How is hemp oil made and what is it used for?
Author: Lucie Garabasova
Hemp oil is one of the most valuable and beneficial plant oils in terms of essential unsaturated fatty acids. These substances are vital for the proper functioning of our body. For example, it helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and strengthens the cardiovascular system.
How is this little miracle made?
Hemp oil is produced by cold pressing hemp seeds. It has a pleasant nutty taste and a deep green color, which indicates a high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll acts as an antioxidant in the human body, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and boosts the immune system.
Hemp seeds have an oil yield of approximately 30%, meaning that 100 kg of seeds yield about 30 liters of hemp oil. The pressing process also produces what is known as press cakes. These serve as high-quality feed for livestock such as horses or fish or are finely ground into hemp flour. Hemp seed flour is gluten-free, making it suitable for people with celiac disease.
Cold-pressed hemp seed oil contains virtually no psychoactive substances. The seeds of industrial hemp contain THC only in trace amounts, so they do not have any drug-like effects.
Beneficial compounds in hemp oil
The most valuable compounds in hemp oil are essential unsaturated fatty acids: omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid). They are called essential because the human body cannot produce them on its own, so they must be obtained from food. This oil has an ideal 1:3 ratio of these essential fatty acids.
Essential fatty acids are crucial for the proper functioning of our body as they serve as the building blocks for the production of endocannabinoids. These compounds function within the endocannabinoid system, which helps maintain balance in all vital systems of the body: food intake, digestion and excretion, reproduction, nervous system regulation and protection, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and cardiovascular functions, fat and sugar metabolism, and immunity.
The endocannabinoid regulatory system also helps the body cope with physiological, biochemical, and psychological stress caused by interactions with the environment.
Endocannabinoids also positively impact a person's ability to learn and adapt to new information. Therefore, ensuring an adequate intake of essential fatty acids is crucial for the proper development of a young organism.
Hemp oil is also an ideal aid in reducing high cholesterol and blood sugar levels. One tablespoon a day can help prevent colon cancer or cardiovascular problems.
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Hemp oil – uses
According to nutrition experts, a healthy adult needs an average of 7 g of linoleic acid per day, with recommendations going up to 10 g per day. This corresponds to 50–60 g of hemp seeds or 15–20 g of hemp oil per day (1–2 tablespoons).
Since it is a virgin cold-pressed oil, it is primarily used in cold dishes, such as salads, pasta, and for seasoning spreads or sauces. The oil should be stored in a cool, dark place for about six months for culinary use – after this period, it remains suitable for external use for an additional three months.
Topical treatment with hemp oil is a suitable complementary therapy for patients with psoriasis, acne, or dry and irritated skin. Hemp oil hydrates and softens the skin, significantly aids in healing scars and burns, and ointments made from hemp oil can also relieve back, muscle, and joint pain.
Source: cannadorra.com, konoptikum.cz