Why is Hemp Such an Effective Anti-Inflammatory?
Why is Hemp Such an Effective Anti-Inflammatory?
It’s easy to forget that nature is the most powerful force for healing. It has always been there for us, offering the antidotes and the treatments we need for even the most common physical ailments.
The hemp flower may look unassuming, but its roots run deep – literally and figuratively. Throughout thousands of years of human history, hemp has been used as a treatment for inflammation and pain – and as a natural way to maintain physical and emotional homeostasis – thanks to the unique reaction it creates within the body.
Hemp is a key ingredient in our post-care treatments at Post Love, and it’s a big part of the reason why our products are as soothing and effective as they are.
FADED features more organic hemp than any other rival product on the market because we’ve seen first-hand how well it works with the natural healing process, rather than against it.
What is hemp extract?
As the name suggests, this is a concentrate derived from the hemp plant. The hemp plant is a strain of the cannabis plant, but it’s specifically bred to produce much less THC than you might expect.
After extraction, the extract is combined with a carrier oil like coconut or sunflower (or a mix of the two). This makes it easier to get a measured dose and avoids the very bitter, earthy taste of hemp.
Hemp contains a huge number of cannabinoids – naturally occurring compounds that offer a variety of different health benefits. The most popular of the cannabinoids is one you’ve (probably) already heard of: CBD, or cannabidiol.
How does it affect inflammation?
When we drink, ingest, or absorb CBD into our bodies, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which works in tandem with the central nervous system and plays an integral role in maintaining homeostasis.
Researchers are still trying to figure out what happens between CBD and the endocannabinoid system, but it’s generally accepted that the interaction helps regulate immune responses and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to decreased inflammation.
It’s all about balancing these responses and working synergistically with the body’s healing processes. In a totally unique way, hemp extract can offer a gentle yet effective approach to managing inflammation, making it a vital component in our soothing treatments.
And it’s totally natural, too.
CBD has gained a huge amount of hype in recent years for its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving properties – along with a lot of other potential benefits, like relief from anxiety and insomnia. It’s arguably the most valuable element in hemp extract – it’s just 10x better when it’s consumed alongside other cannabinoids.
What kind of hemp extract is best for you?
Here’s where it gets a little complicated.
There’s more than one way to get hemp extract (CBD) out of a hemp plant. The three most prevalent methods produce three different products: CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, and full-spectrum CBD.
CBD isolate is just the CBD. No other cannabinoids.
Broad-spectrum CBD has some of those other cannabinoids, but not all of them. This method is used if producers want to remove all but a trace of THC, which is still controlled in some states.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all of those other cannabinoids, and their unique, health-giving properties.
Why take the full spectrum?
It’s all about the entourage effect, which suggests that the combined effect of different cannabinoids (like CBD and THC) and other plant compounds (such as terpenes and flavonoids) is greater than the sum of their individual effects. In other words, CBD complements THC, and other compounds and cannabinoids offer the same reciprocal relationship, too.
Hemp as a topical treatment vs a supplement
There are lots of different ways to get hemp into your diet and lifestyle. Hemp oil is generally considered to be the most convenient since you can add a couple drops into your morning smoothie (or even your coffee), but you can get CBD in almost anything these days.
Hemp is also a staple in skincare, although take a look at the label to see how much CBD is actually in there. FADED contains 300MG of hemp extract in 5ml (and 1800MG in 30ml), which is a lot more hemp than a lot of skin treatments and cosmetics contain, so avoid companies that are just jumping on the bandwagon and not investing in their ingredients as much as they could be.
The good news is you don’t need to choose between using hemp extract as a supplement or topical treatment. Both offer their own unique benefits. Ingesting CBD allows the body to absorb it into the bloodstream, which means it can have an effect throughout the body; applying it to the skin means that the benefits are still felt, but that they’re localized to the treatment area.
If you’re looking to support your mood and homeostasis, add hemp oil in your daily routine. If you’ve got specific concerns to address like swelling and pain, then CBD is a great treatment to apply directly to the skin – provided you pick a quality product.
