With the recent global and local scare around Coronavirus, having a strong immune system is our best defense. Our advice is to keep your medicine cabinet and pantry stocked with supplements and medicinal foods ready to treat the first signs of scratchy throat, fever and sniffles. You will not only prevent colds, coughs and flus, but you will shorten the duration and severity of illness in the event that you do get sick. Keep in mind these interventions work best when applied promptly at onset of symptoms of a common cold or flu. Coronavirus COVID-19 appears to have a long incubation time when people are without symptoms, so prevention is still key. These remedies are not a replacement for medical care in the event that you have a serious illness: please seek medical attention when appropriate.
12 tips to boost immunity throughout the next few months!
1) WASH YOUR HANDS! Yup, so basic. But seriously, this is number one, even when facing highly contagious flu strains. Washing hands in warm water + soap for at least 20 seconds is the best way to wash away germs. Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes, unless you’re doing so with clean hands. According to the CDC, if soap and water are not readily available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at lease 60% alcohol may be used as a substitute.
2) SLEEP + STRESS REDUCTION we have to rest to let our bodies do this natural healing thing! Make sure to get 7-9 hours of restful sleep per night and let go of any unnecessary stressors. Deep breathing, meditation, long walks and yin yoga are all great ways to curb stress.
3) GUT HEALTH it’s said that up to 80% of our immune system is rooted in our gut flora. Improve your gut health by taking probiotic supplements, eating fermented food (kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir, miso, yogurt), eating prebiotic fiber to support probiotics (bananas, chicory root, onions, leeks, asparagus, apples, flaxseeds). Avoid taking antibiotics unnecessarily, reduce stress, eat less sugar and sweeteners, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and avoid consuming conventional meat and dairy products because these animals are often treated with copious antibiotics.
4) EXERCISE it’s no secret that regular exercise will help keep your body healthy, including your immunity. But what about when you’re feeling the onset of a cold? If you usually exercise, then you should definitely exercise when starting to get sick. Break a sweat and get the blood flowing, but don’t push yourself too hard if you’re feeling especially run down.
5) VITAMINS supplements should be started right away at first symptoms of a cold or taken preventatively when exposed to illness. High-doses of Vitamin C, A and D taken for short duration can nip the bad bugs in the bud (say that 5 times fast!). Get your supplements ready to go:
6) ZINC this mineral kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. Zinc lozenges are easy to carry around in your pocket or keep in your office desk. I have skipped countless colds by having this supplement on hand when I get a sore throat; I always keep Zicam stocked for home and travel. Higher doses of this supplement are best used when trying to aggressively prevent illness for a short time. If you take for longer periods, you may need to supplement with copper as well.
7) ELDERBERRY this magical dark purple berry has been used for centuries to combat symptoms of colds + flus: preventing and shortening severity and duration of these common illnesses. Modern research has shown that the flavonoids in elderberry extract binds to the H1N1 human influenza virus and to the H5N1 avian influenza virus in order to carry it out of the body. Bonus: Elderberry also effectively treats sinus infections. It’s best used preventatively or within first 48 hours of onset of symptoms and is safe to take daily throughout cold + flu season.
8) DIET cut out inflammatory foods -gluten, dairy, sugar, fried foods, alcohol and your personal food sensitivities- when you feel the fist symptoms of a cold coming on. I know, all the fun stuff, right? These foods feed viruses and bad bacteria, compromise our gut flora, weaken immunity and are mucus-forming.
Instead, focus on eating colorful vegetables, homemade bone or vegetable broths, shiitake mushrooms, healthy fats (like coconut oil, raw nuts + seeds, fatty fish, and grass-fed butter), organic eggs, pasture-raised meat, and wild-caught fish, and of course, the classic: homemade chicken soup.
9) IMMUNE-BOOSTING NUTRIENTS there are so many household immunity superstars that you’re probably already including in daily cooking. To prevent cold + flus, make sure to stock your pantry and fridge with these anti-viral/anti-bacterial nutrients! Raw garlic, onions, mushrooms and local or Manuka honey are immunity boosters. Turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and cayenne are healing herbs. Apple cider vinegar, green tea and echinacea are natural antibiotics. Citrus fruits, kale, broccoli, cauliflower and kiwi are rich in Vitamin C. Meat, shellfish, nuts + seeds, and lentils are high-zinc foods. Stay hydrated with plenty of water, herbal teas, electrolytes and broths.
10) ACUPUNCTURE + CUPPING Acupuncture has anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effects, helping regulate immunity and helping your body get back to a balanced state. Patients may come in for preventative care or once they start feeling symptoms. We frequently hear stories of patients coming back to tell us that acupuncture at onset of a sore throat or congestion successfully prevented a full-blown cough, cold or flu!
Cupping research indicates that cupping engages the immune system because the microenvironment is changed when cups are placed on the surface of the skin. Physical signals at local areas turn into a cascade of signals that involve the nervous, endocrine and immune systems; having a whole body effect. Clinically, we place cups over the chest and upper back to stimulate the immune system, help the lungs to clear out phlegm + fluids, and relieve tight + achy muscles.
11) HERBAL MEDICINE echinacea, astragulus, reishi and cordyceps mushrooms are all herbs commonly taken before you get sick to prevent illness. You may stock up on tinctures or capsules in the months leading up to cold + flu season to prevent occurrence. Once sick, Yin Qiao San is a very effective Chinese medicine formula used to treat middle-high grade fever with sweating, chills, cough, sore throat and body aches. The herbs in this formula contain antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immuno-stimulative, detox, and antitussive pharmacological properties. Additionally, we have Chinese medicine formulas that treat the specifics of your symptoms if you do get sick- we can treat dry cough, phlegmy cough, nasal congestion, fever, chills, GI issues, etc. Herbal medicine can be miraculous for shortening duration of nasty viruses, but it’s best to get on top of it sooner than later.
12) STAY POSITIVE our immune systems are enormously influenced by our thoughts, so keep that in mind when navigating the media hype and making decisions about your and your loved one’s health. Invest in the things you have control over: eating well, managing stress, healthy lifestyle, seeking out the kind of medical care that best suits your needs. Let go of feelings of helplessness and fear as best you can; they diminish our reserves and weaken our immunity.
Is CBD lotion safe to use for arthritis symptoms?
The most common question people have when it comes to CBD lotions or cream for pain management or its anti-inflammatory properties is whether or not it is safe to use for arthritis symptoms.
Many or ALLAY consumers have concerns with additional potential and side effects (as they should be).
According to our own Chief Science Officer, Dr. Kellie Raydon and some top health experts and agencies, the answer is yes. It is safe to use. *See our video Dr. Kellie Raydon Chief Science officer.
For instance, Medscape shares that while cannabinoid medicine is still in its early stages, “unlike marijuana and THC, the risks associated with CBD are extremely low, with not a single case report of CBD overdose in the literature. The National Institute on Drug Abuse agrees and states that “CBD appears to be a safe drug with no addictive effects.” *See video below
In the future, it is likely that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will also begin to regulate CBD products, providing an additional safety net, as this agency indicates that “increasing public interest” in this substance increases the importance of establishing regulatory procedures.
We at Allay strive to bring the best product to our consumers, we are also committed to bringing answers to your questions, leave a comment and ask questions we are here to share and educate. Be sure to shop at our online shop www.allaytopical.com for our product and to gain more information about our product on our education page.
Part 2: The importance of transparency
(and why Allay rocks☺)
On Monday I introduced Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Weed 5: The CBD Craze,’ which investigated the benefits and drawbacks of the new and booming CBD industry.
The problem, Gupta argues, is a lack of proper regulation leading to mislabeled, and occasionally harmful CBD products. There is, in other words, a blatant lack of transparency and honesty in the CBD market.
So, what can the consumer do to combat this?
How it’s made: Extraction, explained
First, it’s important to understand a little about how CBD oil is made. This is because the extraction process has everything to do with producing a clean and toxin-free final product. Not all CBD is created equal! When buying CBD it is crucial that the consumer pay attention to the specific method of extraction used to ensure that their product is clean, safe, and potent.
It all starts with the plant. The first thing to pay attention to is whether your CBD product is derived from certified organic hemp. Hemp is a bioaccumulator- this means that is absorbs all of the chemicals, pesticides, and toxins in the soil at a faster rate than it is able to use or release them. If a CBD product is extracted from non-organic hemp, it's going to carry all of those toxins, heavy metals, and pesticides with it. Yuck.
“As far as we’re concerned, there is only one way to grow anything: organically and sustainably. Because our soil is some of the richest, most fertile in the west, and because our climate is ideal for growing compelling cannabis, we let nature do her job. Every cultivation choice is based on bringing forth the perfection that is already inherent in the plants and on our farm” -Siskiyou Sungrown, Allay’s source of high quality CBD oil
There are two main extraction methods that consumers should look out for; CO2 extraction and Solvent extraction.
Simply put, supercritical CO2 extraction uses cooled and pressurized CO2 to draw out CBD and other phytochemicals.
At certain temperatures, CO2 becomes what is known as a 'supercritical liquid.' This means that it has the properties of both a gas and a liquid. In this state, CO2 acts as a solvent passing through porous solids and dissolving materials. Producers are able to fine tune which phytochemicals and compounds are extracted by controlling the pressure and temperature of the CO2.
This method is generally safe and clean, although it does have a few drawbacks. Namely, if the cannabis plant isn't dried adequately before hand, the final product may contain carcinogens and rancid fats. This method is also costly, and requires a lot of energy.
CO2 extracted products also lack a number of helpful phytochemicals (or active compounds). Because this method can only extract oil soluble compounds, the range of phytochemicals it is able to extract is limited. But more on this later...
Ethanol extraction typically involves decarbonating the plant (i.e. heating the plant to remove carbon atoms), and then soaking the plant in solvent- usually ethanol or butane- to extract its active compounds.
This method has its disadvantages. For one, using a solvent such as butane can leave behind toxic and harmful residue if the solvent isn't completely evaporated. Ethanol, on the other hand, is a natural solvent which works just as effectively as butane without the risk of toxins.
Because this process extracts both water soluble and oil soluble phytochemicals, the final product carries a wider range of helpful compounds. This includes compounds such as polyphenols, which can prevent degenerative disease, boost brain function and digestion, and more! The final product is truly full-spectrum, containing in it more helpful compounds than its CO2 derived counterpart.
Extracting with a solvent also creates ‘esters.’ These are water-soluble organic compounds, which replace hydrogen with a hydrocarbon group (Clark 2004). Because these compounds are water soluble, they have much higher bioavailability (that is- they are easier for our bodies to break down and digest!). Oil-soluble compounds, on the other hand, need to be broken down by our bodies acids and enzymes, making them difficult to digest. Reduced bioavailability means reduced potency!
Allay believes that ethanol extraction is the best method to ensure a clean, potent, and pure product. Siskiyou Sungrown uses only USP grade organic cane oil as a solvent, creating a product that is truly full-spectrum!
“ [...] Ethanol extracts both water soluble and oil soluble plant constituents very effectively. Consequently, hemp oil extracted with ethanol is truly full spectrum, exhibiting the synergy of all available beneficial phytochemicals. The ethanol that Siskiyou Sungrown uses for extraction is strictly USP grade, certified organic cane alcohol”
Remember Jay Jenkins from the last blog? The young man who almost died after consuming entirely synthetic, mislabeled CBD?
Companies aren’t always required to include all of the ingredients they put into their CBD. Manufacturers can add a number of different things to increase profit, including preservatives, non-cannabis derived terpenes, various food colorings, thinning agents, and more. A lot of this stuff can be harmful to your health. If a company isn’t transparent about what goes in to their final product, don’t buy it! A great way to make sure you’re being safe is to ask for the lab results of the final CBD product.
Radical. Transparency. That’s what we’re after here at Allay medicinals.
In my next post, I’ll give you all a quick recap of what this all means, and provide a succinct and easy-to-follow guide on how to buy CBD!
“CBD Oil Extraction Technique - Ethanol vs. Supercritical CO2.” CBD Oil Review, 2018, https://cbdoilreview.org/cbd-cannabidiol/ethanol-vs-supercritical-co2-extraction/#What-Is-Supercritical-CO2-Extraction?
Clark, Jim. “An Introduction to Esters.” Chem Guide, Sept. 2004, https://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/esters/background.html.
Siskiyou Sungrown. “Ethanol extraction vs. CO2." Instagram, 27 Sept. 2019, https://www.instagram.com/p/B27OHaaFP3j/