Organic Hemp Seeds (un-hulled)

Description

Organic Hemp Seeds (un-hulled)

Botanical name: Cannibus sativa

Hemp has been grown for centuries in Asia and the Middle East primarily for its fibre. Due to colonial and naval expansion in the early 1900’s, large quantities of hemp were used in the developing countries. In the mid 1900’s demand for this fibre fell significantly as the development of artificial fibres gained momentum.

Hemp seeds can be eaten raw, ground into a meal, sprouted, made into hemp milk, prepared as tea and used in baking. The fresh leaves can also be consumed in salads.

Hemp seeds can be used to produce cold pressed oil, whole hemp grain, dehulled hemp seed (known as hemp hearts), hemp flour, hemp protein powder (a by-product of pressing the seed for oil). Even though hemp and marijuana are both made from the Cannabis plant, hemp seeds contain negligible levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive substance in marijuana.

Health & Nutrition
Hemp seeds are high in nutritional value with the bulk of the energy derived in the form of essential fatty acids – polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), linoleic, oleic and alpha-linolenic (Omega 3) acids. They also contain a high serving of protein, with an amino acid profile that compares to other sources of protein such as meat, milk, eggs and soy. Hemp protein contains 20 different types of amino acids but all of the nine essential amino acids.

• Hemp seed contains high levels of fibre and vitamins A, C, and E, as well as being rich in minerals – phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulphur and calcium.
• Hemp seed also contains high levels of anti-oxidant vitamin E. Vitamin E in the form of Tocopherol is known to have benefits in Alzheimer’s disease and in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
• Dietary hemp seed oil has also been shown to improve clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis. A study published in 2005 concluded that its cholesterol and skin benefits were both due to “the balanced and abundant supply of PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in this hempseed oil.”
• Hemp seed oil contains a 3:1 ratio of the two essential fatty acids: Omega 6:Omega 3, which is the ideal ratio recommended by WHO for cardiovascular health.
• The high levels of ALA (Omega 3) are believed to help prevent a variety of heart conditions, including prevention of blood clotting and significant protection against stroke.
• Hemp seed also contains a variety of plant sterols and stanols that are known to reduce inflammation, which is implicated in a variety of chronic illnesses.