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For those of you who’ve followed Imbue Botanicals from the very start, you know how passionate we are about using the terms “whole plant” and “full spectrum” to describe our products. Everything we make, everything we sell can be defined by those terms.

And it’s not by accident. And they aren’t just clever catch phrases we use to market our products. Rather, they are a reference to a very important concept with respect to cannabinoids and CBD. For some time now, researchers and practitioners have believed that a more unrefined extract taken from the plant itself provided more benefits due to what’s called the entourage effect.

First described in 1998 by Israeli scientists Shimon Ben-Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam, the entourage effect supposes that the multiple cannabinoids and terpenes found within Cannabis Sativa actually work in unison and harmony to produce a better outcome than if they were employed solo. In other words, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” when it comes to cannabis.

You might ask, “That’s interesting, but isn’t all CBD whole plant and full spectrum?” The answer to that question is a resounding “NO”! Actually, much of the CBD in the market today is in the form of what we call ISOLATE, which is a purified, powdered form without the other cannabinoids or terpenes. This isolate is then mixed with carrier oils, etc., to formulate products. And it’s not that they are all bad, or don’t work, they just don’t work near as well.

A presentation given at the International Cannabinoid Research Society Symposium in Montreal seems to leave little room for doubt that this is the case. Dr. Fabricio A. Pamplona, Scientific Director of Entourage  Phytolab in Sao Paulo, Brazil compared studies of epileptic patients  between 2013-2106 that had used either CBD rich extracts or a purified CBD isolate. What he found was that CBD isolates showed a 43% efficacy in reducing seizures, while CBD rich extracts almost doubled this at 78%. He also discovered that almost 3 times the amount of purified CBD isolate was needed for seizure reduction compared with CBD rich extracts, and that herbal CBD had less than half the amount of reported side effects compared to its isolated alternative. Like I said, CBD isolates just don’t work as well!

But over the years that we’ve been in business, the refinement and extraction process of cannabis extracts has improved dramatically, providing ready access to single profile cannabinoids heretofore unavailable. It's not to be said that isolates or single cannabinoid distillates don’t have a place in the clinical health sphere. They do if properly utilized and prescribed. Boosting certain single profile cannabinoids can increase the overall effectiveness of certain products, and at Imbue, that’s exactly what we’re doing with some of our lines such as our Dental Products.

But we always begin our process using whole plant, full spectrum extract from the aerial parts of organically-grown hemp plants. But we don’t stop there. We extract using our proprietary low-temperature, low-pressure technique that preserves the cannabinoids and terpenes in a way other processing methods don’t. And what we end up with isn’t run-of- the-mill CBD; we end up with the finest CBD products available. And if you’re using them, we think you’ll agree.

So therein lies our rationale, the heart of our passion to produce the most efficacious CBD products money can buy. Whole Plant. Full Spectrum. Because that’s what you, our customers, deserve.

Throughout our more than 7 years in business, customers have asked me, “What’s the best way to take or use CBD?” My answer is always the same…Whichever CBD product you decide on, use it consistently! And use it every day!

The reason behind my response isn’t just an opinion. It’s rooted in personal experience, the experience of our customers, the patients our pharmacy partners treat and above all, it’s rooted in science.

It all boils down to the Endocannabinoid System or ECS, which was originally discovered by Raphael Mechoulam, a Bulgarian-born Israeli organic chemist and professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Mechoulam, who is considered the “Father of Cannabis Research”, just recently passed away, but his legacy lives on in his research findings and indeed even in our CBD products.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s. Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis, like CBD, THC and more than 160 plus others. Experts are still trying to fully understand the ECS, but so far, we know it plays a role in regulating a huge range of functions and processes, including:

• sleep
• mood
• pain
• appetite
• memory
• reproduction and fertility

The ECS exists and is active in your body even if you don’t use CBD. The ECS essentially regulates homeostasis or equilibrium through the production of endogenous or internally-produced cannabinoids. When our bodies are not producing sufficient quantities of these, issues arise. And that’s when adding exogenous or externally-produced cannabinoids can help….like using Imbue!

But to provide the most effective CBD, it needs to be ‘whole plant’ or Full Spectrum. Dr. Mechoulam also discovered what is known as the Entourage Effect where the combination of all of the cannabinoids working together produce a much greater effect than any single isolated cannabinoid. At Imbue, all of our products are Full Spectrum to provide the very best outcomes for keeping your ECS strong and active.

So think of it is this way…if taking CBD is something you need to help regulate your ECS, taking it consistently and every day helps keep your cannabinoids at the proper level. Taking CBD occasionally or sporadically doesn’t do that. I never miss a day of my CBD and that’s kept the excruciating pain of my peripheral neuropathy at bay for 7 years.

It’s kind of like that old adage…An Apple a Day… In this case it’s CBD. But just like the Apple, taking it every day is the key!

They Likely Contain NO CBD!

It pains me to say that in our industry, the overwhelming rule at present is CAVEAT EMPTOR (let the buyer beware). Case in point…yesterday morning, I was watching CNN, and a commercial came on that started with a close-up shot of a CBD tincture. The announcer said something like “You can pay over $100 for a bottle of CBD that’s not approved by the FDA to relieve pain. OR you can spend less than $20 to buy the number 1 selling hemp product that is approved by the FDA to relieve pain.”

Sounds good, right? So let’s dig into this. These so-called hemp pain products DO NOT CONTAIN CBD. In fact, the active ingredients are things like trolamine salicylate, the active ingredient in products like Aspercreme. It is used as an ingredient in sunscreens, analgesic creams, and cosmetics. The salicylic acid portion contributes to both the sun protection effect (by absorbing UVB radiation) and to the analgesic effect.

In 1983, the FDA classified trolamine salicylate as having unproven effectiveness and safety as an external analgesic. One randomized double-blind crossover study of 25 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee reported that trolamine salicylate 10% cream was no more effective than placebo. The US Food and Drug Administration has not reviewed any of the over-the-counter products listed in the Daily Med database that contain trolamine salicylate. Also, the producers of trolamine salicylate products have not provided evidence to the FDA in support of claims that this chemical is directly absorbed through the skin into underlying tissue. Due to health concerns, in 2019 the FDA issued a proposed rule classifying the sunscreen use of trolamine salicylate as "not generally recognized as safe and effective” Side effects include blistering, peeling, redness/irritation at the application site, nausea and vomiting.

So to say it’s FDA approved may well be overstepping, but you’re probably wondering how they call it a “hemp product??? The answer is deceptively simple. They simply mix a little hemp seed oil in the product, and BINGO, it’s HEMP. Let’s be 100% clear here. Hemp seed oil, or oil extracted from stems and stalks, contains virtually NO cannabinoids…CBD or others. And of course, it’s the cannabinoids that provide any and all of the medicinal benefits ascribed to cannabis. Simply adding a little hemp seed oil does absolutely nothing to increase the effectiveness of trolamine salicylate.

Then, of course, there’s the price. It is much cheaper than CBD. That’s because there is NO CBD… or any other cannabinoid for that matter! And frankly, the consumer can purchase an Aspercreme-like product for about one-third the price. I don’t know about you, but I find this shameful.

The real problem with this type of advertising and promotion is that not only is it misleading (and quite possibly deceptive), but it also creates confusion in the mind of the consumer. Consumers may equate hemp with CBD, which is definitely not the case. Worse, they may buy a product which may or may not work, has potential side effects and literally have been duped in the process.

But It Doesn’t Stop There…

And while the example above is the most recent to grate on my nerves, it’s far from the only one. In fact, this issue is rampant. I was speaking with one of our Pharmacy Partners some time ago, and she’d mentioned that a customer had come into the pharmacy with a product she was taking, and wanted to know if I knew anything about the brand. As we researched the product, we both discovered that it was merely labeled as “hemp extract” 1000 mg per bottle. There was no reference to, or mention of CBD, only that there was 1000 mg of hemp extract in the bottle.

As I explained to the pharmacist, there was simply no way of knowing how much CBD oil was in the bottle and that the 1000 mg was simply OIL content, and not specifically CBD oil content.

Another troubling thing we find with products on the marketplace that are marketed as CBD, is that when you read the label, they are made from “stalks and stems.” These companies are trying to pass these products off as rich in CBD.

They aren’t. Why do I know that? Because the cannabinoids in the plant simply aren’t contained in high amounts in the seeds, stalks or stems. And certainly not in the roots, either. Think about hemp’s “cousin,” the marijuana plant. Do you know of any dispensaries offering stalks for smoking? Do they call folks who work in marijuana dispensaries “stalk-tenders”? Of course not! That’s because cannabinoids are mostly contained in the AERIAL parts of the plant…think leaves, flowers, and buds. Amazon and many of the large retail platforms still do not allow ANY product refined from aerial parts to be sold on their websites…only products refined from stems and stalks!

At Imbue Botanicals, we ONLY use AERIAL parts of the plant in our products. And all of our products are clearly labeled and independently tested for the amount of CBD therein. Why? Because that’s what you’re supposed to be buying…and paying for!

And on top of all this misleading advertising, companies are adding CBD to things like face masks and other products, which arguably makes no difference in the product’s value or performance.

SO How Do You Select a REAL CBD product?

Choose Quality Ingredients. Quality matters when it comes to CBD products. You’ll want to look for potent and pure CBD products without any by-products or fillers. Remember that the FDA isn’t monitoring CBD products yet, which means that it’s up to the consumer to practice extra care when looking for products. How can you tell if you’re getting a good brand? First, avoid cheap brands. It’s one thing to look for sales and promotions, but it’s another thing to buy cheaply-made CBD products. These products are cheap because they contain cheap ingredients, i.e. fillers. You’re looking for pure CBD. How else can you tell that you’re getting a good brand? Ask yourself these questions when you do your research:

• Does this company grow and source its own CBD, or does it import CBD from overseas?
• Is this product organic?
• Is the product Full Spectrum?
• Does the product contain any chemical additives or agents for which the manufacturer is making health claims?
• Is it extracted using ethanol extraction methodologies?
• Are their ingredients non-GMO? Are they vegan?
• Is the company transparent about its growing practices?
• AND MOST IMPORTANT, does the company post ALL the testing on EACH batch of product including: raw oil, potency, microbial contaminants, heavy metals, and residual solvents? IF NOT, STAY AWAY!

CBD: Colorado Grown is by far THE BEST. At Imbue Botanicals, we believe that Colorado is the best source for CBD. We chose Colorado as our home for several reasons. First of all, Colorado’s land is perfect for hemp agriculture. It has plenty of sunshine and irrigation, giving Colorado’s fields the best growing conditions. Recently, we were asked why we grow our hemp in Colorado instead of, say, Kentucky or California, and the answer is simple: It all boils down to altitude and latitude.

Colorado’s rise in elevation results in a thinner atmosphere, meaning less obstruction to the sun’s rays. If you’ve ever gone skiing in places like Colorado or Utah, you know how fast you can suffer a sunburn! As elevation increases, living things are exposed to more sunlight and in particular ultraviolet light, both UVA and UVB. In humans, our bodies’ response to these ultraviolet waves is to produce melanin, which of course produces a tan to further protect against the sun’s harmful rays. In plants, the reaction is generally to produce more flavonoids for protection.

The increase in altitude produces a rather “geometric” increase in ultraviolet light. For every 1000 meters in elevation, UV light increases some 10-12%, according to the World Health Organization. This means that our hemp plants are exposed to nearly 20% more UV light where we grow our hemp. Studies have shown that UVA light significantly increases the production of cannabinoids in Cannabis Sativa, making them more potent.

When it comes to latitude, scientists have known for some time now that cannabis plants that grow north (or south in the Southern Hemisphere) of 30 degrees latitude are higher in CBD than plants grown in the tropical or subtropical regions of the Earth, likely due to the increased exposure to UVB in these areas. Therefore, growing our plants at a higher elevation, north of 30 degrees latitude, produces a plant richer in CBD and other cannabinoids. And that, we believe, translates into a better quality product for both people and pets.

IN SUMMARY…

Beware of ANY product simply labeled HEMP. Do your homework, speak with the company if you have questions, make sure you read the label, review the CoA’s and third-party testing, and buy your CBD from a source you trust.

Before you make any decisions about the best CBD skin care products, it helps to know how and why CBD works. CBD isn’t just a fancy new ingredient to put into lotion. It’s a powerful compound that’s being studied for all kinds of healing properties. Shop all out skin care cbd products today!

At im·bue botanicals, we know that you’re passionate about the health of your four-legged family members. You wouldn’t give them anything less than the best, most trusted products. That’s why we invite you to take a look at our CBD for pets. Have questions? Then we’d love to answer them. You can always head over to any page on our website for a live chat session, or contact us for support. Your pets give you unconditional love and companionship. They deserve to enjoy their best possible health.

In the Footsteps of Those Who Knew…

While the boom in CBD-related products is a relatively recent phenomenon that can be attributed to certain folks in Kentucky and their interest in bringing back hemp farming, the use of cannabis sativa in tinctures, oils and other preparations has deep historical roots.

In 1969 Dr. Tod Mikuriya wrote that “In India the use of hemp preparations as a remedy was described before 1000 B.C. In Persia, cannabis was known several centuries before Christ. In Assyria, about 650 B.C., its intoxicating properties were noted.”

But its use in the modern era can truly be ascribed to William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, an Irish born physician, scientist and pharmacologist who worked for the East India Company in India in the 19th century. During the 1840’s, he pioneered the early work in cannabis tinctures and is credited with testing these extracts on a number of ailments. Their popularity grew substantially in apothecaries in both Europe and the US roughly between 1840 and the early 1900’s until prohibition began to be enforced.

Then in the late 1990’s along comes Rick Simpson, the “inventor” of RSO or Rick Simpson Oil. Rick, a Canadian, first turned to cannabis to help him overcome the after-effects of a work-related fall. But he began to look for a way to more fully concentrate the benefits of the Cannabis, and using what is widely thought as the original “recipe” from O’Shaughnessy, Simpson produced the classic dark, thick cannabis oil that would become the standard.

The common thread with both these pioneers was ethanol extraction, the method Imbue Botanicals employs today. Once the cannabis plants are harvested (and preferably cured), they are mixed in a container with high-proof alcohol (or ethanol). This allows the resin and cannabinoids therein to detach from the buds and flowers. The lack of heat and pressure preserve the cannabinoids and make for a very effective end product. Simply search “Rick Simpson Oil” and you’ll see why it became the standard.

So when we entered into business, we were determined to follow in the footsteps of these two pioneers and not only replicate, but improve their approach. To that end, we utilize a pharmaceutical grade ethanol from organic sugar cane that we “super chill” for better results. Combined with ultra-low pressure, we produce a raw oil for our products that is truly exceptional. Most other companies use CO2 extraction which is faster and less expensive, but in our opinion (and many others) produces an inferior oil to ethanol extraction.

Call us “purists” or “old fashioned”, or maybe just “traditionalists” in our approach to extraction. We like to say that we were simply inspired by great minds that preceded us.