Health Benefits of Hemp

Non-drug varieties of Cannabis sativa L., collectively namely as “hemp”, have been an interesting source of food, fiber, and medicine for thousands of years. M. A. Fernandez-Arche, from the University of Seville (Spain), and colleagues completed a chemical profiling of hempseed oil, finding it to be a rich source of linoleic (55%), alpha-linolenic (16%), and oleic (11%) fatty acids. As well, the unsaponifiable matter contained plant sterols including beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and alpha-tocopherol.  Referring to “C. sativa L. … as a source of bioactive compounds,” the study authors predict “novel research applications for hemp seed oil in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic food, and other non-food industries.”