Education

We know that there is a lot of information on the internet regarding CBD and it can be hard to know what is fact or fiction. Below we have answered some commonly asked questions to help you navigate the market and choose the CBD products that are right for you.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound (referred to as a cannabinoid), that is extracted from the hemp plant. CBD is just one of around 120 different phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids that occur naturally in the hemp plant) that have been identified so far.

Cannabinoids are naturally present in the hemp plant, but also in the human body where they are self-produced to help regulate many of our bodily functions to improve wellbeing.

CBD has been shown to help manage a variety of wellness functions, including mood, inflammation, sleep, appetite, and pain. Over the past few years, intensive research has been conducted to explore the potential of CBD.

The use of CBD as a wellness product has grown at an astounding rate. Currently, there are almost 1.6 million people using hemp derived products in the UK, and this number just keeps on growing.

How does CBD work?

CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system (ECS), an intricate network of cannabinoid receptors. These cannabinoid receptors, when stimulated, assist the body in manufacturing chemicals called endocannabinoids, which help to balance the body’s essential functions, such as sleep, mood, anxiety, inflammation and appetite. It has been described as the ‘Goldilocks system’, as it ensures homeostasis (the ability of the body to maintain a stable internal state).

The ECS is a self-regulating system that produces its own cannabinoids, but the levels of cannabinoids often fluctuate within the body due to factors such as diet, exercise, and stress. Introducing phytocannabinoids such as CBD can help the ECS to maintain a natural optimal balance, which in turn supports mental health and body wellness.

Will CBD get me high?

The short answer is no, CBD will not get you high. CBD is found in the hemp plant, which is part of the cannabis family alongside its close relative marijuana. By definition, hemp contains no more than 0.2% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound that gets you ‘high’.

At Herbotany Health, we use specialist extraction techniques, which remediate (‘take out’) any remaining THC from the hemp biomass to non-detectable levels.

Cannabis leaves

Can CBD harm me?

In 2017, the World Health Organisation (WHO) concluded that CBD “does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm.” In animal studies and in controlled human studies, no physical dependence on CBD has been identified.

In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from the list of prohibited substances.

How is CBD made?

CBD is one of around 120 different phytocannabinoids in the hemp plant. CBD is therefore not made, it is extracted.

Shortly after harvesting our organic hemp, we start the specialised extraction process. We soak the plant material in ethanol, distil and then evaporate into natural CBD extract using advanced chromatography techniques. Not only does this process help to produce premium CBD oil, but it also protects our extract from bacteria and fermentation.

Our CBD oil is then remediated of any remaining THC before being formulated into our wonderful, finished products.

At every stage of our extensive manufacturing processes, our CBD oil is tested by certified third party laboratories to ensure the highest quality, premium CBD for our customers.

How do I take CBD?

While there are several different ways you can take CBD, each method has its own unique absorption profile (also known as bioavailability). You can take CBD orally (either by ingestion, or sublingually (under the tongue)) and by topical application. These methods vary in terms of bioavailability.

Sublingually: Our CBD drops are absorbed through tissues under the tongue and enter the bloodstream. This method has the highest bioavailability.

Ingestion: Our CBD capsules are swallowed and ingested. This method has a lower bioavailability than the sublingual route, although our patented delivery system, Naturia Plus, improves absorption by at least 2x standard CBD capsules.

Topically: Our CBD products, salve, massage oil and roll-on, are applied directly to the skin and absorbed locally. Therefore, topical application can be a useful way to target selected areas with a high concentration of CBD. Again, our patented Naturia Plus delivery system improves absorption.

You can also use our CBD drops in all kinds of foods, to give your meals additional cannabinoids, terpenes, fatty acids and antioxidants! For the best results, you can infuse CBD oils with olive oil, coconut oil, or the oils you would usually use to bake with.

What kind of CBD should I take?

There are three main types of CBD on the market:

  • Full spectrum – contains the full range of cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including THC. Since it contains detectable levels of THC, which is a controlled drug, full-spectrum CBD oil is not legal in the UK.
  • Broad spectrum – contains the beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids found in the hemp plant, but no detectable THC.
  • Isolate – contains nothing but CBD, with all other beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids removed.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil

A good quality broad-spectrum CBD oil will contain the cannabinoids and other compounds in the hemp plant, except for THC which is remediated (taken out from the oil).

This means that you will still get the benefits of the ‘entourage effect’, as the broad-spectrum CBD oil contains the majority of the beneficial cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes.

Herbotany Health’s products are only made with organic, premium quality, natural broad-spectrum oil as we believe this provides the best efficacy CBD for our customers.

How much CBD should I take?

Each individual has a different ‘CBD equilibrium’ when it comes to taking our CBD oils due to many factors including their weight, height, metabolism and reasons for taking CBD.

Start slowly then work your way up if you feel it is necessary and increase the dose to where you feel you have found your personal ‘CBD equilibrium’.

To learn more about how to take CBD, such as recommended serving sizes, check out our ‘how to use’ sections in our Shop. We also regularly post blogs!

What is the entourage effect?

Cannabis plants contain around 120 different cannabinoids, which, when consumed, interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS) to keep your body in homeostasis, or balance, and regulate your organs and bodily functions.

The entourage effect is described as the synergistic physiological effect that takes place when consuming multiple cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant together. In other words, when taking the full array of cannabinoids and terpenes present in the cannabis plant, they all work together to have a greater effect and increased effectiveness than if you took individual cannabinoids on their own.

Israeli doctors Raphael Mechoulam and Shimon Ben-Shabat were the first to suggest in 1998 that the ECS demonstrated an ‘entourage effect.’ According to the research that the Israeli doctors carried out, various inactive metabolites and related molecules appeared to boost the activity of primary endogenous cannabinoids in the human body (namely 2-AG and anandamide).

The presence of other cannabinoids – such as CBG and CBDv (there are around 120) – as well as terpenes like myrcene and beta-caryophyllene, appear to “amplify” the activity of CBD and its influence on various physiological systems.

All Herbotany Health CBD products are made with the finest premium broad spectrum CBD oils so that you can achieve the best results through the entourage effect.

What is the difference between natural CBD and synthetic CBD?

Synthesized bio-identical CBD is considered to be chemically identical in every way to naturally occurring CBD extracted from the cannabis sativa plant and both synthetic and natural CBD have identical chemical structures. However, synthetic CBD is created in a lab using base materials, rather than being extracted from the hemp plant.

At Herbotany Health we only use natural CBD in our broad-spectrum CBD formulation that we have in all of our products. We believe in the natural properties and benefits of the hemp plant and are dedicated to pushing the industry on through research, development and education and believe that every consumer should be insisting on organic natural plant-based CBD in their products.

Not only do you receive increased benefits from using natural CBD in a broad-spectrum solution through the entourage effect, but it is also significantly better for the environment as the hemp plant traps a lot of carbon, helps to regenerate the soil and ultimately help us in the fight against climate change.

What sets the price of CBD?

Not all CBD products are created equally. Often the consumer will have to trade off price for quality and vice versa.

Here at Herbotany Health our guiding ethic is to be fundamentally transparent, offering premium quality CBD products at a fair price.

Our process – from the initial extraction of the natural oils from the organic hemp plant to the formulation of the final product – is both a complex and costly journey, where only the highest quality ingredients are used.

We have also invested heavily in our Novel Food applications to the Food Standards Agency (FSA). These are complex and expensive undertakings but the right path to follow in a newly regulated marketplace. Our Novel Food dossier of information includes details of production processes, data on the composition of the product, nutrition and toxicology information and reports on scientific studies relating to our products, among other elements.

However, our prices are some of the most competitive on the market for premium, organic, sustainable CBD.

Why choose Herbotany Health?

As a natural plant, the right variety and quality of hemp can have a big impact on the final product. At Herbotany Health, we only use natural, organic hemp to extract our premium CBD.

Our CBD is rigorously tested by third party labs to ensure the purity of our premium products is verified. Traceability and transparency are the cornerstones of the trust our customers place in us.

We are proud to enjoy the exclusive UK rights to use the patented Naturia Plus delivery system in our formulations.

We are passionate about hemp as an ecologically sustainable crop and are excited to share our vision. Please visit our sustainability page to find out more.

We’re here to help…

We hope that this answers any queries you may have about CBD and hemp in general. If there is anything that we have not answered on this page, or if you would like to ask us anything else then please feel free to drop us an email to support@herbotanyhealth.com. We’re here to help.

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