Hemp Seeds

Name: Hemp Seeds

Other Names: Cannabis indica, Huo Ma Ren, Cannabis Seeds

Description: Hemp Seeds is also known as Huo Ma Ren and Cannabis Seeds.
Hempseed oil is pressed from the seed of the hemp plant (i.e., non-drug varieties of Cannabis sativa L). This oil typically contains between 30-35% oil by weight, and is extremely high in essential fatty acids.[1] Cold pressed, unrefined hemp oil is dark to clear light green in color, with a pleasant nutty flavor. The darker the color, the grassier the flavour.

Refined hempseed oil is clear and colorless, with little flavour and lacks natural vitamins and antioxidants. Refined hempseed oil is primarily used in body care products. Industrial hempseed oil is used in lubricants, paints and inks. Hempseed oil has found some limited use in the production of soaps, shampoos and detergents. The oil is of high nutritional value because its 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids, which matches the balance required by the human body.[2] It has also received attention in recent years as a possible feedstock for the large-scale production of biodiesel.[3] There are a number of organisations that promote the production and use of hempseed oil.

Hempseed oil is manufactured from non-drug varieties of Cannabis sativa that contain no significant amounts of THC, and is not psychoactive. This manufacturing process typically includes cleaning the seed to 99.99% before pressing the oil. There is no THC within the hempseed, however trace amounts of THC may be found in hempseed oil when plant matter adheres to the seed surface during manufacturing. The modern production of hempseed oil, particularly in Canada, has successfully lowered THC values since 1998.[5]

Nutrition

About 30–35% of the weight of hempseed is an edible oil that contains about 80% as essential fatty acids (EFAs); i.e., linoleic acid, omega-6 (LA, 55%), alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 (ALA, 22%), in addition to gamma-linolenic acid, omega-6 (GLA, 1–4%) and stearidonic acid, omega-3 (SDA, 0–2%). Hempseed also contains about 20% of a highly-digestible protein, where 1/3 is edestin and 2/3 are albumins. Its amino acid profile is close to "complete" when compared to more common sources of proteins such as meat, milk, eggs and soy.

The proportions of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid in one tablespoon per day (15 ml)of hempseed oil easily provides human daily requirements for EFAs. Unlike flaxseed oil, hempseed oil can be used continuously without developing a deficiency or other imbalance of EFAs. This has been demonstrated in a clinical study, where the daily ingestion of flaxseed oil decreased the endogenous production of GLA.

Highly unsaturated oils, and especially poor quality oils, can spontaneously oxidize and turn rancid within a short period of time when they are not stored properly; i.e., in a cool/cold, dark place, preferably in a dark glass bottle. Hempseed oil can be frozen for longer periods of storage time, without a risk of breaking glass containers. Preservatives (antioxidants) are not necessary for high quality oils that are stored properly.

Highly unsaturated oils are not suitable for frying, although rapeseed oil is a highly unsaturated oil that is commonly used in deep frying, primarily because of its low cost. Hempseed oil is primarily used as a food oil and dietary supplement, and has been shown to relieve the symptoms of eczema (atopic dermatitis).

Hempseed is an adequate source of calcium and iron. Whole, toasted hempseeds are also a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese.