Fast Facts about Hemp Oil

Hemp Oil contains more EFAs than flax and actually tastes good. It is nutty and free from the objectionable undertones of flax oil.

Unlike flax oil, Hemp oil also provides 1.7% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). There is controversy about the value of adding this fatty acid to the diet, but many people take supplements of it in the form of capsules of evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil. My experience is that is simulates growth of hair and nails, improves the health of the skin, and can reduce inflammation. I like the ideal of having one good oil that supplies both omega-3s and GLA.

They also have a natural anti-inflammatory effect that makes them useful for people with arthritis and autoimmune disorders. Health food stores stock many brands of EPA/DHA supplements in the form of fish oil capsules. I usually do not recommend them because I think it's better to get your essential fatty acids in foods, and I worry about toxic contaminants in fish oil supplements.

Volumes of scientific studies support the fact that a diet rich in unprocessed, plant based good fats can help:

• enhanced brain and nervous system function
• increase energy and performance
• reduce cardiovascular disease
• strengthen the immune system
• improve organ and gland function
• grow healthy skin, hair, and nails
• reduce inflammation
• regulate body weight

What is Therapeutic Hemp Oil?

The nutritional composition of oil from the marijuana plant could be beneficial to your health. To most people, Cannabis sativa is synonymous with marijuana, but the plant's Latin name means the "useful hemp". Species designated sativa (useful) are usually among the most important of all crops. In fact, the utility of hemp is manifold: the plant has provided human beings with fiber, edible seeds, an edible oil, and medicine, not just the notorious mind-altering drug. In our part of the world, these other uses of hemp are no longer familiar. We rarely use hemp fiber and know little about hemp medicine. (Some cancer patients have found it to be superior remedy for the nausea caused by chemotherapy, and some people with multiple sclerosis are grateful for its relaxant effects on spastic muscles.)

Hemp seed is sometimes an ingredient in bird food; otherwise, edible products form Cannabis sativa are virtually unknown. This may all change. In many parts of the country, promoters of hemp cultivation are working to educate people about the immense potential of this plant and to reintroduce it into commerce. They champion hemp as a renewable source of pulp for the manufacture of paper, as a superior fiber for making cloth, and anew food that can processed into everything from a milk substitute to a kind of tofu.

Hemp Seeds contain 25% high quality protein and 40% fat in the form of an excellent quality oil. Hemp oil is just now coming on the market. It has a remarkable fatty acid profile, being high in the desirable omega-3s and also delivering some GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) that is absent from the fast we normally eat. Nutritionally oriented doctors believe that all of these linolenic (LNA) acids, in the three-to-one ratio that matches our nutritional needs. These are the essential fatty acids (EFAs)-so called because the body cannot make them and must get them from external sources. The best sources are oils from freshly ground grains and whole seeds, but EFAs are fragile and are quickly lost in processing. EFAs are the building blocks of longer chain fats, such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that occur naturally in the fat of cold-water fish like sardines, mackerel, salmon, bluefish, herring, and to a lesser extent, tuna. Adding these foods to the diet seems to lower risk of heart attacks because omega-3 fatty acids reduce the clotting tendency of the blood and improve cholesterol profiles.

They also have a natural anti-inflammatory effect that makes them useful for people with arthritis and autoimmune disorders. Health food stores stock many brands of EPA/DHA supplements in the form of fish oil capsules. I usually do not recommend them because I think its better to get your essential fatty acids in foods, and I worry about toxic contaminates in the fish oil supplements.

But what can you do if you choose, for one reason, or an other not to eat fish? You can get some omega-3s in expeller pressed canola oil, the only common vegetable oil that contains them. A much richer source is flax oil. Flax oil is pressed from the seeds of Linum utilitatissimum, the source of linen fiber and an oil better know in this country as linseed oil, the base for oil paints. Linseed oil is usually classified as a "drying oil" rather than a food oil because its chemical characteristics cause it to combine readily with oxygen and become think and hard. This tendency to harden on exposure to air quickly turns linseed oil rancid and unfit to eat, but makes it useful as a vehicle for pigment on canvas. (The word "canvas" by the ways is a relative of "Cannabis", because true canvas is made from hemp fiber.)

For dietary purposes flax oil must be presses at low temperatures, protected from light, heat, and air, stored at cool temperatures, and used quickly once the containers are opened. Most flax oil is NOT delicious. There is great variation in taste among the brands currently sold in natural food stores, but the best of them still leaves much to be desired. I have been recommending flax oil as a dietary supplement to patients with autoimmune disorders, arthritis, an other inflammatory conditions, but about half of them cannot tolerate it. Some say it makes them gag, even when concealed in salad dressing or mashed into a baked potato. These people have to resort to taking flax oil capsules, which are large and expensive.Udo Erasmus, author of the classic book, Fats and Oils, (Alive, 1986), [and Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, The Complete Guide to fats, oils, cholesterol and human health, Second Printing of Fats and Oils, (Alive, 1996). This book is a fabulous resource on nutrition.] says that the problem is freshness. Unless you get flax oil fright from the processor and freeze it until you start using it, it will already have deteriorated by the time you buy it.

Hemp oil contains more EFAs than flax and actually tastes good. It is nutty and free from objectionable undertones of flax oil. I use it on salads, baked potatoes, and other foods. Like flax oil, hemp oil should be stored in the refrigerator, used quickly and never heated. Unlike flax oil, Hemp oil also provides 1.7% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). There is controversy about the value of adding this fatty acid to the diet, but many people take supplements of it in the form of capsules of evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil. My experience is that is simulates growth of hair and nails, improves the health of the skin, and can reduce inflammation. I like the ideal of having one good oil that supplies both omega-3s and GLA.

One of the questions that people are sure to ask about hemp oil is whether it has any psychoactivity. The answer is no. The intoxicating properties of Cannabis sativa reside in the sticky resin produced most abundantly in the flowering tops of the female plants before the seeds mature. The main psychoactive compound in this resin is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Strains of hemp grown for oil production have a low resin content to begin with and by the time the seeds are ready to harvest, resin production has dropped even further. Finally the seeds must be cleaned and washed before they are pressed. As a result, no THC is found in the final product. A second question people may ask is, "Is hemp oil illegal?" The oil itself is perfectly legal. Hemp seeds are allowed in commerce if they have sterilized in some way to prevent germination. This is usually done by subjecting them to heat.

As an ethnobotanist interested in the relationships between plants and human beings, I have always felt that making plants illegal was stupid, especially when the objects of these actions are supremely useful plants like hemp. The plant is not responsible for human misuse of it. The efforts of other groups to promote hemp cultivation are part of a campaign to rehabilitate this plant and change society's view of it. Whether or not you wish to join that campaign, it must seem counterproductive to deny ourselves access to the many benefits that hemp offers. Of those, the gift of an edible oil with superior nutritional and therapeutic properties is one of the most important.

If you have a chance to try hemp oil, a long forgotten , newly rediscovered food, I think you will see why I am enthusiastic about it. Andrew Weil teaches at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, has a private medical practice, and is the author of Natural Health, Natural Medicine.

Medicinal Uses of Hemp Oil

Addiction -- Dr. Johanna Budwig suggest that EFA were helpful in treating addictive tendencies including alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and even sex-and-violence patterns. When EFA's are consumed, a person is more able to manage stress, and nerve and brain functions are more stable. Essential fatty acids increase the electric tension capacity across cell membranes and help a person feel more calm and satisfied.

Anti-inflammatory -- Soothes and reduces inflammation.

Antiseptic -- Prevents bacterial growth, inhibits pathogens, and counters sepsis.

Arthritis and other inflammatory disorders -- Using GLA reduces inflammation in the joints. LNA fatty acids have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in disease such as bladder infection, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, an inflammation of the bowels.

Attention deficit/Hyperactivity -- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a report of EFAs and their positive effect in helping these conditions. Dr. Donald Rudlin, medical researcher and physician, found that EFA's could help improve schizophrenia, help juvenile delinquents be more responsive to counseling and improve depression.

Brain function -- EFA's are critical for the cell membranes, since at least half of the brain's cell walls are composed of fats. Adequate EFA help the brain stay permeable and flexible. Children require LNA for proper brain maturation. A deficiency in LNA can contribute to learning disabilities. Research using supplementation of LNA and LA indicates they are useful in the treatment of depression, attention deficit disorder, and schizophrenia.

Cancer -- Cancer cells and tissue have lower GLA and LA levels than healthy tissue. Saturated fats and refined vegetable oils are believed to be contributing factors in cancer. Dr. Johanna Budwig, who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize many times, proposed that trans-fatty acids are high contributors to cancerous tumor growths. Blood samples taken from cancer patients lacking in EFAs, and showing a greenish-yellow substance. When a diet high in EFAs and skim milk protein was fed to the cancer patients, the greenish-yellow substance gradually disappeared, tumors receded, and many patients recovered during a three-month period. LNA improves cellular utilization of oxygen, decreases tumor formation, and slows tumor growth by decreasing the metastasis of cancer cells, which may lengthen a cancer patient's life.

Cardiovascular Disease -- Arterial Plaque is a major factor in cardiovascular disease, and if these fatty deposits harden and impair blood flow, arteriosclerosis can occur, which causes heart attack and stroke. Hempseed oil decreases cholesterol levels and can lower the risk of heart attack. A 1992 study reported that a diet containing hempseed reduced serum cholesterol levels. The heart needs an adequate supply of LA to function properly. EFAs help keep fats fluid. Switching one's dietary fats to a fat rich in LNA and LA helps lower the LDL (Low-Density Lipid, or "bad" fat)and improves the beneficial HDL (High-Density Lipid) levels.

Children's health -- Hempseed is a galactagogue, increasing production of mother's milk in nursing mothers. When LA is deficient in children's diets, growth is slowed (especially the brain), skin problems occur, hair grows more slowly, and colic and diarrhea are more common. Pregnant and nursing mothers should include hempseed oil in their diets. Hempseed is nourishing, tasty, and certainly suitable for children. This is so important for developing babies that infant formulas now are required to be fortified with EFAs.

Constipation -- Traditional Chinese medicine has long believed that large quantities of hempseed is a demulcent laxative that helps soothe and lubricate the bowel, and is useful in the prevention and treatment of constipation. Normal amounts of whole hempseed or HempNut are not sufficient.

Demulcent -- Soothes irritated tissues, especially the mucus membranes.

Diabetes -- Elevated blood sugar levels, a condition of diabetes, can also cause a deficiency in EFAs in the body. Symptoms of numbness and tingling in the extremities, a common in diabetes, can be alleviated with a daily intake of 360 Milligrams GLA, the equivalent if three teaspoons of hempseed oil or 6 of HempNut.

Diarrhea -- Hempseed tea soothes irritated intestines and provides nutrients during bouts of diarrhea. When its eaten as a gruel, it can help solidify the stool in cases of diarrhea.

Diuretic -- Increases urine by promoting activity of the kidneys and bladder.

Earache --- The oil from hempseed is used in ear drops to loosen earwax and reduce ear pain, as well as fight infection.

Edema -- EFAs assist the kidneys in eliminating excess water from the tissues. Hempseed is also a diuretic, which relieves the swelling of edema.

Emollient -- Used externally to soothe, soften, and protect the skin.

Fatigue -- Consuming EFAs helps a person retain their alertness late in the evening. A deficiency in EFAs can contribute to anemia, which causes loss of energy. LNA and LA shorten the time it takes for tired muscles to recover. They also help convert lactic acid buildup to carbon dioxide and water, allowing tired muscles to recover faster. Athletes using LNA find they have more stamina, higher performance levels, and quicker recovery. When athletes added EFAs to their diets, they gained strength and endurance, could lift more, do more reps, and had quicker recovery from fatigue. It is also reported that athlete's sprains and bruises heal more quickly when LNA was included in their diets.

Hypotensive -- Lowers high blood pressure.

Immune deficiency -- In order for the body to resist and recover from infection, it needs to be able to produce antibodies, which require globulin protein. HempNut is rich in globulin proteins. The EFAs in hempseed help improve immune response and deter infections, increase oxidation, and can prevent allergies from occurring. EFAs improve the metabolic rate, helping to prevent some harmful yeasts and bacteria which survive best in an environment of lower metabolic rate and decreased oxidation. EFA's also strengthen cellular membranes, making them less susceptible to infection.

Laxative -- Stimulates bowel action. In the case of whole hempseed, this is due to its high fiber and soothing qualities rather than being an irritant to the intestines.

Menopause -- Dry Skin, vaginal dryness, night sweats, hormone production, hot flashes and moodiness call all be improved with EFAs.

Multiple Sclerosis -- EFAs slow nerve deterioration. Studies correlate MS patients' abnormal metabolism to their inability to convert EFAs from polyunsaturated fatty acids. In geographical areas where EFA consumption is adequate, MS is rare. Studies show that supplementation of EFAs and GLA improve MS.

Obesity --Using "good" fats such as EFAs can help reduce hunger. EFAs increase the metabolic rate and help break down excess saturated fat and "fat sludge". Fat in the small intestines stimulates the release of chemical transmitters that cause the brain to fell satisfied and less hungry. EFAs also help one feel more satisfied, less depressed, and less "starved".

Osteoporosis -- Bone loss is a serious concern of the elderly. It is often associated with kidney and artery calcification. Using EFA supplementation improves calcium absorption, and enhances bone and collagen synthesis and overall bone strength.

PMS -- Premenstrual syndrome can cause breast tenderness, cramping, irritability and depression prior to the menstrual cycle. Women that have PMS often have difficulty metabolizing fatty acids, which inhibits the conversions of LA and prostaglandins. One teaspoon of hempseed oil given to women in a twelve week study improved their symptoms of PMS in a clinical study.

Skin ailments -- Polyunsaturated fatty acids (like those in hempseed and HempNut) are regarded as anti-inflammatory agents, and the LA content of hempseed can benefit acne. It is believed that low enzymatic activity causes a lower conversion of LA to GLA, resulting in a prostaglandin imbalance. A deficiency in LA is also associated with eczema and psoriasis, as LA helps regulate water loss through the skin. Clinical studies with GLA have demonstrated improvement in eczema, resulting in less itching and less need for antihistamine drugs. Hempseed oil contains GLA, and about four teaspoons daily is the recommended intake to bring about improvement. Salves containing hempseed oil, applied to the skin help relieve itching and speed the healing of the skin. Hempseed oil has also been applied to pregnant bellies to prevent stretch marks. Dry skin conditions and metabolic slowdown that occurs in aging are helped by the use of EFAs. Hempseed is rejuvenate, helping to provide beneficial oils to keep the skin smooth and velvety with less wrinkling. HempNut, Inc. sells a very high-quality healing lip balm in stick form, in 2 flavors. It also contains SPF-15 sun block.

Tuberculosis -- Thirty years of experience in Czechoslovakia found that the diet appropriate for tuberculosis must be high in protein. The study stated:[g]round hempseed extracted by milk at a temperature from 60-89 degrees C. prove to be - even in their smallest doses - an utmost effective remedy". EFAs also help to liquefy mucus, making it easier to expel.