A Journey of Self Reflection- A Two Step Guide to CBD Dosing

      FLOWER ESSENCES YERBA SANTA Yerba Santa (Spanish for "holy herb") was regarded as sacred by the native peoples, because the process of awakening, and claiming deep soul experience leads to the indwelling Temple of the Spiritual Self. It is often in those places where the soul retains the most profound pain or trauma, that the strongest teachings of the Spiritual Self can also be realized." – Flower Essense Services MOUNTAIN PENNYROYAL The flower essence of this delicate mountain dweller supports you in clearing your psychic field with cleansing and protective properties for both the seen and unseen realms. "Mountain Pennyroyal actively dispels many forms of psychic or parasitic contamination, unconscious absorption of negative programming, psychic contamination or possession". – Flower Essence Services  CRAB APPLE These spring blossoms exude openness and joy. Crab apple flower essence remedy can aid you in overcoming perfectionism, control, and a need for order. The energetic properties allow for a more profound acceptance of yourself and others. With this deepened acceptance, you can flow with more easeful confidence and release feelings of shame put upon yourself or by others.   HERO INGREDIENTS BLACK SEED OIL This tiny seed has healing origins that date back thousands of years; they were found in King Tut's tomb, mentioned in the Old Testament to cure anything but death, and legends say Black Seed Oil was responsible for Cleopatra's radiant skin. Beneficial compounds include essential fatty acids of omega-3,-6, and -9 and cholesterol-lowering phytosterols. Though thymoquinone is the unique bioactive constituent that has been proven to have widespread protective effects for the body, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial– overall, it alters many molecular signaling pathways in inflammatory and degenerative diseases including cancer. In addition, this compound may help to manage your seasonal allergies. DANDELION ROOT One of the most effective toxin eliminators in the plant kingdom– dandelion, has been referred to as the elixir of life because of its ability to purify the body. The bitter composition of dandelion stimulates cleansing activity, a remedy for sluggish digestion and blood purification, liver support, and improving overall vitality. "Recent studies have shown that the dandelion root extract can work very effectively on cancer cells…within forty-eight hours after contact with dandelion extract, the cancer cells began to degrade and the body replaced them with new cells (aptosis)." –DiCarlo  RED RASPBERRY LEAF With its abundant alkaloids, this leaf has been used as a remedy for women's health (specifically as a uterine tonic) for millennia. Red raspberry leaf supports a liver–uterine connection, bringing fresh, nourishing blood flow to the pelvic organs while simultaneously toning and relaxing the uterine muscles. Its astringent properties work together with the alkaloids to tighten and tone the uterine and pelvic muscles. This action can help alleviate menstrual cramping and excessive bleeding and may be beneficial in situations of uterine prolapse. SHOP ASTREA

    Acknowledging discomfort is the first step in the healing process. The embodiment of each emotional or physical symptom is wildly unique to each person, we believe long-term, uncomfortable symptoms don’t need to be endured, that’s why we offer pure, effective, naturopathic doctor formulated blends.   It is our intention to reverently uphold the magic of nature through this product line. We hope to empower all people to experience the full range of sensations and feelings available to them through the healing process in order to live a full and vibrant life.  1. What is the EndoCannabinoid system? The endocannabinoid system is the “master conductor” and regulator which influences pain responses, memory, appetite, responses to stress, metabolism, immunity, and hormones. Throughout each body system of every animal– from earthworms and whales to owls and humans– there exist neurochemicals, receptors and enzymes which make up the endocannabinoid system– It is what restores balance or “homeostasis” and nudges our bodies back to health in the face of injury or disease.   All beings possess an endocannabinoid “tone”, a reflection of this system’s overall health which can be measured by the neurotransmitter levels, their synthesis, catabolism and the number of receptors. The two neurochemical endocannabinoids (which naturally occur in the body) are 2AG and Anandamide, literally translated from Sanskrit as the “bliss” giving molecule. *via The Clevland Endocannabinoid Clinic An example: "A fracture in the toe would result in cell death. The resulting lymphatic response would increase blood flow and the migration of white blood cells to the surrounding areas. The ECS would then recognize the excess lymphatic signals, and after deciding that there is no longer a need for the increase of inflammation, the CB receptors in the surrounding immune cells and tissues will begin to bind with cannabinoids and start to slowly reduce these inflammatory responses."- Sallaberry & Astern  2. When the EndoCannabinoid system is deficient? If the endocannabinoid function is decreased it follows in a lowered pain threshold along with derangements in digestion, mood, sleep and metabolism. Inflammation, increased toxicity, nutrient deficiency, and weakened immune system are as well indicative of a malfunctioning endocannabinoid system. 3. What causes EndoCannabinoid system deficiency?  Simply, significant imbalances in the body like chronic stress, trauma, and toxins. In these instances, our this system is unable to nudge itself back to “homeostasis” which causes a negative feedback loop resulting in an overproduction of FAAH, an enzyme which breaks down our naturally occurring endocannabinoids 2AG and Anandamide– taking the body further out of balance, farther from restoration further increasing oxidative stress. This causes an overproduction of free radicals which build up and cause damage to cells, DNA, essential fats, and proteins in the body– which leads to aging and disease. These imbalances can cause your endocannabinoid receptors to be under or over stimulated resulting in an dysfunctioning endocannabinoid system and many of the effects are noticed symptomatically in the body.  4. How can you care for your “master regulator”, the EndoCannabinoid system?  Fun fact, the activities which most bolster your endocannabinoid system are singing and dancing– above all other activities.  While stress, and even the chronic sort cannot be avoided these are our recommendations: By incorporating, full-spectrum, life-force (fresh) filled hemp oil (CBD) into your body you are incorporating phytocannabiods, which protect our naturally occurring endocannabinoids 2AG and anandamide from breakdown and also bond to receptors reducing the effects of oxidative stress on the body. Phytocannabinoid supplementation has been proven as a catalysts to allow your body to pursue its ancient processes of healing, restoration and regeneration.  Pass time outdoors, moving your body and in the company of loved ones.  Decrease your consumption of toxins (i.e. processed foods, alcohol, sugar).   Other references: The EndoCannabinoid System, Our Master Regulator Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Reconsidered: Current Research Supports the Theory in Migraine, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel, and Other Treatment-Resistant Syndromes

Ancient health traditions encourage us to cleanse and detoxify in Spring. Our being is innately preparing to release and ready us to blossom following a long winter's hibernation.  It is commonplace to approach this annual threshold with elimination and fasting, methods that arrived on the coattails of the diet-crazed nineties. Many of us created our subconscious relationship with food during these impressionable years. Frequently with complicated instructions of this, not that, we were left feeling confused and questioning our intuition.    The most natural way to nourish our body became the way we found significant separation from it.    Together, we are part of a movement shifting the paradigm from restriction to nourishment.    It's spring. Dream up your freshest heartfelt intention.  What do you hope to blossom and create this season of your life? How do you incorporate these qualities into your spring detoxification process?    Fe's in-house Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Emily Wiggins has provided a list of deeply nourishing ways to support your body in releasing toxins. These rituals help most bodies but for deeper cleansing, recommend working with your healthcare practitioner– this process is deeply personal and, just as your body, should be honored.   1. Castor Oil Packs Castor oil packs can reduce pain and inflammation, increase liver function, promote a healthy gut, encourage elimination, and ease menstrual cramps. In addition, the late medical intuitive Edgar Cayce found through many thousands of clinical observations that when castor oil is applied topically, it will increase the vital lymph streams while removing toxic substances from the area.  2. More Fiber  There is a phenomenon in your body called enterohepatic recirculations. For example, suppose you're not eating enough soluble fiber-rich foods {e.g., legumes}. As a result, the harmful cholesterol and hormones in the bile from your liver and gallbladder are reabsorbed by your intestines. "Sludgy" bile keeps being recycled and can increase inflammation, toxification and ultimately bog down your lymphatic system causing disease.  3. Stress Management Building stress release into daily life is essential to bringing the body into a parasympathetic or "rest and digest" state. In "rest and digest," the opposite of "fight or flight," our body enters a place of relaxation which promotes recovery and healing. Stress management looks different to every person, but carving out time each day to reconnect to yourself is paramount to growth and repair. Full-spectrum hemp oil and CBD have been proven to reduce stress and increase parasympathetic nervous system dominance.  4. Filtered Water with Minerals Water is the foundational component of good health. We humans are composed of 70% water, the type of water we drink directly impacts our toxin burden by both input {toxins from the water} and extcretion {the efficiency of how we remove waste from our bodies}. Today, city tap water is truly terrible quality-- even in small mountain cities like Bend, Oregon, we still find water stripped of minerals and laden with heavy amounts of chlorine. 5. Good Sleep Sleep sets the tone for all of our physiological rhythms. We do most of our healing at night, which means that if sleep is disrupted, the healing potential is significantly reduced, if not eliminated altogether. Conversely, by establishing a strong sleep foundation, our innate detoxification can increase our overall health. Try our sleep enhancing blend OCEA.    6. Brassica Vegetables Brassica vegetables are part of the mustard family. Due to the presence of vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and antioxidant enzymes, these vegetables are a great source of antioxidants. They also contain high levels of polyphenols and organic compounds that prevent abnormal cell growth and cancer.