One can find hemp products, particularly hemp oil, just about everywhere these days. Indeed, hemp is having its moment in the limelight. Despite its growing popularity, however, many people still get confused when shopping for one.
What you’ll commonly see in the market is hemp oil, but what and how far do you really know about hemp products? This article takes a look at everything that hemp users need to know and understand about hemp oil, from the methods utilized for its extraction to the benefits it brings to humans.
Hemp Oil Extraction Methods
The hemp plant first undergoes an extraction process to produce a crude extract or whole plant hemp oil. There are a few processes that can be utilized to successfully extract oil from hemp. They include the following:
1. Ethanol Extraction
Ethanol extraction is probably the most popular way of hemp oil extraction today. After ethanol or distillation, all the water and other elements are removed from the plant material. Then, the seeds are either dried or de-mineralized prior to being mixed with hemp oil (from which it’s extracted further). The procedure is time-consuming and can be expensive, depending on the quantity of plant material required. The plant material can also be damaged in the process, and the process can also result in undesirable emissions during the drying phase, which makes the end product difficult to use. Other processing steps are used to remove the plant materials and reduce the harmful emissions that result from the procedure. However, the plant material remains an important part of the end product.
2. Supercritical CO2 Extraction
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction is a more advanced procedure used to extract hemp oil. In this process, carbon dioxide is introduced into the plant material during the extraction phase. When this happens, the plant material begins to break down as carbon dioxide molecules are forced into the plant material through the pores. As the plant material breaks down and its oils begin to liquefy, they mix with other elements in the air to form the final substance.
This process is more efficient than the one mentioned above and is very cost-effective. With the high costs of production in the pharmaceutical industry, this is a very important step as it reduces the amount of material and resources required to produce the oil. As a result, it lowers the price of the finished product, as well as reduces the environmental impact.
3. Lipid Extraction
Lipid extraction is another hemp oil extraction method, in which the extracted oils are filtered, purified, and, then, refined. In any type of extraction process, the process of extraction is based on the removal of fatty acids. The fatty acids in hemp oil are very similar to that of olive oil, and the molecular structure is very similar.
When hemp oil is extracted, a solvent called methanol is used. This solvent breaks down the lipids into a simpler molecule so that they can be separated out of the solvent, and, then, purified. The process of separation from the solvent takes about half an hour to complete, depending on the exact procedure. If you’re looking for pure hemp oil, you can expect about 20% of the solvent to be removed.
The Hemp Oil Purification Process
The process of hemp oil purification has gained much attention from the health and wellness community. With so many different products being sold today, it’s no surprise that there are questions about which ones are actually good for you. Some products are being sold that have been tested by the FDA and found to contain ingredients that have the potential to cause cancer or other serious ailments. However, with the hemp oil purification process, the products that are being sold today are completely safe and are made with only pure plant extracts.
One thing to note when researching the hemp oil purification process is that most products don’t contain alcohol at all. This makes them safer to use than some other products on the market. Since hemp oil is considered a dietary supplement rather than a drug, the products aren’t subject to any strict regulation with regard to the ingredients that are used. Also, many products that have been tested by the FDA have been found to contain no artificial preservatives or artificial fragrances. The fact that the products are natural and organic makes it easier for consumers to purchase.
Although the hemp oil purification process does take away any chemicals or other contaminants that may be in the product, it’s important to note that there’s still a risk that you may be allergic to one of the ingredients used in the product. Thus, it’s a must to do some research before purchasing. If you find a product that has been tested by the FDA and contains no artificial ingredients, then it may be your best bet. While you may have to pay more for the product you’re purchasing, it’s well worth it because you can be sure that it’s safe for you to use.
Benefits Of Using Hemp Oil
The following are the benefits that hemp oil brings to its users:
1. Eases Inflammation
The benefits of hemp oil have been known for centuries in Asia and Africa. While hemp extract comes from the entire cannabis plant (like leaves, buds, and stem), the hemp seed oil is from the hemp plants’ seeds. Hemp seed oil is full of anti-inflammatory phytocannabinoid properties, including CBD or cannabidiol, which is helpful in reducing inflammation in arthritis. It can also reduce joint pain and increase mobility.
Because of the phytocannabinoid and other nutrients in hemp oil, it has a number of therapeutic effects. In addition to its ability to ease inflammation, hemp seed oil can be used as a topical ointment that helps relieve swelling after being injured. In fact, it can also be used as an ice pack, which can reduce swelling of the joints. Additionally, it can be applied topically to reduce pain from muscle spasms, or used for mild to moderate headaches.
2. Relieves Pain
The active compound present in hemp oil is called CBD. The cannabidiol (or CBD) present in hemp oil is very popular among many for its ability to relieve pain and manage various medical conditions. In fact, physicians have even recommended it as a substitute for some of the most conventional painkillers in use today. What makes it more popular than other painkillers is that hemp oil doesn’t cause any harmful side effects. This is the reason why it has become the most sought-after natural remedy today.
3. Maintains Healthy Skin And Hair
Hemp seed oil is rich in several vitamins and minerals that help maintain healthy skin and hair. When combined with vitamin E, it can provide nourishment and protection against free radicals. With regular use, it can improve circulation in the blood vessels, aiding in healing skin blemishes.
4. Reduces Cancer Risk
The other benefits of hemp oil include its ability to help reduce cancer risk. This is the reason why the United States government has been encouraging people to make use of this medicinal oil since the 90s. This is because the oil has proven to have powerful anti-cancer effects. Also, hemp oil is known to be very good for the liver, brain, and heart.
5. Reduces The Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Development
You may be surprised at the fact that hemp oil can actually help people with diabetes by reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, it actually does combat type 2 diabetes that may result due to the high-fat diet that many people take.
6. Alleviates Heart Problems
In addition to helping diabetics reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hemp oil has also been found to help people with heart problems. By cutting out the consumption of unhealthy fats, you may be able to decrease the risk of serious heart-related problems, such as coronary artery disease.
7. Protects The Body Against Infections
The vitamin E found in hemp seed has been known to help protect the body against various infections. The seeds of the hemp plant contain a fatty acid called linoleic acid, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
Are There Any Side Effects In Using Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil has been used by many people as a natural cure for a number of different health problems. As hemp is a relatively new agricultural crop, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how hemp can be used to treat certain illnesses. In fact, some scientists have even debated the safety of hemp oil. Some people believe that because hemp is a natural product, there are no side effects associated with its use. On the other hand, others believe that the only side effects that occur are those that are caused by consuming products that contain artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances. These products include shampoo, nail polish, lotion, and cosmetic products.
Whether side effects exist or not, anyone can benefit from the natural health advantages of hemp oil. With the right amount of research, they’re able to find a natural remedy that will work for them.
Conclusion
Hemp oil, specifically its CBD or cannabidiol content, shows a huge potential in the market of medical products. The common benefits associated with hemp oil or CBD are inflammation and pain reduction, protection against infection, and prevention of heart problems, among many others. The good thing about the compound cannabidiol is that it works with the human body’s natural endocannabinoid system, so the body won’t try to reject it.
By Freddie Morgan
Freddie Morgan is a blogger for more than fifteen years now and has dedicated his life to providing high-quality articles on health and self-improvement. Aside from updating content on his own blog, he also works with other websites to write articles.