Hemp – as soon as it comes to this plant, a large part of the population thinks of hashish, joints or the bong. Hemp is generally considered a drug that is not immediately addictive in a way that synthetic substences – such as Chrystal Meth – are. But it is precisely its character as a gateway drug that has given hemp a negative image. This overlooks the fact that hemp can also have positive properties from very different points of view. Example: according to media reports – such as Spiegel – the majority of prescriptions for hemp in Germany are now approved on prescription.
Ingredients: What’s in hemp oil?
The active ingredients provide, for example, pain patients with a higher quality of life. And it is not only in Germany that the legalization of hemp is regularly debated. In the U.S., some states have now allowed the legal sale of cannabis products. Most recently, according to Focus, California, for example, dared to take this step. However, hemp does not only contain the intoxicating THC, as becomes clear when looking at the other substances. The seeds of the hemp plant provide a high-quality oil with ingredients that have also attracted the attention of medicine in recent years. Does the hemp oil have a positive effect on health? Hemp is actually a useful plant, which played a much greater role in agriculture in earlier centuries. Useful hemp (not to be confused with Indian hemp) was already cultivated in ancient times, for example, to make ropes from the fibers. Since the fibers were suitable for the production of robust fabrics, hemp was repeatedly used over the centuries for ropes or for the production of sailcloth. Banned in many countries after World War II, the positive effects are increasingly being “rediscovered”. As a result, not only the fibers are experiencing a comeback. Also the hemp oil is to be found in the meantime in many health food shelves and drugstores. What is actually in a teaspoon of hemp oil? In organic chemistry, hemp oil is classified as a fatty oil. These are esters of glycerol, which contain various fatty acids (aliphatic monocarboxylic acids). The term fatty oils was introduced to distinguish them from fats, which become solid at room temperature. With regard to the constituents, a large part is made up of unsaturated fatty acids. Of particular interest here are, among others:
- Linoleic acid
- Alpha-linolenic acid
- Omega-n fatty acids
- Gamma-linolenic acid
A positive effect of hemp oil is the comparatively high content of omega-6 fatty acids. This is much rarer to find in many other edible oils. The production of the oil not only dissolves the fatty acids from the seeds of hemp. Various other substances can also be detected in the oil. Thus, in the hemp oil can also be found:
- Carotenoids
- Phytosterols
- Tocopherols
- Vitamins (such as vitamin E)
These ingredients are partly responsible for the special effects of hemp oil. The taste is incidentally described as nutty and thus complements the most diverse dishes very positively.
| Tip: Oils that are cold pressed are considered to be of particularly high quality. These can be recognized by a green-yellowish color. If the color of the oil is rather dark green, it is probably a warm-pressed hemp oil, in which some valuable ingredients may have been lost. |
Effects on health
Knowing what ingredients are in hemp oil is one thing. The question arises, which positive effects the oil can unfold in practice. In principle, against this background, two areas of application can be separated – the use in the kitchen and as a medicinal / cosmetic product. Why this distinction? Due to the special content of omega-n fatty acids, it is a high-quality edible oil, which can be excellently used in the kitchen as oil for salads or dressings and dips. Note: Hemp oil has a low smoke point, which is why it cannot be used for frying or as a deep-frying oil. The substances contained in hemp oil, such as tocopherols or phytosterols, have a positive effect on cholesterol levels or can prevent inflammation. Unfortunately, this potential remained unused for a long time – precisely because of the bans on hemp cultivation. In addition, it has been shown that some of the fatty acids – such as linoleic acid – can also have a positive effect on inflammation.This makes the oil suitable for natural treatment of various skin diseases. Especially since gamma-linoleic acid still has some special properties to offer.
Possible applications of hemp oil
The applications for hemp oil today are diverse. The focus is on various diseases, which are to be treated with the oil relief. Due to the anti-inflammatory substances contained in the oil, hemp oil is used with pleasure externally on the skin. Here, either the oil can be applied pure or processed in various care products. For example, a positive effect on neurodermatitis is attributed to hemp oil. Their origin is still not completely clarified. For those affected, however, the skin disease is a considerable impairment. Here, for example, the linoleic acids become effective. The oil can also be used because of the phytosterols, which have a lowering effect on the cholesterol level, as already mentioned. Gamma-linoleic acid also has some interesting effects. This compound is said to alleviate hormonal imbalances. The latter appear, for example, in menopause or PMS. At the same time, studies attribute to the substance some positive effects on blood pressure.
Conclusion: hemp oil has power
Cannabis or marijuana – hemp is still known primarily because of its use as a drug. Yet the plant has long been used as a sturdy base for canvas and ropes. And humans probably realized relatively early on that an oil could be extracted from the plant’s seeds. Hemp oil has been making a comeback for some years now. Driven by the need of a growing consumer class to want to eat healthy, old foods are being rediscovered. However, hemp oil is an interesting alternative to the well-known edible oils not only because of its content of various fatty acids. The oil of hemp seeds also brings some other amazing properties. Anti-inflammatory agents allow its use in skin diseases. And some ingredients are even said to have positive effects on blood pressure. So hemp oil has some power – and should perhaps land more often in the shopping cart.
