Have you heard about hemp oil? You should have.
Cannabis is made up of several components. The best-known are THC, CBD, and hemp. Keep in mind that each of these components has a different effect. THC, the only psychoactive component, is what gives you the feeling of being ‘high.' In recent years, both hemp and CBD are increasing in popularity for various therapeutic uses.
Hemp or CBD?
Hemp and CBD are produced by different parts of the cannabis plant and are used for very different things. While both have several potential health benefits, CBD oil is more commonly used for pain relief, anxiety and depression, insomnia, and other problems usually treated with prescription medications. By contrast, hemp oil is used for skin, hair, and others for different health benefits.
What's hemp oil, and what are its benefits?
Hemp oil, or hemp seed oil, is made by cold-pressing hemp seeds. The resulting oil is green, and is taken for its health benefits. Some people prefer to eat the seeds directly, but the oils are very popular.
Hemp oil has several benefits for the skin, as it’s packed with fatty acids that are both soothing and moisturizing. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and anti-aging properties and is thought to repair skin cells actively. This is because hemp oil contains linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid.
Hemp oil's anti-inflammatory properties make it a useful treatment for acne. It not only reduces redness and swelling, but also balances oil production and reduces the risk of developing clogged pores.
For skin care, unrefined hemp oils are generally better than the refined versions. This is because refined oils often have much of the nutritional content removed, and don't work as well. Hemp oil can also be used to dilute other essential oils that you might want to apply to your skin.
While hemp oil is usually applied topically, it can also be ingested and still benefit the skin. Find out more about hemp oil Australia online.
Hemp oil is also good for your hair, as it's really moisturizing for the scalp and hair follicles. Applying it to the hair can leave it healthier, shinier, and stronger, and even help it grow faster as the fatty acids it contains can reduce the appearance of split ends and prevent breakage.
As well as being good for the skin and hair, hemp oil has several other health benefits. Because hemp seeds contain both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, they may also help to protect the heart. Cold-pressing the seeds into oil retains this high omega fatty acid content, and may help protect the heart by:
- Reducing blood pressure
- Decreasing the chances of developing heart disease
- Improving the resting heart rate
You can also cook with hemp seed oil, though it's best to use it just for flavor in salad dressings or sauces. Heating it can destroy some of its beneficial nutrients. Don't worry; it will still taste great. It's approved by the FDA for human consumption and tastes a little like olive oil.
