We all know the power of cannabinoids like CBDa and THCa . But did you know there's another natural compound in cannabis that's just as special? Meet β-sitosterol – a plant sterol with surprisingly powerful health benefits.

At CBD & Herb, we work with pure, full-spectrum extracts from CBD Spain , developed by Peter Vermeul , a pioneer in cannabis science and founder of CBD Spain. His research consistently reveals new layers of the cannabis plant's complexity. And this time, it's β-sitosterol that's in the spotlight.

How a diagnosis with a bleak outlook transformed into a remarkable recovery — thanks to nature and scientific insight

Imagine this: you're sitting across from your doctor, and you hear the words no one ever wants to hear: "Gleason score 9. PSA above 80. Metastatic prostate cancer."

For Johan, a man diagnosed in September 2023, it marked the beginning of a medical journey that, according to the guidelines, offered little hope. The prognosis? Limited survival. The treatment? Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy (ADT), and radiation. The side effects? Severe. And lifelong.

But Johan chose a different path. One based on trust in his body, natural synergy, and scientifically proven phytotherapy. Under the guidance of Peter Vermeul , founder of CBD Spain and expert in cannabinoid science, he embarked on a journey that lowered his PSA levels faster than anyone had ever thought possible.

Some animals touch you extraordinarily. Massimo was one of them. This young male cat, not even a year old, was brought to my practice in a very serious condition. He had been suffering from persistent, severe diarrhea for over eight months, was extremely thin, exhausted, had a matted coat, and an inflamed nose. His energy was gone. He no longer played, and he simply defecated constantly.

His owner had tried everything: modified diet, regular medication, tests, X-rays, giardia and blood tests… everything came back with no clear cause. But Massimo only got sicker.

Can we fight cancer better with the power of nature?
According to researcher and cannabis expert Peter Vermeul , founder of CBD Spain , the answer is increasingly yes — provided you use the right plant extracts .

In his latest scientific publication, Vermeul investigates an intriguing question: can cannabinoids, especially the acidic forms such as CBDa and THCa , not only mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, but also enhance its effects?

The answer: a resounding yes — and the science backs it up.

In the rapidly expanding world of cannabinoids, terms like CBD, THC, the endocannabinoid system, and the entourage effect are often bandied about. But behind these familiar concepts lies a scientific detail that almost no one discusses—and yet it could change everything about how cannabinoids work in our bodies: chirality , or the mirror image of molecules.

In my naturopathic practice, I'm reminded daily of the animal body's power to heal—provided it's properly supported. One of the most impressive experiences of the past year is the story of Sarah , a beautiful four-year-old Norwegian Forest Cat .

Sarah's vet diagnosed a tumor under her tongue . It was a very concerning spot, difficult to treat, and usually meant an intensive medical process. But her owner, in consultation with me, decided to support her naturally, aiming to activate her self-healing capacity without putting any additional strain on her body.

New science confirms what Peter Vermeul has been applying for years: cannabinoids such as CBDV and CBDVa have an unprecedentedly powerful antifungal effect.

In the world of natural health, CBD—the non-psychoactive counterpart to THC—is often the focus, and has gained global recognition. But a new scientific publication is suddenly putting another cannabinoid in the spotlight: CBDV , or Cannabidivarin . And this discovery could well mean a breakthrough in combating persistent fungal infections .

In my practice, I often see older dogs who are starting to decline physically, but whose spirits are still very much alive. One such special dog is Lake , an eight-year-old Great Dane. Although this is a respectable age for an animal of his size, he was remarkably vital until recently. However, he came to me because he had stopped playing, started dragging his hind legs, and his behavior had become depressed. His owner also told me that he regularly suffered from diarrhea.

Classic aging? Not quite. What emerged from the measurements was telling: the pancreas needed serious support , just like the liver. In addition, there was a lot of tension and pain around the sacrum and lower back .

Cannabis is increasingly recognized worldwide as a plant with powerful medicinal properties. Yet, we are only just beginning to discover its full potential. Most attention has focused on cannabinoids like CBD and THC , but other remarkable compounds are just as interesting, hidden under the radar. One of these is cannflavin A – a unique flavonoid now attracting attention for its potent effect against bladder cancer.

When you think about the effects of CBD, you might assume that a higher dose always produces a greater effect. But that's not always true. In the world of cannabinoids, things often work differently. In fact, too much can actually produce less. This surprising phenomenon is called the Bell Curve Effect —a crucial yet under-recognized phenomenon in the world of natural health products.

In a new in-depth article on our science page , Peter Vermeul , founder of CBD Spain and pioneer in full-spectrum cannabinoids, explains how this effect works, why it occurs, and – most importantly – how to deal with it wisely.

In the world of medicinal cannabis, development never stands still. A significant step was recently taken by the pharmaceutical company SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals and the Universidade Lusófona , who jointly published a much-discussed study on standardized full-extract cannabis oil. Their goal? To bring the plant into a reproducible, pharmaceutically usable form—without compromising quality or efficacy.

But according to Peter Vermeul , founder of CBD Spain and inventor of the extraction methods that we at CBD & Herb fully support, this research, despite its valuable insights, misses a crucial dimension: the full richness of the plant .

In practice, we see impressive results every day from a natural, multidisciplinary approach in animals with pain and inflammation. A good example is Bernard, a seven-year-old Tibetan Terrier, who was recently treated for severe pain at the base of his tail.

Bernard was in so much pain that he regularly screamed and became completely withdrawn. He refused to play, and his normally cheerful demeanor gave way to reserved behavior—his tail hung constantly. His owner told him that Bernard had experienced similar symptoms five years ago, which were then resolved with spinal correction. Unfortunately, that treatment offered no relief this time.