Hemp has been cultivated for fibre and food for at least six thousand years.
It is generally thought to have originated in China as a paper making, then textile
material. Very early Chinese medical texts also mention the herb. Over the centuries
Hemp spread throughout Asia and into Europe where it was known to the Greeks
and Romans. By the Middle Ages it was firmly entrenched in Europe proper and
by the 1600’s we can find evidence of laws enacted by parliament governing
the status of Hemp and its close relative Flax. When American colonists first
settled in the New World Hemp was made an obligatory crop and was given protected
status by colonial assemblies. It was so valuable that it was openly accepted
in lieu of money for all payments and transactions public or private.
Today Hemp fibre is still used to make high quality and durable textiles and
paper products. At Amphora you will find examples of hemp backpacks, hemp rucksacks, hemp shoulderbags, hemp satchels and hemp travel bags, but perhaps the greatest change in how we view and use Hemp
has been in relation to products derived from the highly nutritious oil found
in its seeds. Thanks to modern science it is now known that Hemp seed oil contains
the most perfectly balanced blend of Omega 3 and 6 Essential Fatty Acids to be found in a
single food source anywhere in nature. The exact proportions of Omega 3, 6
and GLA in Hemp seed oil most closely resemble the proportions to be found in the
human brain. This is important to understand, as the Omega Essential fats are necessary
for maintaining proper cellular functions but can not be made or synthesised
by the body - they must be imported into the body. They are also extremely
fragile and quickly degrade if exposed to light, heat or air. In the degraded
state Essential fats become toxic to human health. Never deep fry with Hemp
oil – ideally it should be refrigerated after opening until use and drizzled
over cooked food.
Imbalances in Omega levels are a natural result of modern food processing treatments
and are at least partly responsible for a host of health conditions ranging
from dry skin to high blood pressure.
Hempseed oil may be taken internally at an adult dosage of 1-2 tablespoons
per day and many people with skin conditions have noticed marked improvement
after a few weeks. Alternately the seeds can be made into Raw Food bars that
resemble flap jacks. This is an excellent and delicious way to get a daily
dose of uncooked Hempseed into your daily diet. Hemp seed oil is also beneficial
in soaps and skin care products and is readily absorbed by the skin – along
with its synergistic blend of Omegas. As it has a natural SPF of 6 it makes
an excellent ingredient in Sun Block. It goes without saying that the cold pressed oil makes
a valuable addition to hemp Shampoo, hemp Conditioner or hemp Shower Gel. Our friends at Yaoh
have even come up with a Hemp Bubble Bath and a Massage Oil blend that we are certain will meet with your approval.