Hemp oil is made from seeds from the hemp plant. Hemp plants are a form of cannabis sativa, typically grown for industrial purposes. It can be refined into a variety of commercial items including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, biofuel, food, and more. These plants contain almost no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and very low content of cannabinoids (CBD). According to a study in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, food-grain strains of hemp contain less than 0.3 percent THC. This is important since THC causes the “high” of marijuana. Hemp seeds are a rich source of dietary fiber, B vitamins, and dietary minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and iron. About 73% of the energy in hemp seeds is in the form of fats and essential fatty acids, mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic, oleic, and alpha-linolenic acids.
With the cold pressing of the hemp seeds into an unrefined oil, the hemp oil is created. This method of extraction is similar to how olive and coconut oil is obtained. There are many benefits of hemp oil including skin care, pain relief, reducing blood pressure, ADHD, epilepsy and more. Due to its nutritional value, hemp seeds and hemp oil have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe for the general public to consume.
In this article, we are sharing with you the most common hemp oil benefits
Hemp Oil for Skin
Hemp seed oil is most famous for its skin benefits. Hemp seeds are rich in essential fatty acids that may help alleviate dry skin, acne, eczema, and other skin irritations by offering a wide range of benefits such as moisturization, anti-inflammation, skin cell repair, balanced oil production, and anti-aging properties.
In the study “Plants used to treat skin diseases,” researchers point out that the topical application of hemp seed oil strengthened the skin and made it better able to resist bacterial, viral and fungal infections. According to this study, the hemp oil is useful for the treatment of eczema and other skin diseases like dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis/cradle cap, varicose eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, and acne rosacea.
Hemp oil fits for most skin types as its nourishing components can moisturize without clogging the pores. Hemp oil can even help to balance out oily skin, hydrating it and regulating the skin’s oil production. This is especially important in acne prone skin since acne are caused by excess oil. Whether applied to the skin or ingested, it works well to overcome pore clogging and to moderate its oil production. Furthermore, since hemp oil can control inflammation and oil production, it can treat two parts of the acne-lesion formation. According to dermatologists, that is a big deal because currently, this is done with retinoids, which make skin worse before it gets better. Its richness with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) aid with inflammation and skin growth and nutrients like linoleic acid enable the skin cell generation and repair.
If you want to improve the health of your skin, it is best to use unrefined hemp seed oil or skin care products containing hemp oil. Once refined, the hemp oil loses many beneficial nutrients, thus making it not to be very helpful in moisturizing and repairing the skin.
Hemp Oil for Hair
Hemp oil helps to boost the growth of hair on the scalp, due to its richness with the Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 fatty acids, which are necessary for stimulating growth. The oil moisturizes the scalp and can relieve itchiness and dryness. It also works magic in deterring dandruff from forming. Hemp oil also improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation, which helps to keep scalp infections away. Moreover, it gives shine to your hair. It helps to strengthen fragile strands, gives your hair volume and may even make your hair thicker. Hemp oil can also help promote new hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Hemp Oil for Heart
Since hemp oil has a comprehensive nutrient profile, it is believed that it is also useful for maintaining heart health. As we already pointed out, its abundance with essential fatty acids makes it perfect for reducing blood pressure, improving arrhythmias and resting heart rate and decreasing chance of heart disease. Namely, Omega 3 is known to help optimize the lipid profile and result in a decreased likelihood of getting a chronic cardiac disease. Omega 6, which is another essential fatty acid that the human body cannot produce on its own, helps the nervous system in maintaining optimal health and plays a role in growth and tissue repair.
One must be aware that much of the information that is currently available comes from research that uses animal models. Majority of the available studies highlight the nutrient profile of hemp seeds and note that they might have a positive impact on various health issues, due to the alpha-linolenic acid (one of the fatty acids in hemp oil), which appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the researchers call for more clinical trials to confirm these findings.
Hemp Oil for Immune System
Hemp oil is also believed to boost the immune system with the valuable nutrients it provides to our bodies. Again, this is because it contains a high level of fatty acids which are known to play diverse roles in immune cells. They are a vital source of energy and among many other critical functions, are structural components of cell membranes.
How to Use Hemp Oil
As we already mentioned, for skin care you can use it mixed with lavender oil which is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and healing. Try mixing 1 ounce of hemp oil with 10-12 drops of lavender essential oil. Keep the mixture in a little glass bottle and use a dropper. Wash your face before you go to sleep. Hemp oil is best to be used for cleaning your skin after first removing your makeup with coconut oil.
In terms of hair care, mix it with coconut oil and make an at-home scalp massage. After you finish massaging your scalp, leave it in like you would a hair mask. This is to make sure the hemp oil can really get to work.
The hemp oil also has many uses in the kitchen, since its flavor is very similar to olive oil. Since it has a distinct taste and it is not too strong, the hemp oil is an excellent addition to salad dressing, smoothies, or other beverages. Keep in mind that it is better to avoid heat exposure when incorporating it into a dish. Too much heating may take away some of its beneficial nutrients and change the consistency or flavor.