Hemp has been around for centuries and was primarily cultivated in ancient China but has also been grown in early India, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egypt. In America hemp was grown by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin had a hemp paper mill which the Declaration of Independence was written on. Hemp is one of the most historic natural materials. Cultivated for well over 12,000 thousand years, humans have benefited from this pliable substance in a variety of ways. Hemp was embraced by our ancestors and is categorized as an extremely useful renewable resource. Hemp was often utilized for the sails and rope of ships which made it a mandatory crop for early American colonies and settlements even eventually finding its way into the US Army and US Department of Agriculture’s “Hemp for Victory” campaign which greatly aided in World War 2 efforts. Hemp’s uses are so vast it was experimented with by Henry Ford when inventing the modern automobile and now plays a role in foreign car maker BMW’s attempt to make cars recyclable and more environmentally friendly. Hemp even finds its way into some of the bird seed you find at the pet stores. Consisting of long fibers it is a strong, viable, light, and healthy commodity that has value across a multitude of industries. Regardless if it construction, food, fashion, fuel, or any one of the numerous categories hemp falls under, one thing is for certain and that is it does not get as much credit as it deserves. As valuable as hemp has been to our past it is even more important to our future. Hemp is one of the greatest raw foods the planet has ever seen. Hemp oil is unmatched in quality and provides health benefits that other raw foods simply cannot. In this article we will review a few of the reasons why hemp is one of the most powerful raw foods we have available.
Considered a “perfect food” for humans due to its ideal 3:1 Linoleic acid (LA-Omega 6) to Alpha Linolenic acid (LNA-Omega 3) ratio hemp oil provides the body with an ideal balance of essential fatty acids (EFA’s). With the ability to provide every vital EFA for the entirety of a human life there is no other raw food or oil that can match hemp’s efficiency and value in regards to this aspect of health. Low in saturated fatty acids hemp is the only oil that does not cause acid deficiencies through continual and focused use within an appropriate diet. Also conducive to frozen storage over long periods of time, unlike other oils it is not susceptible to rapid nutrient deterioration and does not require preservatives for increased shelf life. If manufactured and processed right everything about hemp is natural and from the earth which is received well by our bodies. Some of the health benefits of hemp oil include but are not limited to more vibrant skin, increased endurance, inflammation reduction, water retention, better blood pressure, immune system improvement, pain reduction, weight loss and much more. It can also help with diseases like arthritis, cancer and those relating to the heart. In addition to the essential fatty acids mentioned above hemp oil delivers essential amino acids, the rare protein globule edestins and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA-Omega 6) and stearidonic acid (SDA-Omega 3) all of which are crucial to the proper functioning of the body. Hemp is a truly wondrous raw food that should never be ignored. If you are currently not aware of all the benefits of hemp and hemp seed oil it is certainly a subject that you would be wise to research more thoroughly. Raw food enthusiasts often overlook its value due to some of the miss-informed stigmas attached to the product.
Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil is in not illegal in the United States or most any other countries for that matter. Hemp seeds are 35% protein, 47% fat, and 12% carbohydrates. Hempseeds are packed full of protein, which is helpful to build your body’s muscles, tendons, organs, hair, nails, etc. This is especially good for raw, vegan, and vegetarian diets. Hempseeds contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids that are necessary to sustain life. It is increasingly used as a dietary option by those who understand raw food and even by those who are simply looking for a way to live healthier. Going through years of improper propaganda and labeled wrongly by governments hemp and hemp seed oil are still relatively unknown health foods. To experienced doctors or medical researcher’s hemp is one of the most fantastic substances for our body both inside and out. It is important to note that like most raw foods hemp is best not heated to high temperatures, if its redeeming qualities are expected to be kept. Now available in most every grocery store and health food store hemp seed oil is slowly becoming harder to ignore. As one of the best types of oils ever known to human kind it is both amazing and sad that hemp does not get more press. Even among some of the most experienced raw food specialists it is still not regarded as a plausible diet option and simply put, this must change. If you are not including hemp in your daily routine then you are missing out on an available resource that is unparalleled in the oil market.
Nutty and tasty in flavor and easily used in salad dressings, soups, smoothies and even main dishes hemp is a long lost ingredient that needs to be revitalized. For the average human only 50-75 grams is needed per day to reap the associative profits of the nutrients. For those in therapy the doses can reach as high as 150 grams.
For most of us hemp is still not a part of our diet. If you do plan to incorporate hemp into your diet it is recommended to consult a doctor, a raw food expert, or an experienced nutritionist. As with everything new product you introduce to your diet it is best to take your time and to conduct the appropriate background check. If you do want to start adding hemp oil to your diet I have included a few safe and delicious recipes to help get you started. For more great raw food recipes and tips please check out my books and websites.
**Please note that we always encourage the use of organic or pesticide/herbicide free ingredients. When farm fresh ingredients can be used the opportunity should always be taken. Support your local farmers/growers and be responsible for planet earth.
Hemp Protein Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Hemp Protein Powder
6 Ounces of carrot juice
6 Ounces orange juice
2 Bananas
1/2 cup filtered water (or a few ice cubes)
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a blender, food processor or via-mixer. Mix until liquefied.
Hemp Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Hemp Seed Oil
1/4 cup lemon juice (add a pinch or two of lemon shavings/zest if using fresh lemon)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2-4 mint leaves
1 Tablespoon ginger
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a blender, food processor or via-mixer. Mix until liquefied. This salad dressing can last up to 10 days in the refrigerator when stored in airtight Tupperware or similar container.
Spicy Hemp Gazpacho Recipe
Ingredients:
1 Cup Hemp Seed Oil
4 Tomatoes
1 Cucumber (peeled)
1 Red onion
1 Green bell pepper
3 Cups tomato juice
4 Cloves of garlic (crushed)
2 Mild jalapenos
Instructions:
Dice 25% of the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, jalapenos and green bell pepper and set aside in a bowl.
Put the remaining ingredients (garlic, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, green bell pepper, tomato juice, hemp seed oil, jalapenos) in a blender, food processor or via-mixer and mix until liquefied.
Pour vegetable mix into bowl of set aside diced vegetables. Serve cold.
Salt and pepper to preference. Tabasco sauce is also a great addition if extra spice is needed.
