The long-term health benefits of the South African-grown Rooibos tea have gained worldwide attention, and with CBD’s incredible health benefits now in the spotlight, Laager Rooibos is fusing the two to bring the country a daily dose of goodness! Laager Plus CBD-infused Rooibos, which will soon be landing on South African shelves, offers all the goodness of Rooibos with the added benefits of CBD.
(more…)Tag: CBD
-
Can CBD Prevent A Hangover And Perhaps Even Cure It?
If you are reading this, you are probably hungover, looking for a cure and wondering what to do to prevent a hangover in the future. Can CBD prevent a hangover or cure one? Certainly not! But there are certain areas in which CBD may be able to help with hangovers and make them less painful and agonizing.
Is CBD good for hangovers?
There are certain areas in which CBD may be able to help with hangovers and others where it will not. It’s therefore important to understand how various alcohol-related effects can be related to CBD and the human body.
Headaches, nausea, aches and pains are among the most common symptoms of a hangover.
What causes the hangover?
At first, alcohol consumption causes a spike in your blood sugar and glucose, a simple sugar (or carbohydrate) that is the main form of energy for your body, circulates through our blood – hence the term, “blood sugar” – and it is regulated by two different hormones known as insulin and glucagon. When your blood sugar levels become too high under normal life circumstances, the pancreas can secrete insulin to lower glucose levels in the body. When you drink alcohol, however, it can inhibit glucose once the body begins to process and break down the alcohol you have consumed.
This could also be compounded in a couple of ways: one of the primary means of obtaining glucose is through the foods we eat, and it is common to either not eat while drinking, or eat foods that are lacking in actual sustenance. Alcohol may also affect your body’s normal secretion of insulin, further impacting its relationship with glucose and its ability to regulate itself.
How CBD helps the body
While it does not have direct properties that will regulate your blood sugar, CBD can help regulate your endocannabinoid system. A better-regulated endocannabinoid system could facilitate conditions that help the body recover, bringing with it the potential to help with those awful hangover symptoms.
Dehydration and CBD
If you are eliminating water and not replenishing it at an equal rate, what happens? Dehydration, that’s what. Alcohol dehydrates you on its own but neglecting to drink water while consuming alcohol can only increase the problem. You see, that guy that says he is “hydrating” with a light beer in between his other beverages is not really hydrating. Surely, you know this? If not, well, now you do.
CBD cannot counteract symptoms of dehydration, but just knowing that dehydration is one of the main causes of a hangover can enable you to take the steps necessary to either mitigate or downright prevent one by consuming as much, if not more, water than you do alcohol while drinking.
Can CBD prevent hangovers?
Taking CBD as a one-off cannot directly prevent hangovers. But just because taking CBD oil is not going to make you immune from a hangover, or make one go away, doesn’t mean CBD is completely useless in this instance. Taking CBD regularly may contribute to a more balanced endocannabinoid system.
Does CBD cure hangovers?
There are countless remedies claiming to cure a hangover, like this Bloody Mary Jane, but are any of them worthwhile? Just like with hangover prevention, CBD should not be relied upon as a spot treatment for hangovers. Yet, taking CBD regularly may help maintain the balancing properties of the body when its receptors are activated.
Final thoughts
If you are looking into taking CBD for hangovers, or literally any other reason, make sure you are buying organic, third-party lab-tested CBD oil. The CBD market is unregulated, and a lot of products may not contain their advertised amount of CBD. Even worse, these products may contain harmful toxins that could actually cause headaches. Always make sure your CBD company can provide lab results from an independent source so that you can give your body what you intend to.
-
Unlocking Cannabis Distillates: Understanding Their Production, Uses, and How to Access Them
One of my favourite things about living in Cape Town is being able to truly submerge yourself like a lazy cat in all its splendour and glory of the Mother City. From mountains and oceans to wine farms and botanical gardens, there is a diverse range of experiences available that cater to everyone’s interests.
(more…) -
8 Reasons to quit nicotine and give CBD a try instead
If the tobacco prohibition that accompanied other lockdown regulations in South Africa has not driven you to put down the old proverbial crutch and quit nicotine. Perhaps our list of reasons to quit nicotine and give CBD a try will at least motivate you to try a healthier alternative. There is a range of local and imported products available to promote the health and wellness benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD).
(more…) -
Should You Feed Your Cat CBD Treats?
Owning a cat can bring joy and companionship to your life. Your home becomes a cat kingdom and you become the servant of this little intelligent feline. Cats give out a sense of superiority and dominance. Even though cats are extremely independent at first glance, the truth is that they do need their humans. Cat-obsessed humans will do anything for the animal’s well-being and happiness.
One of the things that cat owners will need to worry about is their proper nutrition. We all know that felines are rather picky when it comes to their food. You need to ensure that these animals aren’t consuming anything that might harm their health, such as chocolate and similar. In addition to that, you also need to ensure that they consume those products that are good for their health, which includes certain supplements and medicines from time to time. CBD treats are among those supplements and medicines that you might consider giving to your animal at one point.
Should you feed your cat CBD treats? Is it safe and beneficial? The best way to approach this is to familiarise yourself with the cannabis plant and CBD products in order to decide whether giving those to your cat is a good idea or not.
What Is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol is actually one out of over a hundred compounds found in that specific plant and it is said to be one of the two main ones. The second main one is Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, but it is definitely not what you would like your pets to consume. Simply put, THC is the psychoactive compound that gets people high, which is precisely why it isn’t quite good for animals. Cannabidiol, on the other hand, has no such effects and its safety has been thoroughly researched and proved.
Cannabidiol compounds can be extremely beneficial for cats since they have an endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for maintaining a certain balance in your pets’ bodies. By interacting with the ECS, Cannabidiol can help cats with pain and anxiety relief. Additionally, it can also help treat epileptic seizures and there’s even evidence that it can be of help during the process of cancer treatment.
What Are CBD Treats?
CBD treats are made of Cannabidiol. CBD can be used to enhance your cat’s health or it can be used as a medicine to help cats get relief when suffering from certain illnesses. If you take a look at Martha Stewart’s line of pet-friendly soft-baked CBD chews, you will realize that these products usually contain other cannabinoids as well and that they are made from hemp, which speaks further in favor of their safety. On top of that, these CBD treats are pretty tasty, which means that your cat won’t reject them. In fact, your cat won’t be able to resist them, which is why you should be careful about dosing the CBD products properly.
CBD treats are not only safe for cats, but they also come with a lot of health benefits. Both healthy and ill felines can benefit from them, which means that is precisely why CBD treats for cats are so popular and why giving them a try is a good idea.
-
How Hemp Oil Works: Benefits And Side Risks
Hemp oil is also known as hemp seed oil. This is made from hemp, or a cannabis plant, that looks like marijuana, but it contains less THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, a kind of chemical that makes people get high. Hemp contains CBD or cannabidiol, not THC (read more). This CBD is a chemical that is commonly used to treat many things, from epilepsy to anxiety.
(more…) -
Memory Loss Can Be Mitigated With CBD – How Hemporium Broad Spectrum CBD Can Help Improve Basic Memory Function
Ever found yourself walking into a room and completely forgetting what you went in there for in the first place? Trouble recalling the name of someone you just met? Frequently misplacing your keys or glasses? We have all experienced some degree of memory glitches at some point in our lives, and I am not talking about the temporary memory loss experienced when High.
Having previously worked in a fast-paced environment and continuously being under a huge amount of stress, I had first-hand experience with worrying memory loss. I started noticing how I was struggling to recall simple bits of information. I had to learn association techniques to remember people’s names, plan out my day by the minute to make sure I do not forget anything and document virtually every impactful moment to have a reference the next day.
Memory loss, aka forgetfulness or amnesia, can be caused by a number of factors including age, genetics, physical trauma, substance abuse and severe stress. Early-onset memory problems that are associated with treatable conditions are generally reversible. However, there is a difference between everyday changes in memory and the memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
Cannabis has been used for medicinal, recreational and spiritual purposes for thousands of years. The latest discovery by Swiss researchers suggests that marijuana was first domesticated in northwest China ~12 000 years ago. Although there is not a lot of recorded history to verify these facts, what remains clear is that humans have taken advantage of the medicinal benefits of cannabis for a long, LONG time!
Anecdotal evidence exists that CBD has been known to alleviate some symptoms of memory loss conditions, improve focus and enhance brain performance. A recent study conducted at the University College London set out to analyze the effects of CBD on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and how it impacts memory function. Using a technique called Arterial Spin Labelling researchers have discovered that CBD increases blood flow to key regions of the brain associated with memory function. Although this is a major step forward, it is clear that further research needs to be conducted to better understand the therapeutic potential of CBD. And of course, the other phytochemicals that naturally occur in cannabis.
UNDERSTANDING MEMORY FUNCTION
Memory function refers to the brain’s capability to encode, store and retrieve information as and when it is needed. It is comparable to an information processing system with both definitive and implied functions. The sensory processor uses chemical and physical stimuli to perceive information from the outside world, which is then encoded (or retrieved) by the working memory before it is eventually categorically stored in the long-term memory. Being able to retain and recall information has allowed humans to develop identities, relationships, languages, systems and processes. An individual with memory loss might not be able to remember a name or word and have difficulty recalling information in logical order.
CBD FOR IMPROVED MEMORY FUNCTION
CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is the main phytochemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its cannabinoid counterpart THC, CBD has no psychotropic properties – meaning it can not make you High. However, it is a natural anti-inflammatory that has been shown to improve cognitive performance by mitigating cognitive degeneration and oxidative stress and triggering neuron growth. The results of a research paper published in the US National Library of Medicines suggests there is a growing body of evidence that supports the use of CBD in treating brain injuries derived from neuroinflammation. Other properties of CBD include; stimulating appetite, promoting weight control, stabilizing mood, improving sleep and motor function, and increasing social engagement.
BROAD SPECTRUM EXTRACT
Why Broad Spectrum? Because of a phenomenon called the Entourage Effect. A proposed mechanism whereby all the phytochemicals symbiotically work together to maximise the overall psychoactive effect of the plant. Broad Spectrum extracts contain all the organic compounds found in the plant, but unlike Full Spectrum, it contains no THC – so it can not get you High.
OPERATION – IMPROVE MEMORY FUNCTION
Armed with research-backed information, I was determined to improve my memory function and repair any neurological damage that might have affected my memory before. The plan? Supplement my daily wellness routine with broad-spectrum CBD oil for thirty days, and periodically test my basic memory function to determine any progress.
HEMPORIUM BROAD SPECTRUM CBD
Hemporium is a hemp company in South Africa that was founded in 1996 by Duncan Parker. Determined to showcase and educate the nation about all the uses and benefits of hemp, Hemporium has actively been lobbying for the legalization of industrial hemp cultivation.
The company recently launched a range of CBD oils that embody the essence of Africa; think African Marula fruit, fragrant Madagascan Vanilla, and Lemon & Rooibos. Inspired by a childhood memory of eating ripe marula fruits in the Bushveld, I opted to try the African Marula flavoured CBD oil. Charged at the fair price of R850, the 30ml bottle contains 500mg of the best quality Broad Spectrum CBD, palm-free MCT oil and natural flavouring.
Hemporium is serious about the calibre of their products, the GMP certified CBD oils are locally produced from imported ingredients, and quality is guaranteed by extensive third-party laboratory tests.
MINDFUL ABOUT MEMORY
There are many different ways to test basic memory functions. I opted to make use of Practical Psychology’s Free online memory test. The three-in-one test measures short term, long term and working memory by analyzing the results of a five-minute quiz.
One week into my experiment I already noticed a major improvement in my working and short term memory. I also noticed I had experienced less anxiety in the past few days and managed to make, and actually stick to a To-Do list. In the days to come, I had continuously tested my memory function and recorded improved ability. Combining the healing properties of Broad Spectrum CBD with a healthy diet and regular memory training can help improve basic memory functions.
PLEASE NOTE
By no means is this article meant to offer medical advice or recommendations on treating any medical conditions. Consult a doctor about supplementing your wellness routine with CBD oil, especially if you have a prescription for medication to treat any health issues. It is time to seek professional treatment when memory loss becomes chronic or affects daily functioning.
-
How CBD Oil And Pilates Combat Pain, Reduce Inflammation, And Speed Up Muscle Recovery
Gearing up for a work out is not the same for everybody, some athletes train for hours every day – others, like me, rely on an hour long Pilates session to tone our bodies. Regardless of how much (or is it many?) you can “lift”; everybody has experienced the discomfort and pain that sets in shortly after. We investigate just how CBD can help mitigate the pain associated with muscle recovery.
(more…) -
Full Spectrum CBD – Elixinol SA Is Challenging You To Become The Best Version Of Yourself In Just 21 Days
Are having trouble sleeping, living with chronic pain, weighed under stress or tormented by anxiety? Elixinol is challenging you to naturally address these troubles with the help of full spectrum CBD rich products. The wellness challenge is tailored to provide individuals with the natural tools to address poor health symptoms, promote physical and mental performance and restore overall well-being.
FULL SPECTRUM CBD
Hundreds of studies and millions of local and international user based trials have proven that CBD benefits both adults and children. Full Spectrum CBD is a whole plant extract that contains all the naturally occurring compounds from the plant including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, lipids and waxes. The entourage effect is achieved when all these components work together in synergy to stimulate the endocannabinoid system. The industrially cultivated hemp only has very small traces of THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid that causes the feeling of being High. Products that are manufactured from full spectrum extract is safe for the whole family to use every day, as it has no psychoactive effects and promotes both physical and mental wellness.
PEACEFUL SLEEP
Are you having difficulties falling asleep? Can’t remember the last time you slept through the night? You are not alone! The number of people struggling with sleep-related issues is staggering. Inadequate sleep negatively affects your overall wellbeing, impairs the senses and impacts immune function. Full spectrum CBD has the potential to optimize your sleep schedule and even improve the quality of your sleep. Healthy sleep habits are essential to promote physical and mental health.
PAIN RELIEF
Whether it is throbbing, stinging, burning, pinching or just plain old ouch, we have all experienced some degree of pain. Pain can be defined as a general term that describes an uncomfortable sensation in the body, ranging anywhere from annoying to debilitating. There are many different factors that cause or contribute to pain, many of which are not fully understood and often mistreated with addictive pharmaceuticals. Many people who suffer from chronic pain develop symptoms beyond the physical sensation, taking a toll on their emotional health often leading to depression or anxiety. Full spectrum CBD could be the all-natural pain management tool you need to live pain-free and enjoy a better quality of life.
EASE ANXIETY
Anxiety could best be described as the body’s natural response to stress when facing potentially harmful or worrying situations. It is an emotion that is characterized by excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry. Individuals living with extreme anxiety may be suffering from a very real and serious medical condition. In fact, anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders. These disorders affect how a person behaves, processes emotions and could lead to physical symptoms like shortness of breath or increased blood pressure. Full spectrum CBD could be the tool to manage symptoms associated with anxiety, giving you time to focus on what is important; living!
SPORTS RECOVERY
We are all aware of the stiffness and pain that sets in after working out. Regardless if you are a devoted yoga enthusiast, serious gym junkie or simply enjoy the occasional hike; full spectrum CBD has the power to ease muscle pain related to recovery. When applied directly as a topical or orally digested, CBD is known to significantly decrease inflammation and the discomfort associated with it. Full spectrum CBD has the added benefits of improving concentration and focus, which is essential when training for long endurance events.
21 DAY CHALLENGE
Elixinol SA is inviting South Africans to take part in the 21 Day Challenge to take control of their health and overall wellness by taking advantage of full spectrum CBD. The program is designed to offer a particular product with distinct dosage recommendations, based on your individual needs. Whether you want to put a zealous spring in your step, abolish agonising aches and pains or simply enjoy a restful night’s sleep; introducing full spectrum CBD to your wellness routine has the potential to change your life.
Based on a quick online survey, Elixinol calculates the best formula and makes recommendations to ease your symptoms, promote physical and mental performance and restore natural wellbeing. In case you needed any more convincing, Elixinol SA will discount your first purchase by 30% when you sign up for the 21 Day Challenge! How will full spectrum CBD change your life in 21 days?
ELIXINOL
Elixinol is a hemp-based Full Spectrum CBD company with an online store that has been supplying CBD products made with full-spectrum CBD extracts to South Africans for the last five years. The products are manufactured from premium quality full spectrum extract that is derived from organic A-grade hemp. Elixinol’s products undergo rigorous batch testing that is backed by third party laboratory testing.
Full Spectrum CBD is an all-natural alternative medicine to assist with any health-related issues and promote overall wellness. The Elixinol 21 Day Challenge is an optimal health program that works with your body’s individual needs to reveal the best version of yourself! Change starts with the decision to put your health and wellbeing first.
-
Ace & Axle – American Brand Of Pre-Rolled CBD Smokeables To Launch In South Africa
Labat Africa has recently made some bold moves, strategically repositioning the company as a vertically integrated cannabis conglomerate. In one such power move, Labat has secured a ten-year distribution deal with a major international brand. Introducing Ace & Axle, a pre-rolled CBD smokeable manufactured with CBD rich hemp. The pre-rolls are tobacco and nicotine-free offering a healthier smoking alternative that works in synergy with your body’s natural endocannabinoid system.
Consumers are said to rapidly experience the calming effects, amongst the other notable health and wellness benefits of CBD. Studies suggest that smoking the cannabinoid increases bioavailability, which is the rate at which cannabinoids cross the blood-brain barrier. Each smokeable contains a 20mg dose of CBD, as per SAHPRA guidelines.
THE ACE & AXLE BRAND
Ace & Axle is a brand, established in the United States, of premium CBD pre-rolled smokables that contain no tobacco, nicotine or additives. The CBD smokeable is produced from the highest quality industrially cultivated hemp that is high in CBD and very low in THC, less than 0.3%. Even though these pre-rolls will not get you High, they offer the perfect smoking experience and act rapidly, quickly offering relief from stress or anxiety.
Possibly one of the greatest advantages of smoking CBD rich flowers is that it significantly increases the bio-availability of the cannabinoid, naturally improving one’s general state of wellbeing. Bio-availability is the rate at which the CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream. There have been several studies suggesting the quickest way to benefit from the health and wellness properties of CBD rich hemp is by smoking or vaping it.
The health-conscious smokeables are targeted at health-conscious individuals who can appreciate the finer things in life; like a premium quality CBD pre-roll. Delivering a smooth, rich and full-flavoured experience, these non-intoxicating pre-rolls have the added therapeutic benefits of CBD. The CBD pre-rolls may be an excellent alternative for individuals who want to quit nicotine for good.
LABAT AFRICA
Labat Africa Limited is Africa’s first vertically integrated cannabis conglomerate that is set to provide key strategic resources and support for the Ace & Axle brand. The JSE-listed holding company has successfully secured an agreement with Ace & Axle to manufacture, package and distribute the CBD smokeables on the African continent.
Labat Africa recently concluded a purchase deal with Leaf Botanicals, acquiring a 75% stake valued at R11.25 million. Leaf Botanicals, located in the Northern Cape, is one of the few South African companies that have been granted a license for cannabis production by the regulatory authority; SAHPRA, and is accredited in the European Union and the USA. The acquisition strategically places Labat in the position to have influence across every sphere of the cannabis value chain, facilitating a holistic and self-sustainable ecosystem.
The founder and owner of Leaf Botanicals was the primary attraction as he has a number of accolades to his name, like the SA Young Farmer of the Year. “Leaf Botanicals fits well into the Labat Healthcare segment whose aim is to provide high-quality medical cannabis products to a sophisticated and knowledgeable customer base,” Labat said. The CEO of Labat Africa, Brian van Rooyen, has said to be pleased that the company has taken a step towards securing South Africa’s place on the medical cannabis world stage.
ACE & AXLE SA
We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Mike Stringer, who is the CEO of Labat Health and in charge of business development for Ace & Axle South Africa, and ask him a few burning questions.
Will the Ace & Axle pre-rolls be manufactured in South Africa?
“We can confirm the product will be locally manufactured, the CBD is sourced from an accredited supplier of bio-mass and is accompanied by a certificate of analysis. The packaging, although based on brand’s global look and feel, will be printed locally using materials that comply with environmental standards.”
Are there any legislative challenges Ace & Axle is facing in South Africa?
“We have successfully secured and have in place all of the necessary certification and supplier accreditation”.
Who is Ace & Axle proposed target market?
“We are targetting the human embodiment of the spirit of Ace & Axle. The brand will appeal to those who are enlightened by CBD and its known benefits. By law, the Ace & Axle brand will only be available to persons over the age of 18.”
How does Ace & Axle appeal to the South African consumer?
“The brand is a world-class nicotine and tobacco free, first-to-market product that is due to ignite new appreciation. We have conducted research that indicates a buoyant consumer interest in the CBD pre-rolled category. Paired with the allure of the global Ace & Axle brand, and the efficacy of a product that yields known health benefits makes the product attractive to local consumers.”
When will Ace & Axle pre-rolls be available in South Africa?
“We are planning to have Ace & Axle CBD smokeables available to South African consumers by the end of July. The brand will be available online from aceandaxle.com directly as well as in Cannafrica and other selected brick and mortar stores, which are strategically located in key urban centres.”
What can South Africans expect to pay for Ace & Axle pre-rolls?
“We want to maintain the brand’s premier distinction as a first-to-market product that is competitively priced, in relation to other products in the category. We have recommended a retail price of approximately R190 for a pack of 20 pre-rolls
Mike went on to explain: “the pre-rolls will be available in cartons of ten from most retailers, and a carton of six from the e-commerce website..”
How can South Africans stay up to date with the latest Ace & Axle news?
“We have developed a website and social media strategy that supports the local consumer dialogue. The Ace & Axle SA Facebook and Instagram accounts will be activated in due course”.
We are looking forward to seeing Ace & Axle on South African shelves and on the Instagram feeds of health-conscious smokers. Ace & Axle CBD smokeables are a healthier alternative to tobacco products, with all the additional health and wellness benefits of CBD. Have you tried Ace & Axle pre-rolls? What did you think? Or are you waiting in anticipation to get your hands on a box?