I wrote last week about the Herbalistica Focused CBD oil, while now I’m looking at the Relief option by the same brand. This oil comes in a spray format, making dosages very easy to measure and also a nice change from the common dropper method.
What Is The Terpene Profile?
Terpenes are the natural compound that you get in the cannabis plant, each with its own unique, yet recognisable aroma and taste.
These terpenes aren’t just found in cannabis, they’re found in many plants, hence why if a certain terpene is higher than others, the taste or smell might remind you of something else, whether that’s orange peel or lavender.
In the lab report, you will find the highest levels of terpenes in the Relief CBD oil was caryophyllene oxide (0.443), beta-caryophyllene (0.306), alpha-humelene (0.227) and alpha-bisabolol (0.139), amongst a host of others at smaller quantities.
What Is The Caryophyllene Oxide Terpene?
Caryophyllene oxide can be found in a number of spices, such as black pepper, oregano or basil. It’s a sesquiterpenoid oxide, meaning it has three isoprene units.
Caryophyllene oxide has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, while it has also been shown to bind with CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which then can help prevent the chemical release of cytokines.
What Cannabinoids Are Present?
Quite obviously, the most present cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA).
But if we’re to benefit from the entourage effect, we really want a strong presence of all the cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes present in the hemp plant.
The next most prominent cannabinoid is cannabichromene (CBC), which is non-pshychoactive and helps to battle inflammation, however the results can be significantly enhanced when combined with THC (hopefully that will come soon in the UK). To read more about CBC, you might want to read this study or this one. This is also followed closely by CBCA, it’s acidic form.
After CBCA, the highest quantity cannabinoid present is CBG, my favourite cannabinoid of them all (yes, you can have favourites).
Cannabigerol is the decarboxylated form of CBGA, which is also slightly present, while it’s often seen as the ‘mother cannabinoid’ as it’s the precursor to CBDA, CBCA and THCA.
Testing It Out
Taking the tincture out of the packaging, the first thing you notice is the tall lid, however it instantly makes sense as soon as you take the lid off, as the spray requires more room than a dropper.
They recommend keeping the liquid under the tongue for 3 minutes, something I like to see, as too many brands state ’20 seconds’, which I think is far too short a time for it to be absorbed into the blood stream. I normally last 2 minutes before I get bored and swallow.
The spray takes a couple of pumps to work if it’s the first time you use it, but after that it should spray perfectly each time. Make sure to give it a bit of a shake before you use it.
They do state you can place it onto the temples and massage it in if you wish, something I’ve not tried before, but I’m a purist, I’ll stick to sublingual consumption for now.
The method you choose is partly down to personal preference and what works best for you, but whatever you do, don’t place it in the belly button.
How Long Will This Last?
The date of production for the tincture I have is for October 2020, while the best before date is November 2021, giving it just over a year, but obviously remember this is just a ‘best before’.
In regards to how long the tincture’s usage will last, a pump is 0.2ml, while the tincture is 20ml, meaning you will get 100 pumps out of the bottle. It’s therefore down to how many you use per day and how consistent you are.
Why Include Turmeric Essential Oil?
With 88% of the ingredients being ozonated hemp oil, one of the slightly more unique additions is turmeric essential oil. This is a nice addition, not often included in hemp oils, which has a number of health benefits.
Thanks to curcumin, a major active ingredient in turmeric, it has very strong anti-inflammatory properties, helping to decrease swelling. Turmeric has also been shown to help keep blood sugar levels steady.
Where Is This Available?
The Herbalistica Relief Herbal Tincture is available to order directly from their website for £99. Free shipping is included if you’re based in the UK, while they accept card payments via Vivawallet.
If you did have some follow up questions, you’re more than welcome to send me an email, or you can reach out to Herbalistica, who take calls for a ‘free consultation’ between 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday.
