Processing Hemp Oil

Both hemp oil and CBD oil are made from hemp, a versatile member of the cannabis plant family.

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and hemp oil exhibit several therapeutic properties. Despite their similarities, they’re not one and the same.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two oils.

Hemp Oil at a Glance

Hemp oil is a term that can technically describe any oil derived from the hemp plant, whether from the plant as a whole, seeds, or the stalk. Different portions of the plant yield different oils.

Even if a product is labeled hemp oil, it may not offer the same benefits of hemp-derived CBD oil.

You may have seen hemp oil at great prices sold online or in grocery stores. This oil is usually made from hemp seeds.

Hemp seed oil promotes health and well-being by supplying a wide range of nutritional benefits. This oil (as the name suggests) is made from hemp seeds rather than being extracted from the plant itself.

Hemp seeds are cold pressed and can be processed into a refined or unrefined oil.

Refined hemp seed oil is clear, colorless and  has little flavor. This oil is used in hair treatments, moisturizing creams, lubricants, plastics, and more. It lacks the natural vitamins and antioxidants that unrefined hemp oil contains.

This oil has been bleached and deodorized. That is why refined oil has a much longer shelf life, and can be used in body care products. As Dr. Bronners, the biggest hemp soap maker, advocates hemp oil for its super fatting ingredients. They have been using hemp oil in their soaps for over 150 years for its amazing Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) content, which essentially means that the soap is smoother and a great moisturizer

Unrefined hemp seed oil is green in color and has a natural, nutty flavor. Cold pressed hemp oil preserves hemp’s nutritious content, so it is often called “Nature’s most perfectly balanced oil”. This oil is loaded with Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, and antioxidants.

Your body cannot produce omega-3s on its own. Therefore, these fats must be obtained through diet. Along with salmon, tuna, walnuts, almonds, and other whole foods, hemp oil makes it easier to increase your daily healthy fat intake.

Unrefined, cold-pressed hemp oil is processed in minimal heat. This means that the oil has not been bleached or deodorized. A lot of unrefined oils are also called “virgin”, “extra virgin”, “raw”, or “pure”. This also means that unrefined oil has a much shorter shelf life and should be stored in the refrigerator once opened. The oil can also start smelling odd when it gets closer to its expiration date. When you hear someone complaining about the foul odor from a hemp seed oil they just bought, you can assume that the bottle was in storage for a while. In this case, we’d recommend you reach out to the manufacturer to ask for a refund and/or exchange.

Some people use hemp oil for the benefits of healthy skin and a balanced complexion. Others mix it into smoothies and homemade meals.

These nutrients can support cardiovascular health, scavenge free radicals, and promote optimum health.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

The U.S. hemp industry is booming. From CBD oil tinctures, gummies, and even , there are thousands of products available on the market.

Cannabidiol oil is unique from hemp seed oil because it’s an extraction of all aerial parts of the hemp plant, instead of just the seeds.

CBD oil contains a variety of compounds with beneficial properties. These chemicals occur naturally in the cannabis plant and boast various health benefits.

Cannabinoids, in particular, exhibit therapeutic effects by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS for short) inside all of us.

The ECS is a group of internal cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. This system is involved in regulating several processes in the human body including appetite, mood, sleep and much more.

Whole-plant CBD oil products contain both compounds (alongside other phytocannabinoids and nutrients) to promote a synergy in the body called the “entourage effect.”

Hemp CBD oil contains only trace levels of THC (less than 0.3%), providing therapeutic benefits without the intoxicating effects associated with THC.