Winter: for some, it might conjure up images of snowflakes on eyelashes and other cozy song-worthy things, but in reality, winter can be downright cruel. Short, dark days, slippery walkways– not to mention the viruses that thrive in the season but wreak havoc on our heads and bodies, too... the perfect time to talk about a few of the products Healing Foundations keeps on hand to warm and soothe achy joints and muscles; products we use in our practice daily, and available to you for at-home care.
CBD Analgesics
Can you say Cannabidiol? Even if you struggle with pronunciation (can-a-bi-dye-ahl), chances are good that you've seen or heard of CBD (abbreviated, and easier to say). Seemingly everywhere these days, CBD is a non-psychoactive extract of industrial hemp (there's no "high" associated with this extract). CBD has been the subject of dozens of governmental studies and clinical trials for treating everything from PTSD to Parkinsons Disease– and can now be found in low, non-prescription doses in hundreds of over-the-counter products.
When applied as a topical analgesic, CBD interacts with receptors and transmitters in the peripheral nervous system to reduce pain and inflammation. CBD extract doesn't enter the bloodstream in order to provide pain relief, and can't be detected through conventional blood or urine tests for hemp-related products.
After research and careful consideration of this new market in pain relief, Healing Foundations has chosen two CBD products to offer our customers, and so far– to rave reviews!
Outch! Ointment | We particularly like Outch! because it was developed by Brian Bowen, a fellow Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist from Denver, Colorado. In addition to CBD, Outch! contains soothing Traditional Chinese Herbs, and doesn't contain petroleum, formaldehyde, parabens, or sulfates. Great for every day muscle aches, arthritis, sports injuries and stiffness, Outch! is available in unscented salve, and a roll-on with the added tingle of menthol and camphor.
CBD Clinic ProSport | Available only through healthcare professionals, ProSport utilizes quality emollients as a base (organic beeswax, jojoba seed oil, cottonseed oil, and shea butter)– and combines a unique blend of eucalyptus, tea tree, clove, peppermint with menthol and camphor to deliver quality hemp extract for fast-acting, deep-penetrating pain relief.
Liniments, Ointments & Oils
If you've received Cupping, Gua Sha, or bodywork at Healing Foundations, chances are that you've also received the healing benefits of one or more herbal liniments. We use these topical remedies to soothe skin irritations and sore muscles during and after treatments, and they're available to you to use at home, too! Here are a few of our favorites and most popular:
T-Relief | T-Relief has a number of topical and oral formulas for treatment of bruises, aches and pains. One of T-Relief's primary active ingredients is Arnica, which is often prescribed by surgeons pre-operatively, taken internally to rev up the body's natural healing mechanisms.
White Flower Oil | Developed in 1927 and known the world over, White Flower Oil's primary ingredients are wintergreen, eucalyptus, peppermint, and menthol: great for body aches and pains, plus neck aches and headaches. A dab of White Flower oil under your nose will help to help open stuffy airways for a better night's sleep.
Zheng Gu Shui | Popular with athletes, this liniment is made by the traditional and lengthy process of soaking herbs in alcohol until all the good stuff leaches out to be collected and refined. ZGS can be applied before exercise to increase blood flow and relax muscles and tendons, or for recovery of strains, bruises and sprains.
Po Sum On Medicated Oil | Produced by the same, singular Hong Kong company since 1907, this liniment provides a pleasing double-whammy effect: it goes on cool (thanks to menthol) then turns on its warming power with peppermint to increase healing blood flow. Extract from the Daemonorops draco promotes blood circulation and tissue regeneration while relieving pain. This little bottle in the fancy tin packaging packs quite a healing punch!
Ching Wan Hung | This herbal balm with the funny name is an absolute go-to for any type of skin irritation. Available in a tube or tub, Ching Wan Hung soothes and cuts the healing time for scrapes, burns, rashes, and itchy skin.
Blue Poppy Massage Oils and Liniments | Known for their high quality and available only through licensed practitioners, Healing Foundations carries a number of Blue Poppy liniments and tinctures. These herbal formulas serve specific goals based on Traditional Chinese Medicine; consult with one of our practitioners for the product that's right for the at-home care of your specific condition.