Health Benefits of Hemp Oil

Hemp oil has long been recognised as one of the most versatile and beneficial substances known to man. Derived from hemp seeds (a member of the achene family of fruits) it has been regarded as a superfood due to its high essential fatty acid content and the unique ratio of omega3 to omega6 and gamma linolenic acid (GLA) - 2:5:1.

It is this ratio that is believed to be optimal in terms of improving skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.

It has been reported that those using hemp oil as a supplement begin to experience noticably softer skin, stronger nails and thicker, smoother hair after only a few weeks.

The oil is approximately 57% linoleic (LA) and 19% linolenic (LNA) acids, the EFAs known as omega6 and omega3 respectively. EFAs are the building blocks of the fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are of course associated with the health benefits as noted above, alongside their benefits to almost every cell in the body and are widely accepted as beneficial in warding off and treating degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Hemp oil is also the only food oil that contains not only omega3, omega6, but also GLA. This GLA content means that hemp is a rival to Evening Primrose Oil as well as flazx seed oil, as GLA is the main EFA that is believed to relieve symptoms of pre-menstrual tension (PMT).

Hemp oil is also ideal for those who are concerned about taking fish supplements due to the reported contamination of fish with mercury and other toxins. This is particularly prevalent for pregnant women and nursing mothers who are looking to reduce their fish intake but still maintain a desired level of EFAs.

Hemp Seeds

EFAs can also be obtained from eating hemp seeds. These seeds also pack a significant protein punch, which rivals that of soy. Hemp seeds contain many essential amino acids, have high fibre content and are also rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin C and chlorophyll.

The added benefit of hemp seeds is that there has been no known genetic modification of hemp plants, unlike with other sources of protein and antioxidants.

Hemp also grows in such a way that no pesticides or chemicals are required to grow the crops. The growing of hemp plants creates almost zero waste and the byproducts of these crops are also useful in other commercial applications.

Hemp Oil Preparation

As with all essential fatty acids, hemp oil must not be heated or fried and it is very succeptable to heat and light. The oil is extracted from the seed by a slowly rotating press. The pressure from this press squeezes the oil from the seed and leaves only the remaining 'seed-cake'. This is always done in an oxygen-free environment, as exposure to oxygen can rapidly depreciate the quality of the oil.

Always ensure that your oils are prepared in such a way (i.e. without excessive heat, light and oxygen) and always store hemp oil in the refrigerator, use quickly, and never heat.

Is it Illegal?

In short, no. The Latin name Cannabis sativa actually translates as 'useful hemp'!

The confusion and concern often arises due to the fact that hemp seed/oil is derived from the plant Cannabis sativa, which is often incorrectly linked to the psychoactive substance, marijuana. The psychoactive ingredient of marijuana is the chemical THC, however the quantities of THC in hemp oil are so small that they are regarded as insignificant. In fact, for commercial hemp oil products to comply with Government regulations, they must contain less than 10ppm THC, which is very, very little. However, in the majority of products absolutely none can be detected. It would be almost impossible for this level of THC intake to measure even close to illegal levels during a drug urine test.

Although the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced a worldwide ban on the sale of all hemp based foods and oils in 2001, this decision was condemned as illegal in 2004 following a successful appeal to the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Fransisco.

Omega Oil is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the health benefits of omega3 and omega6 essential fatty acids.

Resources include articles, guides, definitions, recipes, news and research. As a non-commercial site, the facts and opinions expressed are entirely non-biased!

---

Green Tea: An Oriental Panacea Revived

A medicinal beverage in Asia for almost 4000 years, green... Read More

As The Primary Care Giver for an Alzheimer?s Patient, How Can I Get a Break?

Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's is... Read More

Cure Arthritis? Right!

Arthritis sufferers are daily bombarded with new, better, more exciting... Read More

Cure for Shingles

Shingles is a patch of painful blisters that appear on... Read More

Spring Cleaning with Nontoxic Cleaners

Spring cleaning goes beyond normal everyday cleaning. It's a major... Read More

Aromatherapy Candles

Nothing turns a commonplace, ho-hum room into a radiant, inviting... Read More

Hypertension, An Alternative Approach

For many years high blood pressure has been defined based... Read More

The Healing Power of Water Gardens

If you experienced a day filled with running from one... Read More

Alternative Fibromyalgia Therapies

Fibromyalgia is a mysterious disease that is effecting more and... Read More

Your Body is a Map of Your Consciousness

Everything begins with your consciousness. Everything that happens in your... Read More

Acupuncture Arthritis Treatment ? Using Acupuncture to Treat Arthritis

Acupuncture treatment for arthritis and joint pain has been with... Read More

How Dirty Dishes And Stale Bread Saved The World

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More

Fixing it with Hypnosis

There are many fears and misunderstandings about the use of... Read More

Youth People Obsessed With Sunless Tanning

Darker-complexioned teens will always seek a tanning bed or booth.... Read More

Why You Should Use Fruits for Constipation

Fruits are made by nature and are a perfect food.... Read More

Reduce the Effects of Fears and Phobias with Hypnosis

Hypnosis is very useful in the treatment of fears and... Read More

Which to Use When: Ice or Heat?

Knee pain after running? Wake up with a backache? Twist... Read More

Junk Food Is Not Easier To Eat

There is something to be said about fast food being... Read More

Quick Tip for Runners Who Have Knee Pain

Running with knees that hurt and are not getting better... Read More

5 Simple Steps For Ridding Yourself Of Back Pain

Millions of people suffer from back pain unnecessarily when there... Read More

Going Beyond Diffusion

Beyond DiffusionThis advanced diffusion system is designed for continuous operation... Read More

Static Magnetic Therapy: Does It Really Work?

Recently, a number of articles have been published on static... Read More

Healing Waters of California

Back in the late 1800's the railroad came to life.... Read More

Sheepskin Underlays, For a Better Sleep

Sheepskin a better sleep If you want a better sleep,... Read More

Aromatherapy Oils

Aromatherapy is a method of using the aromatic oils which... Read More

Alternative Health Treatments for People Who Give Too Much

Being a modern traveler, you probably get onto an airplane... Read More

Is Shiatsu Massage the Ultimate Stress Relief Treatment?

My first shiatsu massageI opened my eyes suddenly. He was... Read More

Anxiety

Anxiety is a pernicious little devil; it can hold us... Read More

Being Rubbed Up ? The Right Way! - The Therapeutic Wonders of Massage

PROBABLY one of the most... Read More

Hemorrhoids ? What Do I Need To Do?

There are many unpleasant symptoms and diseases associated with constipation.... Read More

What is Reiki, Benefits of Reiki, Healing Sessions, Herbs that Heal

In Japan, in the early 1920s, Mikao Usui developed Reiki-ho... Read More

Healing the Body & Mind ? The Karma of Health

Within each one of us resides the divine healer. All... Read More

Constipation: A Serious Health Concern

How often do you go to the bathroom and have... Read More