Hempseed oil is an oil pressed from Cannabis sativa, free of psychoactive substances.
Hempseed oil provides 75-80% of essential unsaturated fatty acids (EFAs) – omega-6 (α- and β-linoleic acid) and omega-3 (oleic, palmitic and stearic acid). More importantly, the ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 is 3:1, which is actually optimum. EFAs are not synthesised by the body and that is why they must be provided exogenously. Owing to a high EFA content, hemp oil, among others, reduces inflammation, optimises blood pressure, regulates lipid balance and influences positively skin quality.
Apart from EFAs, hemp oil contains also other substances that are beneficial to health:sitosterols, carotenoids, phospholipids, terpenes and also mix of α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherols and γ-tocotrienol derivatives with high antioxidant potential.
It can be used directly, both topically to improve skin quality and orally. It is available in the form of capsules which help enrich a diet with essential unsaturated fatty acids.