Hemp: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Cannabis
Scientific name(s)
Cannabis sativa L
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
CBD
Alpha-linolenic acid
Linoleic acid
Oleic acid
Gamma-linolenic acid
Stearidonic acid (SDA)
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Eczema ✪✪✪✪✪
A small preliminary clinical trial in patients with eczema shows that daily intake of 30 ml of hempseed oil for 8 weeks improves skin dryness and itching compared with baseline, but not compared with an olive oil control.nn
Posologie
Oral: seed
30 mL
oil
Joint pain ✪✪✪✪✪
Hemp has traditionally been used for arthritis and joint pain. In vitro, hempseed oil induces the production of an anti-rheumatoid factor, as well as apoptosis of a synovial cell line from rheumatoid arthritis.nn
Posologie
Oral: seed
30 mL
oil
Multiple sclerosis ✪✪✪✪✪
In a small clinical study of patients with multiple sclerosis, the daily intake of a combination of hemp seed oil (5.4-6.3 g) and evening primrose oil three times a day for 6 months appeared to improve disability scores and relapse rate compared with baseline. However, the control group, which consumed olive oil, also noted significant improvements in disability and relapse rate. The study has some limitations, which makes it difficult to determine the specific efficacy of hemp oil in this context.
Posologie
Oral: seed
5 g
oil
Synergies
Properties
Anti-inflammatory
Hemp oil is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties, which are mainly attributed to its richness in essential fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6). These components help modulate inflammatory processes in the body by reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as prostaglandins. Furthermore, research suggests that hydrolyzed proteins extracted from hemp seeds may inhibit certain cellular pathways involved in inflammation.
Usages associés
The ameliorative effect of hemp seed hexane extracts on the Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammation and lipogenesis in sebocytes
Hypolipidemic
Hemp oil, rich in omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, has attracted interest for its potential hypolipidemic effects, notably for reducing plasma cholesterol. However, research in humans — both in hypercholesterolemic children and in healthy adults — as well as the majority of animal studies, have not confirmed this cholesterol-lowering effect. Nevertheless, a small clinical trial in obese adults showed that daily administration of 60 mg of hemp oil extract could slightly increase HDL cholesterol, with a rise of about 3 mg/dL after six weeks, compared with a decrease in the placebo group. Furthermore, it has been suggested that peptides derived from hemp proteins, such as edestin and albumin, may have hypolipidemic effects. In vitro, certain hemp seed peptides inhibited the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase and increased cellular uptake of LDL cholesterol by upregulating LDL receptor expression.
Digestive effect
Hemp seeds have traditionally been used to improve digestion, particularly in cases of constipation. Animal studies have shown that hemp seeds increase stool water content and the number of bowel movements, due to an increase in mucus secretion by colonic tissue. This action would involve activation of certain ion channels or electrolyte exchangers.nnFurthermore, animal research also suggests that defatted hemp protein may help prevent hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver disease, by attenuating elevations in liver enzymes and markers of steatosis, particularly in the context of a high-fat diet.nn
Safe dosage
Adult: 30 mL (oil)
Hemp seed oil at doses of 30 mL (i.e. 27 g) per day was used for 2 months.
