Hemp oil and seeds
tataks/iStock/GettyImages

With CBD oil steadily on the rise, it’s no surprise that hemp is getting a lot of attention. Hemp has a big reputation, and is usually used synonymously with marijuana. Though these two come from the same plant (think of them as really fun siblings, their mom being cannabis sativa), their uses are completely different.

Hemp Seed Vs. CBD

So, cannabis sativa has two primary species (children). They're hemp and marijuana. CBD, short for cannabidiol, uses the stalks, leaves, and other components of the cannabis plant to create an oil that relieves pain and calms anxiety, because we can all use a little bit more calm and less anxiety. Where it starts to get confusing is that hemp oil and CBD oil are often used interchangeably. Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds of the cannabis plant, and has another set of unique benefits. Both use a part of the cannabis plant that has very low (almost 0%) THC levels. Which is basically not even enough to get any kind of party started.

There are beneficial properties to hemp seed oil

Now that we have the sibling dynamic squared away, hemp seed oil has a huge list of benefits. In addition to its rich vitamins (D, B, and E), it’s packed with omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seed oil is also an anti-inflammatory food, similar to turmeric. Thanks to the fatty acids in hemp seed oil, it’s helpful for skin conditions including acne and rosacea. An added bonus, if you need to polish things up around the house, is that a mixture of hemp seed oil with a tangerine essential oil can give your wooden furniture a refreshing treatment. It's time to throw those not-so-eco-friendly, petroleum based products out the window.

Make your own hemp seed oil at home

Making your own hemp seed oil so you can avoid any additives that might come in a commercial product. This recipe from Hemp Seed Health is an easy, step by step guide on how to make it at home:

What you’ll need:

  • 4 cups of shelled hemp seeds
  • Home oil press
  • Bottle lamp with wick
  • Lamp fuel
  • Lighter or matches
  • Jar for oil collection
  • Bowl for expelled refuse
  1. Make sure the press is secured tightly to a table or surface. Set up the lamp and light it. Wait about ten minutes, or until the lamp has started to heat up. 
  2. Add hemp seeds to fill the hopper a third of the way
  3. Begin turning the hand crank at a slow, even pace.
  4. After a few cranks, you'll notice oil starting to pour out.
  5. As you continue to crank, slowly add more hemp seeds and continue to crank. The oil should be a rich, dark color.
  6. The last step is to thoroughly take apart and clean the machine to clean out any build up.

We know what we'll be doing this weekend - and it doubles as a bicep workout.

Have extra hemp seeds left over? Here's 15 different ways to snack on 'em.