Restoring the Standard: Ancient Wisdom, Validated by Science

The use of full-spectrum hemp in skincare is often presented as a modern "trend," but historically, it is actually a return to ancient pharmacology, validated by 20th-century science.

The history of "full extraction" (using the whole plant rather than isolated molecules) has three distinct eras: Ancient Intuition, the Scientific Void, and the Modern Renaissance.

Restoring the Standard Ancient Wisdom, Validated by Science: The History

Phase 1: Ancient Intuition (2700 BCE – 1800s)

Long before we knew what a "cannabinoid" was, ancient civilizations used full-extraction methods (steeping the whole plant in oil or alcohol) to treat skin conditions. They didn't isolate molecules; they used the "full spectrum" by default.

• Ancient China (c. 2700 BCE): The Shennong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer’s Herb-Root Classic) is one of the oldest pharmacopeias. It listed cannabis as a remedy for skin inflammation and wound healing.

  
  

• Ancient Egypt (c. 1550 BCE): The Ebers Papyrus, a famous medical text, documents the use of hemp formulated into ointments (often mixed with honey) to treat inflammation and soothe the skin.

  
  

• Ancient Greece: Physicians like Dioscorides and Galen used cannabis poultices to treat sores and reduce inflammation in wounds, effectively using the plant's natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

  
  

• 19th Century West: Before prohibition, cannabis tinctures (alcohol extractions) and salves were common in Western medicine for treating pain and skin irritations. It was a standard apothecary ingredient.

  
  

Phase 2: The Scientific "Why" (1964 – 1990s)

For decades during prohibition, the mechanism of why hemp worked was a mystery.

• 1964 (The Breakthrough): Dr. Raphael Mechoulam in Israel first isolated and mapped the structure of THC and CBD. This was the first step in understanding the specific molecules responsible for hemp's power.

  
  

• 1990s (The Endocannabinoid System): This is the most critical moment for skincare. Researchers discovered the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and found that the skin is densely populated with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).

  
  

  • The Revelation: Science proved that our skin is biologically wired to interact with hemp. The ECS regulates oil production, inflammation, and cell growth in the skin, validating the ancient uses.

    
    

Phase 3: The Modern Renaissance (Isolate vs. Full Spectrum)

When hemp became legal (specifically after the 2018 Farm Bill in the US), the market split into two directions.

• The "Isolate" Era (Early 2010s): Early modern products used CBD Isolate (99% pure CBD powder). Manufacturers removed terpenes, fats, and minor cannabinoids because they thought "pure" CBD was better (and it was easier to standardize).

• The "Entourage Effect" Shift: Research began to show that Full Spectrum (Full Extraction) was superior. The concept of the "Entourage Effect" revealed that cannabinoids work better together than alone. The terpenes (smell) and minor cannabinoids (like CBG, CBN) amplify the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CBD.

Today: The current "Gold Standard" in clinical skincare is Full Spectrum. We have circled back to restoring the standard ancient wisdom, validated by science, the ancient method using the whole plant profile. But now we do it with precise lab data to prove safety and potency.