Hemp oil, also known as hemp seed oil or cannabis sativa oil, has a long history that goes back thousands of years with the earliest civilizations of humanity. This multi-purpose oil extracted from the hemp seeds has been in use for thousands of years even before its modern-day rise in wellness and skincare. The story of hemp seed oil is one of ancient medicine, agriculture, and resilience.
Table of Contents:
Ancient Civilizations’ Early Beginnings
There was evidence of the usage of cannabis sativa oil way back in ancient Mesopotamia, dating to 6000 BCE. Archaeological research suggests that early societies grew not only the stalks from which they extracted fibrous materials but also the nutritious oil extracted from the hemp plant. The seeds were crushed into a substance that became their food, fuel, and medicine. In Mesopotamian culture, hemp seeds were often ground into a paste to be mixed with other grains, while the oil was used to create early forms of salves and ointments.
Hemp oil – breakdown of the differences between CBD Oil and Hemp Seed Oil!
In ancient China, hemp oil was a healing agent. By 2700 BCE, Emperor Shen Nong, who was known as the “Father of Chinese Medicine,” recorded the benefits of cannabis sativa oil in his pharmacopeia. The oil was applied to alleviate skin irritations, inflammation, and joint pain. It also found use in traditional Chinese cooking due to its rich content of essential fatty acids.
The Spread to Europe and Beyond
As trade routes spread, hemp cultivation diffused from Asia to Europe. The Roman Empire, which not only cultivated hemp but also its oil extracted from its seeds, was a source of use for the purposes of both textiles and food. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote about cannabis sativa oil being used as an application for burns as well as for soothing many types of skin conditions. Medieval European households continued the oil as a staple: both for nutrition and as medicine for many ailments.
In the course of that period, monasteries cultivated hemp plants. The produced oil was both medicinal and applied for practical use.
Oil served monks for illuminating lamps and as a base for balms and tinctures. Even though the applications of hemp seed oil are varied, the significance of it declined when industrialization dawned and when other crops or materials took its place.
Colonial Period and the New World
Hemp came to the America with European settlers in early 17th century. A colonist needed hemp to make rope, fabric and paper. The extracted oil was used for cooking, medicine, etc. The various uses of hemp oil are what made it an all-important commodity for pioneers striving for self-sufficiency in the New World.
However, in the 20th century, hemp had many problems due to legal constraints and myths about its psychoactive cousin, marijuana. Hemp cultivation declined, and the cultural importance of hemp seed oil faded for a time.
A New Renaissance
In the last decades, there has been an impressive re-emergence of cannabis sativa oil. This is owing to the growing awareness of products that are both natural and sustainable for wellness purposes. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, along with vitamins and antioxidants, makes hemp oil now celebrated as a resource for nourishment of skin, reduction of inflammation, and support for general wellness.
The global market for hemp-derived products is now booming. Serums for skincare, oils for culinary purposes, and everything in between, hempdseed oil is the timeless gift that nature has provided. If one goes back to its long history, it is easy to see that hemp seed oil was always there to accompany humankind in its quest toward well-being.
Hemp oil is a nutrient-rich oil. Packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins D, E, and B-complex, it offers a perfect balance for optimal health. Its unique process ensures the retention of beneficial substances, making it ideal for overall wellness.
The origins of hemp oil reflect not just a history of agriculture but a testament to humanity’s relationship with natural resources. It is a way of embracing the potential of this ancient elixir, honoring a tradition that spans millennia and connects us to the wisdom of our ancestors and the enduring power of the hemp plant.
