Hemp Oil Vs. Flax Oil

There is no question that both hemp oil and flax oil have important health benefits. However, hemp oil has been proven to be more nutritious and therapeutic than flax seed oil, and is able to be used in many more ways. It can help any number of physical conditions such as certain kinds of cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, bipolar disorders and more. Hemp oil is derived from the hemp seed. Oil is pressed from hemp seeds and used in a variety of capacities. Hemp oil in its natural state is high in essential fatty acids (EFA), vitamins and antioxidants.

 

Hemp oil is manufactured from the plant known as Cannabis Sativa, and while some people believe hemp oil to have psychoactive effects, it actually contains very trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Hemp oil is cold pressed from the hemp seed, and the manufacturing process cleans the hemp seed to 99.99% before pressing. Therefore, THC is not likely to show up in urine samples or have any altering effects on the body.

Its impressive 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 EFA makes hemp oil an extremely healthful choice. Omegas are very important to the natural health of the body, and so people with present physical ailments use hemp oil to aid in therapeutic healing.

 

Flax oil is pressed from the seeds of Linum utilitatissimum, the source of linen fiber. Also known as linseed oil, flax oil must be pressed at low temperatures and protected from light, heat and air in order to be used for dietary purposes. Unlike hemp oil, most flax oil does not have a pleasant taste. Although there is some variation in taste among the brands of flax oil sold in health food stores, almost all of them are unpleasant to consume.

On the contrary, hemp oil is easily digested and tastes good. In addition to its use in foods and supplements, hemp oil is also used in shampoos, conditioners and soaps which benefit from the oil’s high content of vitamin E. With its essential fatty acid content and its high protein level, more and more people are looking to hemp oil to solve their complete health needs.

 

Hemp oil can be purchased online or at a plethora of health food stores. Because it is fairly inexpensive, using hemp oil is everyday life is a completely viable (and beneficial!) option. Hemp seed oil has a shelf life of six months to one year. Because it is unsaturated it does not keep as long as other oils and needs to be stored properly in a cool, dark place. It is recommended that hemp oil be refrigerated to prolong its shelf life.

While hemp oil is primarily used as a dietary supplement, it has been shown to improve the conditions of the skin and aid in problems such as eczema. There are few plants on the earth that can boast the benefits of the hemp plant, which is why hemp oil is slowly rising in popularity around the world. Flax oil assists in symptoms associated with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, but many people insist it is too difficult to ingest.