From personal skin care products to emerging clinical trials, it seems like hemp oil has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. This shouldn’t be surprising, as the incredibly useful substance and the plant it’s derived from have an astoundingly wide range of applications.
In fact, there are direct mentions of the medicinal plant in ancient Egyptian texts, providing evidence of its prevalence throughout antiquity. Turns out hemp has been an invaluable resource used in food, fiber, medicine, cosmetics, and recreation since the dawn of human history.
Industrial hemp is derived from the same species of Cannabis Sativa as recreational marijuana, but the two substances are very different despite having a few similar properties.
- First of all, even though both plants are of the same species, they are of different strands and have their own unique chemical compositions.
- Second, industrial hemp has very little to no THC, which is the main chemical responsible for the mind-bending properties of recreational marijuana.
Because of these differences, hemp is legal in many of the states in which recreational marijuana is not.
Hemp Oil History
Hemp, much like its counterpart, has been around for thousands of years, and as one of the first plants to be spun into a usable fiber, it became a staple of human evolution. Throughout our history, it has been used in the production of paper, clothing, food, insulation, fuel, textiles, biodegradable plastics, oils and moisturizers, as well as other items.
Furthermore, the fact that hemp is one of the fastest growing plants around makes it a highly sustainable and incredibly useful alternative to other, less eco-friendly plants like mass-produced cotton.
Despite the obvious benefits of using industrial hemp, it’s not legal to cultivate hempseed in the United States. One of the primary reasons for this is the widespread fear that the legalization of hemp will lead to the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Because of these legality issues, the science community has published very little research about the uses of hemp and the side effects of hemp oil. But, because more and more governments are recognizing the difference between the two strands for cannabis sativa, data are slowly being collected around the world.
Hemp Oil is Good for Your Health
The some of the interesting properties attributed to the seeds of the intriguing plant have been well documented. Hemp oil, in particular, seems to have garnered a lot of attention. There are a couple of reasons for this.
We know, for example, that hempseed is an excellent source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, both of which are good for our cardiovascular health when taken in moderation. It’s also got protein content comparable to that of soybeans, and is rich in Vitamin E as well as minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, and zinc. And, hemp oil has also been shown to inhibit inflammatory responses.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information:
“Hempseed oil contains all of the essential amino acids and also contains surprisingly high levels of the amino acid arginine, a metabolic precursor for the production of nitric oxide (NO), a molecule now recognized as a pivotal signaling messenger in the cardiovascular system that participates in the control of hemostasis, fibrinolysis, platelet and leukocyte interactions with the arterial wall, regulation of vascular tone, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and homeostasis of blood pressure.”
Additionally, hemp oil is emerging as a possible medicine for treatment resistant epilepsy. Because research on the efficacy of medicinal cannabis sativa is severely limited by government, it’s hard to say definitely if hemp oil and cannabis-based products can be used to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures.
Nevertheless, a growing number of parents who are tired of giving their children medicines that seem to have more negative than beneficial side effects are trying out new hemp-based alternatives. Advocacy for more research has been steadily rising.
Hemp Oil in Beauty and Personal Care Products
Still, there are other beneficial applications of hemp oil. The booming use of hemp oil in personal care products is growing by the day. According to Renee Johnson, a specialist in agricultural policy:
“The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) estimates that the total U.S. retail value of hemp products in 2013 was $581 million, which includes food and body products, clothing, auto parts, building materials and other products.20 Of this, HIA reports that the value of hemp-based food, supplements, and body care sales in the United States totaled $184 million.”
That’s because the public is starting to grasp the nutritional and healing benefits of hemp oil when applied to dry and damaged skin. Much like the omega-3 and omega-6 oils are good for us from within, they are good for us when applied topically. Not only does hemp oil help us attain soft, supple and smooth skin, it also helps us treat:
- Rashes
- Irritation
- Acne
As noted earlier, hemp oil seems to have anti-inflammatory properties that can smooth skin that has been damaged, infected, or severely agitated. Because hemp oil is also rich in antioxidants, it can be used as a soothing tonic or anti-aging treatment as antioxidants slow and prevent cellular damage.
So, as you can see, hemp oil has numerous applications that can be applied for the treatment of serious as well as superficial conditions. At Merkaela, we are dedicated to bringing you the best holistic and alternative personal care products.
Unlike brands that only claim to use naturally sourced ingredients, we strive to actually do it through transparent practices, where each ingredient we use is clearly listed for you to see.
Each and every one of our products is carefully and attentively crafted with love, intention, and wellness in mind. And, we are happy to say, we have incorporated hemp oil, one of the best moisturizing oils for your skin, into some of our latest creations.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2868018/
https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2014/07/11/can-hemp-oil-reduce-seizures-related-autism
https://secure.in.gov/ipac/files/CBD_oil_09232015(1).pdf
https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32725.pdf
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