CBD Oil vs Hemp Seed Oil vs Hemp Essential Oil
In recent years, hemp and Cannabidiol (CBD) products have become wildly popular and continue to gain traction on the news and social media. As a consumer in this new and incredibly diverse market, it can be difficult to know what you're really buying.
The Truth About Hemp
Hemp is often confused with marijuana, but here's the truth: the hemp plant and marijuana plant are not the same. They are different strains of the same plant species, Cannabis Sativa.
The main difference between marijuana and hemp is the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD found in each. Marijuana is high in THC, the psychoactive compound known for getting its user's "high", while hemp is high in CBD and very low in THC (less than .3%).
What You Need To Know
All CBD oils, hemp seed oils, and hemp essential oils come from the hemp plant...but what's the difference?
CBD Oil
CBD is extracted from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant and diluted with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed.
CBD oil is typically used for medicinal purposes. In 2018, the FDA approved the first and only CBD-based drug for treatment of two severe forms of epilepsy.
Although CBD is not yet approved by the FDA as a treatment for other conditions, research is ongoing and growing evidence continues to suggest that it may be helpful to those suffering with:
Anxiety
Insomnia
Chronic pain
Inflammation
Arthritis
Hemp Seed Oil
Raw hemp seeds are cold-pressed and separated from the pulp to produce a rich green oil.
Unlike CBD oil, hemp seed oil contains no THC and no CBD. This oil is packed full of fatty acids and nutritious antioxidants, making it a popular ingredient in topical skincare products and ingestible supplements. Hemp seed oil is known to help:
Deeply moisturize the skin
Reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis
Moderate oil production
Reduce inflammation
Prevent signs of aging and reduces wrinkles
Hemp Essential Oil
Like most other essential oils, hemp essential oil is made through the process of steam distillation. Hot steam is forced through the leaves and stems of the hemp plant, pulling the small essential oil molecules into the stream. As the steam cools, the hemp essential oil returns to a liquid state and is then separated from the water.
This oil has properties that are similar to CBD oil, but it contains no cannabinoids (CBD or THC). Cannabinoid molecules are too large to be extracted during distillation. Essential oil molecules are small, and for that reason can be easily extracted and absorbed into the blood stream.
The chemical composition of hemp essential oil is rich in myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene. These terpenes have relaxing properties, and have been suggested to help ease pain and anxiety. Myrcene is also know to have sedative properties and may be helpful for sleeplessness.
Hemp the Miracle Plant!
That's all there is to it!
The many benefits of the hemp plant are incredible, go explore!