that had misinformed millions across the globe. Perhaps, no country has been affected by the misinformation more so than the USA where it was once thought that cannabis was a harmful drug reported to cause brain damage, bad decisions and other obscure defects. It is now becoming more common knowledge that the plant is indeed useful for a myriad of medicinal applications*.

With the legalization of cannabis, we have seen a huge increase in both growing approaches and extraction techniques, which has caused an evolution of what we know about the plant and what we can do with it. If you are of age and in a location where it is legal, you can smoke and use marijuana. However, there are new and fascinating alternative uses for the plant that are becoming mainstream. The latest, and perhaps the largest discovery, has been the healing power of the CBD compound found in all cannabis plants. THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive molecule produced by the female flowers of the plant, which triggers certain drug tests and affects the mind. According to a report from the World Health Organization as cited in an article from Harvard Health, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” We still have much to learn about CBD and a range of lesser-known cannabinoids.

CBD is the non-psychotropic cannabinoid found in cannabis. Based on studies and customer testimony, CBD has been found to have pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, and immune boosting effects, as well as sedating, hypnotic, anti-epileptic and anti-dystonic effects, among other healing attributes. CBD does not inspire a euphoria but it can relax you, soothe painful joints and muscles, ease anxiety, help regulate sleep patterns, reduce depression and balance mood, fight certain cancers, stimulate bone growth, aid gut health and stop the growth of bacteria, as well as suppress muscle spasms and convulsions, slow inflammation, reduce blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of artery obstructions, decrease pressure in the blood vessel walls, help control epileptic seizures, reduce risk of nerve damage, and ease nausea. Some studies have found that CBD may have neuroprotective properties, and may benefit facial acne, heart health, substance abuse, and may have a positive effect on a variety of psychotic symptoms.

From our understanding as Herbalists, we recognize that feral hemp used to grow wild all-around North America. Wild hemp loved growing in cow pastures and fields, because they were rich in nutrients, so for a long time throughout human evolution, these compounds entered our systems by way of the meat we ate from the cows, who happily ate the hemp, introducing many of these compounds into our diets. Since prohibition in the US, wild hemp has since been eradicated and stripped from our diets, and may very well be the cause of many of our modern illnesses and ailments. The previous eradication explains why CBD is showing to be quite literally a ‘wonder drug.’

Cannabis is among the kindest plants in the world for humans. While side effects to CBD are rare, they can include nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, from our experience, overdosing leads to calmness and tiredness in most cases. CBD is very safe though it still requires proper dosing from a pure source to provide optimal wellness. CBD can be taken as drops under the tongue from an oil tincture, used topically from a salve, smoked or vaped, or simply ingested as an edible. Tincture drops tend to be best for internal ailments like insomnia, anxiety, and cancers, while topical use is the preferred method for physical ailments like chronic pain, muscle spasms, sore joints, and inflammation.

Like all medications and foods, purity can vary greatly in the world of CBD. Many companies source their hemp from industrial fields where the plants are grown closely together, where they’re allowed to go to seed and are fed toxic chemicals like much of our non-organic foods. These hemp plants tend to have very low amounts of CBD and can cause more harm than good. This is why it is important to understand the differences in quality CBD. Many extractors and distributors strip and process the cannabidiol compound. This high processing lowers the overall effectiveness of the CBD, because they’ve taken out the full plant spectrum that offers the desired entourage effect.

The highest quality CBD comes from the flowers of High CBD strains, which are low in THC but high in CBD. Look for lab tested 20%+ CBD content with less than 0.3% THC. The flowers are extracted with ethanol and grain alcohol before being purged of all alcohol prior to decarboxylation. Decarboxylation is the process of transforming the CBDA molecule so that it’s activated into the healing CBD molecule, by way of a heating process. When you smoke marijuana for the high, you activate THC from the inactive THCA molecule, and the same is true for CBD. Full spectrum means the CBD extract is accompanied by trace amounts of THC, CBG and CBN cannabinoids, as well as other plant terpenes. Thus, not all CBD is created equal.

Our family of herbalists have been waiting a long time for the Ohio measure to pass the legalization of CBD as we believe cannabis to be one of the finest plant medicines in the natural world. Out of the 100+ plants from all around the world that we work with, hemp is among the best and most versatile medicinally. Two of our family members lived in Colorado during their early days of legalization and they studied the exciting medicines that came from an open door for research and innovation.
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While we await the licensure process for growing our own hemp here in Ohio to be approved, we import High CBD cannabis flowers with below the legal limit of THC from Colorado, Nevada and Oregon and extract our full spectrum CBD from the flowers in-house by way of an ethanol recovery machine. Each strain we import is chosen for its potency, quality of grow (always tested free of pesticides, microbials, mycotoxins, heavy metals and foreign matter) and for its specific healing properties. So, we know we're making the best quality medicine available, each and every time!

VISIT OUR CBD STORE AT:  www.WoodlandHerbalCBD.com


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​*DISCLAIMER: Woodland Herbal Apothecary products are not reviewed by the FDA. We do not make any claims, promises, or about the health benefits of any products, or of CBD. All statements are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. We only offer our opinions and resources based on research, product testing, and customer reviews. These products are intended to support well-being and overall awesomeness. All sales are final. Use at your own risk. We are not responsible for accidents, misuse, or adverse reactions. For more information, read our Disclaimer at www.woodlandherbal.com

*CBD DRUG TEST WARNING: We follow federal hemp law that all CBD products must have less than 0.3% THC. All of our High CBD Hemp Flowers are tested prior to import to meet this standard. From our understanding, most drug tests do not test for CBD, and since THC is so low, it should not show up on drug tests. However, we can not make guarantees as all employers and drug testing facilities operate under their own guidelines. The use of any of our full spectrum CBD products is at your own risk. Woodland Herbal Apothecary is not responsible for drug positive test results. Please do your own research to ensure no adverse consequences.

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