In recent years, there's been a surge in interest surrounding uses for hemp. In particular, Hemp Seed Oil stood out to both health-conscious consumers and environmentally-minded people. Even though it’s mainly known due to its association with its psychoactive cousin, Hemp Seed Oil contains no hallucinatory chemicals and stands apart as a valuable resource in its own right.
In this blog post, we’ll delve more into the origins, cultivation, and processing methods behind Hemp Seed Oil.
Hemp
Hemp (cannabis sativa) has a long history. Originating first in Central Asia, hemp has been cultivated for a wide variety of purposes: fiber production and cloth, nutrition, and medicine. Hemp Seed Oil, as the name implies, comes from crushing the seeds of the hemp plant (which, we want to re-emphasize, contains little to no THC, what makes marijuana a common escape-seeking drug).
Hemp is an annual plant characterized by palmate leaves and slender stalks, growing anywhere between 2 and 4 meters in height. The female plants produce small, green flowers that produce seeds covered by a nut-like shell.
Cultivation
Hemp requires specific environmental factors to thrive. First, well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7.5. While hemp is relatively drought-tolerant, it does extremely well with regular watering, especially when it’s in the early stages of growth. Hemp is also desirable for sustainable agriculture due to its ability to suppress weeds from overtaking the places where they grow.
For the farmer seeking agricultural sustainability, Hemp is notable for its minimal need for pesticides and herbicides. In addition, they have a short growing cycle and mature within 120 days (depending on its environment).
Harvesting & Processing
To become Hemp Seed Oil, the hemp plants first have to mature and put out their seed-bearing flowers. The seeds are first harvested from these mature hemp plants and then the seeds are washed to remove any debris from the field, like dirt, pollen, or insect life.
To extract the oil itself, the cleaned seeds undergo the cold-pressing process, where they are mechanically crushed and “pressed” by large machinery (or, in the simplest machinery, a hand-cranked press). Unlike steam distillation, cold-pressing involves minimal heat and this helps preserve the oil’s compounds. Finished Hemp Seed Oil is rich in essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, as well as many vitamins and minerals.
Conclusion:
From its humble origins as a wild plant to its cultivation as a valuable, multi-use crop, hemp is ideal as a natural and sustainable product. Hemp Seed Oil is just one of many products this amazing plant can provide and does so with minimal negative environmental impact.
If you’re interested in exploring the benefits that Hemp Seed Oil could have for your skincare, hair care, or beauty routine, check it out here!
