Hemp (Canabis Sativa) is a versatile plant that is grown for its premier grains (seeds) and its fibre characteristics.
Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp Seed Oil is one of the few sources of gammalinolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid (EFA) that resembles sebum, the natural lubricant in skin and hair. For this reason, the personal hygiene products made with Hemp Seed Oil enhance the skin’s softness and smoothness and help blend hair its natural sheen and body.
Hemp seed oil is perfectly suited for hair and skin care. Its nutritional value, combined with its moisturizing and replenishing EFA’s, make it one of the best vegetable body care foundations. Hemp seed oil’s EFA complement includes polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3, omega-6, omega-9, linoleic acid, and gamma linoleic acids (GLA’s). Although they are very effective in skin care maintenance, GLA’s are rarely found in natural oils. Hemp is an excellent source of GLA’s.
Vitamin C & Collagen
Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that is proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, which decreases as we age. All Zona Verde products contain Hemp Seed Oil and Vitamin C.
Ancient Hemp Origins
Production of hemp originated in Central Asia thousands of years ago. Hemp has a long history of being used as a food grain, and as a source of fibre, such as clothing, rope and netting.
Surprisingly to some, industrial hemp has deep roots in Canada. Hemp was one of the first crops that Samuel D. Champlain planted at Port Royal and later Québec City in 1609.
Hemp in Canada
In 1606, French Botanist Louis Hebert planted the first hemp crop in North America in Port Royal, Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia). As early as 1801, the Lieutenant Governor of the province of Upper Canada, on behalf of the King of England, distributed hemp seed free to Canadian farmers.
Fibre hemp cultivation continued in many regions into the 20th century. Although in many old world cultures, hemp seed, also has a long tradition in Canada: immigrants from Eastern Europe brought hemp seeds with them when they settled the Prairies. These they planted and used for fresh oil, baking and traditional dishes. Similarly, Chinese Canadians have also long eaten hemp for medicinal and dietary reasons.
In Canada and in the US, hemp was outlawed over 80 years ago, because it was erroneously confused with other kinds of Cannabis. Hemp is often called industrial hemp to distinguish it from other varieties of the plant. In Canada, all commercial hemp strains are grown under scientific based government regulations to maintain and ensure genetic identity.
After a half century’s absence from Canada’s fields and factories, hemp cultivation was again allowed in 1998, reawakening the country’s relationship with this fascinating plant.
Genetic Background
Botanically, hemp is classified as Cannabis Sativa (Cannabaceae). Cannabis is a diverse plant species including more than 500 different varieties. Marijuana is a distant cousin. Under regulations hemp is defined as having less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Because of this low level of THC, hemp is unsuitable for drug and therapeutic purposes. THC is produced by the plant’s epidermal glands and is not produced in the hemp seed.
All Industrial Hemp grown in Canada is genetically modified organism (GMO) free.
Hemp is Federally Regulated
Canadian Hemp production was officially discontinued in 1938. In 1994, Health Canada began issuing hemp research licenses again. In March 1998, Health Canada allowed commercial production of the crop under a licensing system. Information on Hemp Regulations can be found at this link on Health Canada’s web site.