Plant-based medicines have been used for centuries to help maintain health, prevent illnesses, and target diseases. While research backs up these claims, herbalists have long recommended specific herbs and plants to target certain conditions. 

At MDbio, we wholeheartedly believe in the efficacy of plant medicine combinations. We've formulated medical-grade botanical supplements to help soothe the body and mind. Our botanical supplements contain effective plant medicines like CBD, CBG, CBC, CBN, and more. 

This guide will share how plant-based medicine based on these ingredients can work wonders on your body. 

Why More People Are Starting to Use Plant-Derived Medicine 

To maintain your health in the best shape possible, you should explore every possible option. There's a reason herbal medicinal products have increased in usage over the past three decades, with 80% of people worldwide relying on them for primary healthcare. But plant medicine has been around for centuries, so why the change?

Firstly, pharmaceutical options have gotten more expensive over the years. Driven by the need for profit, prescription drug prices and health insurance premiums have skyrocketed past the point of affordability for the average person. On the other hand, plant-derived medicines don't have to operate under the same pharmaceutical monopoly. Therefore, they have a lower overhead cost. Since many of these plants can simply be grown, the means of production are directly available to patients.

Money isn't the only problem. Many of the non-plant medicines prescribed to us come with harmful side effects. For example, using ibuprofen for headaches carries the risk of heart problems, bleeding, gastrointestinal issues, and more. You can enjoy a great deal of the health perks associated with plant-based medicine without the same risk of side effects. 

Popular Plant-Based Ingredients

MDbio uses natural and potent plant-based ingredients in our formulas. Our ingredients are sourced from experts around the nation to bring you the purest product possible. This way, you can rest easy knowing exactly what goes into your medicine.

Here are some of the ingredients you can expect in our products:

Hemp Extract

Hemp extract is derived from the multipurpose plant Cannabis sativa. It's composed of various beneficial phytochemicals that we use in our plant medicine formulas. These include: 

• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Cannabigerol (CBG) 
• Cannabichromene (CBC)
• Cannabinol (CBN) 

Combining a mixture of these ingredients in plant-based medicine boosts the therapeutic potential of each compound, utilizing something called the entourage effect. And, because these products contain less than .3% of THC by law, users won't receive intoxicating effects or get that ‘high’ feeling.In turn, this makes these products entirely legal and safe to use.

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the Cannabis sativa plant (also known as hemp or cannabis). It's one of several cannabinoids found in the sativa plant and praised for its therapeutic effects. Mainly, it targets pain and inflammation, manages stress and anxiety, treats acne, and helps with sleep.

Studies have also found CBD to assist people with epilepsy. It does this by reducing the severity and frequency of seizures via cannabinoid receptors in the immune system.

Does CBD contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)? After all, THC is the most famous ingredient in cannabis, right? 

CBD is obtained from hemp. Hemp is part of the Cannabis sativa plant but only contains very small amounts of THC - and MDbio’s products contain less than .3% of THC by law, if they contain any at all. Therefore, the effects of CBD are much different from those of THC. While they may have similar chemical structures, they don't have the same psychoactive effects.

CBG

CBG, also known as cannabigerol, is another product produced from hemp. It's the initial compound, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), that's produced by the cannabis plant and what all other phytochemicals are derived from. 

This compound is thought to have an especially high pain-reduction effect. It's also thought to increase appetite and help with diseases like diabetes and hypertension. However, CBG is not as thoroughly researched as CBD.

CBC

CBC, which stands for cannabichromene, is one of the lesser-known cannabis phytochemicals. It amplifies the effects of other cannabinoids in the entourage effect. It also fights inflammation, works as an antidepressant, and has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

CBC makes up a tiny part of the cannabis plant, especially compared to THC and CBD. However, that does not mean it's any less important in plant-derived medicines.

CBN

CBN, formally known as cannabinol, has one of the highest sedative effects of any cannabinoid. These effects are strongest when CBN is in a concentrated form. This compound is relatively under-researched but is gaining more notice in plant-based medicine.

As an anti-inflammatory, this plant medicine also has shown promise for treating glaucoma, psoriasis, and chronic pain. CBN has also been shown to promote bone tissue growth, making it helpful in treating bone fractures.

Like CBC, CBN is also a tiny percentage of Cannabis sativa. Unlike CBC, it only occurs after THC breaks down over time, making it different from the compounds in the plant.

White Willow Bark Extract

The extract of white willow tree bark has had a prominent place in plant medicine for thousands of years. The main purpose of willow extract is to fight pain and inflammation at the same level as aspirin or ibuprofen but with fewer side effects.

The reason is natural polyphenols, flavonoids, and the salicin found in willow bark, which, after ingested, breaks down into many salicylate derivatives. These ingredients, combined with the ability of willow bark to reduce inflammation-causing chemicals in your body, make it a very effective painkiller, relying entirely on plant medicine.

White willow bark is also an excellent source of antioxidants, which, combined with its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects, makes it an effective fever reducer. This means white willow bark can be used in conjunction with other plant-based medicines to soothe the symptoms of the common cold, the flu, pain, and other illnesses.

Frankincense

Frankincense is extracted from four different species of Boswellia trees in the form of an aromatic resin. The frankincense oil is antibacterial, antifungal, and commonly used in perfumes.

Frankincense is also prevalent in plant-derived medicine. Many cultures have used frankincense for thousands of years for its anti-inflammatory properties. You can use these properties to target illnesses like chronic inflammation, chronic pain, arthritis, and gastrointestinal issues.

Frankincense is also known to help with blood circulation, which contributes to fighting inflammation. Frankincense can be used topically or orally to heal.

Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil is another plant medicine used since ancient times and is extracted from the seeds of the Nigella sativa plant. The main benefit of black seed oil is that it contains an antioxidant called thymoquinone that detoxifies free radicals in the body.

There are several other benefits to using black seed oil as plant medicine, including fighting inflammation, suppressing histamines, and boosting the immune system. It's also antimicrobial, analgesic, and antiallergic.

Black seed oil has been studied and used in plant-based medicine to treat illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, and nasal inflammation. The research showed improvements in these conditions after black seed oil was administered.

Ashwagandha

Found in Africa and Asia, ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that has been used in traditional plant medicine for thousands of years. It's also known as “Indian Ginseng” and “Indian Winter Cherry,” not to be confused with Physalis alkekengi, another “winter cherry."

The powders and extracts made from ashwagandha have been found to reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, helping to keep the mind soothed and relaxed. This helps overall health, as too much stress can cause a variety of illnesses, such as chronic inflammation, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. 

Because it lowers stress and anxiety, ashwagandha is useful for reducing blood pressure and swelling from inflammation. It can also boost the immune system, improve memory, and may have anti-aging properties.

Lavender Extract

The Lavandula plant, known as lavender, is an increasingly popular ingredient in plant-derived medicine. It's a member of the mint family and is well-known for its purple flowers and a strong, pleasant aroma.

The oil of lavender extract has many beneficial characteristics. It's naturally antioxidant, antidepressant, antimicrobial, and contains anti-inflammation properties. It is especially known for providing a calming effect.

This calming effect involves improving the mood and relieving anxiety and depression. It can lower blood pressure, which contributes to this. Lavender extract can also help with sleep, an extremely important body function for health.

Lavender's calming effect in plant-derived medicine isn't just good for your mind; it's good for your body too by combating stressors like depression, high blood pressure, nervous tension, panic attacks, and gastrointestinal issues.

Hops Extract

Humulus lupulus, also known as the hops plant, is related to the cannabis plant and has a variety of uses, both culinary and medical. The most commonly known use is as a flavoring for beer and other beverages. 

In plant medicine, compounds in the hops plant have been found to act as a mild sedative. This sedative effect is useful for treating insomnia, anxiety, and other sleep disorders. 

This means that those who take hops supplements may sleep longer, fall asleep faster, and not wake up as frequently during the night. 

Hops contains a phytoestrogen, flavonoid 8-prenylnaringenin, which can reduce some of the effects of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Hops may also help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression. 

Reishi Mushroom

Mushrooms have many purposes, both edible and medicinal. Like lavender, Reishi mushrooms are very prevalent in plant-derived medicine due to the long list of benefits of both.

The Reishi mushroomis large, flat, and glossy-looking, grows on trees, and its color is primarily dark orange with white rings. It is especially revered in plant medicine, as it has been used for thousands of years by Asian cultures to boost the immune system and promote a long, healthy life.

Reishi mushrooms are considered to be an adaptogen; in plant-based medicine, this is a substance that helps your body naturally adjust to stress. Studies have shown that the Reishi mushroom may help control blood sugar levels, modulate the immune system, and fight infection. It can also improve heart and liver health, keep your skin healthy, and prevent cancer.

Additionally, the Reishi mushroom is thought to improve energy levels and mental clarity. This has the bonus effect of alleviating depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disorders such as insomnia.

Mint

Mint, formerly known as the Mentha plant, also coming in varieties such as spearmint and peppermint, is a plentiful and extremely common plant used in many culinary dishes and drinks. Mint is popular for its distinctive taste and fragrance. Mint extract also has a solid place in plant-derived medicine and has been used as a herbal supplement for centuries.

This herb is known to combat gastrointestinal issues. This makes it useful for treating indigestion, stomach pain, colic, and flatulence. It may also help menstrual cramps and other abdominal pain. It is an excellent antiseptic and a good treatment for burns.

Mint is well known for treating respiratory problems due to the presence of expectorants in the plant. It clears mucus, relieving sinus pressure and congestion from colds, flu, asthma, bronchitis, and other conditions. It is also relaxing, helping with chronic pain while still improving alertness.

Mint also has the unique property of eliminating bad breath. Menthol is a compound in this plant that gives it its fragrant, refreshing quality, making it popular in candies and drinks.

Valerian Extract

This type of plant medicine is extracted from the roots of the valerian plant and is prominent in Asian and European traditional culture. The extract has a sedative effect through a neurotransmitter in the brain and central nervous system.

The valerian root is most commonly used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. Due to its relaxing effect, it can also be used to help anxiety, nervous tension, and stress.

Monolaurin

Derived from lauric acid in coconut oil, monolaurin has been used in plant-based medicine throughout history. It has also found use in food and cosmetics.

The main benefit of monolaurin is that it is antimicrobial, preventing infection from bacteria, viruses, and fungus. It may even treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a growing problem globally. Due to this, it can act as an immune system booster.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid or plant pigment that is found in many fruits and vegetables. These generally include red or green plants such as cherries, apples, tomatoes, onions, kale, broccoli, capers, berries, green tea, and red wine. It's one of the most common antioxidants found in the human diet.

This plant-derived medicine is a powerful, abundant antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects. It works by binding with free radicals in the body, which can cause or accelerate diseases. This can be used to treat swelling, blood pressure, blood sugar, and allergies. It can also be used to prevent cancer, heart disease, certain infections, and diabetes.

The easiest way to obtain more quercetin is to eat the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables every day.

Should You Consider Plant-Based Medicine?

Absolutely! Plant medicine is affordable, safe, and natural, especially when compared to modern pharmaceutical options. Plant medicine also tends to have fewer side effects. There's a reason it's been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.

Enjoy many options and combinations available from MDbio to support the health of your mind and body and ultimately improve your quality of life.  Shop our line of plant medicine supplements today!

 

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