5-KIND: Clinical Skincare Hemp Active Relief Gel & Massager Roller

Back at the gym after summer holidays? Feeling a little sore after your workout? Then you might like to read on The Amazing Blog today about 5-KIND and its unique Hemp Active Gel and Massager Roller.

5-KIND UK are a team based in Somerset, and trademarked in the UK/EU and USA. 5-KIND clinical skincare wishes to offer benefits for inflammation-based disorders, such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and many more with their hemp based products. This brand has been created by a dedicated team of international medical professionals and development chemists and aims to harness natural extracts to offer great products for the skin and body. We also read that 5-KIND founders were motivated to start this business to find a solution to their children's eczema, one that they could be easily apply to protect and soothe the skin. They have spent the last three years developing a formula with their nominated producers that are an organic oil emollient which finally achieved reducing eczema. This has yet to launch. The high level of organic oils within each of their products creates a barrier to protect and naturally moisturise the skin, and 5-KIND aims to ensure that at least five active ingredients within each of their formulas, to make them as effective as possible and but also kind to the skin. They have a diverse range of products from face sheets, anti-cellulite and soothing body creams to the hemp-based active creams and gels which we are reviewing today.

We were kindly given the Hemp Active Relief Gel to try with their massager. The Hemp Active Relief Gel contains a perfect synergy of natural ingredients that work to soothe aches and help you relax quickly. As you already know, hemp oil helps lower inflammation in the body and uses its potent antioxidant effects to help the body get rid of free radicals that aggravate aches. The formula features over 11 natural oils and extracts, of which hemp seed oil is one. This hemp seed oil can dramatically decrease skin dryness to alleviate itching and irritation. Plus, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to relieve muscle soreness. The camphor here is an organic compound extracted from camphor trees, and commonly used in creams or gels for pain relief. In this gel, camphor will help stimulate blood circulation and accelerate the absorption of inflammation. We found that it had a cooling effect on the skin, although it does have a very strong aroma from the combination of camphor, rosemary and menthol. It comes in an opaque buff coloured gel and is easy to apply, as the gel quickly absorbs into the skin while providing non-greasy moisturisation. It is considered a breakthrough natural hemp soothing gel with its new high strength formula, which is dermatologically approved. To use the Hemp Active Relief Gel, rub it onto the areas where there is either stiffness or soreness. For best results, 5-Kind suggests using it with the included Massage Roller gently or apply with more pressure for a deeper tissue massage. We tried the Hemp Active Relief Gel, which helped to relieve our aches and pains the day after a heavy training session at gym. To purchase the 300ml Hemp Active Relief Gel here for £14.98, or the 300ml Hemp Active Relief Gel and Massager for £18.98, click here or the Massage Roller only here for £6.99.

NovaeCBD: SuperNova 5% CBD Oil + Vitamin D3

Sadly, August and the summer sunshine seems to have passed us by, and at The Amazing Blog we’re ever hopeful for an Indian summer to come. That is why it’s the perfect time for us try this SuperNova 5% CBD Oil + Vitamin D3, by NovaeCBD; with its much needed drop of golden sunshine in a bottle!

NovaeCBD is a British CBD brand that specialises in CBD oil. It all started when two best friends, and future founders, Ryan Telford and Jas Toor, who discovered a mutual passion for all things health and wellness. Ryan stumbled on CBD after having had it recommended by a friend. They were both a little sceptical because of the stigma surrounding CBD, but after seeing the benefits to their health, they became CBD advocates with a desire to share the knowledge of its benefits. However, they were hesitant to share some of these CBD finds with their family and friends, as they didn’t have best taste or consistency, or had lack of transparency and steep prices. At this moment, they decided to create their own CBD brand that would tick all the boxes, NovaeCBD launched in October 2020 with their first two CBD oils. NovaeCBD is committed to transparency with the brand, and also want to provide an excellent customers experience. Their mission is to “provide high quality, organic and ethical CBD products at affordable prices to help people improve their lives.” All hemp used is full spectrum and hand-picked from ethical German hemp farms. The end product is cruelty-free, gluten-free, and packed with cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and omega-3s.  NovaeCBD aims to be carbon neutral, with no excess packaging as they want to eliminate, reduce and re-use. All products are CBD laboratory tested, vegan, gluten-free organic and UK compliant.

The SuperNova CBD Oil + Vitamin D3. appealed to us as it combine two of our favourite supplements full-spectrum CBD and vitamin D3. This is a medium-strength CBD oil, meaning one drop contains approximately 2mg of CBD making this product 5% CBD or 500mg per bottle PLUS the recommended daily amount of 640IU vitamin D3. We are big CBD fans that think that full-spectrumCBD oil takes wellness to the next level, by providing anxiety relief, control over sleep imbalances, muscle recovery, and immune system support - and you’ve heard us say this all before! The CBD here is extracted with the supercritical CO2 method, which efficiently crafts a potent CBD paste that is made into a full-spectrum CBD oil containing the naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts, perfect for the 'entourage effect.' This CBD oil does not skip out on any of the plant's beneficial parts and includes a few added components with the full-spectrum CBD, organic hemp seed oil, whole-plant extract, and 4mg vitamin D3. This CBD oil has no added ingredients that are not naturally found in hemp, except vitamin D3, which separates this CBD oil from others with its exclusive 2-in-1 health boost. Vitamin D3, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin,' helps kickstart the immune system, strengthens bones, lifts mood, and is good for heart health. In addition to CBD, vitamin D3 furthers relaxation that can also help with anxiety, sleeplessness, or muscle relief, and acts as a substitute for the sun, which naturally helps to produce vitamin D3 in the body. Living in the UK, vitamin D3 is a supplement we’re all recommended to take daily, as we only have an average of 4 sun hours a day! Yes it’s true - see here. And with, the cloudy weather and winter, the body needs some extra help to get this necessary vitamin. The founder, Jas Toor, and his wife both take this SuperNova CBD oil in the morning to get their daily vitamin D3 and to help them with focus throughout the day. They also take one drop at night to help with sleep. We followed their lead by administering one drop of SuperNova CBD oil at night, what surprised us the most was the delicious and mild taste of this full-spectrum CBD oil (we thought it might have a bit of that usual kick). We regularly take CBD oil at night to calm the mind and to help relax us, and this Supernova didn’t disappoint. We also like that we got our daily dose of vitamin D3 - which save us dosing up with other supplements. If you are looking for a wellness supplement that lifts your mood, helps you sleep, and ticks all the boxes, then this may be the CBD oil of your dreams! To purchase the SuperNova 5% CBD Oil + Vitamin D3 for £35.99, see here.

Smiths Scents: Green Tomato Leaf Candle, and Copper Wick Trimmer

There’s nothing quite like a candle to help create a very special ambience. At The Amazing Blog , we think that there’s nothing better than creating  harmonious surroundings with a beautiful and fragrantly rich candle. Candles have long been one of the most preferred ways of setting a mood, and we’re here to carry that legacy forward. Today we’re  introducing you to two of our #amazingfinds from Smiths Scents: The Green Tomato Leaf Candle with the  Copper Wick Trimmer. 

Smiths Scents  is a brand based in Somerset, with its roots originating back to 2013, founded by husband and wife duo Robert and Hayley Smith. With their beginnings as a candle-making as a hobby in their kitchen and inspired by their wedding preparations, Smiths Scents has since flourished into a business that they officially launched in 2018. Throughout the years, they’ve maintained their passion for making inviting and warm fragrances, and every candle is carefully hand-poured, made of cruelty-free ingredients and dispatched from their home, even to this day. The Smiths love flowers and herbs, and it’s evident in their products.  Their fragrances feature unusual combinations of floral and herbal oil which include candles such as Bay & Blackberry, Carrot Blossom & Fennel, and Cardamon & Mimosa, to name just a few. In fact, their passion for natural ingredients and materials doesn’t end there. Smiths Scents makes their candles with 100% soy wax and their diffusers with soy-based oil too. In addition, Smiths Scents pride themselves on being as sustainable, selling candles and diffusers in recyclable and vegan containers and only using packaging materials that are biodegradable or recyclable. 

We requested to try out their Green Tomato Leaf Candle. Described on their website as a “fresh and leafy uplifting fragrance that makes you reminiscent of a summer greenhouse,” it’s a perfect scent to accompany these warm summer days. The top notes of the candle are cucumber and tomato, the heart notes are basil, and the base notes of oregano and thyme tie the candle together to create a cohesive and uplifting fragrance. As we mentioned above, Smiths Scents makes all their candles using soy wax and essential oils. As a natural and renewable resource, soy wax is biodegradable and has a lower melting point than other waxes commonly used for candle-making. This difference means that soy wax candles will burn longer and last longer; they also burn cleaner and emit less black soot than other candle types. Because the candles include essential oils rather than artificial scents, you also reap the holistic and aromatherapeutic benefits as these candles burn, such as stress relief, relaxation, or a brightened mood, depending on which scents you pick. 

If you burn a candle you need a wick trimmer!  Smiths Scents kindly send us their Copper Wick Trimmer. With wick clippers on one end and elongated holders on the other, the Copper Wick Trimmer provides easy and no-mess access to the wick even after your candle has burned deep into its jar. Trimming candle wicks is an essential part of candle maintenance that improves the longevity and appearance of the candles. Untrimmed and long wicks can cause candle flames to take on a dull appearance, give off more black soot, and produce a larger flame that burns through your candles at a faster rate. By trimming your candle wicks, flames burn clearer and brighter with less unsightly soot, and help to burn candles at a slower pace, making them last longer. Top tip: It's safest to wait until your candle has completely cooled off to room temperature before you trim the wicks, and we actually like to trim our candle wicks each time before we light them. We recommend cutting wicks to about ¼ of an inch, and any debris that falls from the wick should be cleaned up before lighting the candle to keep your home safe. 

Through their shop Smiths Scents they offer a wide array of fragrances available both in candle and diffusers. If you’d like to experience the 220g Green Tomato Leaf Candle for yourself, it’s available to purchase here for a very reasonably priced £13.95 (if you select packaging with a copper lid). Or for £11.95 if you select packaging without a lid. Best of all, the burning time on this candle is 35-40 hours. The Copper Wick Trimmer is also available here for £8.00.

Wow Beauty + Saskia's Flower Essences: CFF: Clarify, Focus and Flow Flower Essence & Powerful Woman Flower Essence

We believe in flower power. What about you? Today meet these ‘flower essences’ created by capturing the unique vibrational energy of a plant and holding it as a memory in water. In simple terms, when the flower essence is swallowed, an individual’s energy is reminded how to be, taking the body back to its original balance. At The Amazing Blog, we love how these flower essences help to boost confidence and give us back our balance. A while back, we wrote about Saskia’s Flower Essences here, and today, we’re featuring more from the brand who have partnered with Wow Beauty to launch the CFF: Clarify, Focus and Flow Flower Essence  and the Powerful Woman Flower Essence. We will explain why we think that these are true ‘nature’s little helpers’.  

The background to these begins in 2021, when Wow Beauty partnered with Saskia’s Flower Essences to launch these two unique botanical blends. Their alliance came via a chance meeting on social media, which has since led to a joining of minds and the creation of a new range of flower essences. Saskia’s Flower Essences was founded in 2003 by formulator and practitioner Saskia Marjoram, who has worked with plants and botanicals her whole life. Her background is as a professional gardener and as a florist to H.R.H. Prince of Wales. The brand’s essences are primarily made from native wildflowers and trees. Each tincture is designed to help people shift and change their emotional and behavioural issues. Saskia said, “I was delighted when Denise asked me to develop a blend with the title ‘Clarity Focus Flow’ from my range of single essences. After quite some deliberation and lots of intuition, the final essences we chose are designed to help people feel clear and sure as they move forward in their lives with a sense of purpose.” Saskia went on to say, “I am continually fascinated by how plants and humans interact and the wisdom they have to share with us. My deep love, friendship and knowledge of the flowers has continued to grow as I discover just how powerfully their energy affects and interacts with us.” Denise Rabor is best known for Wow Beauty ,a natural beauty and wellbeing portal that launched in 2016. More recently, she has launched The D.O.R Beauty Edit, an online store with products from female-led holistic and wellbeing brands. Denise has always been intrigued by vibrational medicine and flowers for helping solve emotional states, and this is how the concept for creating ‘CFF’ was born. Denise told us, “CFF is something that came to me early last year when I was creating some personal affirmations. Why? I needed to clarify and refine my purpose but required extra support. I wanted to create a product that could help things happen whilst also maintaining a state of flow. And I know that many women that I've spoken with feel the same need for some extra support.”  People have used flowers to heal emotions for thousands of years, extending back to Ancient Egypt and indigenous Australians who also used them as part of healing ceremonies to resolve emotional imbalances. In fact, we learnt from Endeavour College of Health that the earliest European recorded use of flower essences was by abbess Hildegard von Bingen in the twelfth century. It was where muslin sheets were placed over flowers at night to absorb the dew, then be collected in the morning, rung out, and used to treat people with emotional imbalances. However, it wasn’t until 1930 that Dr Edward Bach discovered the vibrational power of flowers and how to apply flower essence, thus creating 38 Bach Flower Remedies. This is where extraordinarily talented alchemists like Saskia Marjoram carry on this legacy. 

At this precise moment in time, the need for flower essences could not be more poignant. As the world gradually finds its feet after the global pandemic, this is when we all need to ask for help and guidance from these essences as ‘nature’s little helpers’. The CFF: Clarity, Focus, Flow Flower Essence was created to support individuals for when some clarity in life is needed. It helps to maintain focus, and achieve and maintain a flow. To use, take seven drops of essence two to three times a day, and say a personal affirmation. Take these drops for as long as you need, whether it’s a couple of days or weeks. The bottle contains 30ml, and the ingredients include springwater (60%), organic vodka (40%), and energy imprint of rio clarillo, crab apple, blackberry, peppermint, and willow (16% ABV). Springwater is free of contaminants and contains important minerals, organic vodka is free of pesticides and GMOs.  Rio clarillo helps you go with the flow, crab apple enables you to release guilt and shame, blackberry enables you to feel that it’s safe to grow, peppermint enables you to be clear and focused, and willow helps you be flexible. 

The Powerful Woman Flower Essence is for a confidence boost and was made with a view to helping women step into their power, have a strong sense of self and succeed at anything they put their mind to do. It is designed to enhance creativity and increase intuition.  Again, like the CCF, take seven drops of the essence under the tongue. The ingredients include springwater (60%), organic vodka (40%), and energy imprint of dandelion, twayblade, blackberry, bluebell, nettle, pennyroyal, and evening primrose (16% ABV). Springwater and organic vodka (described above). The dandelion allows you to release, twayblade helps you take a leap of faith, blackberry enables you to feel safe to grow, bluebell helps you be heard, nettle is for when you are really mad, pennyroyal helps you feel complete, and evening primrose enables you to see the light in the dark. 

Since childhood, my mother actively encouraged both anxious humans and pets to take a few drops of Bach Flower Essences under the tongue, and this has stayed with me, as a regular practice. I still use many of the Bach Flower remedies and I’m also a big fan of Saskia Flower Essences, primarily of the Focus Energise Create, which interesting has one or two of same ingredients as CFF. So, for me, the CFF would be my current ‘go to’ rather than the Powerful Woman. That said, Powerful Woman has a place and on days when one feels indecisive or full of self-doubt. And before you ask, all these flower essences are completely safe to use in conjunction with other medicines, homoeopathic treatments or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We highly recommend try these, especially if you are a novice to the world of flower essences, and think these are a great first step. All flower essences are 30ml and you can find the CFF: Clarity, Focus, Flow Flower Essence here for £15.00 and the Powerful Woman Flower Essence here for £15.00.

1CBD: 20% Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil

At The Amazing Blog  we know a good CBD brand when we see one. The last time we reviewed 1CBD was with their delicious CBD infused chocolates created with leading chocolatier Paul Williams from Chocamor here which certainly left us wanting to order more! Today, we are back with another one of their products, the 20% Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil. This CBD oil, just like the chocolates, is the perfect addition to any CBD lover’s lifestyle.

1CBD, based in North East England, made its debut in 2018 with the help of founders Oman and Oliver. The business partners started their journey after they were previously commissioned to work with another CBD brand. From here, they learned the ins and outs of CBD and saw opportunities to bring their own CBD related products to the market. They wanted to create a brand that kept high-quality control on the cannabidiol (CBD) they use, which is why they only source their broad-spectrum CBD oils from Colorado, home to one of the world’s finest hemp fields. The hemp plants are hand-picked and organically grown outside in the sun with no exposure to artificial UV lights, harmful chemicals, or pesticides. All CBD oils are made in small batches and freshly prepared, ensuring consistency, taste, and potency. Broad-spectrum CBD means zero THC content, and all raw extracts are vigorously tested and HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) analysed by independent laboratories across the USA. HPLC is a highly effective extraction process that results in 0.00% THC, making this method far superior to isolate as nearly all the plant profiles are present, including the plant’s terpenes and amino acids. HPLC is the best and most accurate way to separate and purify the CBD from THC and even THCA, a compound that is usually untraceable using other methods of extraction. All of 1CBD’s products are vegan friendly and gluten-free and range from CBD oils, capsules, balms to edibles.

Today, we are focusing on one of the many CBD oils, the 20% Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil which contains the highest ‘broad spectrum’ phytocannabinoid CBD oil available today in the UK. Very confusingly, the ‘full spectrum’ mentioned on the packaging refers to only the terpenes, cannabinoids, and amino acids in the oil - not the THC content. 1CBD tells us that this packaging will change shortly to reflect this and say ‘broad spectrum and THC free’. We find taking CBD Oil sublingually is a practical, quick, and easy way to stimulate the endocannabinoid system. Which, as our regular readers will know, we think can help relieve a multitude of health issues, such as anxiety, muscle fatigue, arthritis, migraines, stomach problems, skin conditions, and the list goes on... Here the CBD is extracted from 100% organic hemp seed oil, which is rich in healthy omega-6 and 3 fatty acids where the gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) present in hemp seed oil has been shown to reduce inflammation. Let’s also not forget that it’s full of vitamins C and E, plus all nine of the amino acids responsible for protein production. There is also evidence to show that hemp seed oil is full of arginine, a specific amino acid that produces nitric acid known to reduce blood pressure for improved heart health. What we like about the 1CBD products (mentioned earlier) is that all the raw ingredients are sourced from reputable organic hemp fields in Colorado and tested by a third-party lab for purity. 1CBD has three strengths in the 20% Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil, and we were sent the 1000mg per 5ml. Again it’s a little confusing as the percentage given on the label which represents the concentration, but the mg gives the strength per ml - go figure?! Actually, we might need to be corrected here by 1CBD. Anyway, there a dosage calculators available if you google. With this Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil it’s recommended to take 2-4 times per day (no more) by putting 2-6 drops under the tongue, holding for 30 seconds, and swallowing. The oil tastes earthy and has a very robust hempy flavour – therefore, we’d suggest that it might be better for the more practised CBD palate than an uninitiated one! The CBD oil is available in 250mg in 1ml, 1000mg in 5ml, and 2000mg 10ml sizes.All sizes can be purchased here, and the code WELCOME15 will give new customers 15% off their first order.