Its difficult to know where to start with hemp seed oil, so I suppose that starting with the cultivation of the seed that the oil comes from is a good place to start.
The seed is sown in May or June depending on the weather and takes around 3 months to come to maturity. Each hectare of ground is drilled with 25 kg of seed and should yield around 800kg of seed by the time its harvested in September.
The seed is dried, cleaned and cooled to make sure that its in top condition before being pressed in our factory here in Warminster. After a thorough cleaning it is fed slowly into our oil press. Oil is extracted through pressure and very soon a trickle of green oil begins to fill one of the tanks. After this the oil is filtered to remove any seed husk material and then its packed into a container – either a glass bottle for retail or an IBC for sale on the wholesale market.
Hemp seed oil, once its grown and processed properly is literally a nutritional powerhouse with a perfect ratio of omegas 3, 6 and 9 alongside a complement of minerals and vitamins that include vitamin E, vitamin B, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron and zinc.
HEMP FOR HEALTH
Hemp seed oil is rich in linoleic acid. Studies have shown that eating a diet high in linoleic acid significantly reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol. Lowering cholesterol levels reduces your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
Omega-3 fatty acids abundant in hemp seed oil can help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure).
Gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) present in hemp seed oil has been shown to reduce inflammation. A review of studies suggests that natural herbs rich in GLA are effective in relieving symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Hemp seed oil’s high omega-3 fatty acid content makes it a beneficial supplement for women who are pregnant. Studies found that omega-3 fatty acids are vital during pregnancy. They support healthy brain and eye development for the baby and may also help prevent maternal depression.
Hemp seed oil contains high amounts of the amino acid arginine, which produces nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide is a gas molecule that makes your blood vessels dilate and relax, leading to lowered blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease.
The gamma-linolenic acid found in hemp seeds has also been linked to reduced inflammation, which may decrease your risk of heart disease.
Additionally, studies have shown that hemp seed oil may reduce blood pressure, decrease the risk of blood clot formation and help the heart recover after a heart attack.
Studies suggest that your immune system depends on the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Hemp seeds are a good source of polyunsaturated and essential fatty acids. They have about a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, which is considered in the optimal range.
When you consider that hemp sequesters more carbon than any other crop including trees and requires no herbicides or pesticides and provides an amazing array of health benefits it becomes more and more necessary to buy some!