CBD is from the family of cannabinoids, natural chemical compounds found in plants, formally known as cannabidiol. It is just one of many cannabinoids found in the lush green Cannabis sativa hemp plant, one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. It originates from Central Asia and has been used in herbal remedies and textile production around the world since the beginning of recorded history. It was mainly used in parts of India for medicinal purposes, but only gained widespread interest in Western science in the 1990s with the discovery of cannabinoid receptors in the human body.

CBD Health Benefits

There are three main types of hemp: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Broad-spectrum hemp extract refers to CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis plant, along with all of the other compounds like essential oils, terpenes, and other cannabinoids except for THC. We use broad-spectrum, so we’ll focus on the benefits of CBD extracted from broad-spectrum hemp.

CBD vs THC

CBD and hemp plants have a complicated reputation, mainly due to misinformation. While the terms THC and CBD are often used interchangeably, they are two distinctly different cannabinoids found within the Cannabis sativa plant. CBD is a non-psychoactive, plant-based chemical compound, whereas THC produces a high when consumed.

CBD is isolated and extracted from the hemp plant, leaving the other cannabinoids, including the negligible amount of THC found in hemp plants, behind. And the CBD that we use is broad-spectrum, meaning it is guaranteed to be THC-free.

CBD vs hemp extract

CBD, and the bulk of all other cannabinoids (active compounds), reside in the plant’s flower. So, if you are looking at a product that includes “hemp extract” from “seeds and stalk” – you aren’t getting any CBD. You’ll generally find this type of marketing ploy on sites like Amazon, which is specifically prohibited from selling CBD products. Why does this matter? Because this leads consumers to spend a premium on products that contain absolutely no CBD and very little beneficial cannabinoids at all.

Optimal absorption

On its own, CBD isn’t able to penetrate the skin barrier – so using ingestible CBD drops as a topical CBD oil likely won’t help much. However, when the CBD particles are nano-emulsified (suspended in the formula as nano-particles), CBD is able to penetrate the skin barrier to reach the area of pain and do its job. Nano-emulsion is necessary for CBD to work as an analgesic, which is why we only use high-quality, nano-emulsified CBD in our Pain Relief & Recovery Cream. Every bottle of Rightful Pain Relief & Recovery Cream contains 500 mg of CBD that can be fully absorbed, effective, and provide long-lasting comfort.

This brightly colored flower belongs to the marigold family and originates from South Asia, Western Europe, and the Mediterranean. Romans, Greeks, and Hindu practitioners in India used calendula during sacred rituals and ceremonies, but the most common use for calendula was in the kitchen. It was often used in cuisine for its flavor and fragrant aroma.

Calendula health benefits

When calendula was originally used for plant-based medicine, people used it for toothaches, headaches, and fevers, along with stomach upsets, burns, cosmetic formulas, and more. However, scientific research today focuses on calendula for promoting wound healing and healthy inflammatory response.

Calendula is in many salves, ointments, and liquid formulations meant to aid in wound healing and soothing inflammation. It’s thought to encourage healing by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels and tissues, and by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines in the body.

Why we use calendula | healthy, beyond relief

Calendula has long been revered for its gentle healing benefits, soothing the skin and aiding the healing process for minor cuts and burns to swelling and inflammation. A traditional concentrated macerated extract of dried calendula flowers in oil was created exclusively for Rightful Pain Relief & Recovery Cream, making up 5% of the formula.

Calendula for relief:

• Encourages healing
• Supports a healthy response to inflammation

Calendula for beyond relief:

• Soothes sensitive skin and protects against irritation

There is some evidence that menthol, originating within the peppermint plant, has been used in Japan for more than two millennia to help with indigestion, nausea, bad breath, sore throat, and soothe airways.

In the West, however, menthol was not isolated from peppermint for herbal treatments until the late 18th century. You might be familiar with using menthol; the herb is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter products today. In vapor rubs, for example, menthol has been used as a cough suppressant and to promote relaxation of airways by countering congestion. It has an instant cooling effect, that numbs and soothes irritated air passages, allowing you to breathe more freely.

Menthol is also included in many topical ointments to provide instant relief for aches and pain, swelling, bruises, and muscle tension. The reason menthol is so effective is because its recognizable instant-cooling sensation acts as a counterirritant to dampen pain sensations. Once applied to the skin, it interacts with pain receptors and encourages them to remain calm and loosen up tension and constriction.

Menthol health benefits

Whether you suffer from ongoing pain, or simply slept in an unusual position, you’ve likely tried a topical pain reliever before. These gels, creams, sprays, and patches are applied directly to the skin, and they often include the notoriously minty and cooling ingredient – menthol.

What is menthol?

Menthol, sometimes referred to as “mint camphor,” is a naturally occurring organic compound derived from peppermint or other mint oils, and it has been used for its analgesic properties since ancient times.

Mentha arvensis, also known as wild mint, field mint, Japanese mint, Chinese mint, and corn mint, is the main species of mint used to obtain menthol crystals and menthol flakes, but it can also be produced synthetically. In its natural state, menthol is a waxy substance, white or clear in color, that remains solid at room temperature but begins to melt when slightly above.

With its strong minty scent, a nod to its originating plant, menthol is popularly used as an ingredient in oral care products for its unique cooling sensation, added as a natural fragrance or flavor ingredient in self-care products, or used for its analgesic and counterirritant properties, which make it a popular ingredient in throat lozenges and over-the-counter (OTC) topical pain relief products.

Menthol in topical pain relievers

Used medicinally, menthol acts as a counterirritant by imparting a cooling effect, and by initially stimulating nociceptors (pain receptors) and then desensitizing them. This counterirritation overpowers pain signals and helps to make the pain more manageable.

Here’s a breakdown of how menthol’s counterirritation works:

1. Upon topical application, menthol’s cooling sensation tricks the mind into thinking that our body or skin temperature is dropping which, in turn:
2. Interrupts pain signals to the brain that ultimately:
3. Desensitizes the nerve endings, temporarily

It’s similar to how ice or an ice pack works by decreasing arterial blood flow.

Why we use menthol | healthy, beyond relief

It can be disheartening to try a topical pain reliever and not experience relief. That said, research shows us that menthol is an effective ingredient for pain management and for providing relief quickly. It’s especially effective when used in combination with other ingredients that support healing and long-lasting comfort, which is why every pump of Rightful Pain Relief & Recovery Cream is made of 4% menthol, along with four other plant-powered ingredients.

Menthol for relief:

• Produces cooling sensations that dampen pain signals
• Provides fast-acting relief of localized aches and pains
• Exhibits antispasmodic properties that help to relax tense or sore muscles

Menthol for beyond relief:

• Gives a natural minty scent that doesn’t linger
• Promotes the relaxation of airways by countering congestion

Camphor oil, an organic compound extracted from the camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), is used in many herbal alternative treatments today. The camphor tree is native to Japan, China, and Taiwan, and has been highly sought after for thousands of years because of its innumerable health benefits.

While you may not have heard of camphor before, chances are, you probably have it stored somewhere in your medicine cabinet. Popular items like Vicks VapoRub and many soothing topical creams include camphor as an ingredient. In fact, camphor oil and the camphor terpene (a diverse, typically fragrant class of compounds produced by plants) have been used for centuries for a variety of purposes, but today, it is celebrated for its ability to soothe aches and pains and provide natural pain relief.

Camphor health benefits

The herb is clinically proven to be a powerful topical pain reliever and is known for its ability to relieve congestion, pain, irritation, inflammation, and itching from rashes. Camphor acts as a pain reliever and counterirritant in a similar fashion to menthol, by finding pain receptors and muting them so that the brain is distracted, lessening the pain and making it manageable. Topical camphor feels pleasantly warm and tingly, and it instantly relieves soreness of joints, muscle tension, and pain.

When applied to the skin, camphor initially causes a cooling sensation, which soothes inflammation, redness, irritation, and muscular aches and pains. The cooling effect is then followed by a localized heating sensation which helps to promote healthy and healing blood flow to the site of application.

What is camphor?

Camphor, or camphor oil, comes from the aromatic camphor tree, or cinnamomum camphora. It is distilled from the tree’s branches, chipped wood, and root stumps. There are four classes of camphor essential oil – white, brown, yellow, and blue – but only white camphor oil can be used in medicinal and aromatic applications. It is a transparent white solid with a distinctive, menthol-like smell.

Camphor is classified as a terpene, which is a vast class of naturally occurring compounds that give plants their distinguishing flavors and fragrances. Before its introduction to Florida in the late 1800s, camphor already had a long history of use, primarily in China, Japan, and India for both religious and medicinal purposes. Today, camphor is used in holistic medicine, beauty and healthcare products, and as a fragrance and flavoring agent.

Camphor’s lasting aroma, which is likened to that of menthol, can be described as cool, bright, and piercing. It is these scent characteristics that make it a popular choice for aromatherapy, particularly in instances where easier and deeper breathing is desired. Camphor is often used in vapor rubs for its unique ability to offer relief to both head and chest congestion.

Creams and lotions that include camphor are commonly used to lessen itchiness, reduce skin irritation, and improve the radiance and overall look of skin. A 2015 study showed that camphor was effective at reducing sun and ultraviolet light-induced wrinkles, so many anti-aging products include camphor as an ingredient. It is also known to increase elastin and increase collagen production.

Camphor for pain relief

Camphor is often found as an ingredient in natural muscle rubs because of its antispasmodic and relaxing properties. It is known to be effective at soothing muscle cramps, stiffness, and spasms. Applying camphor topically is also an effective way to relieve pain and inflammation. It is also known to promote relaxation, reduce stress, boost immunity, and quicken recovery times.

Camphor is shown to be successful in relieving the pain, inflammation, and swelling associated with joint pain. Applied to the skin, camphor initially causes a cooling sensation, followed by a localized heating sensation which helps to promote healthy and healing blood flow to the site of application.

Why we use camphor | healthy, beyond relief

Camphor for relief:

• Produces a cool-then-warm sensation that dampens pain signals
• Provides fast-acting relief of localized aches and pains
• Exhibits antispasmodic properties that help to relax tense or sore muscles

Camphor for beyond relief:

• Soothes the skin
• Provides aromatherapy benefit with a cool, bright, and piercing scent

Arnica montana, as it’s formally known, is a sunny yellow flower that grows at high altitudes in both Europe and Siberia. It grows perennially and is actually a close cousin of the sunflower. Traditionally, arnica has been used as an herbal remedy for pain and also supports a healthy response to inflammation.

This golden flower isn’t new to the homeopathic scene—people have been using it in herbal treatments dating back to the 16th century, for a variety of health concerns. It was mostly used to support the healing of bruises and swelling, inflammation, and aching joints. Today, arnica can be found in topical creams, oils, and salves. While you can find diluted arnica tinctures, there is conflicting research about the efficacy and safety of ingesting arnica.

Arnica is a great alternative for those who experience regular pain, aches, and muscle soreness and want relief without the negative after-effects of conventional alternatives.

Due to the herb’s ability to penetrate the skin’s barriers and absorb deeply into the tissue, it provides long-lasting comfort. It is also helpful as a delivery mechanism for other ingredients that hitch a ride, so the positive benefits are especially effective in combination with other herbs.

Arnica health benefits

Dealing with pain isn’t easy, and if you are someone that battles pain on a frequent basis, you may have heard about arnica, or Arnica Montana.

Arnica has been gaining popularity over the last several years, but similar to other effective homeopathic remedies, the plant has been used for millennia for its natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Here is everything that you need to know about arnica for pain relief:

What is arnica?

A member of the daisy family, Arnica montana is a perennial plant that has been traditionally used for centuries as a topical remedy known to help soothe mild skin injuries, muscle tenderness, strains, and joint swelling.

The arnica flower is bright yellow in color and is oftentimes referred to as the “mountain daisy” because of its resemblance to the commonly recognized flower. The plant is also known as mountain tobacco, leopard’s bane, wolf’s bane, and mountain arnica.

Native Americans were known to use the plant for topical injuries, muscle sprains, wounds, and bruises. Today, people around the world are successfully using arnica to treat soreness, inflammation, bruising, and swelling that results from many different types of physical trauma.

What makes arnica effective?

Arnica acts as a strong anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial agent. The plant’s renowned anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to a naturally occurring compound called helenalin, which makes it ideal for reducing bruising and swelling after injuries. The same compound makes it effective against irritating insect bites.

Arnica’s analgesic properties make it useful for relieving pain associated with sprains, bruises, and other types of injuries. According to a 2016 review, the use of homeopathic arnica after surgery was found to be a safe and effective way to reduce pain, swelling, and bruising after the procedure.

As the arnica flower extract is able to deeply penetrate the skin in order to reach the area of pain, it provides long-lasting relief of discomfort by supporting a healthy inflammatory response.

Why we use arnica | healthy, beyond relief

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of arnica, and the way it fully absorbs into the skin to actually reach the pain area, are what make the plant one of the most effective and widely-used plant-based applications for pain management. It was only natural to create the Rightful Pain Relief & Recovery Cream with 5% arnica.

Arnica for relief:

• Supports fast recovery after overexertion or injury
• Absorbs deeply into the painful area for long-lasting comfort and healing
• Reduces localized swelling and inflammation

Arnica for beyond relief:

• Improves the absorption of other ingredients
• Protects the skin against irritation

Let’s start with one of the most frequently asked questions – what’s the difference between hemp and marijuana? Well, hemp and marijuana are the same plant (Cannabis Sativa), and both are biologically classified as cannabis, but one was bred over the centuries for its “psychoactive” properties – marijuana, and one was bred for its industrial use – hemp.

There are many active compounds (called cannabinoids) found within the Cannabis Sativa plant, one of which is tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC. THC is famous for its psychoactive properties or “high-inducing” effect, and the main difference between marijuana and hemp is the amount of THC found within them. Hemp, which was legalized by the legislative branch via the Farm Bill signed into law in December 2018, is specifically defined as having THC less than 0.3%.

The other prominent and highly sought-after compound found within the Cannabis Sativa plant is cannabidiol or CBD. Both CBD and THC interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, but their effects are very different. Despite their comparable chemical structures, there is one main difference between these two cannabinoids: CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, which means it does not produce the “high” that is associated with THC.

Plant compounds and the “Entourage Effect”

While most people focus on the macronutrients (like protein, fats, and fiber) and micronutrients (like vitamins and minerals) in plants, at Rightful, we’re passionate about the powerful compounds that plants create and provide us. Plants create these compounds to help them thrive and evolve, and by consuming these plants, we evolve with them and reap their amazing benefits. Caffeine – the most used psychoactive compound in the world – is an example of one of these plant compounds.

This brings us back to hemp, a plant with over 100 cannabinoid compounds found within it, just two of which are CBD and THC. The term “entourage effect” refers to the synergistic phenomenon that occurs when all of hemp’s compounds work together to enhance the therapeutic health benefit of each individual compound.

Hemp is not the only plant with an entourage effect. As a matter of fact, every plant has its own unique entourage effect. Turmeric, ashwagandha, and rhodiola, to name a few, all contain their own unique beneficial compounds, and they work on humans using their own powerful entourage effect. And, fun fact, hemp is not the only plant to create cannabinoids – several other plants, including Cacao, are being studied for their similar compounds.

These plant compounds can be extracted and consumed in three main ways: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate forms.

Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate

Although these variations may sound similar, they are not the same, and if you want to see the most benefit from your plant compounds, specifically hemp extract, it’s important to understand their differences. Here is a quick breakdown:

• Full-spectrum hemp extract: This refers to CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis plant, along with all of the other compounds like essential oils, terpenes, and other cannabinoids, including THC
• Broad-spectrum hemp extract: This refers to CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis plant, along with all of the other compounds like essential oils, terpenes, and other cannabinoids except for THC
• Isolate hemp extract: This refers to CBD that has been extracted and isolated from all of the other compounds and cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant

Generally speaking, the western medicine and pharmaceutical approach when dealing with medicinal botanicals is to identify powerful plant compounds, isolate them, and then to provide super-high doses of that one compound in a “medicine” form. While this approach can produce intense and quick results, it is so unnatural that it often also produces significant aftereffects. At Rightful, we believe in the power of the entourage effect, so we provide the whole plant and its compounds via a broad-spectrum hemp extract, which creates a gradual, sustainable, and healthy approach to herbal therapies overall.

When it comes to hemp and CBD, you need to know exactly what you’re buying. CBD Oil is often just that – an isolate of that one compound, CBD. A product labeled with “hemp extract” might also be the same solitary thing – just CBD and no other cannabinoids. A label that specifies “broad-spectrum hemp extract” signifies that the product contains the whole plant, inclusive of all of the beneficial cannabinoids (with the exception of THC). Reputable companies will include which type of CBD is included in their product, as well as the exact amount used.

Parts of the plant and key markers

Now for the next twist – CBD, and the bulk of all other cannabinoids, reside in the plant’s flower. So, if you are looking at a product that includes “hemp extract” from “seeds and stalk” – you aren’t getting any CBD. You’ll generally find this type of marketing ploy on sites like Amazon, who are specifically prohibited from selling CBD products. Why does this matter? Because this leads consumers to spend a premium for products that contain absolutely no CBD and very little beneficial cannabinoids at all.

There are also a lot of companies out there marketing full-spectrum, THC-free CBD. This is like trying to sell hydrogen-free water. It’s not a thing. There are other companies that are incorporating extremely low doses (as low as 2 mg) of CBD into their product just so they can include it on their label.

To ensure you are buying quality products, educate yourself on the three forms of hemp extract, stay away from products that use “proprietary blends” in their ingredients, and beware of manufacturers who do not specifically note what part of the plant was used for the hemp extract.

Not all plant extracts are created equal. When dealing with plant-based therapies you’ll want to know that the manufacturer tested the herb to ensure it is efficacious or as expected. To do this, manufacturers test for a “marker” (a single compound or a subset of the compounds). With hemp, CBD is usually that marker as it is the most prevalent compound in the hemp flower. Therefore, if the manufacturer does not explicitly tell you the amount of CBD in the extract, you should email them and ask.

It’s all about the absorption

Finally, even if you are certain that you’re getting the right plant, inclusive of all of the beneficial compounds from a reputable manufacturer who has included a decent marker proof point – it’s all a waste if your body can’t absorb the nutrients. Luckily, there are a few proven ways to remedy this.

Take turmeric, for example. Turmeric as a standalone has very low bioavailability, which means it is not well absorbed into our bodies, yet most people are consuming it in isolation. However, in the presence of piperine, an extract of black pepper, and lipids (fats), the absorption of turmeric is increased by up to 2,000%.

Research indicates that hemp’s bioavailability is similar to that of turmeric. When consumed alone, it is very poorly absorbed into the body, which whittles its potential health benefits down to almost nothing. When taken with black pepper extract and fats, however, its chances of absorption are greatly increased, which maximizes its intended benefits.

Lastly, the ingredients in supplements that are formulated as a liquid enter the circulatory system faster and more efficiently than those in other forms, allowing for maximum bioavailability. At Rightful, we use liquid formulas and meticulously selected ingredients that work together to greatly increase the bioavailability and effectiveness of the components found within our products.

Putting it all together

So, now you’re ready to go shopping for some high-quality hemp that will make a difference for you! To ensure a quality product, be on the lookout for:

• Broad-spectrum hemp extract with all the valuable cannabinoids (other than THC)
• CBD that has been extracted from the plant’s flower
• A label that clearly indicates the amount of hemp extract in the product, along with how many cannabinoids and/or CBD is included in a serving
• A liquid product that includes piperine, and ideally lipids, to ensure you’re getting maximum absorption for your investment

If the manufacturer is not crystal clear about these things, or if for any reason it’s not making sense to you, we suggest you think twice before purchasing that product.