Traditionally, Hemp has been a staple food for many people in the Orient, Russia, and India. It has even been eaten as a form of oatmeal during extended famines due to its high nutritional content.

Hemp uses in food products in the United States are not as common, most likely due to marijuana prohibition. Most major supermarkets, unfortunately, do not carry many hemp food products, but they are easily obtained at any well-stocked health food store. The most basic forms of hemp foods are found as seed, powder, or oil.

Growing up I would eat the seeds out of any swag weed I could find them in, never having known about its health promoting properties. According to a Czech Study, the protein in cannabis seed allows people suffering from nutrition-blocking ailments such as tuberculosis to be nourished properly.

In addition, the hemp seed is known to contain omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids which are vital to proper diet. These essential acids are responsible for healthy eyes, skin, and brain function. Hemp seed is also known to help the immune system fight infection.

When the hemp seed is  pressed the result is hemp oil and hemp powder.

The hemp powder is further ground to remove starch to be made into hemp protein. The result is not only a food that contains lots of proteins but also vitamins, minerals, fiber, and chlorophyll.

The end result is “a raw food” which means that the digestive enzymes present are not destroyed making it an easily digestible protein. Hemp protein is also known as hemp flour and is an alkaline forming food allowing the human body to maintain a healthy pH balance. Hemp protein can also be used as a great way to lose weight since it helps the body metabolize fat.

Hemp oil is low in saturated fats and high in essential fatty acids consisting of 80% of its total volume making it an extremely healthy food to add to your diet. You can substitute it in the place of any other oil found in a salad dressing recipe. It is dark green in color and has a nut-like flavor. Hemp oil contains the ideal ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 acids making it good for your heart.

As you can see, the possibility of adding hemp oil to your diet can help your body fight disease and stay healthy. But, due to the United States’ marijuana prohibition, Americans may never be able to reap the health benefits of this noble plant.

by Soilent Green

photograph by Joey Lozano