With a nutty, buttery flavour (somewhere between a walnut, pine nut and sesame seed), Hemp Seed Oil is one tasty nutritional powerhouse.
Much like its hemp seed counterpart, hemp seed oil packs a punch of essential fatty acids, in the perfect balance to help fight inflammation in the body, reduce cholesterol, assist in weight management and boost brain function.
It’s the perfect addition to salad dressings, dips, healthy sauces, cold soups and breakfast smoothies. Better yet, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil and use it topically as a body oil. It won’t clog pores and actually addresses a number of different skin conditions like psoriasis and acne—so there’s that, too.
As a huge fan of extra virgin olive oil myself (drizzling it over a piece of toast for breakfast was not uncommon growing up in an Italian household), I was intrigued to find out more about the benefits of hemp seed oil (apart from the fact that it contains 40% less saturated fat than my beloved EVOO).
Here’s what you need to know about how hemp seed oil can help support women’s health from the inside out, with the help of Georgia Branch, co-founder of Australian hemp brand, Hemple.
What exactly is hemp seed oil?
First thing’s first, Hemp Seed Oil—like all hemp-derived products such as hemp seed protein powder—does not get you “high”. Hemp seed oil comes from the small seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. The whole seed (hulled) is simply cold-pressed into an oil.
Hemple’s hemp seed oil is nitrogen flushed and stored in an amber glass bottle. “This means the product remains as fresh as possible, and the delicate essential fatty acids are protected from oxidation and light,” says Georgia.
Health benefits:
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Essential Fatty Acids
“Hemp seed oil is a great source of plant-based omega 3s and 6s in the ideal, anti-inflammatory 3:1 ratio. Hemp seed oil is also a source of GLA, the anti-inflammatory type of omega 6 evening primrose oil is known for. Getting the right amount of GLA helps maintain youthful skin, working hormones and supports metabolism,” explains Georgia. “It’s the only oil to contain omega 3, 6 and 9 in the ideal balance for optimal women’s health.”
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Improves gut health
“Higher omega 3 intake reduces inflammation, linked with many diseases from cancer to irritable bowel syndrome,” Georgia goes on to explain. “Studies show that people who consume the most omega-3s have up to a 55% lower risk of colon cancer.”
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Boosts mood and brain function
“The brain loves omega essential fatty acids. Researchers have found in cultures that eat foods with high levels of omega-3s, lower levels of depression.”
“Studies also suggest that omega-3 supplements can reduce the frequency of mood swings and fight age-related mental decline.”
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Better sleep
“Studies in both children and adults reveal that supplementing with omega-3 increases the length and quality of sleep,” shares Georgia.
Skin benefits:
“Hemp oil is perfect for most skin types as it hydrates without clogging your pores,” shares Georgia. “It’s actually the least comedogenic oil, making it ideal for people with acne. It can even help to balance out oily skin, keeping skin moisturised while regulating the skin’s own oil production.”
The GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) Georgia mentioned previously acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory whilst encouraging skin growth and new cell generation. “This can help to calm inflammation and irritation on the skin, including acne and some conditions like psoriasis, while keeping the skin nourished and moisturised.”
In addition to moisturising and soothing the skin, Georgia also shares that “hemp seed oil can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as prevent signs of ageing from developing.”
“The omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids found in hemp oil can’t be produced by the body but can play a crucial role in skin health and anti-ageing, so they’re important nutrients to add to the diet.”
To check out Hemple’s extensive range of hemp products, visit www.hemple.com.
