Hemp seed oil is derived from seeds of the cannabis plant, a herb which has been used worldwide for hundreds of years. However, this very stark fact - that the oil is derived from a cannabis plant - makes it quite controversial in many countries in the world, especially in the US, due to the widely-known psychoactive qualities associated with cannabis (or marijuana). This has unfortunately led to a diminished significance on the healing benefits of hemp seed oil as many people avoided the oil due to this association with cannabis.

Yet, hemp seed oil does not actually contain THC, which is the primary psychoactive compound present in marijuana. In other words, using hemp seed oil will not cause you to get high. Instead, it actually has powerful health benefits when used externally and when consumed internally due to the range of essential fatty acids and amino acids present in the oil.

Luckily, the increase in knowledge, education and scientific research has increasingly made hemp seed oil more popular and significant in the herbal medicine world, with an increasing number of people seeking it out for its health benefits and healing properties. Read on to find out what hemp seed oil can offer for your health!

Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Organic Oil:

1. Supports Heart Health

Hemp seed oil has been known to support and boost heart health immensely due to its unique combination of both omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. A 2011 study conducted by researchers from Canada shows that dietary hemp seed oil may potentially protect against contractile dysfunction associated with atherosclerotic heart vessels, thus promoting cardiovascular health.

Another 2007 study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that the high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which included linoleic acid (LA) and a-linolenic acid (ALA) helps to offer significant protection against stroke. As such, consumption of a drop of hemp seed oil into a glass of water, cup of tea or smoothie is quite beneficial for the health of your heart. Or, you can mix it with other essential oils that similarly promote heart health for dilution, to be massaged gently over your heart area.

2. Regulates Hormone Levels to Reduce PMS Symptoms

Hemp seed oil is also rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is considered to be necessary for the development of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemicals that helps to regulate various bodily functions like controlling inflammation, body temperature and muscles. GLA is also important for regulating hormone levels, especially in women who tend to suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.

A 1983 study published in The Journal of Reproductive Medicine suggests that GLA helps to alleviate PMS symptoms in women as it decreased irritability and depression, as well as breast pains and fluid retention in the volunteers who participated in the experiment. As such, hemp seed oil can offer a good alternative to evening primrose oil as well for alleviating menstrual symptoms.

Therefore, you can always add a few drops of the oil in a hot compress and gently press it onto your abdominal area. For optimum results, you can even combine the oil with evening primrose oil to form a massage blend and gently massage on your abdominal area to relieve the PMS symptoms.

3. Helps Relieve Pain

Hemp seed oil has also been known to help reduce inflammation, which not only seeks to prevent a whole range of diseases, but also offers pain relief from arthritis, joint pains and rheumatism. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology suggests that hemp seed oil, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, helped to lower the survival rate of MH7A rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synovial cells, and also promoted cell death at a certain dose.

Thus, this reveals how hemp seed oil actually exhibits anti-arthritic effects as it contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can offer much pain relief for those suffering from the condition. Simply massage a few drops of the oil onto the affected areas, or you can use it as a carrier oil for dilution with other essential oils that similarly offer pain relief so as to create a massage blend.

4. Helps Promote Skin Health

Hemp seed oil is also great for healing various skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis. Because of the composition of essential fatty acids which benefits the immune system, it is known to promote healing from within.

In fact, a 2005 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment found that dietary hempseed oil actually caused significant changes in plasma fatty acid profiles and improved clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis (or eczema), which the researchers attribute to the balanced and abundant supply of polyunsaturated fats in the oil.

As such, it is good to consume a drop of the oil as a dietary supplement into a glass of water, cup of tea or into your smoothie to promote healing from within. However, you can also apply a layer of it on your skin because it is a lightweight oil that seeks to nourish dry skin and helps in oily skin.

This is because the oil is a great absorbent as it does not stick onto the external layers of your skin, thus preventing clogged pores. It absorbs deep into the internal layers of the skin, thus nourishing and providing moisture for dry, chapped skin.

Due to this attribute, it is also great for oily-prone skin as well, and its healing benefits are great for reducing the appearance of acne marks, dark spots and other scars. For enhanced effects, you can make a homemade, DIY skin cream that combines hemp seed oil with shea butter and other essential oils like lavender oil.

5. Promotes Hair Health

Hemp seed oil also offers wonderful benefits for the hair as it improves blood circulation and prevents scalp infections, which will also help to treat and alleviate dandruff. As such, your hair will be much stronger, healthier and smoother, thus making it easier to manage. It also prevents hair loss as it seeks to strengthen your hair follicles, which will prevent hair loss and brittle hair. Therefore, it helps to thicken the hair.

Its moisturizing properties are also helpful when applied to the ends of the hair so as to prevent split ends. It will strengthen the hair strands, and avert breakages. Simply apply a few drops of the oil onto your hair and scalp. You can even add the oil into your daily haircare products like your shampoo or conditioner, or mix it with essential oils that similarly promote hair health for dilution.

6. Aids in Weight Loss

As abovementioned, hemp seed oil contains a high amount of GLA content, which is actually known to augment weight loss. This is supported by a 2007 research study published in The Journal of Nutrition, which states that GLA supports weight loss as it works like a natural appetite suppressant, thus making you feel full longer.

It also reduces sugar cravings so as to lower your overall calorie intake. Of course, weight loss needs to be driven by actual lifestyle changes like increased exercise and dietary changes, but you can add hemp seed oil to your smoothie in the morning to supplement your weight loss mission and to help curb excess, unwanted hunger throughout the day.

7. A Great Source of Protein

Hemp seed oil is also an excellent source of plant-based protein, which is great for vegetarians. This is because it contains all the amino acids which are important for our health, including the nine essential ones that our bodies cannot produce on our own. As such, it is considered to be a complete protein source.

You can add a few drops of the oil in your culinary dishes to reap the proteins and essential amino acids present for your body. Furthermore, its nutty flavor and aroma will seek to enhance the taste of your dishes!

Safety Precautions:

• Hemp seed oil is considered to be a carrier or a base oil, hence you can use it for essential oils dilution or to be applied directly onto your skin and hair.

• However, it is still wise to perform a skin patch test to ensure that you do not have any allergic or sensitive reactions to the oil.

• Hemp seed oil is safe to be ingested in small doses, but ensure that you purchase a high-quality, top-grade, 100% pure and organic hemp seed oil from a reliable and reputable seller. It can be toxic when taken in large quantities.

• Do not use hemp seed oil for frying purposes. You can use it in salad dressings, hummus or in sandwiches.

• If you have pre-existing medical conditions and are under prescribed medication like anticoagulants, it is wise to consult your doctor first before incorporating the oil in your drinks or foods as the oil might cause a bleeding risk due to drug interactions.

• Not enough research has been done on the safety of the oil on pregnant and nursing women, so ensure that you consult your doctor first before using this oil.

References:

Gavel NT, et al., “The effect of dietary hempseed on atherogenesis and contractile function in aortae from hypercholesterolemic rabbits”, PubMed (2011); 98(3)

A. Al-Khalifa, et al., “Effect of dietary hempseed intake on cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury”, American Journal of Physiology (2007); 292(3)

Horrobin DF, “The role of essential fatty acids and prostaglandins in the premenstrual syndrome”, The Journal of Reproductive Medicine (1983); 28(7)

Jeong M, et al., “Hempseed oil induces reactive oxygen species - and C/EBP homologous protein-mediated apoptosis in MH7A human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synovial cells”, Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2014); 154(3)

James Callaway, et al., “Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis”, Journal of Dermatological Treatment (2005); 16(2)

Schirmer, Marie A; Phinney, Stephen D, “[gamma]-Linolenate Reduces Weight Regain in Formerly Obese Humans 1,2”, The Journal of Nutrition (2007)