5 Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp seeds have a long history of being used as a food and medicine. In fact, the benefits of hemp seed oil outweighs many other seed and vegetable oils, and could possibly be the ideal essential oil for promoting good health.

Because of its rich and balanced composition of fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, hemp seed oil can benefit the skin, heart, and even the brain.

What is Hemp Seed Oil?

Hemp seed oil is produced by cold pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. Unrefined hemp seed oil typically has a dark green color due to the presence of chlorophyll, and has a grassy, nutty flavor. Refined hemp seed oil is clear and relatively flavorless. Hemp seeds can be consumed raw or cooked.

Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp seed oil is not only rich in healthy fatty acids, but also has the perfect balance of them.  Below we discuss what makes hemp seed oil so special, as well as the direct benefits it can have on your health.

1. Hemp Seed Oil is Extremely Nutritious

Essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 cannot be produced by humans, so having the proper amount in your diet is highly important, and something which hemp seed oil conveniently provides.

Besides amino acids, dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals, hemp seed oil is also a great source of plant-based protein with more than 25% of total calories from high-quality protein.

2. Heart and Brain Health

Diets high in polyunsaturated fat have been shown to promote good heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as helping prevent the formation of arterial blood clots. It is no surprise then, that in traditional Japanese and Mediterranean diets (which have a similar essential fatty acid ratio to that of hemp seed oil) there is a historically low incidence of coronary heart disease.

Hemp seeds also contain gamma-linolenic acid as well as Arginine which has both been shown to possess many heart health benefits.

Furthermore, hemp seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats, which are essential in maintaining the healthy functioning of the central nervous system. Using hemp seed oil with meals will thus promote a healthy heart as well as a healthy brain.

3. Hemp Seed oil is Good for Skin and Hair

Since polyunsaturated fats are also important for the skin, hemp seed oil has a wide range of potential applications when it comes to skin health. Evidence suggests that hemp seed oil can improve skin allergy symptoms, relieve inflammation, and promote healthy-looking skin when used on a regular basis.

One study in 2014 suggests that hemp seed oil is useful for treatment of various skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and acne roseacea. The authors also suggest that hemp seed oil may strengthen the resistance to bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Hemp seed oil has also been connected with thicker, stronger hair.  Both Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are good for healthy hair and as we’ve already covered, hemp seed oil has plenty of both.  Many people around the globe use hemp seed oil to moisturize and strengthen hair, as well as stimulate hair growth.

4. Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties

According to one study, cold pressed seed oils such as hemp seed oil contain very high levels of antioxidants. These natural antioxidants could potentially help prevent disease and promote overall good health. Moreover, unrefined hemp oil has displayed minor antibacterial properties.

5. Hemp Seed Oil is Safe and Sustainable

Like many other natural oils, hemp seed oil is completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Although its use may cause adverse reactions to some individuals, hemp seed oil is as safe to ingest as it is to apply to the skin topically, and poses no risk to the environment at large.

Hemp Seed Oil vs CBD Oil

As we’ve covered above, hemp seed oil is incredibly nutritious and has many benefits, but despite being derived from the same plant, hemp seed oil is very different than CBD oil. Hemp seed oil is produced solely from the seeds of the hemp plant, and not the flowers, leaves, or stalks. As a result, hemp seed oil lacks the many cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that are present in CBD oil.

Due to the individual benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes have on our endocannabinoid system as well as the entourage effect produced from CBD oil, there is a marked difference between the benefits of hemp seed oil and CBD oil.

CBD oil has been shown to help with a variety of health related issues such as anxiety, pain relief, insomnia as well as other neurological and cognitive disorders, none of which hemp seed oil has any benefits for.

When purchasing hemp seed oil or CBD oil, make sure you read labels and understand the difference to really know what you’re buying.  Similarly, make sure you do your due diligence on buying high quality products from reputable sources in order to reap the benefits of either.

To learn more about CBD, read our Beginner’s Guide to CBD.

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Key Takeaways

• Hemp seed oil contains essential fatty acids, plant-based proteins and nutritious vitamins and minerals.
• Hemp seeds promote good heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as helping prevent blood clots.
• Hemp seed oil has been shown to benefit healthy skin and hair when used orally, or as a topical.
• Hemp seed oil may contain antioxidant and antibacterial properties and is completely safe and non toxic to humans and the environment.
• Hemp seed oil is very different than CBD oil and does not contain the cannabinoids and terpenes present in CBD oil.