Way of Life’s June Newsletter

  Way of Life  June is always a busy month with many celebrations; graduations, Father’s Day, weddings and Summer Solstice.

Way of Life’s helpful staff can help you find just the right card, gift, body products and vitamins for any occasion.

While you are in, take advantage of our June sales on
select products as well as our entire line drives on DermaE and Blue Bonnet.

The Way of Life’s lecture series in now closed for the Summer and will return again this coming Fall.

Happy Summer days to all!

What Do You Know About CBD?

by Stacey Erdman

It seems that nearly everywhere there is chatter
 about what is arguably the most popular herbal
 supplement on retail shelves today – CBD.
I overhear conversations in local restaurants, in line at the grocery store and I’ve even seen CBD water advertised on a sign outside a gas station.
Only a few weeks ago, I received a text from a family member residing on the east coast asking if I knew what it was and whether I felt it could be a helpful supplement for him.

While the curiosity is becoming mainstream, so is the confusion. With so many brands exploding on the marketplace, each with their own spin or philosophy, it is enough to leave some of the most savvy of plant remedy lovers feeling dizzy!  Many choices now exist in extract and various capsule forms.

Here is what we now about CBD so far

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one specific compound in a class of phytochemicals (plant compounds) known as cannabinoids, found in the cannabis sativa plant. First discovered in the 1940’s, there are currently 113 identified cannabinoids.  Of the 113, most available research has been done on only 3 – CBD, CBN & THC. 

Industrial hemp is currently defined as cannabis with a THC content of .3% or LESS. Anything over this amount is defined as marijuana, containing more THC, which renders an intoxicating effect. The Federal Farm Bill introduced in 2014 opened up the marketplace to allow the distribution and sale of hemp extracts in retail outlets across the US. Most states still allow this, although there has been some push-back in a few states.

It should also be mentioned that the US government holds a patent on some of these non-intoxicating compounds as antioxidants and neuroprotectants that may have benefits in the treatment of certain neurological conditions.

The wonder of these plant chemicals is their ability to communicate with a specific group of cell receptors within our amazing human bodies, known as the endocannabinoid system, aka the ECS.  There are 2 categories of receptors, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are expressed mostly in the brain and nervous system, as well as some organs such as the liver, kidney & lungs.  CB2 receptors are largely expressed in the immune system on T cells, macrophages and B cells as well as in stem cells in red bone marrow, and yet others are suspected to exist.

Until about 2011, few of the mainstream public, much less herbalists and supplement manufacturers, had ever heard of CBD, until CNN and a few others in big media broke a particularly heart-wrenching story about a little girl who had realized some very specific and life-changing benefits from its use. 

A testament to the interest and popularity of this supplement is that while I was attending a pharmaceutical industry trade event in 2017, I heard from a number of young pharma students who told me that they had just spent a class period on learning about the ECS, and that they had not known about it prior!

While much of the buzz (or non-buzz, see what I did there?) has been focused CBD, with 113 cannabinoids and an enteric body system ready to receive them, it would be a shame to only explore CBD, while allowing the other known 112 sit languishing on the proverbial compost pile.

What research tells us so far is that using the full spectrum of cannabinoids – in other words, whole plant extract, offers the best benefit, dubbed as the “entourage effect” where the various cannabinoids work in concert to offer the best results in well-being.

It seems to make sense to seek a remedy that is using this full spectrum of plant compounds, allowing it to hit on all available receptors. 

With regards to dosing, this is a question that many ask, and I seem to have this conversation daily. As with many herbal supplements, it is often best to start on the low side of dosing to see how one’s body responds, then adjust based on the effect one seeks therapeutically. Also, as with other herbals, it is important to be patient and use the product for some time and with consistency before making these adjustments or deciding it has no effect. Every individual is different, and each person has unique ECS receptors and needs. Give your body time to find its sweet spot. Dosing information can also be found online from various reputable sources, such as the Mayo Clinic. 

In addition to internal extracts and capsules, there are topical preparations available that tout a number of benefits. A quick search reveals a plethora of product for various needs.

There is still much to learn and some trepidation still exists while some of the legal decisions are being refined. Much research has been completed, and still more is underway. I look forward to learning together!

Adding a lavender infusion to honey lemonade not only adds a depth of flavor but health benefits too. Most people are familiar with the relaxing qualities of lavender, but as well as being a carminative, it is great for digestion. Start with the infusion. Bring a couple of cups of water to a boil. Then add 2 Tbs dried lavender or 4 Tbs fresh (English or True Lavender is best) Take off the heat and cover with a lid, let it set for a couple of hours. Strain out the lavender. Add honey to taste (start with a quarter of a cup, more or less) then add half a cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Other fresh herbals can be added as well, try mint, orange peel and if you have some fresh growing nearby, add honeysuckle flowers. Put in the refriderator to chill. Serve iced, & garnished with lemon slices, mint leaves and/or honeysuckle flowers. Besides being pretty, and lovely tasting, herbalists use honeysuckle primarily for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and calming properties. Healing uses for mint are legendary, a digestive aid being the most well known. Lemon is a cleanser, supports the liver and helps with allergies also. A Santé!