Product Spotlight: Arctic Sauna Balm
Let’s cut to the chase: pain sucks. Whether it stems from a fresh injury or a flare up, is a never-goes-away type of deal, or even the dreaded ache that comes with cold, damp weather – you name it – we all experience it, and for at times it can be outright debilitating.
Arctic Sauna is our cannabis infused version of a traditional sports rub. To understand how topical Cannabis works, its best to remember how Cannabis interacts with the human body. A quick reminder: our skin is full of both CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Throughout the body, CB1 receptors are located in peripheral nerve terminals, and are found in highest concentration in areas of the brain that regulate pain arising from stimulation of nerve cells. When THC is applied topically, it fits into CB1 receptors on nerve cells in the skin similar to a key fitting into a lock. The THC turns the nerve cell OFF, in turn switching all nerve cells further up the pathway off, effectively disrupting the "help!" signal that cell was previously sending to the brain,
CB2 receptors, found in concentration in our tissue, stimulate the release of anti-inflammatory agents such as histamine and serotonin when influenced by cannabinoids. THCa and CBN are both excellent anti-inflammatory agents.
We combine our knowledge of Cannabis with traditional herbal wisdom to bring you the best possible defense against whatever pain comes your way. Read on to learn more about what ingredients we use, and why.
Oils and Butters
Avocado oil – cold pressed from the pits of organic avocados, Avocado Oil contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, Vitamin D, Vitamin E (a natural preservative), minerals, protein, fatty acids and lecithin – an important ingredient that helps your body absorb cannabinoids.
Hemp Seed Oil – Cannabis has SO many purposes it blows my mind. Cold pressed from Cannabis Sativa* seeds, Hemp Seed Oil is an antioxidant rich, complete protein oil that contains carotene, phytosterols, phospholipids, and a number of minerals including calcium, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. In case that’s not an eyebrow raiser for ya, it also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and E. *Hemp Seed Oil does not contain cannabinoids. Meaning no THCa, no THC, no CBD, etc. We don't hold that against it.
Coconut Oil – due to its high fat content, Coconut oil is one of the best oils extracting cannabinoids, and as such it serves as our base oil for infusing Cannabis. The Capric, Caprylic, and Lauric Acids found in coconut oil have strong disinfectant and anti-microbial properties.
Aloe Butter – with a PH level almost identical to that of human skin, aloe butter’s unique blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins and enzymes work easily absorb into the skin and work to correct deficiencies.
Kokum Butter – the essential fatty acids in Kokum butter aid in cell oxygenation, making nutrients more readily available for use by skin tissues.
Mango Butter – most widely used for its moisturizing and protective properties, mango butter soothes skin by reducing degeneration of skin cells, aiding in wound healing while restoring flexibility to the skin.
Plant Magic
All of our balms start with the same herbal base consisting of:
Calendula – a natural antiseptic, Calendula is held in high regard for its ability to promote rapid healing in the skin and connective tissues.
Comfrey – one of the best herbal allies for injuries, Comfrey stimulates cell growth, encourages body tissue repair, and soothes inflammation.
Oatstraw – highly nourishing to the skin despite being an anti-septic, Oatstraw also provides a gentle calming relief from nerve pain.
St. John’s Wart – a multi-purpose herb, St. John’s Wart is anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and works to relieve pain.
Yarrow – a potent healer, Yarrow intensifies the medicinal actions of other herbs. On its own, its regarded as a wound healer; in Greek mythology, Achilles relied on Yarrow’s ability to stop the flow of blood to heal his warriors.
Specific to Arctic Sauna’s intent, we use the additional plants to provide increased results:
Bay – its anti-inflammatory properties provide soothing relief, which is why 17th-centuary herbalist Nicolas Culpeper declared Bay Leaf the go-to herb “for all griefes of the jointes.”
Basil – a gentle muscle relaxant.
Cayenne – not only does it aid in Arctic Sauna’s warming effect, but Cayenne is known to block substance P – a neurotransmitter that relays information to the brain that results in, what we know as, pain.
Clary-Sage – this anti-inflammatory herb provides a cooling effect on the skin.
Clove – another key ingredient in producing a warming effect, Clove has a numbing effect on areas its applied – aiding its anti-spasmodic properties.
Eucalyptus – An all around gem of an herb, eucalyptus is anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic, all accentuated by its cooling and numbing effects.
Marjoram – highly regarded for its use in treating muscle aches, bruises, sprains and general pain, its no wonder Marjoram is an anti-spasmodic.
Peppermint – an anti-inflammatory muscle relaxant, Peppermint rounds out the herbs that provide Arctic Sauna’s cooling effects.
Our organic topical balms were born out of necessity, and are formulated to fight inflammation, relieve muscle tension, and block pain. Every ingredient we use has been carefully chosen to ensure our product delivers the strong relief you need, with utmost respect for the Earth that grew each of our ingredients.
If you’re a California MMJ patient contact us today to request your free 1 oz. sample!