Sisters of the Valley are a Californian based company, on a mission to heal the world through plant-based treatments, while I’m kicking off the first of three reviews of products by this brand, the first being their CBD salve.
A brand focused on spiritualism, servitude and activism, Sisters of the Valley are attempting to bridge the gap between the earth and people who are suffering, using the world’s natural gifts as a solution.
How Much CBD Does This Salve Contain?
The Sisters Of The Valley CBD Topical Salve contains 500mg of CBD.
This is a full spectrum extract, meaning it also contains a number of other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.
In order, you will find CBD, CBDA, THC, CBC, CBG, CBCA, CBGA, THCA, CBDV and CBN. If you’re curious to learn more about any of these cannabinoids and why their inclusion is important, I recommend having a read of my guide, or take a look at my list of cannabinoids.
Many brands label themselves ‘full spectrum’ or ‘broad spectrum’, yet following an investigation of the lab report, you will find nothing more than a trace element of any of the other cannabinoids other than CBD. I’m happy to say this product’s lab report backs up their claims and contains plenty of incredible cannabinoids, helping you to benefit from the entourage effect.
As you arrive on the lab reports page on their website, one interesting thing they do is highlight what moon cycle your batch falls under. I might not be one for astronomy, but I know plenty of people who are, which I can imagine this would appeal to.
One thing I’d like to point out is that 500mg of CBD is actually pretty decent for a salve or balm, as most of the others I’ve reviewed have had either 250mg or 300mg.
What Else Does This Contain?
This salve might have a core focus on the hemp presence, but there are plenty of other useful ingredients, including Vitamin E, lavender, coconut oil, beeswax and calendula oil.
Vitamin E is a common presence in topical treatments, helping to improve skin health and enhance cell function. The fat-soluble vitamin will help to moisturise the skin and heal wounds.
Lavender isn’t simply included for its nice smell, it’s also a great ingredient for reducing wrinkles and improving blood circulation. It has been used regularly throughout history for acne scarring and for its anti-bacterial properties.
Coconut oil is another great ingredient, while 77.2% of the ingredients are solid coconut oil infused with hemp, with a further 3.8% of liquid coconut oil infused with hemp. Coconut oil can help to reduce inflammation, hydrate and protect the skin.
With antifungal and antibacterial properties, coconut oil is also packed full of essential amino acids.
Having previously spent some time working in the beauty industry, I learned that beeswax was a common ingredient used in balms, salves and lotions, helping to add a barrier for the moisture to stay within the skin, while it works amazingly as a stabiliser and an emulsifier.
It should be noted that while this product is vegetarian friendly, it isn’t vegan friendly due to the presence of beeswax.
The final ingredient I highlighted was calendula oil, making up 1.5% of the formula. This is another common skincare ingredient, added to help treat dry and itchy skin, packed with essential fatty acids and nourishes the skin.
My Application
Considering most of my aches and pains come from working out, I decided to apply this after each session, to reduce the effect of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).
The scent you instantly smell is the aroma of lavender, despite lavender oil only making up 1.4% of the formulation.
The salve easily rubs into the skin, but it is worth rubbing it in for a good 20 seconds to ensure it has been properly absorbed into the skin. While the initial feel is wet, it didn’t leave a greasy residue, which I was happy to find.
The tub is 118ml (4oz), while I would estimate I used around 2ml each time, which would work out as 8.47mg of CBD each time.
Of course, if you’re suffering from something then you might want to apply a greater amount, to make sure you get around 15-20mg of CBD each time.
Where Can I Buy This From?
You can place an order for the CBD Topical Salve from their website for $73.10. They can ship all over the world, so don’t hesitate to put in an order (I’m based in the UK and they could send it out to me).
