HEMP

Oil, seeds — Origin: Central Asia

Cannabis sativa

OVER THE HEMP

There’s hemp, and then there’s hemp. Cannabis rustica is the wild plant, whose cultivated varieties are referred to as sativa, or textile hemp, in temperate regions, and indica, or Indian hemp, in tropical and subtropical regions. The latter variety has flowering tops and its resin has certain psychotropic properties. Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous plant with serrated leaves, grown throughout the world for its fiber, seeds, and oil. The stem of hemp, whose soft part is known as hemp straw, is made up of very strong fibers, which were once used to make clothing, cordage, and paper. With the rise of cotton and the demise of sailing ships, hemp experienced a drastic decline in Europe. Nowadays, its resilience to disease, the relatively low amount of water and labor required to cultivate it, its short five-month life cycle, and its numerous potential industrial uses are bringing hemp back into fashion.

TEACHINGS FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL

Hemp was one of the first plants to be cultivated by man. The Greek historian Herodotus described its usage by the Scythes, who placed the seeds on hot stones to serve as incense, intoxicating themselves with its vapors. In Ancient Egypt, the Ebers papyrus, one of the world’s oldest medical treatises, documents its prescription for soothing contractions during childbirth. Jivaka Khumar Bacha, a traditional physician and friend of the Buddha, used whole hemp leaves to alleviate pain during surgical operations. In China, in the 1st century, the Shennong Bencaojing also mentioned it as a remedy against ailments as diverse as gout, rheumatism, constipation, and forgetfulness. In the 14th century, Chinese medicine recommended the consumption of its seeds to ensure longevity and a healthy constitution. In the French countryside, many superstitions were associated with hemp: “You must sing as you’re harvesting it, or the weavers will fall asleep while weaving it,” “When hens eat hemp seeds, they stop laying eggs and start brooding them . . .”

In his Treatise on Hemp, in 1758, M. Marcandier revealed the customary therapeutic uses of Cannabis sativa oil: “Taken as an emulsion, it is effective against coughs and jaundice. [ . . . ] The seed and the green leaves were applied as cataplasms.” In his 1826 Dictionary of Beauty, César Gardeton described hemp as a hair fortifier: “To grow the hair quickly: using a mortar and pestle, crush any quantity of hemp stems, which you will sprinkle with freshly pressed garlic sap.”

ON COLLECTING HEMP

When cold-pressed, it yields a green, herbaceous-scented oil. It is sensitive to oxidation and should therefore be refrigerated or used quickly after opening.

THE BENEFITS

Hempseed oil boasts a high concentration of linoleic acid (omega-6 and omega-3), which stimulates the epidermis and helps it fight the damage wrought by free radicals on the skin. It is soothing and also calms redness and irritations.

A FEW DROPS

Even though Cannabis sativa oil does not share the hallucinogenic properties of its Indian cousin, it will efficiently relax tired and dehydrated skin. It is easy to use, and daily application will help smooth out facial features and soothe the epidermis. It is highly hydrating and will offset moisture losses.

HEMP-based recipes

from Officine Universelle

BALANCING OIL

You practice meditation and running, but in spite of your dietary efforts, your skin fails to reflect this lovely inner harmony. Apply this potent trio nightly, just before bed, to restore balance. . . .

In a two-ounce jar with a dropper, mix one part hempseed oil, one part jojoba oil, one part grapeseed oil, and add five drops of palmarosa essential oil—the Indian geranium.

REVITALIZING BODY OIL

Daily application of this fine oil will provide complete satisfaction, with simplicity of the highest order—improving the look of blemishes and renewing the skin’s firmness and radiance.

In a jar with a dropper, mix one part hempseed oil, one part marula oil, and one part rosehip seed oil.