Getting More From Plants: The Synergy of CBD And Plant Polyphenols For Health
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In recent years, scientific research into plant compounds such as terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids has played a significant role in shifting public interest away from synthetic drugs and toward natural medicine.
Out of the numerous compounds drawing interest from medical researchers today, none have played nearly as much of a starring role in this shift as cannabidiol (CBD) and various plant polyphenols.
Why CBD and Plant Polyphenols?
CBD is the primary non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, available in abundance both in marijuana and hemp.
CBD has shown considerable medicinal and therapeutic potential in a good number of studies — producing anything from analgesic to spasmolytic effects in controlled trials.
For this reason, CBD has become a mainstay in the sports medicine industry, commonly used in products like CBD roll-ons for pain and recovery balms for muscle soreness.
Plant polyphenols are beneficial compounds of the plants.
They come with many benefits, including antioxidant acitvity, reduced inflammation and improved health.
There is limitless versatility in their application: from supplements, to aromatherapy or even infusion into topical, cosmetic, and hygiene products.
Thanks to the powerful nature of these plant compunds, he benefits of countless herbs, spices, vegetables, and other beneficial plants are a core element of the health and wellness industry — lining the shelves at massage parlors, yoga studios and chiropractic clinics.
While both CBD and plant polyphenols each have plenty of health-positive utility in their own right, they can make particularly effective remedies for many common day-to-day disorders when used in combination.
Plant essences, extracts, oils and CBD complement each other so well, making them excellent partners.
CBD interacts with your body’s Endocannabinoid System to promote homeostasis and overall well-being.
Plants have their own distinct benefits, such as energizing, soothing tired muscles, and promoting a good night’s sleep.
In this post, let’s take a quick look at four examples of their synergistic potential and how they affect the endocannabinoid system.
What Is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays important roles in your body that go beyond the interaction with cannabis, also known as marijuana.
The endocannabinoid system is a dynamic and intricate cell signaling network.
It is made up of endocannabinoids, enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors that work together to regulate various functions in the human body.
The primary function of the Endocannabinoid system is to achieve perfect balance within the body, also known as homeostasis.
Basically, homeostasis is your body’s efforts to keep everything in the right zone.
The ECS releases and regulates various internal cannabinoids in response to any external or internal threat to the body’s balance.
This reaction is sometimes in response to a physical health threat, but much of what the endocannabinoid system deals with is the mental or neurological factor of the threat.
How To Use Bergamot And CBD to Combat Stress and Anxiety
There is evidence in both published journals and small studies that bergamot aromatherapy reduces feelings of stress and anxiety by signaling the brain to ramp up the production of dopamine.
Bergamot is citrusy, making it a pleasant infusion into a wide range of essential oil mixtures that can create a relaxing atmosphere. Please note that you don’t need to take Bergamot by mouth (it’s dangerous!). Instead, diffuse the pleasant smell of Bergamot with an aromatherapy diffuser and enjoy the smell.
CBD’s anxiolytic properties are also fairly well-established as of this writing, so much so that it’s currently one of the most commonly-purchased home supplements by individuals diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Medical marijuana strains high in CBD are also frequently prescribed for patients with debilitating forms of anxiety, such as PTSD.
Quality CBD isolates are practically tasteless and odorless, making them ideal for infusion into just about anything edible that’s at or below room temperature.
How to combine the two? Diffuse bergamot essential oil for a pleasant smell in the room where you will use a preferred CBD product.
Using Lavender And CBD as a Natural Sleep Aid
Mixing CBD into a cup of cold brew tea or a glass of milk before bed is a solid strategy for individuals struggling with insomnia and erratic sleeping patterns.
And lavender aroma is a widely recognized natural sleep aid.
Studies have also shown how lavender can increase slow- and deep-wave sleep to improve vigor in the morning.
Lavender’s well-known sedative properties combined with CBD’s stress-busting, muscle relaxant benefits can promote quality sleep cycles — even helping patients with spasticity or chronic pain disorders that keep them up throughout the night.
How to combine the two? Diffuse lavender essential oil for a pleasant smell in your bedroom.
Alternatively, spray your pillow with a natural lavender mist.
Use a preferred CBD product before bed.
Chamomile And CBD as a promising alternative to Antidepressant Drugs
In the decades since Eli Lilly and Co’s Prozac first went to market in 1988, antidepressants have gained a degree of notoriety for some of their common side effects, including extreme fatigue, nausea, sleeplessness, and rapid weight gain.
Chamomile extract, on the other hand, has shown promising antidepressant potential in several studies, including one conducted by the University of Pennsylvania using oral subjects.
When used in tandem with CBD’s activation of the 5-HT1A receptor in the endocannabinoid system, chamomile might help to increase serotonin levels and produce antidepressant-like effects.
How to combine the two? Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed chamomile tea with your preferred CBD product.
Peppermint And CBD as a Digestion Aid
Peppermint oil can do wonders for an upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, and bloating.
This is due to the fact that peppermint essence contains menthol, an organic compound with well-documented gastric benefits.
Peppermint works by calming the stomach muscles and improving the flow of bile.
This makes it helpful for people suffering from indigestion.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, on the other hand, can also help to soothe gastrointestinal inflammation that may be causing or exacerbating digestive issues.
CBD’s effects on the CB1 receptor are the reason for this.
Studies have discovered that stimulating this receptor can reduce stomach inflammation.
Furthermore, it also decreases the gastric acid production in the stomach.
How to combine the two? You can take peppermint oil supplement, or drink fresh peppermint tea on the days when you use your favorite CBD product.
Wrapping Up
Plant polyphenols are a core element of the health and wellness industry.
They can be used in combination to treat common day-to-day disorders.
CBD is also an effective remedy for many common issues.
When used together, they may provide a synergistic effect. This may be helpful in treating stress, anxiety, insomnia, and many other issues.
As with anything related to your health, please consult your doctor to make sure these options can be used in your particular situation.
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