Hemp oil (aka hemp seed oil) is packed with healthy nutrients and essential fatty acids.
So it’s no surprise hemp oil has many health benefits — from promoting hair growth to even boosting brain function.
The best part?
You can enjoy these benefits by applying hemp oil topically, taking it orally, or using it in your favourite recipe.
Ready to learn about hemp oil benefits?
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Jump To:
- 9 Major Hemp Oil benefits
- Hemp Oil: Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
- How to Take Hemp Oil
- 3 Vegan Hemp Oil Recipes To Try
- How to Store Hemp Oil
- Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil
9 Major Hemp Oil Benefits
Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of hemp (a type of Cannabis sativa plant).
Some of the main hemp seed oil benefits include:
1. Improves Skin Health
Hemp oil can relieve skin irritations resulting from:
- Acne: Hemp oil’s anti-inflammatory properties make it suitable for acne (a skin condition caused by oily skin).
- Psoriasis: Hemp oil can soothe flare-ups of this itchy skin condition.
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema): Applying hemp oil to the affected area can soothe eczema symptoms like itchiness and dry skin.
2. Promotes Healthy Hair
Healthy hair needs lots of antioxidants, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
Since organic hemp oil is rich in amino acids, vitamin E, and omega fatty acids, it’s an effective treatment for damaged and dry hair.
Even better?
It can also improve your scalp health!
3. Reduces Inflammation
As we said, hemp seed oil contains the omega 3 fatty acid (alpha linolenic acid) — which can reduce inflammation.
This gives hemp oil its powerful, soothing anti inflammatory properties.
Read more: Did you know CBD oil also has anti-inflammatory properties? Check this and other benefits of cannabidiol in our Ultimate Guide to CBD. |
4. Relieves Pain
Hemp oil’s antioxidant properties make it a great natural pain relief remedy.
Apply it topically or ingest it to reduce pain from:
- Wounds
- Infections
- Autoimmune disorders
5. Improves Heart Health & Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be extremely dangerous, and about 1 in 3 adults in the UK suffer from high BP.
The good news?
Taking nutrients like omega fatty acids can reduce blood pressure.
How does hemp oil help here?
Hemp oil contains over 90% polyunsaturated fatty acid.
It’s also rich in omega 3 fatty acids (aka alpha linolenic acid), which reduce blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and promote better heart health.
Important: Consult your doctor before using hemp oil if you suffer from low blood pressure. |
6. Relieves PMS and Menopause Symptoms
If your hormones are all over the place, you might experience severe PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) and menopause symptoms.
So, how can hemp seed oil help?
Hempseed oil can improve your hormone health since it’s rich in fatty acids like GLA (Gamma linolenic acid).
In turn, a more stable hormone balance can:
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Alleviate inflammation
- Provide natural pain relief for menstrual cramps
- Reduce menopause symptoms like hot flashes and irritability
- Alleviate pesky breakouts caused by PMS
7. Boosts Brain Health
Did you know hemp seed oil can improve memory and learning ability?
It contains lots of nutrients and fatty acids essential for a healthy brain.
Bottom line: Adding hempseed oil to your diet can strengthen your mind and sharpen your focus.
8. Helps with Weight Loss
Hemp seed oil contains gamma linolenic acid (also known as omega 6 fatty acid).
But how does this help you maintain weight?
Gamma linoleic acid is a natural appetite suppressant (as the omega 6 fatty acids help reduce your sugar cravings).
So, hemp seed oil can help reduce calorie intake and improve your weight management efforts.
9. Acts as an Antibacterial Agent
Essential fatty acid molecules can prevent the formation and spread of certain bacteria.
As hemp oil is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, it makes a great antibacterial agent.
Hemp Oil: Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
Using hemp oil could cause:
- Skin irritation: This usually occurs only if you’re allergic to hemp oil.
- Upset stomach and diarrhoea: This can happen when you consume hemp oil in excess.
How to Take Hemp Oil?
You can take hemp oil orally or apply it topically:
1. Orally
Generally, it’s recommended to take 3 tablespoons of hemp oil daily.
This provides you with a balanced 3:1 fatty acid ratio of omega-6 (linoleic acid) to omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid).
P.S. Check your hemp seed oil’s product label to determine the correct dosage.
You can take this dose in one go or spread it throughout the day — either taken in pure form or added to your food and drinks.
One tablespoon (15 millilitres) of hemp seed oil typically contains:
- 125 calories
- 14g of total fat
- 1g of saturated essential fatty acid
- 2g of (oleic acid) monounsaturated essential fatty acid
- 11g of polyunsaturated fatty acid
2. Topically
Alternatively, you can apply hemp oil directly to your skin.
But first:
Do a topical patch test on clean, dry skin to check for any allergies. After applying to a small patch of skin, wait for several hours.
Use the hemp oil product as needed if there are no adverse reactions.
How to use hemp seed oil topically?
To get the maximum hemp seed oil benefits:
- Add a few drops of hemp oil to a cotton pad.
- Rub the pad over the affected area in gentle, circular motions.
Pro tip: For added benefits, you can mix coconut oil, olive oil, (or any other carrier oil) with hemp oil. For a more sensory experience, you can even add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. |
3 Vegan Hemp Oil Recipes To Try
Hemp oil is a good substitute for cooking oils, so there are many ways to consume it.
Get all the nutritional benefits of hemp seed oil with the following recipes:
1. Hemp Oil Salad Dressing with Garlic
Ready to try this fantastic garlic-infused hemp oil salad dressing?
Ingredients
- ¼ cup hemp oil
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 4 cloves chopped garlic
- ⅛ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- To ensure the garlic flavour soaks in, let the mixture sit for an hour.
- Shake and use as a salad dressing.
2. Coriander & Hemp Aioli Recipe (Vegan)
This hemp aioli recipe is infused with refreshing coriander — perfect for a dipping sauce!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp hemp oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tsp white vinegar
- ½ cup hemp hearts
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ coriander
- ¼ tsp salt to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth. Scrape down the sides if needed.
- Keep it refrigerated or serve it in a bowl.
3. Vegan Mac N Cheese
Not to be cheesy, but this mac n cheese recipe really is the bee’s knees.
Upgrade this comfort food by sprucing it with a splash of healthy hemp oil.
With this recipe, you can make 2-3 portions.
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato
- 2 potatoes
- ½ red onion
- 1 tbsp garlic
- ½ cup soaked cashews
- 1 tbsp tapioca flour
- 1 tbsp yeast
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup cashew milk
- ½ a lemon (juiced)
- 2 tbsp hemp seed oil
- 2 cups of pasta (vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 °C (390 °F). Bake the sweet potato and potato until soft (about 20 mins).
- While cooking the pasta, remove the potatoes from the oven and peel them.
- Blend all the sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy.
- Heat the sauce in a large pot before adding the pasta.
- Stir well, and once fully incorporated, serve!
Please note: Avoid heating hemp oil over 150 °C (300 °F) since it has lower heat resistance. |
How to Store Hemp Oil?
Due to its short shelf life, store the hemp oil in a fridge or a freezer.
Keep in mind:
Since hemp oil is rich in fatty acids, it can quickly get rancid when exposed to oxygen.
To minimise oxidation, ensure you keep your hemp oil tightly sealed.
Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil
Hemp oil and CBD oil are both derived from the hemp plant (a type of Cannabis sativa plant).
But they have a few significant differences:
- Source: Hemp oil comes from the hemp seeds. On the other hand, CBD oil is extracted from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of the hemp plant.
- Cannabinoid content: Hemp oil usually has almost no cannabinoids. CBD oil contains mainly cannabidiol.
Note: To be legally sold in the UK, CBD or hemp oil products should have 0.00% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
- Uses: Hemp oil is great for your heart and skin health, has anti inflammatory properties, and can help prevent cardiovascular disease.
CBD also has pain relief and skin health benefits. But this hemp extract is widely used for its relaxing properties, which help with treating insomnia, depression, and anxiety.
- Appearance: Hemp oil has a dark or clear light green colour. CBD oil has a light or dark gold colour.
Hemp Oil: The Beauty and Wellness Boost You Need
Hemp oil is a versatile product.
From topical skin and hair products to hemp oil for cooking — there are many ways to experience hemp oil benefits.
But if you’re looking for supplements to help you rebalance mentally and physically, go for a CBD product instead.
Ready to try CBD?
Explore GreenBox’s fantastic range of high-quality CBD products. CBD oils, gummies, bath bombs, skin case… there’s a lot in store for you.