A health product launched by a former commando is now available from Boots – one of the UK’s largest retailers.

Farard Darver created HEMPE – a CBD product – after finding it was the only thing that relieved his pain after being injured in Afghanistan. Having resigned from the military he risked everything to create the product because of his belief in its pain-relieving qualities.

Darver, who lives in Lymington, Hants, and runs his business Health International Research from Wimborne in Dorset, said the listing by Boots is a major step forward. He said:

“I created the company just five years ago so for our brand to be sold online through Boots the Chemist is a major achievement. I am utterly convinced our product HEMPE is the best out there and last year we became the first CBD gel to gain NSF certification – enabling professional athletes and the military to safely use it."

“Boots is one of the most trusted names in the spheres of health and medicine and to be associated with it helps give us legitimacy. CBD does have a perception issue due to its derivation from the hemp plant, but the gel is entirely safe to use – and ours is absorbed completely through the skin."

“It gives muscle and joint relief and there are hot and cold versions depending on what is best for the person using it. Reactions to HEMPE have been incredible and many people have found it enables them to do things they thought were quite beyond their capabilities."

“Whether its sports people – like West Ham player Tomáš Souček who uses it – or the elderly seeking better mobility, the product is becoming very popular around the world. We’re hoping that the exposure it gets from Boots online will convert more people to using it. Our objective is to have HEMPE rolled out into more retail outlets across the UK and abroad. The business growth has been fantastic and I am in discussions with partners around the world including many professional sports teams.”

Before joining the military Farard was a boyband star and crooner.