End of summer greetings to you all,
Have you noticed, that although (for some of us) it has been decades since we’ve had to go back to school, the end of August still brings a bit of a sense of apprehension and loss? Although, I imagine for the mamas reading this, that has perhaps been tempered by a bit of relief that the kids are going back to school! I feel this sense of desperation to cram in as many summer activities as possible into this long weekend, so I will be heading to Connecticut and to the Hudson Valley to spend time with my family, enjoy the pool, grill and soak up fun, love and sun.
The truth is, I actually love the Fall, with its sense of crispness, change, pretty colors, boots, light jackets…and new products at AB Acupuncture! I’ve often spoken about the consortium of colleagues I collaborate with – we discuss our cases, share wisdom, treatment strategies and product reviews. Several of my colleagues have also developed products and enhanced them through our association with high end herbal pharmacologists and herbalists in Chengdu, China, near the Tibetan plateau. From this region, we have access to the very highest quality botanicals, grown in the proper conditions, harvested at the proper times and continually lab tested for quality and efficacy. These herbs are in the foot soaks, the Enlighten tea, the sport liniment, certain herbal formulas and CBD products I now carry, which are made by colleagues I know personally and can vouch for their quality. Over the next few months, I will highlight these products so that you have an idea of what they are and how they can help you. **Read all the way to the end for my September Back-To-School Special!**
Good Life Botanicals – CBD pain relief oils and salves
Most people are already aware of the use of cannabidiol (CBD) to reduce pain and inflammation. It is the part of the cannabis plant which does not produce the euphoric feeling. CBD binds with our own endocannabinoid system which regulates all the systems in our body. This will get too long if I go on, but if you want to know more, I’ll add some links on my website, or shoot me an email.
My colleague Stacey Donelson, L.Ac in Colorado is the owner/developer of these wonderful products. I carry three of her items, as I find them to be the best: Relief Deep, Relief Red (in easy to apply roller bottles) and the Magnesium (Mg) Butter salve. A bit about each:
Relief Deep
For use topically for deep and intractable pain. It is is absorbed transdermally, and while you put it where the pain is, the botanicals absorb into tissue and the blood stream and will actually give relief over the whole body. It has 300 mg of full spectrum* hemp oil plus blood moving Chinese herbs such as safflower, frankincense and myrrh among others, as well as essential oil of lavender, german chamomile, helichrysum and arnica. It can be used adjacent to sites on injury (as you would not put it on broken or damaged skin) or even on the opposite limb and it will still produce positive results.
Relief Red
This has similar uses, but this formula includes herbs with hotter properties such as ginger, black pepper, white pepper, cinnamon bark and Sichuan pepper. It also has the 300mg of full spectrum* hemp.
This is used where we want to increase blood flow, dilate capillaries, in some cases promote a bit of sweat and really warm. Used in some cases of neuropathy, frostbite, circulatory impaired areas, at the beginning of a cold (a little Red on the back of the neck will nip that in the bud); and in certain cases, draw down headaches.
Magnesium Butter
This salve has 175mg of CBD from full spectrum* hemp oil. It is the original Relief Formula with the addition of 200mg of Magnesium Chloride. It’s great for nerve-type pain, plantar fasciitis, restless leg syndrome, muscle spasms and as Stacey originally developed it for: her kids growing pains. One interesting thing to note: the magnesium can create a “tingly” or slightly “stingy” sensation in people who are dehydrated. So, if that’s a worry, this is a way to find out if you’re drinking enough water!
*a note about full spectrum hemp oil: Many CBD products on the market include isolate CBD – just the cannabidiol. Using the whole hemp plant for the oil, includes all the cannabinoids present in the plant which respond to the analgesic neurotransmitters present in our bodies, as acupuncture does. It’s like giving yourself additional acupuncture treatments every day!
With the addition of the “imperial grade” herbs from Chengdu, I believe these to be among the highest quality CBD products available. As such, Stacey makes enough for her patients and to sell to her fellow consortium practitioners, and their availability will be subject to the availability and quality of these herbs. (i.e. if there isn’t a good batch, she’ll just wait until there is – no second-rate product will be made)
Back to School Special!
During the month of September, all my topicals – Good Life Botanicals & Evil Bone Water will be 10% off with in office appointments. I’m already placing my order for a new shipment, this stuff is flying off the shelves! Mention this newsletter at your appointment for the discount!
* Lastly, special thanks to Elizabeth M. Swartz of Bunny Williams Design for the stunning beach photo at the top of the page. She has a wonderful eye, both in her work and on vacation!
As always, you can follow me on social media at the following: on Instagram I am ab_acupuncture_nyc My Facebook page is AB Acupuncture – Annalisa Brown, L.Ac as well as Twitter (@ABacuNYC) or LinkedIn under my name. Please like/follow my pages if you are on social media so I can spread the word locally.