Aside from CBD, did you know that Cheef Botanicals' CBD Relief Salve contains many other beneficial ingredients to help support your wellness? We carefully formulated our salve to contain waxes, essential oils, and other natural compounds that complement the benefits of CBD and further bolster your overall wellbeing. Our purpose in doing this is so you'll have the most effective experience — let's learn more about why we've chosen each ingredient together!
Candelilla (Calendula) Wax
Candelilla wax, or calendula wax, is a natural raw material often used as a thickening agent in products. It's similar to beeswax but is vegan-friendly since it comes from the Candelilla shrub and is vegetable-based. It also works as a great binding material since it mixes well with both water-based and oil-based ingredients.
This wax is smooth in consistency and helps make many products' finishes creamy and buttery. Because it's so smooth, it's also often hailed for its skin protective properties. It's great for helping skin retain moisture and very effective at keeping it from drying or cracking. And since it's natural, it's even safe enough to eat — in 2012, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) approved it for safe use in food products.
Vitamin E
You've likely heard of vitamin E before — this vitamin is in many different foods. But did you know it's an incredibly powerful antioxidant? This means that it can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to your cells and have been linked to several health conditions.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble compound, which means it dissolves in fats and oils. It can also add another layer of protection for your skin when used topically and can help prevent products from oxidizing. This means that products containing vitamin E may last longer than others!
Candelilla Flowers
The candelilla plant is a small, shrubby member of the Euphorbia genus. It's native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States and is best known for its use in making waxes (like the Candelilla wax mentioned above!). Candelilla flowers are also a great source of natural dyes.
The plant produces small, yellow flowers that have been used traditionally in Mexican folk medicine to treat a variety of medical ailments. These include gastritis, diarrhea, constipation, liver problems, and even menstrual cramps.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a type of plant oil derived from olives. It's one of the world's oldest oils and has been used for culinary and cosmetic purposes for centuries. It contains a lot of monounsaturated fats, also known as "healthy" fats. These fats can help lower bad cholesterol levels and help maintain good heart health. It's also high in antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, similar to vitamin E.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another type of plant oil that's been used for centuries, both for culinary and cosmetic purposes. It's made from the fruit of coconuts and is high in saturated fats. Unlike other oils mostly composed of unsaturated fats, coconut oil is about 50% saturated fat.
Saturated fats have gotten a bad reputation in recent years, but not all saturated fats are equal. The saturated fat in coconut oil is called medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). MCT is a type of saturated fat that metabolizes differently than other saturated fats: the body absorbs MCT, metabolizes it quickly, and uses it as an energy source.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a type of plant oil derived from the jojoba plant. This plant is native to Southern Arizona, Southern California, and Northern Mexico and was traditionally used by Native Americans. They used it for various purposes, including as a food source and for help with skin ailments.
The main use of jojoba oil today is in cosmetics. It's often used as a carrier oil, meaning it's used to dilute other oils or active ingredients before they're applied to the skin. Jojoba oil is similar to sebum, the oil that our skin produces naturally.
Did You Know? Jojoba oil is a great topical choice for those with oily skin! When your skin is oily, it's usually because it's overproducing oil to make your skin less dry. By adding a non-comedogenic oil to your skincare routine (like jojoba), your skin won't have to overproduce oil! Eventually, your skin will stop overproducing, causing you to have a more "normal skin type."
Fennel Essential Oil
This essential oil comes from fennel plant seeds. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region and is well known for its use as a cooking ingredient and a component in herbal medicine. The oil has a sweet, anise-like scent and is used in various ways.
Fennel oil has many benefits, including aiding in proper digestion, helping to relieve discomfort, and more. It's also been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps and other female health issues. When used topically, essential fennel oil can help to soothe the skin and maintain overall skin health.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Native to Europe and North America, this essential oil comes from the leaves of the peppermint plant. Like fennel oil, peppermint oil has also been used in the kitchen and herbal medicine for hundreds of years. Old, preserved records show it was even used in Ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt!
The oil has a refreshing, minty scent and is hailed for its calming and cooling properties. Peppermint essential oil is helpful for a wide variety of issues since it contains menthol, which is known to help soothe and relax tense muscles. When used topically, peppermint oil can help to soothe the skin and provide a refreshing, chilly sensation.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil comes from the hardened resin of the Boswellia tree. This tree is native to the Middle East and North Africa. It exclusively grows in these regions, making frankincense a prized ingredient. The oil has a woodsy, earthy scent and is often used in aromatherapy, perfumes and colognes, and incense.
It's been traditionally used to treat many health issues, ranging from gut health to women's health. Frankincense oil is also said to have anti-swelling properties and the ability to support your body's natural defenses. When used topically, frankincense oil can help soothe and rejuvenate tired skin.