Cannabis legalization in Canada has led to a renewed interest in the pharmacotherapy of cannabis plants (which means both hemp and marijuana by the way!), primarily the flower and extracts containing CBD and THC. While cannabis roots do not have detectable levels of these cannabinoids, they are rich in other active compounds.
Therapeutic Use
Cannabis roots have a long history of therapeutic use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. For over 1000 years, cannabis roots have been used to treat a variety of conditions including inflammation, gout, arthritis, infection, women’s health including postpartum bleeding and sexually transmitted disease (3).
At empyri, we’ve harnessed the space where Traditional medicine meets modern wellness to infuse clean & vegan skincare products with active cannabis root extract.
“The available data on the pharmacology of cannabis root, as well as supportive historical evidence, provide significant support to its use as a therapeutic herbal medicine.” (Dr. David R. Hastings, R.Ac., R. TCMP.)
Cannabis Roots 101
empyri uses advanced scientific methods to analyze for active ingredients in many different kinds of cannabis roots, including male and female hemp strains and various strains of marijuana. Cannabis roots do not contain THC or CBD – so they can’t get you high! Instead, they’re rich in healing compounds like the triterpenoid friedelin, which has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory activity (1), estrogenic (2), and antioxidant (3) activity, the monoterpene carvone, which can also be found in plants such as spearmint! Studies also show it has decongestant, diuretic, pain reduction, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
Empyri 3-Step Ritual
More cannabis, less stress in your skincare. The empyri 3-step ritual skincare system is designed to deliver powerful, active ingredients to deeply nourish and protect all skin types without the need for chemical additives. One, cleanse your skin naturally with our oil cleanser, which is effective at removing the most stubborn make-up. Two, tone and treat with our hydrating toner + vitamin C. And three, moisturize and protect your skin with our waterless serum. Three easy steps for brighter, smoother and healthier looking skin. empyri’s founder, Jen shows you her evening skincare routine using the 3-step ritual here:
Step 1: Oil Cleansing Is for Everyone
Since oil cleansing works with the natural properties of the skin, empyri’s cannabis sativa oil cleanser is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone and dry. It’s a true oil cleanser because it does not contain any emulsifiers, preservatives or coagulating agents that can irritate the skin. Oil cleansing works on the solvent process of “like dissolves like”. Gentle cleansing “good oils” are massaged deep into your pores, binding with and pushing out “bad” oils, along with dirt, bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells. It won’t strip your skin of its natural oils, causing overdying and/or excess oil production, so empyri’s cleansing oil will thoroughly clean your skin without disrupting its natural pH level.
This product also melts away makeup, including waterproof products like mascara. A few extra pumps at night dissolve a full face of makeup or post-workout sweat; a few less are perfect to refresh in the morning or as your-go to cleanser! One product, many ways. Get it here.
Step 2: Our Formula, Your Mix!
empyri’s toner is the most active vitamin C treatment on the market, because you mix it fresh every two weeks! Our L-ascorbic acid is packaged in an airtight sleeve until you open to empty its contents into the small dark glass bottle of hydrating toner + vitamin C. By keeping out the air and light, you keep in all of the benefits vitamin C has to offer.
Our hydrating toner formulation uses alcohol-free Witch Hazel and gentle hydrosols like Aloe Vera Leaf, so it serves as an astringent without over drying or irritating sensitive skin. Vitamin C can kill the bacteria that causes acne, not to mention it can increase the skin’s production of collagen, which is linked to firmness and elasticity.
Vitamin C can also help with concerns of hyperpigmentation, including dark spots related to sun damage, and its antioxidants can improve the overall tone and brightness of your complexion while protecting against the damages of free radicals. What we’re trying to say is, vitamin C is the ingredient your skin needs. And the best part? empyri’s toner is customizable: we recommend using 10 pumps of vitamin C toner once daily; however, those with sensitive skin can reduce the dosage to suit their needs and others may increase use to twice daily to combat problem skin conditions like acne. Get it here.
Step 3: Waterless Serum
empyri’s serum does not contain water (a typical filler in many traditional moisturizers) or the harsh preservatives needed to keep bacteria from growing where water is present. By removing water and preservatives, empyri’s serum has a higher concentration of active ingredients, making it a potent and powerful formulation of natural, nourishing oils, each specially selected for their unique properties. empyri’s serum absorbs easily into the skin because its main carrier oils, including Hempseed and Meadowfoam seed, closely resemble the skin’s properties. Absorption is key to ensuring your skin benefits from the active ingredients. After a few minutes, the serum is completely absorbed, leaving skin feeling deeply hydrated without greasiness. Get it here OR get the complete package!
Ethical & Sustainable
Like all of empyri’s products, our serum ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced. Our squalene for example, responsible for effective absorption and hydration, is sourced exclusively from olives (not shark liver!!). The foundation of all 3 embody products, cannabis sativa root extract, really work its magic in the serum. High concentrations of the triterpenoid friedelin and the monoterpene carvone give this serum is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
At empyri, our goal is to use real science and engineering to infuse clean skincare products with cannabis – to nourish and heal, from the inside out. This revolutionary skincare company was designed with three simple principles in mind: Clean Beauty, Conscious Consumption and Honouring Diversity.
Closing Thoughts
The everyday lifestyle stressors that impact our wellbeing, and in turn our skin, can be combatted with the use of cannabis. With both a deep-rooted connection to the earth and one another, we strive to empower and inspire people to achieve harmony – both with their health, and in their lives. empyri’s commitment to well-being extends to the planet as well – with our sustainable, chemical and cruelty-free products developed with reverence and gratitude to Mother Earth.
References
- Antonisamy P, Duraipandiyan V, Ignacimuthu S, et al. Anti-diarrhoeal activity of friedelin isolated from Azima tetracantha in Wistar rats. South Ind J Biol Sci.2015;1:34–37 [Google Scholar].
- Aswar UM, Bhaskaran S, Mohan V, et al. Estrogenic activity of friedelin rich fraction (IND-HE) separated from Cissus quadrangularis and its effect on female sexual function. Pharmacognosy Res. 2010;2:138–145 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar].
- Natasha R. Ryz, David J. Remillard, Ethan B. Russo. Cannabis Roots: A Traditional Therapy with Future Potential for Treating Inflammation and Pain. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2017; 2(1): 210–216. Published online 2017 Aug 1. doi: 10.1089/can.2017.0028 PMCID: PMC5628559.
- Antonisamy P, Duraipandiyan V, Ignacimuthu S, et al. Anti-diarrhoeal activity of friedelin isolated from Azima tetracantha Lam. in Wistar rats. South Ind J Biol Sci. 2015;1:34–37.
- Chowdhury, Jasim & Nandi, Nemai & Uddin, Minhaj & Rahman, Majibur. (2007). Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils from Two Types of Spearmint ( Mentha spicata L. and M. cardiaca L.) Introduced in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research. 42. 10.3329/bjsir.v42i1.359.
- Tao H. J. (1999). (Originally Liang Dynasty). Japan- Mori Risshi. Complete Compendium of Chinese Materia Medica, Vol. 5, Collection of Commentaries on the Classic of Materia Medica.Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House.
- Brand E., Wiseman N. (2008). Concise Chinese Materia Medica. Taos, NM: Paradigm Publications, 51–52.
- Aswar UM, Bhaskaran S, Mohan V, et al. Estrogenic activity of frie- delin rich fraction (IND- HE) separated from Cissus quadrangularis and its effect on female sexual function. Pharmacognosy Res. 2010;2: 138–145.
- Antonisamy P, Duraipandiyan V, Aravinthan A, Al-Dhabi NA, Ignacimuthu S, Choi KC, Kim JH. Protective effects of friedelin isolated from Azima tetracantha Lam. against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats and possible underlying mechanisms. Eur J Pharmacol. 2015 Mar 5;750:167- 75. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.01.015. Epub 2015 Jan 22.
- Jiao J, Zhang Y, Lou D, Wu X, Zhang Y. Antihyperlipidemic and antihypertensive effect of a triterpenoid-rich extract from bamboo shavings and vasodilator effect of friedelin on phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction in thoracic aortas of rats. Phytother Res. 2007.