9 Healthy Uses and Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil You Should Know

Source: ohsimply.com

The hemp plant most people associate the production of marijuana. But did you know that people have been using non-controversial hemp products for centuries? Hemp seed oil like this is one product you can use for anything from losing weight to an eco-friendly paint.

Hemp seed oil, also called hemp oil, comes from the cannabis plant family. Despite being from the same plant family as marijuana, it does not have the same effects as the drug.

How is Hemp Seed Oil Made?

Typically only industrial hemp is used in producing hemp oil. Farmers cultivate this hemp specifically for industrial purposes and hemp products.

The psychoactive properties of marijuana  (Cannabis sativa) are absent in industrial varieties. Most notably, there is no THC present, the substance most responsive for hallucinatory and mood-enhancing effects.

The hemp plant has a surprising number of uses, from paper-making, livestock bedding, personal care products, and medicines.

Why Is Hemp Seed Oil Healthy?

The oil from hemp seeds has a high concentration of fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, and fiber. Oil from hemp seeds is made up of 75 to 80 percent polyunsaturated fatty acids and 9 to 11 percent saturated fatty acids.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are critical for your health and have numerous health benefits, while the saturated varieties can be unhealthy. With such a high concentration of healthy fats, hemp seed oil can act as a treatment for many conditions.

People who follow vegetarian and vegan diets can even find value in hemp as a plant-based protein.

We’ll walk you through some of the many benefits of hemp oil.

#1 – Hemp Seed Oil Helps Balance Hormones

The fatty acids in hemp oil help balance your hormones. Although this may not sound like much, women often take supplements to balance hormones because they help reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause.

Hemp seed is the only edible seed that contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) a fatty acid key to stabilizing moods.

Research the role of fatty acid for PMS is well-documented. One study involved 120 women with PMS split into a control group and two test groups.

Researchers found that the groups who took one or two grams of essential fatty acids experienced significant improvement with their PMS symptoms. The group taking two grams showed the most improvement.

Studies on evening primrose oil, another essential oil containing a lot of fatty acids, has also demonstrated positive results for PMS. One study recruited women with PMS who had tried various treatments but experienced no success.

Evening primrose oil was effective in all women who took the treatment. They experienced less depression, irritability, breast pain and breast tenderness. The body’s ability to retain fluid also increased.

Essential oils have also helped with menopause. In a study on female rats, adding hemp seed to their diets reduced anxiety.

#2 – Oil From Hemp Seed Can Help You Lose Weight

In addition to its strong nutritional value, hemp seed products even help you get rid of fat. We already know hemp seed oil can speed up your metabolism, which helps you process foods more quickly and use up fats stored in the body.

Hemp oil is also rich in protein, healthy fatty acids, and fiber, which help you build muscle mass, heal after a workout and stimulate a healthy digestive system. This lean protein can help you lose fat while preserving lean muscle.

Magnesium present in hemp also improves digestion, preventing your body from absorbing too much fat from foods that lag in the intestines.

#3 – Hempseed Oil Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease

Taking hemp seed oil can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of contracting heart disease. Hemp seed oil lowers cholesterol by speeding up your metabolism.

A high metabolism allows your body to burn fats quickly and prevent them from building up on the walls of your arteries.

Hemp seed is the only vegetable oil that has both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, present in an ideal three-to-one ratio.

Research points to the importance of fatty acids in reducing risks of heart disease. However, researchers also found that the ratio of fatty acids matters.

Although both omega-3 and omega-6 are necessary and healthy for the human body, we need higher concentrations of omega-3. Compared to the diets that people historically ate for survival, modern diets contain more omega-6 than necessary.

With our current diets, we also are more likely to experience a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids. We can see evidence for this in how widely health products and supplements today advertise the benefits of omega-3 in particular.

Researchers found that a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 was less likely to reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases common today. Taking hemp seed oil helps maintain an ideal balance of fatty acids for your preventative health.

#4 – Hemp Seed Oil Can Help with Diabetes

Hemp oil is ideal for people who have diabetes or need to watch their blood sugar levels. In addition to high amounts of healthy fatty acids, hemp has several nutrients including magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.

These nutrients and an increase in metabolism help the body regulate blood sugar levels. Hemp seed oil also has very low carbohydrate and sugar content, so it is a healthy choice as a food additive.

#5 – Help Relieve Arthritis Pain and Reduces Inflammation

GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid, is largely the reason why hemp seed oil is so effective in reducing alleviating arthritis pain and inflammation. The GLA in hemp seed oil attacks inflammation in multiple ways.

When your body breaks down GLA, it turns into di homo gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), which prevents the spread of inflammatory molecules. The body then converts DGLA into anti-inflammatory molecules like prostaglandin.

The primary source of pain in rheumatoid arthritis stems from inflammation. Lessening inflammation often helps to reduce arthritis pain.

#6 – Hemp Seed Oil Can Treat Skin Conditions

Another major benefit of hemp oil is on your skin. You can use the oil for anything from maintaining a healthy complexion to treating chronic skin problems.

The fatty acid composition of hemp seed oil is very similar to our skin lipids, or fats. This similarity produces an excellent natural product to soften and moisturize the skin. You can use this oil for dry or dehydrated skin. It can even improve the health of your nails.

Hemp seed oil benefits your skin by increasing its elasticity and improving its ability to retain moisture.

Acne

Some people use hemp seed oil for acne. It may sound counterintuitive to use a product full of fatty acids to get rid of pimples, but several factors make hemp seed beneficial for those prone to acne.

It is not comedogenic, which means unlike skin oils, hemp oil will not clog the pores on your face. With a similar composition to your skin lipids, this oil can help slow down your own body’s production of skin oils for more clear pores.

Hemp seed oil is an excellent moisturizer like Neem oil. Keeping your skin hydrated is key to helping it heal from breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties also encourage healing.

Hemp seed oil is especially beneficial when treating skin conditions. It can treat eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, among other issues.

Eczema

Eczema has no cure, but there are many ways to alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups. Although there is medicine available, natural products are more sustainable in the long-run, pose less risk, and typically have fewer side effects.

Doctor Weil recommends taking the fatty acid GLA to treat eczema. However, he reminds users not to expect instant results. It might be six to eight weeks before you notice a change.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis develops as a result of an omega-6 deficiency. Hemp seed oil supplies a significant amount of this fatty acid, which helps hydrate your skin. It also improves your oxygen balance.

The idea of oxygen as a beauty treatment has been around for a while now. The reason these treatments are still popular is that oxygen does actually improve your skin’s health. Oxygen not only causes your skin to look better but can also treat skin conditions like psoriasis.

Fortunately, you can increase the flow of oxygen to your skin cells without paying for an expensive treatment. Hemp seed oil works to stimulate oxygen-absorbing processes in your body naturally.

Dermatitis

Researchers have also observed the effects of hemp seed oil on atopic dermatitis, a condition which often produces dry skin, itchiness, and rashes.

Adding hemp seed oil to their diets reduced participants’ occurrence of symptoms. Scientists believe the effects of hemp seed oil were mainly due to the high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

#7 – Hempseed Oil Is Good for Hair Health

Since hemp seed oil is so good for our skin, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this oil also benefits our hair. The GLA present in hemp seed strengthens your hair’s structure. It does so by helping your hair retain water and protein.

Hemp seed oil contains high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamin E, a common nutrient used in beauty products. Vitamin E is a conditioner which keeps your hair moisturized and soothes dry scalps.

You can use hemp seed oil directly in your hair, mix it with a combination of other essential oils, or look for hair products containing the oil.

#8 – Hemp Seed Oil A Protein Source for Vegetarians

As a plant-based protein, hemp seed is becoming a popular choice for vegetarians, vegans, and those following a natural diet. The presence of omega-3 and omega-6 also help balance any diet by providing essential fatty acids.

Hemp seed oil is easy to add to recipes. You can try it drizzled over a salad or use this edible essential oil to season vegetables.

#9 – Use Hemp Oil As Wood Varnish

Just as the hemp plant has many uses, hemp seed oil also has a variety of functions. Hemp seed oil is an environmentally-friendly choice for wood varnish. The synthetic alternatives often have an overpowering smell and can pose a danger to children and pets.

Hemp oil is non-toxic and has a light aroma. It produces a matte finish when dried, and its light consistency is effective when coating porous surfaces.

You can even use paints, plastic, or biodiesel made with hemp seed oil instead of petroleum.

How to Use Hemp Seed Oil

There are two main ways to hemp seed oil: externally as a topical solution, or internally for consumption. There are capsules available in addition to oil products. How you use hemp seed oil depends on the results you wish to see.

Always check the product or company website first for a recommended dosage. If you are taking hemp seed oil for a serious condition, for pain, or diabetes, you should consult with your doctor or a medical professional.

For many skin conditions, you should apply the oil to the affected areas. By combining hemp seed oil with other essential oils, you can make your own cleansers or moisturizers.

You can also take hemp oil or other fatty acid supplements orally and still see results in your skin. For eczema, Dr. Weil recommends taking 500 mg of GLA twice a day.

If you are trying hemp seed oil for the first time, start with a small dosage and make any increases gradually. Keep in mind that despite any recommended doses, each person may react differently.

Your body size and weight will also influence the strength of hemp’s effects.

Does Hemp Oil Produce Any Side Effects?

While hemp seed oil produces very few side effects, many people initially experience drowsiness. Sleepiness is most likely to occur within an hour of consuming hemp seed oil, and more prevalent among first-time users.

Most people report that the drowsiness goes away over time, as their bodies adjust to the oil’s effects.

Oil from hemp seed like this isn’t just for natural living enthusiasts. It offers several real benefits from preventative care, treatment of chronic diseases and pesky issues like acne or PMS. Give hemp seed oil a try to help you start off the year being just a little more health-conscious.