 Let’s talk about something, well spicy… As the season of love quickly approaches, we are becoming more aware of the type of love we have present in our lives and how we can cultivate more. Luckily, there are numerous herbs for that pleasurable expression of love you have been searching for, and not so shockingly, these herbal allies have been used for centuries- so, let’s talk aphrodisiacs!
A very brief and annotated re-telling of the story of the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite, shines light on the progression of the history and integration of these powerful herbal elixirs and allies that blurred the line between medicine and magic. Aphrodite, of which aphrodisiac was later named, was famed for her delectable treats known to increase sex drive and performance. The only catch: in exchange for these much desired traits was the consumption of a few succulent and fresh...dove brains! The ancient tales of Rome were not where the, well stranger, aphrodisiacs ceased to exist. From diverse Asian cultures using parasitic fungus and stinky durian fruit, to European staples such as whole mustard seeds and even animal blood. Luckily, with modern and traditional herbalism preserving and identifying the true potential of aphrodisiacs as a therapy, we are able to integrate a more “palatable” selection into our daily routines. There are a variety of aphrodisiacs that are steeped in both science and lore, but one of our favorites is definitely chocolate! Ra Cannabis Chocolate Squares, available in both peppermint and orange flavors, are blended with a silky cocoa that is sure to tickle the senses. Chocolate, and more properly cacao, has been used by the Mayans for centuries for both ritual and daily consumption. It is considered an aphrodisiac because of how it can spike the dopamine of the pleasure center of the brain, resulting in “all the feels”. Common herbals such as Rose, Maca, and Ginseng are great choices when starting to explore the potential of aphrodisiacs. Rose has traditionally been used to open the heart center, allowing for more vulnerable connections, while emanating a traditional scent of love. Maca, traditionally grown in the Andes of South America, has been used as a remedy for erectile dysfunction due to increasing levels of nitric oxide in the body, as discovered in recent studies. Ginseng, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, was commonly prescribed to alleviate sexual fatigue and provoke desire by using the warming and windy energies of this root- also known as “the natural viagra”. Check out these mocktail recipes using aphrodisiac herbs and spices that are not only alcohol free and libido boosting, but absolutely taste divine! Sun god Medicinals compounds blends of potent aphrodisiacs and other supportive herbs, formulated to help you achieve your most pleasurable experiences yet! Supportive topicals such as the Heka THC Message Oil and Aja THC Message Oils will aid in relaxation and make a warming, soothing addition to your love life. These herbal products, and other herbs such as Cannabis, make great additions to any self-care routine, that can add that little bit of enjoyment to your day that you surely deserve. Remember do not forget to love yourself, because at the end of the day, we all deserve a little bit of pleasure! Our team of herbalist and trained professionals are here to answer any questions you may have on this hot topic, and more, so please reach out because we LOVE to hear from our customers. Sending many wishes of healing and love your way!
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 Do you know your blood type? This is probably as far as your conversation extends when chatting about blood, but there is truly so much to know about the nutrient rich fluids pumping throughout your body. Did you know that blood pumps at a rate of five to six quarts per minute- that’s about 2,000 gallons of blood being circulated to each cell, daily! Our blood makes up about 7% of our total body weight, and is responsible for not only distributing hormones, electrolytes, gasses, proteins, glucose, and of course water (which accounts for about 90% total blood plasma), but blood is also responsible for our immune system health. This means that if your blood is unhappy and depleted, chances are your immune system is too..
When red and white blood cells undergo a process of separation using a machine called a centrifuge, the heavy, iron-latent red cells sink to the bottom of the tube and the more transparent fluid, or plasma, remains neatly afloat above. By separating blood we can further analyze the contents and hopefully provide insight into possible areas of support. Our diets and lifestyle choices play a huge role in our pulmonary health- from mindfulness and meditation for reducing blood pressure, to consuming red colored fruits and vegetables, which are particularly supportive for the heart and circulatory system. Traditional herbal medicine has utilized circulatory herbs, such as Yarrow and Hawthorn, that support the large detoxification organs, like the heart and liver, in order to therapeutically address stagnation. These “symptoms” of stagnant energy can appear as arterial or vessel plaque, weak liver functioning, depleted kidneys or trouble urination, hormonal imbalances, and many other presentations. Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest specifically, utilized stimulating and nutrient rich herbs such as Dandelion Root, Burdock Root,Yellow Dock, Mugwort, and many other species of botanicals for both acute and chronic conditions. Each of these herbals were identified by healers and community members as important foods to integrate daily as to prevent diseases and other unwanted ailments, especially during the colder months. Modern science has allowed us to translate these traditional herbal applications into researched findings to support the use of herbs such as Licorice root, Oat Straw, Nettle and the many other bioregional offerings, to support blood health and the overall detoxification process amongst all the organ systems. The American Botanical Council recognizes the important role certain botanicals, such as Hawthorn, can play in pulmonary disease prevention and treatment- read more on The Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E report of their scientific findings. This is another interesting outlook on the Traditional Chinese Medical model of utilizing herbs for circulatory health. Integrating these therapeutic plants into your life does not have to be a complicated process- it can look as easy as a few droppers of tincture in your favorite beverage or a sprinkle of herbs as seasonings to your favorite meals, get creative and mix your own tea blend, or buy a pre blended product that resonate with you. Sun god Medicinals makes it easy to choose the right heart-supporting herbs to use in times when you can use a bit of support. Our Aja Relief THC Tincture makes a great compliment to any heart-opening routine through its rich blend of nervines, cardioprotective, and anti inflammatory botanicals. We choose these bioregional delights specifically to not only cultivate a sustained health within ourselves, but also the planet. We are always listening and improving, and would love any feedback on our products. We are always here to help guide you toward the herbs and products that are right for you and your family. Let the Legends guide you!  Chances are when you think of powdered herbs, your mind jumps directly to the spice cabinet. Are we right? Well this is a great introduction to the world of powdered herbs and the therapeutic potential each herb possesses. The versatility of herbs in this form extends far beyond the popular go-to's like cinnamon and garlic powder. Research in both modern and traditional medicine has reflected the importance of powdered botanicals to support many conditions, and the multitude of ways to take them is mind boggling.
First, let’s take a look at the bigger picture- what is the brief history of powder herbs? Traditional Ayurvedic medicine, an Indian system of medicine founded upon the principles of balancing the mind, body, and spirit through individualized therapies focused on a preventative care model and specific lifestyle modification, has been utilizing powdered herbs for centuries. Herbs such as Ashwagandha, Cumin, Turmeric, Brahmi, Cardamom, Licorice, and many more herbal powders are traditionally used to support ailments concerning the immune system, inflammation, digestive distress, musculoskeletal discomfort, nervous system imbalances and much more. The medicinal uses of these herbs, and the hundreds of others used in traditional Ayurveda, are implemented per an individual's unique constitution, or dosha, and it is typical to see blends of five or more herbs in a single medicinal preparation. From both internal and external uses, research in Ayurvedic practices has taught us a solid foundation in the proper use of some of our favorite powdered botanicals. Another great application for powder herbs is topicals or poultices; these can be used for minor burns, rashes, and other irritations in the same fashion as a paste mixed with a wrap like band-aid. Traditionally, they have been used to cool sunburns and relieve itchy outbreaks, but they offer a wide variety of cosmetic benefits as well. Astringent powdered herbs, such as Rose and Turmeric, make great face masks and scrubs due to the drawing and detoxing abilities of the plants. A commonly utilized Ayurvedic herb, Gotu Kola, is popularly used to reduce scarring, decrease symptoms of eczema, and it may help wounds heal faster. Our herbal and hemp infused massage oils, available in Heka and Aja blends, are formulated with herbs to support these ailments and more by capturing the therapeutic potential of these botanicals in each bottle, and even better, they are all plants that grow in our bioregion! We suggest applying after a warm shower, and if possible, place a warm towel over the area to allow the herb-infused oil, paste, or salve to absorb more easily into the skin. We provide a variety of products that contain specifically formulated blends of these, along with other herbs that are bioregianally available that may support general symptoms such as aches and pains, trouble sleeping, and even adrenal overload. Our blended capsules are a convenient way to take your favorite powdered herbs, think daily herbal vitamins- and yes they come in a variety of “flavors” to uniquely address the symptoms you are experiencing. We have Aja Hemp & Herbal Capsules or Aja THC & Herbal Capsules for managing soreness and discomfort, Heka Hemp & Herbal Capsules or Heka THC & Herbal Capsules for worry and stress, and Hercules Hemp & Herbal Capsules for muscle ease. We also offer products to encourage a restful nights sleep by highlighting Southern Oregon’s diverse botanical offerings of relaxant, adaptogenic, and nervine herbs such as Hops, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and Cannabis blended together to create an easy before-bed capsule that may just help you realize that rejuvenating sleep you have been longing for. Sleep plays such an important role in our immune system health, and our overall well being. There is no reason to continue your routine of sleepless nights now that the power of these relaxing herbs is at your fingertip. Our Hypnos & Hemp Herbal Capsules or Hypnos THC Herbal Capsules for sleep support can easily be added to any night time routine, and may encourage that perfect night of deep sleep. Each of the capsules mentioned contains powdered Hemp, as well as other supporting herb blends, formulated to slowly digest and release herbs into the body. The activation time of powdered herbs is very individualized depending on the strength of the metabolism, but research points to an average of about 45 minutes until active. We recommend a few sips of a hot beverage after taking your capsule to help it begin to break down quicker in the stomach. Powdered herb capsules are just one of the many convenient ways to integrate botanical medicine into your life. There are so many recipes using herbal powders to make tasty treats such as energy bites, granola bars, smoothies, lattes, both sweet and savory delights, and the possibilities go on and on. We found this neat collection of recipes and more information on powdered herbs that we have found pretty inspiring. The definition of powdered herbs does not have to stop in the spice cabinet, and we can not wait to see what you create! As always, please reach out with any further questions so we can guide you to the most supportive products, and find the herbs that are right for you!  Cannabis, like all botanicals, is complex and unique. We are learning more and more about the full benefits this plant has to offer. While many are familiar with THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound responsible for the intoxicating effect of Cannabis, THCa, or Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid affects the body in a similar way as THC, just without the notable head changes or other mental effects. This makes products that focus on THCa an obvious choice for anyone who wants the body supporting benefits of Cannabis, while maintaining cerebral clarity.
THC is responsible for the head high feeling cannabis provides. When there is a desire to utilize the beneficial compounds within cannabis without experiencing a high, THCa is the best recommendation. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCa, is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. Some products are marketed specifically for their THCa. Products like these deliver THCa’s benefits without the risk of psychoactive effects, and as THCa gains notoriety, we’re likely to see this trend grow. In order to produce the “high” the THC cannabinoid is famous for, THC must be heated up in a process known as decarboxylation, something that happens when you smoke or vaporize cannabis flower. Basically, this is why you can eat all the dry marijuana flowers you want and may not feel any psychoactive effects. Just because THCa doesn’t get you “high”, it doesn’t mean it isn’t an important cannabinoid and should be considered just as valuable as the over one-hundred other medicinal constituents found in Cannabis. When fresh cannabis flowers (buds) begin to dry, THCa begins to break down in a natural degradation process. THCa products must be made with the freshest possible plant material in order to maximize the amount of THCa available for the final product. One simple way to enjoy the benefits of THCa is in the Raw and Fresh tincture, limited edition and seasonally processed, by Sun God Medicinals. The freshly harvested flowers are cold-pressed in a carefully executed extraction process, as to maintain the therapeutic value of all of the Cannabinoid acids, and is then preserved with organic cane alcohol and a touch of local honey for a sweet finish. Other ways to consume raw cannabis include juicing fresh flowers or leaves into your favorite smoothie, or adding fresh leaves to the juices you make at home. The fresh harvested leaves are either cold-pressed or juiced to release the nutritious and medicinal nectar from the plant, and this liquid can be infused into beverages, honeys and tinctures, or used as is and enjoyed. Adding dried cannabis flower is not recommended, as it will have begun to degrade the valuable THCa content during the drying process. There are so many ways to incorporate this whole-plant, botanical medicine into your life and start to see the positive benefits of this herbal remedy. By educating ourselves on the active compounds in Cannabis, and how they interact with our bodies, we can determine the best ways to use this wonderful herb to obtain our desired medicinal effects.  Earlier this year, the OLCC adopted new rules that significantly limits consumer access to whole plant hemp medicine at OLCC licensed stores. The short version is, these new rules mean that all hemp products in the OLCC system manufactured on or after March 1st, 2019 cannot contain more than 10mg of THC in a package.
As per the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, Federal law dictates that CBD products derived from hemp are legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. All of our hemp products can easily meet the Federal requirement. However, due to the OLCC's decision to restrict THC content by volume per package rather than by percentage, it's impossible to continue to manufacture some of our Oregon-grown whole hemp flower products at their current potency while still keeping the THC content under 10mg. We believe in whole plant and whole flower healing whenever possible, and we're not willing to sacrifice our values as a company to adhere to the state's whims. We believe in the power of all the herbal goodness from all plants. As a result, we're reformulating some of our certified organic products to contain lower quantities of our whole hemp flower extract, keeping the total THC volume below 10mg, and in turn reducing the total volume of CBD to no more than approximately 250mg. Unfortunately, one of our most popular products will have to be retired from the OLCC market until OLCC changes their rules: our Ra Hemp Classic Green Dragon Tincture. We're sorry to see it go, but you can still order remaining stock until it's gone! We MADE bunch in February right before the rule change so we still have some in stock. The team at Sun God feels that these new OLCC rules are absolutely outrageous. Our Founder & CEO, Brie Malarkey, personally lobbied the OLCC and state legislators when these new rules were still being discussed and pleaded with them to take reasonable action. Instead, they chose to create a state-level restriction that's more strict than Federal law--a huge step backward for Oregonians seeking safe access to whole plant and whole flower solutions. However, we will not give up! Join us in continuing to lobby the OLCC to make reasonable and fair guidelines for the sake of all Oregonians, and for family-owned whole plant businesses! We encourage you to write to the OLCC voicing your displeasure and disagreement with these new guidelines, and ask that they reconsider their approach to limiting THC in hemp products in Oregon. [email protected]
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* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Cannabis Warning: Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children.
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