A New Topic
We have some very special medicine at the PCC, one that many patients have only recently discovered. It comes in a few different forms, and helps to relieve pain and stress. Although made from cannabis, it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects and can be used repeatedly anytime during the day or night. Before you guess that it’s high CBD tincture or something similar, note that you don’t smoke, vaporize or ingest this medicine. In fact, over the past year we have seen more patients seeking these as part of their medical cannabis treatment: cannabis infused topicals.
Using cannabis topically is nothing new. In fact, cannabis infusions in salves or rubs are found in Tibetan, East Asian, Chinese and Arabic medicine. Science has shown that, like many other parts of the human body, the skin contains CB1 and CB2 receptors, so it is not surprising that topical use of cannabis has proven effective in treating pain and inflammation. We have always known how good cannabis is for your skin, and at the PCC we have a few different products that our patients truly love.
Mystic Herbal Body Butter
In 2014, we celebrated 4/20 and our 13th anniversary by giving away gift bags full of samples to our patients. The most talked about item in that bag was undoubtedly the Mystic Herbal Body Butter, a raw Shea Butter infused with cannabis that we have had on our shelf for years. This medicine is great for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, or for use on rashes, bites and burns. It is easily spreadable, absorbs quickly, and leaves your skin soft. This product has actually become a staff favorite for a quite specific use – aftershave relief! The Mystic Herbal Body Butter comes in two sizes and a variety of scents: Lavender, Mango, Jamaican Vibe, and Unscented.
Hash Balm
The hash balm we carry on our shelf is another long time patient favorite. Simply called “Hash Balm,” it comes from a Northern California provider who puts a lot of thought and care into their product. We love the provider’s message on the label about making his medicine- “the old fashioned way: low and slow and with exquisite attention to every step.” The unique process of heating hashish with organic jojoba and sesame oils for several hours, and then filtering it twice makes this balm stand out in both quality and effectiveness. Our patients use the hash balm to specifically target pain of all kinds. It is great for joint pain, muscle pain, and bruises. Just a small amount goes a long way, and it is amazing how quickly it works. One patient reports rubbing a small amount of the balm into the temples of the forehead to help relieve the throbbing of a migraine. The hash balm comes in mildly scented blends of Lavendar/Rosemary/Sage (shown) or Clove/Frankincense/Cypress/Bergamot.
Xternal Rub
We love having Xternal cannabis products available to our patients, especially because they are easy to administer and highly effective. The Xternal balm was originally designed around the needs of professional athletes seeking improved recovery time from injuries. Now there are several variations of their proprietary blend, and we specifically carry the spray rub version. Patients have reported that the spray is effective in treating pain caused by arthritis, bruising or mild sprains. It helps restore circulation and cuts down inflammation. The spray bottle application method makes it very easy to target a specific area and only use the amount of rub you need at one time, so there is no waste. Other ingredients included in the Xternal spray rub are aloe vera, eucalyptus oil and amino acids. Not only does it relieve pain, but it is also great for your skin.
Besides these three amazing topical products, there are other items that are primarily ingested but can also be used topically. Our vegan and gluten free coconut oil is just as medicinal on the skin as when put into cookies. Also, the full extract cannabis oil is both edible and topical. Although it is extremely sticky and not as easy to spread, its concentrated nature might make it the most powerful topical medicine we have ever carried. Our helpful staff will be able to suggest how to best use these medicines on your skin.
If you have skin conditions, inflammation, or muscle and joint pain, you might want to try a topical medicine in addition to your regular routine. You will find that your skin loves the effects of cannabis, pain is lessened, and circulation is improved. As new products come out, we want to hear about them, so let us know if you have tried something else topically that has worked well for you. As always, our knowledgeable staff is ready to help you find the medicine that best treats your condition. Next time you are at PCC take a look at our topicals section to see the new hot topic!