In New Self-Policing Effort, Herb 
Industry Urges, “Burn, Don’t Return”

Leaders in the dietary supplement industry have a sharp new directive for manufacturers who discover adulterants or contaminants in botanical raw materials: “Don’t Return It, Burn It.”

The innovative self-policing policy, launched in October, and supported by all the major herbal industry trade groups, puts direct economic pressure on raw materials suppliers to improve the quality of the ingredients they sell into the US market.

Webinar: Pediatric Immune System Support

VIEW WEBINAR Many of our patients experience daily immune system challenges, and children are no exception!  Stress, busy school & extracurricular schedules, and erratic or poor eating habits can all impact the body’s natural defense mechanisms. On top of that, there’s exposure in schools to a whole new host of germs. Kids’ immune systems really […]

Webinar: CBD for Anxiety & Depression–Case Studies & Clinical Pearls

  VIEW WEBINAR Information about CBD (cannibidiol) and the endocannabinoid system is everywhere these days. So are claims about the health benefits of CBD. As compelling as these topics may be, the information presented is rarely clinically applicable. What practitioners want–and need–is more information and guidance on how to use CBD safely and effectively in […]

Quality Assurance for Hemp CBD: Key Questions to Ask

Quality assurance is a challenge for all herbal companies. For those making hemp extracts, the challenges are compounded by a confusing regulatory landscape, the inherent complexity of the plant, the surging consumer demand for CBD, and the entrance of dozens of upstart brands with no prior herbal experience and little understanding of basic QA methods.

Regulatory Confusion Reigns As FDA Grapples With CBD

On July 30, former FDA Commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, published an op/ed in the Washington Post saying that the agency needs to get a grip on the “out of hand” CBD craze. But it’s a tall order. In many ways, CBD epitomizes all the conflicting motives and scientific ambiguities with which the FDA must constantly contend.

A Guide to the Endocannabinoid System

Interest in the medical use of phytocannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa L. (Cannabis) has reached an all-time high. These exogenous, plant-derived ligands interact with endogenously produced proteins, receptors, enzymes and endogenous ligands, in one of the most evolutionarily preserved biological systems known to the life sciences: the endogenous cannabinoid signaling system, better known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Taking Thyme for Health: Herb Raises Insulin Sensitivity, Curbs Cancer Mucositis

A pair of recent studies exploring the health benefits of thyme indicate potential roles for the medicinal herb in treating cancer-related conditions, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and insulin resistance.

From the Mystical to the Medicinal, Mushrooms are Having Their Moment

Worldwide, there are 2,000-plus species of cultivated and wild edible mushrooms. All provide solid nutrition—even the seemingly vacuous white button variety. Some produce medicinal compounds. Whether in the kitchen or the clinic, mushrooms are the subject of rising popular interest these days.

Hemp & CBD: Evidence, Evangelism & Extreme Exuberance

If you are confused about the therapeutic value of hemp oil, cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabis-related substances, and you’re scratching your head trying to figure out what’s legal and what’s not, that’s good: It means you’re paying attention.  Yes, there is some evidence, but there’s also a lot of evangelism. Clinicians face the challenge of separating the scientific realities from the hype. 

Cannabis: State of the Science

Is there any solid science to support the use of phytocannabinoids in clinical practice? The answer is yes….and no.

It depends on how you define “cannabis” and “cannabinoids;” whether you’re talking about inhaled (ie, smoked or vaped), ingested, or sublingual delivery; and of course, which diseases you’re considering.