A Dorset-based business run by a former military commando has secured a major national listing with Boots for its pain relief gel.
Farard Darver, who runs Health International Research from Wimborne and lives in Lymington, developed HEMPE after suffering injuries while serving in Afghanistan. He says the product was the only thing that helped ease his pain and decided to bring it to market.
HEMPE is now available for sale through the Boots website. The listing marks a significant development for the company, which Darver launched just five years ago.
The CBD gel is used by athletes and people living with joint and muscle pain. It was the first of its kind to be granted NSF certification last year, making it suitable for use by professional sportspeople and military personnel.
The company says HEMPE is fully absorbed through the skin and is available in both hot and cold versions. It has received strong feedback from a wide range of users, including Premier League footballer Tomáš Souček.
Darver, who previously performed in a boyband before joining the military, is now aiming to grow the brand further, with talks underway to expand HEMPE into more UK and international retailers.
HEMPE was launched in 2020 and includes a range of CBD-infused skincare and pain relief gels.