Hemp, Hemp, Hooray! Meet Our New Wellness Line

Hooray for hemp! This superfood (and eco-friendly plant) offers amino acids and tons of other nutrients. And we’re excited to launch our own line of hemp-infused products like balm, tinctures, and gel capsules. As always, our quality standards were off-the-charts high when it came to sourcing the best ingredients—we found our hemp in the rolling hills of Kentucky.

Hemp Extract: What’s Inside

Before going behind the scenes, this glossary will get you up to speed on all things hemp extract.

• Cannabis sativa: This is the scientific name for the herbaceous flowering plant that has many hundreds of “cultivars,” and where both recreational and medical marijuana are derived, as well as CBD products.
• Cultivars: Cultivar means ‘cultivated variety’ and are typically plants selected for desirable traits maintained through careful propagation.
• Phytocannabinoids: Phyto means ‘plant’ in Latin and cannabinoid tells the source of these plant-derived compounds. There are over 100 known phytocannabinoids in the cannabis sativa family of plants, including CBD, CBG and many others. Ongoing research is documenting the effect of these various plant constituents for health and well being.
• Terpenes: Terpenes are oils in the cannabis plants that give it unique, herbaceous flavor. One example is Limonene, with a zesty scent and fresh flavor, and Linalool smells like sweet flavors and lifts the mood. Terpenes adjust the flavor of our Tinctures, and also have a synergistic effect with the CBD components.
• THC: This is the phytocannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive effects of recreational cannabis. CBD products can only contain <0.3 of THC compared to much higher levels in recreational cannabis.

All About Hemp

Let’s clear up some common misunderstandings about hemp. This plant, which has been used throughout history in everything from clothing to beauty products, requires less water than other crops and is resistant to pests, too. You might be familiar with hemp seeds, which are celebrated in kitchens everywhere for their nutrient density—a 3-tablespoon serving contains 10 grams of protein and 20 percent of the recommended daily value of iron. (Add a handful to smoothies or scatter them over salads and yogurt.) When cold-pressed, the seeds transform into an oil that can be used to make salad dressings or drizzled over roasted veggies and fish.

But that’s not all hemp is hailed for, and we’ll answer your burning question now: No, hemp extract is not marijuana, and it won’t get you high. Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant species (cannabis sativa), but they’re two different cultivars of the same species. While they share a few chemical compounds, the biggest difference is that hemp contains multiple phytocannabinoids (like CBD, CBN, CBL, CBDA, CBG, CBC, THCV, and/or CBDV) with less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. THC is the substance with psychoactive effects, and marijuana has larger concentrations (more than 0.3 percent) of it.

From Plant to Oil

The hemp extract for our line is grown on a 500-acre Kentucky farm, which was the first to be granted a license to grow hemp in the U.S. after the the 2014 Farm Bill passed. Our team of researchers has been studying hemp for more than 20 years, gathering unique genetic strains of hemp from places like the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, and Africa, and now maintains one of the largest cannabis seed banks in the world. That range of genetically diverse crops means our hemp extract contains a higher percentage of phytocannabinoid content than leading brands, along with a variety of essential fatty acids, flavonoids, and terpenes.

Our hemp extract is infused within an organic, raw hemp carrier oil and is “full spectrum.” This means it’s derived in a way that preserves the beneficial chemicals and compounds that occur naturally in the hemp plant. Throughout the process from plant to oil, the hemp extract is tested at least three times for potency, contaminants, and quality. Sustainability is a priority, too—the farm doesn’t use pesticides, is irrigated with rainwater, and is overseen by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Meet Thrive Market’s New Hemp Extract

If you’re ready to give hemp extract a try, we have three ways to do it. Whether you prefer massaging balm into your muscles, taking capsules, or adding drops to your meals, there’s a perfect product for you.

Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Gel Capsules

Combined with an organic, cold-pressed hemp seed carrier oil for maximum benefits, each capsule offers 15 milligrams of phytocannabinoids per serving. Take one gel capsule daily with water.

Full Spectrum Hemp Extract

Once daily, take one dropperful under the tongue and hold for one minute before swallowing with water. (This technique is based on a study that showed significantly higher effectiveness of the phytocannabinoids.) You can also swirl a dropperful into one of our recipes below! Available in three strengths: 200, 300, or 600 milligrams of phytocannabinoids per bottle.

Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Balm

Nourish your skin and reap the benefits of hemp extract at the same time. This balm delivers 125 milligrams of phytocannabinoids per tin, and is made with skin-soothing botanicals like organic shea butter, lavender, and coconut oil so you can massage it into your back, neck, and shoulders.

Hemp Extract Recipes

Taking inspiration from classic cocktails to Japanese tea, we’ve put together three sippable ways to add hemp extract to your day.

Bloody Mary Mocktail

Bottoms up! To keep this mocktail alcohol-free, we nixed the vodka and added a shot of hemp extract instead. The homemade tomato mixer is a fiery blend of apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, and a kick of cayenne.

Sparkling Rose and Hemp Elixir

Steeped with rose petals and finished with a splash of rose water, this sparkly tonic is infused with hemp extract so you can enjoy extra benefits with every sip.

CBD Matcha Tonic

This is our take on stepped-up spa water. It starts with a refreshing base of coconut water infused with cucumbers, Japanese matcha tea, fresh basil, and a few drops of hemp extract.