“Hemp oil…the one for pain?”

We hear this sentence nearly everyday. Hemp has gained a lot of popularity and place in our lives – in our food, pet, clothing and skincare products. But there are two hemp products that still generate some confusion.

Hemp Oil and Hemp Seed Oil

While both these products are derived from the hemp plant, they possess unique properties and uses. Read on, as we unravel the differences between Hemp Oil and Hemp Seed Oil. We’ll start with the simple one: Hemp Seed Oil.

Understanding Hemp Seed Oil

The big bottle on the shelf, often next to the hemp seeds and protein – that’s Hemp seed oil. As its name suggests, hemp seed oil is extracted from the hemp seeds, and carries a concentrated form of all the nutritional value of hemp seeds. These include

• Essential fatty acids including Omega 3, 6, and 9
• Antioxidants
• Vitamin E, carotene, phospholipids and phytosterols
• Minerals including potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and calcium

The abundance of nutrients available in Hemp Seed Oil brings so much benefit to our healthy bodies, and helps us hit the recommended daily intake of these essential nutrients. A healthy diet and lifestyle is one of the greatest tools we have in long term wellbeing. Hemp seed oil is known to assist the body by

• Improving skin health
• Promoting a healthy inflammatory response
• Supporting heart and brain function
• Boosting the immune system
• Maintaining healthy cholesterol
• Improving joint health

Hemp seed oil comes in capsules and bottles similar to olive oil, as well as in skin care products like serums and creams. It can be

• Taken daily as a dietary supplement
• Added raw to salads, smoothies, soups and other meals
• Used for oil cleansing, skin care and massage
• Rubbed into a locale of pain for topical pain relief

Understanding Hemp Oil

Hemp Oil, also known as Hemp Extract and CBD Oil, is an oil containing the cannabinoid rich resin extracted from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the hemp plant. Unlike hemp seed oil, hemp oil has an abundance of  cannabidiol (CBD), which has several known benefits.

The significant CBD and cannabinoid content of Hemp Oil creates what we know as the entourage effect. A broad- or full-spectrum hemp extract will also contain terpenes and flavanoids, which you can read more about in our other posts.

These components of the hemp plant modulate the body’s own endocannabinoid system which is believed to be responsible for stress and inflammation in the body. With receptors all over the body, and with a particularly high number in the brain and immune tissue. This is why Hemp Oil has such a significant impact on immune and cognitive function, as well as an overall anti inflammatory effect.

Hemp Oil is still in the throes of rapidly changing regulations all over the world. Different countries are subject to different laws and regulations regarding the promotion sale of hemp oil, which is why stores and labels may not mention the level of CBD in their product, or that it has CBD in it at all.

However it’s easy to identify the packaging o f Hemp Oil. While Hemp Seed Oil is packaged in large pourer bottles like other vegetable oils, Hemp Oil is often small dropper bottles, capsules, topicals and edibles. Unlike Hemp Seed Oil, which can be sloshed by the tablespoon into your food, Hemp Oil is measured in milligrams, diluted and conservatively dosed in droplets.

 

To answer the question…

Back to our customer, looking for “the one for pain”. Both these products have therapeutic anti-inflammatory agents that can assist – that’s why it’s such a common question. We’re always happy to discuss the differences and help you find the right fit. Send us an email at info@hempstore.com.au or call the friendly Woy Woy store on (02) 4344 2300.

Keep Hempin’ Fam