Wild Ginger Apothecary's CBD Education Video Series

We are excited to announce Wild Ginger Apothecary's CBD Education Series. In these videos, we will explore the benefits and use of CBD for health. At WGA, we are a community for health + wellness. We carry only organic, hemp-derived CBD products, with 3rd party lab testing for purity and strength. We pride ourselves on offering the area's best CBD product selection, with complimentary one-on-one consultation in selecting the best option for you.

Thanks to our CBD Educator, Steve, for sharing his knowledge with the WGA community. You can meet him weekly at CBD Coffee Hour - every Friday from 10am-12pm, as well as at our monthly CBD 101 class.

Enjoy!

PRESS: Style Magazine Health & Wellness

As seen in Sarasota Herald Tribune's Style Magazine: HEALTH & WELLNESS: Nicole Leffler, owner of Wild Ginger Apothecary

Wild Ginger Apothecary offers a vast array of alternative and natural beauty and health products. After almost 15 years in the industry, owner Nicole Leffler makes sure to offer cannabidiol (CBD) in many of them. Though it is a derivative of cannabis plants, CBD is not psychoactive, and, in fact, is legal in all 50 states and does not require a prescription. 6557 Superior Ave., Sarasota; 941-312-5630; wildgingerapothecary.com.

What are cannabinoids and what are the benefits to humans?
Cannabis plants contain over 100 naturally active compounds called cannabinoids. The human body has a central regulatory system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that contributes to a variety of biological processes, establishing the body’s natural state of balance for the central regulatory system.

Why would one supplement with them?
Endocannabinoids interact with the body’s central regulatory system. They’re the cannabinoids our bodies can produce as needed. If we have a deficiency or imbalance, our system recognizes and responds to cannabinoids from external sources (phytocannabinoids) that can promote healing.

How do endocannabinoids accomplish this?
Basically, they bind to cannabinoid receptors in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. This is also true for “phytocannabinoids,” the naturally occurring compounds that include CBD.

What’s the difference between THC and CBD?
Both are cannabinoids; THC, however, is psychoactive and requires a medical marijuana license for use in Florida. CBD is the most abundant naturally occurring non-psychoactive cannabinoid, totally legal in all 50 states.

What are some of the health benefits of CBD?
Research shows CBD has helped people with a host of conditions, including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, chronic pain, inflammation, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression. This compound supports feelings of relaxation, and can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and sleep and increase mental clarity.

Do you also recommend CBD for pets?
Yes, and for the same reasons. It’s effective for pain relief in animals and reduces anxiety, which is especially helpful during thunderstorms! Older dogs can really benefit from a daily CBD dosage.

What’s a short list of your CBD products?
CBD offerings include everything from tinctures, capsules, edibles (chocolates, gummies, honey, tea, etc.), vape options, topicals (balms, oils, face care, lotions, etc.), and more. We offer more than 100 options of CBD products.

How can our readers learn more?
CBD educators are always available in the store. They offer free, one-on-one CBD consultations, with a focus on individual health needs.

CBD Arrives at Wild Ginger Apothecary

Wild Ginger Apothecary has recently started carrying Sarasota-based Mindful Medicinals products!  Stop by to try for yourself or join for a CBD information class in the lounge monthly.

The following information is from MM:

Our most frequently asked question is, “What is CBD?” Simply put, CBD is an abbreviation for Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid naturally found in cannabis. What does that mean? Quite a lot actually.

Recently people have begun to discover the seemingly miraculous benefits of cannabis, specifically CBD. Unfortunately, too many people still believe cannabis, in all its forms, is illegal. Propaganda perpetrated by the US government along with major players in pharmaceuticals and commodities industries in the early twentieth century successfully fooled the status quo into believing cannabis was a dangerous drug. Nearly a century later, peer-reviewed science has proven that notion utterly and patently false.

The human body has an intricate endocannabinoid system (ECS) built with receptors throughout the brain, central nervous and circulatory systems as well as the gut, heart, kidneys, spleen, liver, bones, blood vessels, lymph cells and even the reproductive system. CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid accounting for up to 40% of the typical cannabis sativa plant. The last two decades have delivered countless studies showing the benefits of CBD in the limbic system (affecting memory, cognition and psychomotor performance) and the mesolimbic pathway directly relating to pain perception.

CBD is one of more than 100 active cannabinoid chemicals in the marijuana plant. Unlike the main psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce euphoria or intoxication. Cannabinoids have their effect mainly by interacting with specific receptors on cells in the brain and body: the CB1 receptor, found on neurons and glial cells in various parts of the brain, and the CB2 receptor, found mainly in the body’s immune system. The euphoric effects of THC are caused by its activation of CB1 receptors. CBD has a very low affinity for these receptors (100 fold less than THC) and when it binds it produces little to no effect. There is also growing evidence that CBD acts on other brain signaling systems, and that these actions may be important contributors to its therapeutic effects. […]

CBD has several benefits including but not limited to

• Anti-Depressant

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antipsychotic

• Anti-Anxiety

• Anti-Seizure

• Neuroprotective Properties

• Analgesic Effects

• Nausea Relief

• Anticonvulsant

• Antitumoral

• Antioxidant

• Cardiovascular Health

Go Green: MacroGreens Superfood

The first big learning experience in my early days of "natural retail" was greens powder.  Oh, it was nasty at first - even when prepared it for customers in the easiest-to-drink way, with organic unfiltered apple juice.  It was still all grassy in taste.  I knew why it was so great for me, but it was a big adjustment in the journey of getting healthier, as I certainly wasn't in "alkaline" balance.  Yet I powered through, and learned to love what greens could do for me within months.

Now "super greens" powders are a mandatory part of my day, sometimes 2 or 3 times.  It's energy and detoxification in the easiest way; the perfect alternative to coffee or those horrific energy shots for those in need of a pick-me-up.  And my days of forcing down grassy unpleasant powders are over.  The Macro Greens powder is the most delicious tasting variety I've encountered for the nutrient powerhouse they contain.  It's equivalent in antioxidants to 5 servings of vegetables, and though certainly not designed to replace eating your produce, is a wonderful way to increase your vitamins.  (For me, it's a miracle worker amidst busy work days and eating erratically while working at Wild Ginger Apothecary.  If you've been in, chances are I've sampled them to you midday!)

MacroLife shares a detox (and weight loss) trick that I love as well: one serving of their tasty greens 30 minutes before each meal to curb your appetite and detoxify.  Adding probiotics, adaptogenic herbs, and other superfoods really does curb your sugar cravings, ease digestion, boost your immune system, and increase brain function.  Once, twice, or even three times will leave you feeling better than ever in no time.  Plus it's Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free, and Non-GMO!

Skeptic of the green taste?  Start with using the organic unfiltered apple juice, or even half with water.  You'll ease into "greens on the rocks" before you know it. 

Cheers!

xx
Nicole

I Love Kombucha (and why you will too)!

I remember my first experience with Kombucha a decade ago.  Kind of like your first beer, you have a hard time determining just what you think about it: is it too tart, too sweet, too fizzy, too acidic? But then you realize it's the perfect combination of all those things, and you wonder why you haven't known about it years earlier.  The 2-for-1 sales on 'booch became my best friend, and I'd pack my refrigerator full every chance I got.  I've been addicted ever since.

What is Kombucha? It's a fermented tea that been revered as an "elixir of life" for 3000 years.  It helps your immune and digestive systems, detoxifies, and gives you energy.  This I can personally vouch for! Plus it's full of probiotics, amino acids, B vitamins and more.  (And did I mention it's the best hangover remedy out there? You're welcome.)

Lucky for those of us in Sarasota, we have an amazing local brand: Kombucha 221BC.  Aneta + Eric make some of the most creative 'booch flavors I've had.  (Lemon Lime Cayenne might even beat out Ginger for my absolute favorite.)  They've been a great friend to Wild Ginger Apothecary, and we've been proud to sample their delicious tea at both our Grand Opening as well as our monthly First Friday parties.  Stop by and see us for a Kombucha Cocktail: they are really fantastic! They are available to buy throughout town and right here at WGA!

Drinking so much 'booch you want to venture making your own? I've got the answer for you for that, too.  I postponed brewing my own for years because I thought it'd be impossible to get a Scoby.  When I came across this super-easy Kombucha Starter Kit, it was the perfect solution.  Easy to follow directions and less than $1 a serving for your first batch: well worth trying it!  We have numerous herbal teas you can infuse your batch with at Wild Ginger Apothecary; one personal favorite was the Evening Spa for a calming, lavender flavored tea.  I have to admit, though, original black tea is my go-to.  It's a crowd favorite with it's cider-like finish. 
If you're looking for an energizing and refreshing beverage that's far healthier than soda, give Kombucha a try!  You can impress your friends with what Scoby means (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) and feel good about indulging. Cheers!
 

xx
Nicole

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY!