CBD oil has been making a name for itself in recent years, becoming the first port of call for natural remedy seekers looking to address a number of ailments and symptoms – from anxiety and depression, to chronic pain and inflammation. But more recently, we’ve been seeing a growing trend amongst women reaching for this multi-tasking tonic in a way that we haven’t seen previously.
So, why exactly has the oil – which is derived from the cannabis plant but has been shown to offer a raft of benefits without any psychoactive effects – become such a go-to for the female of the species? It turns out, it’s proven itself to be just the tonic for optimal women’s health.
From period pains to beauty, women are using it to treat a range of different female-specific health issues. Here, we take a look at just what they are – and how CBD hemp oil can help.
Period pains and PMS
The average female will endure a whopping 450 periods in her lifetime, and although for many it is a relatively uneventful affair, for others, it can be agony. From severe cramps to tender breasts, it can be a gruelling week for some – and add the threat of premenstrual syndrome and PMDD into the mix, which can have a dramatic effect on emotions, and it’s far from a barrel of laughs.
While hot water bottles and a couple of paracetamol can go a long way towards alleviating cramps, they don’t address the whole picture – but CBD, it seems, does. In 2015, a study undertaken by researchers at the University of British Columbia found that 85 percent of the 192 women they surveyed had used cannabis-based products for period pains, with 90 percent of those deeming it to be an effective remedy.
But what makes CBD a unique remedy for that ‘time of the month’ is the fact that it addresses not just the pain, but the emotional effects, too. It has long been recognised as effective at helping with stress management, anxiety and low mood, making it the perfect all-round pick-me-up for those who believe in its benefits.
Endometriosis
An often painful gynaecological condition that affects up to 1 in 10 women in the UK alone, endometriosis occurs when tissue mimicking the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. This can affect the fallopian tubes and ovaries, but even spread to the bladder, and while it’s a benign condition, it can cause a multitude of disruptions to a woman’s monthly cycle, causing inflammation, pain, scarring and often, excessively heavy bleeding.
Sufferers have reported discomfort that reaches beyond the usual abdominal cramps that come with menstruation, with many enduring back pain, extreme fatigue and even infertility. But according to research, not only can CBD help ease the pain, but can also reduce inflammation, reduce the multiplication of endometrial cells, and even regulate nerve growth.
Menopause
With the menopause can come a variety of unsavoury symptoms, including fatigue, mood swings and sleep disturbances. Once again, CBD has shown itself to be a useful tool amongst women looking to balance their moods and get a restful night’s shut-eye, and some even believe that it helps in reducing symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats.
Whilst it can’t treat the root cause, it can help ease some of the effects, and some have found it to be a helpful tool in making this difficult time of life a little easier.
The bottom line
When you look a little deeper into just why so many women are buying CBD oil, it’s clear that the major reasons are still the same as they always have been; its pain-reducing, anti-inflammatory and mood balancing properties mean that it is able to lend itself to a variety of different health situations and scenarios.
In a time when we are more concerned about what we’re putting into our bodies than ever, it’s unsurprising that natural remedies like CBD have seen such a surge in popularity, and as we increasingly say no to painkillers and pharmaceutical medications, it seems it has cemented its place in our wellness arsenal for the long-term.
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