As a healing arts practitioner, Corinne Macheska, of Metta Physical Fine Reiki Infused Goods & CBD Infusions, knows that her clients value holistic well-being. Her natural approaches led her to cannabidiol oil (CBD), a cannabis compound that has been getting much attention in recent years for its medical properties. Through Metta Physical, Macheska sells an array of CBD tinctures, oils, salves, edibles, bath and beauty products and CBD-infused wellness products, and she’s seeing a growing interest in people seeking these remedies as alternatives to addictive opiates and pharmaceuticals.

Macheska believes that despite negativity surrounding the cannabis plant during much of the 20th century, Americans overall are turning a corner when it comes to embracing the medicinal gifts of cannabis. But for those that still might be unsure or need more information, Macheska is eager to provide education.

“It’s important to understand the difference between hemp and marijuana plants,” she emphasizes, “these two plants were frequently grouped together as one, and although they are both part of cannabis family, hemp and marijuana are two entirely different strains of the cannabis plant—they look different, they are cultivated for different purposes and they react differently in the body.”

Hemp is a strain of cannabis sativa that is cultivated for oils, topical ointments, fiber for clothing, construction materials, nutritional supplements, skin care products and more, Macheska explains. Hemp grows quickly and is bred with less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive property of cannabis. “Hemp has high levels of CBD and low levels of THC; there is less than .03 percent of THC in CBD oil,” says Macheska. “Whereas the marijuana strain is recognized for having high levels of THC, up to 30 percent.”

Overall, Macheska has heard very positive feedback from her clients and others that have used quality CBD products for chronic pain, skin issues, anxiety and depression. “I have clients diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and renal failure that use CBD oil, and they’re doing absolutely wonderful,” Macheska enthuses.

She recently had an encounter with two women at a bluegrass festival who were suffering from chronic pain and didn’t get results from the CBD products they had been using. Macheska took the time to explain to them the difference between different CBD products and the potency levels, and after providing them with a higher milligram tincture, they approached her an hour later. “They were crying with joy because they were pain-free for the first time in many years. They were dancing and having fun. For me, that’s what it’s all about.”

Like with most wellness trends, there will be companies quick to jump on the bandwagon and offer subpar products to cash in on a health craze, so Macheska advises people to be careful and consult trained practitioners that have studied and researched products and dosage. Through Metta Physical Fine Reiki Infused Goods & CBD Infusions, Macheska sells CBD products from several companies that she has researched for safety and quality, including HempMeds, which uses an easy color-coded system to indicate low, medium or high potency levels of CBD.

“If you’re dealing with a minor ailment, or if you just want a dietary supplement, you can go with a low-level hemp oil or tincture,” Macheska says. “There’s a higher potency available for people suffering from chronic pain, high anxiety or depression, as well as a medium chain that produces more serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which can help people with anxiety and depression.”

Macheska adds that HempMeds is number one in the nation for CBD oils, and they started as small family-owned company. She also gets oils, tinctures and balms from Eden’s Cure, a California-based company that makes their products with non-industrialized hemp. She recommends their balms for pain and inflammation. Other CBD brands Macheska offers are Cibdol, which is farmed and manufactured in Colorado. She will soon feature homemade lotions with their CBD oil for eczema and other skin conditions. Macheska has recently started to infuse her wellness products with pure CBD isolate, in addition to essential oils.

Also available through Metta Physical are edibles, including gum, which can be a good delivery method for people just becoming familiar with CBD. A recent collaboration with in-house CBD infusion baker Kay-Cee O’Malley adds an additional product line of edibles and topicals, all with closely controlled ingredients.

Macheska does community outreach at fairs and events, and she hosts question-and-answer sessions throughout the year. All of her wellness consultations are free, during which she will educate people about all aspects of CBD products, how the body processes CBD and how much to take for specific ailments. She also combines CBD with her other treatments such as reiki, essential oils and the amethyst biomat.

Metta Physical Fine Reiki Infused Goods & CBD Infusions provides products and services at Mission Yoga, 639 Northern Blvd., South Abington. For more information, call 570-780-8400, email [email protected] or visit MettaPhysicalReiki.com or Facebook.com/MettaPhysicalReiki for event updates.

Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee-based freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines across the country.