What are hemp seeds ?

What are hemp seeds

Hemp seeds are the seeds from the hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) or marijuana plant. Historically, hemp (industrial marijuana) has been used as a source of fibers and oil ¹. Hemp seeds and oil are used in Europe, Canada and the United States of America, in a range of foods. Hemp seeds contain protein, vitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids. In recent years, the desire to adopt a healthy diet, draws attention to hemp seed and food products derived from hemp seed (oil, flour, milk, bakery products, chocolate, beer, etc.). Although marijuana comes from the same plant, hemp seeds only contain a trace amount of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid associated with the psychoactive properties of marijuana and eating hemp seeds will not get you high. This is because the hemp seeds (and the industrial cannabis fiber) come from the cannabis plants specifically bred to have delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels of no more than 1%. In fact, hemp seeds are safe and very healthy to eat. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA is the agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice and communicates on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain) hemp seeds are practically free of THC (maximum 12 mg THC/kg). The THC lethal dose in acute toxicity studies in rats, mice and dogs is approximately 1000 times higher than the lowest doses known to reproduce typical THC-related symptoms in animals ². The hemp varieties allowed for cultivation in Europe need not to exceed 0.2 % THC (in dry matter; average of 2151 samples collected in Europe between 2006 and 2008: 0.075 %).

Due to the increasing use of hemp seed meal/cake, hemp seed oil and whole hemp plant (including hemp flour) in animal feeds, the European Food Safety Authority was also asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the risks for human health related to the presence of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in milk and other food of animal origin. The Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) concluded that exposure to 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via consumption of milk and dairy products, resulting from the use of hemp seed-derived feed materials at the reported concentrations, is unlikely to pose a health concern. However, the CONTAM Panel could also not conclude on the possible risks to public health from exposure to Δ9-THC via consumption of animal tissues and eggs, due to a lack of data on the potential transfer and fate of Δ9-THC ³.

In some countries and states, you’ll need a licence if you are going to commercially produce industrial cannabis fibre and seed or conduct research into the use of cannabis for these purposes. For example, hemp seed suppliers for growing the marijuana (hemp) plants must:

• keep industrial cannabis seed locked in a secure place,
• keep records on seed held and supplied,
• ensure seed is labelled in accordance with requirements.

Hemp seeds and hemp oil have a high nutritional value and both are used for human consumption and animal feeding ⁴, ⁵, ⁶.

Hemp Seeds Nutrition Facts

Hemp seed typically contains over 300 g oil/kg, about 250 g protein/kg and considerable amounts of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals ⁷. The nutritional value of hemp seeds is based on the content of protein and oil. Hemp oil is particularly valuable for the health because of its high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content, completed by high contents of phytosterols ⁸, ⁹, ¹⁰.

What are polyunsaturated fatty acids

Fats are essential for living organisms. Fatty acid molecules have a variable length carbon chain with a methyl terminus and a carboxylic acid head group ¹¹. They can be categorized based on the degree of saturation of their carbon chains. Saturated fatty acids possess the maximal number of hydrogen atoms, while monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have one, or two or more, double bonds, respectively.

Figure 1. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Structure

Figure 2. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Structure

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can be further subdivided on the basis of the location of the first double bond relative to the methyl terminus of the chain. For example, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids are two of the most biologically significant polyunsaturated fatty acid classes, and have their first double bond on either the third or sixth carbon from the chain terminus, respectively. The final carbon in the fatty acid chain is also known as the omega carbon, hence the common reference to these fatty acids as omega-3 or omega-6 PUFAs.

Figure 3. Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids structure

Long-chain n-3 and n-6 PUFAs are synthesized from the essential fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid, respectively. Basic structures of these two parent PUFAs are shown in Figure 3. An essential fatty acid cannot be made by the body and must be obtained through dietary sources. Animals and humans have the capacity to metabolize essential fatty acids to long-chain derivatives. Because the n-6 and n-3 pathways compete with one another for enzyme activity, the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs is very important to human health. An overabundance of fatty acids from one family will limit the metabolic production of the longer chain products of the other. The typical Western diet provides n-6 and n-3 PUFAs in a ratio ranging from 8:1 to 25:1 ¹¹, values in severe contrast with the recommendations from national health agencies of approximately 4:1 ¹². Lowering the n-6:n-3 ratio would reduce competition for the enzymes and facilitate the metabolism of more downstream products of ALA.

Because most diets are already very rich in n-6 PUFAs, greater focus needs to be placed on incorporating n-3 PUFAs into the diet. Dietary sources of n-3 PUFAs are readily available but in limited quantities. Many foods contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), including certain vegetable oils, dairy products, flaxseed, walnuts and vegetables ¹³. Fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring and salmon, provide an excellent source of the long-chain derivatives of ALA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ¹².

The very high intake of n-6 PUFA, mostly as linoleic acid (LA) (Fig. 3) in our diet (12–15 g/day) from common vegetable oils (corn, safflower, soybean) and other sources, yields an overall n-6:n-3 dietary ratio (total omega-6 fatty acids in the diet: total omega-3 fatty acids in the diet) of about 8:1.

For general health, there should be a balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. The ratio should be in the range of 2:1 to 4:1, omega-6 to omega-3, and some health educators advocate even lower ratios.

Hemp seed is a unique food that may represent a novel approach to the problem of defining the role of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid (LA) and Omega-3 Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA) in cardiovascular health. Hemp seed is enriched in LA. Approximately 55-60% of the lipid composition of hempseed is LA. Hempseed is unique because it has an ideal ratio of LA to ALA (∼3:1) ¹⁴, ¹⁵.

Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp oil, sometimes known as hemp seed oil is the most commonly known ingredient made from hemp seed. Hemp oil is cold-pressed from the hemp seed in a natural raw process to carefully produce the highest quality vegetable oil known to man. Hemp oil is is raw, vegan and gluten-free and to maintain freshness, it must be kept refrigerated at all times.

Hemp oil is high in Omega-3 Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA), Omega-6 Linoleic Acid (LA), Omega-6 Gamma-Linoleic Acid (GLA) and Omega-9 Oleic Acid. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are “essential fatty acids”, meaning that these fatty acids cannot synthesized by body itself. Instead, we must include them in our diet or through supplements to meet our body demands. Omega 9 fatty acids are “conditionally essential”, which means that if we have the other fatty acids in our diet, then our body can manufacture omega 9 fatty acids ¹⁶. Otherwise, omega 9 fatty acids must be consumed or supplemented as well. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are the two specific omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil such as cold water fish as salmon, cod and mackerel.

There are many benefits from these essential fatty acids in various scientific studies globally. Because omega fatty acids are the essential for your health and your body cannot make them, so the omega-3s and 6s must be obtained through your diet or by supplementation.

The typical hemp seed oil fatty acids composition (varies with hemp variety) :

• Saturated fat ~ 10%

• Monounsaturated fat ~ 11%

• Polyunsaturated fat ~ 79% (Omega-3 Alpha Linoleic Acid ~ 17-20% and Omega-6 Linoleic Acid ~55-60% and Omega-6 Gamma-LA 2-4% and Omega-9 Oleic Acid 10-15%)

Hemp seed oil contain a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids, which brings results as treatment for various diseases such as cardiovascular problems, weight loss, reduction of fibrinogen (in atherosclerosis), in the production of prostaglandins series 3 ¹⁷, ¹⁸. The reduction of the cholesterol is a major benefit of β-sitosterols present in the unsaponifiable of the vegetable oils like rapeseed, soybean and the hemp oil ¹⁹. This acid γ-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3ω6) in unsaturated oils such as hemp, flax or evening primrose oil refreshes and moisturizes the skin even with anti aging effects ²⁰. The daily 9–18 g/day omega-6 fatty acids and 6–7 g/day omega-3 fatty acids provides the optimum fatty acid ration the body requires ¹⁷, ²¹.

Hemp seed oil also contain a small quantity of Omega-9 Oleic acid ~ 10-15%. This study showed diets rich in Omega-9 Oleic acid have beneficial effects in inflammatory-related diseases ²². In addition, a wide range of studies evaluate the effect of oleic acid in different cellular functions thus reporting a potential mechanism for the biological effect of such a fat. In conclusion, Omega-9 Oleic acid could be reported as an anti-inflammatory fatty acid playing a role in the activation of different pathways of immune competent cells ²².

Although hemp foods are allowed for use in North America and Europe, Hemp foods are not allowed for sales as a food in Australia and New Zealand (except for hemp oil in NZ). Hemp seeds, hemp protein powder and hemp oil are ONLY to be purchased in Australia and New Zealand if you understand they may be used for external use only or exported to a country where consumption is legal (e.g. US, Canada).

Table 1. Hemp Seeds (Hulled) Nutrition Content

[Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service. USDA Food Composition Databases. ²³]

What are polyunsaturated fatty acids

Fats are essential for living organisms. Fatty acid molecules have a variable length carbon chain with a methyl terminus and a carboxylic acid head group ¹¹. They can be categorized based on the degree of saturation of their carbon chains. Saturated fatty acids possess the maximal number of hydrogen atoms, while monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have one, or two or more, double bonds, respectively.

Figure 1. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Structure

Figure 2. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Structure

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can be further subdivided on the basis of the location of the first double bond relative to the methyl terminus of the chain. For example, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids are two of the most biologically significant polyunsaturated fatty acid classes, and have their first double bond on either the third or sixth carbon from the chain terminus, respectively. The final carbon in the fatty acid chain is also known as the omega carbon, hence the common reference to these fatty acids as omega-3 or omega-6 PUFAs.

Long-chain n-3 and n-6 PUFAs are synthesized from the essential fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid, respectively. Basic structures of these two parent PUFAs are shown in Figure 3. An essential fatty acid cannot be made by the body and must be obtained through dietary sources. Animals and humans have the capacity to metabolize essential fatty acids to long-chain derivatives. Because the n-6 and n-3 pathways compete with one another for enzyme activity, the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs is very important to human health. An overabundance of fatty acids from one family will limit the metabolic production of the longer chain products of the other. The typical Western diet provides n-6 and n-3 PUFAs in a ratio ranging from 8:1 to 25:1 ¹¹, values in severe contrast with the recommendations from national health agencies of approximately 4:1 ¹². Lowering the n-6:n-3 ratio would reduce competition for the enzymes and facilitate the metabolism of more downstream products of ALA.

Figure 3. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and Linoleic acid (LA) Structure

Hemp seed protein

Hemp protein is gluten-free with a complete amino acid profile and hemp is the only plant to make protein from Edestin making it more digestible than other forms of protein like Soy. And unlike Soy doesn’t cause allergies or contain estrogen compounds. Every 100g of Hemp Seeds contain approximately 33g of this high quality protein.

Health benefits of hemp seeds

Although there are many studies that have been done on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (Fish Oil) supplementation, omega-3 in fish (fish meal) and the prevention of cardiovascular disease, to date we are unable to find any study on hemp oil and health benefits. Unfortunately, despite hemp seeds consumption for centuries, there are very few studies reported in the peer-reviewed literature that have examined hemp seed and human health-related benefits. In one small study comparing fish oil, flaxseed oil and hempseed oil supplementation in healthy volunteers over 12 weeks ²⁴.  The volunteers were randomly assigned to one of the four groups. Subjects were orally supplemented with two 1 gram capsules of placebo, fish oil, flaxseed oil or hempseed oil per day for 12 weeks. What the study showed was the plasma levels of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) increased after 3 months supplementation with fish oil. The omega-3 fatty acids, alpha linolenic acid (ALA) concentrations increased transiently after flaxseed supplementation. However, supplementation with hempseed oil did not significantly alter the concentration of any plasma fatty acid. The lipid parameters (total cholesterol, HDL “good” cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides) did not show any significant differences among the four groups. None of the dietary interventions induced any significant change in collagen or thrombin stimulated platelet aggregation and no increase in the level of inflammatory markers was observed ²⁴. The authors conclusion was ingesting 2 capsules of any of these oils in an attempt to achieve cardiovascular health benefits may not provide the desired or expected result over a 3 month period. In other words, just because hempseeds have the same type of PUFAs as flaxseed and fish oil, when consumed as hempseed supplementation, it has no health benefits. Therefore, we cannot make any judgement on the benefits of hemp seeds.

The only positive cardio-protective outcome for hempseed, as far as we know was a study done on a group of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats that were fed for 12 weeks a normal rat chow supplemented with hempseed (5% and 10%), palm oil (1%), or a 10% partially delipidated hempseed that served as a control ²⁵. Plasma ALA and γ-linolenic acid levels were significantly elevated in the rats that were fed a 5% or 10% hempseed-supplemented diet, but in heart tissue only ALA levels were significantly elevated in the rats fed these diets compared with control. After the dietary interventions were completed, postischemic heart performance was evaluated by measuring developed tension, resting tension, the rates of tension development and relaxation, and the number of extrasystoles. Hearts from rats fed a hempseed-supplemented diet exhibited significantly better postischemic recovery of maximal contractile function and enhanced rates of tension development and relaxation during reperfusion than hearts from the other groups. These hearts, however, were not protected from the occurrence of extrasystoles, nor were the increases in resting tension altered during ischemia or reperfusion as a function of any dietary intervention. This study on rats demonstrate that dietary hempseed can provide significant cardioprotective effects during postischemic reperfusion. This appears to be due to its highly enriched PUFA content ²⁵.

How to eat hemp seeds

Soft, hemp seeds can be used for making hemp milk, hemp ice cream, hemp hommus, sprinkled onto breakfast, lunch and dinner meals or eaten on their own. They can also be used in making skin products like our hemp milk soap. Hemp Oil can be used as a treatment for various skin conditions, as a general skin moisturizer, as a salad dressing, for dipping bread into, for making sauces or simply drizzled over meals to boost their nutrient content. Smooth nutty Hemp Protein powder is used to boost the protein quality and quantity of smoothies snack bars and flour mixes such as in bread, muffins and pasta.

Hemp Seed Milk

Hemp Milk is raw, vegan, gluten free and more nutritious than other milks. It also serves as a base for many other food and skincare recipes.

Ingredients

• 100g Organic Hulled Hemp Seeds
• 25g Organic Almonds
• 1-2 tsp Cinnamon (optional)
• 1 drop Organic Vanilla Extract

Method

1. Soak ingredients in 250ml water for 24 hours. No need to heat.
2. Blend all ingredients thoroughly using a high powered blender.
3. Add a further 250ml water.
4. Add the Cinnamon and Vanilla.
5. Blend again.
6. Filter through a cloth. (the residue can be dried and used as high protein flour in other recipes)
7. Chill for at least one hour.

Keeps for 2-3 days. Optional Ingredients (do not try all together)

• 1-2 fresh Figs
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground Cardamom
• 1 Banana or other fresh fruit
• 1 tbsp Carob/Caco powder
• 1/2 cup Carrot juice to 1/2 cup Hemp milk
• Raw Honey or Maple Syrup with Nutmeg

Hemp Seed Milk (2nd version)

Ingredients

• 1 cup hemp seed
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 cups filtered water

Method

Blend all ingredients in high speed blender until smooth.

Hemp Seed Smoothie

Ingredients

• 50g Organic Hulled Hemp Seeds
• 50g soaked and pitted Dates
• 1 Banana
• 1 cup Rejuvelac (rejuvelac is a raw food made by sprouting a grain, soaking the sprouted grain in water for about two days at room temperature, and then reserving the liquid).

Method

Blend all except hemp, strain and serve mixed with the hemp seeds.

Hemp Seed Milk Blueberry Smoothie

Ingredients

• 2 cups hemp seed milk
• 3/4 cup blueberries
• pinch vanilla
• maple syrup or dates to sweeten

Method

Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth.

Hemp Seed Oil Guacamole

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 medium sized avocado
• juice of 1 lemon or to taste
• 1 tablespoon hemp oil
• 2 tablespoons hemp seed to garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Method

Slice avocado flesh with paring knife in a criss cross pattern. Scoop out with a spoon into a medium sized mixing bowl.

Add lemon juice, salt, hemp seed oil and combine (can be left a chunky consistency) Serve with a hemp seed garnish. Drizzle hemp seed oil to serve. Optional additional ingredients to add are finely diced red onion and fresh chopped coriander.

Hemp Mayonaise

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup hemp milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup sunflower oil

Method

Combine all ingredients except oil in blender until combined. Slowly add oil whilst blending on a low/medium speed to ensure emulsion.

Smokey BBQ Hemp Sauce

Ingredients

• 100g dehydrated sun dried tomatoes soaked in 1 cup boiling water
• 90g dates soak with tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons hemp protein powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth adding more water to achieve thick sauce consistency. Sun dried tomatoes preserved in oil can be used, drain the oil they come in and omit the oil from the recipe. Soak the dates in 3/4 cup water instead of 1 cup.

Hemp Cream Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 cup hemp seed
• 4 tablespoons hemp milk (see recipe above, can omit maple syrup for savoury hemp milk)
• 2 heaped tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon chick pea miso (can omit if unavailable, add more nutritional yeast and salt to taste)
• 1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped

Method

Blend all ingredients (except dill) in food processor. Scrape down sides and blend until smooth. More milk may need to be added depending on the power of the food processor.

Can be made in a blender just add more hemp milk for a paste like consistency In a small mixing bowl add dill and mix through with spoon.

Serve with dill garnish. Can add probiotic powder (equivalent of 1 capsule) and ferment wrapped in muslin cloth overnight for a fermented cheese. If fermenting scoop cheese (thicker consistency preferable) into the centre of a piece of muslin cloth. Gather in all the material so the cheese is in a ball like a christmas pudding and tie at the top. Place in a colander which is sitting in a bowl to catch water that will drain out. Place a weight on the cheese and let ferment overnight. Refrigerate after overnight fermentation.

Tofu Hemp Cheesecake

Basic Ingredients

• 350g Digestive Biscuits, low-fat vegan
• 100g Organic Coarse Hemp Powder or Organic Hemp Protein or Ground Organic Hulled Hemp Seeds
• 75g Organic Hemp Butter or non-hydrogenated Margarine

Filling Ingredients

• 500g Organic Tofu
• 3 tbsp Golden Syrup
• 75g Raw Cane Sugar, light
• Juice 1 Lemon
• Pinch Salt
• 2 tsp Vanilla Essence
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon (none if using Raspberries)
• 2 large Bananas or 200-300g Raspberries

Method

1. Blend base ingredients well in food processor, pat into tin, put into fridge.
2. Whisk all ingredients until they form smooth thick liquid, pour into tin and place in oven, 180°C, for 35-40 minutes.
3. Texture should be of a mousse (not too runny, not too firm). Cover with a sprinkle of de-hulled Hemp seeds and leave to cool in a fridge before serving.

Hemp Pasta

Ingredients

• 110g Organic Coarse Hemp Powder
• 280g stone-ground whole Wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 190ml water
• 1tsp salt
• 1tbsp Organic Hemp Seed Oil

Method

1. In a mixing bowl, add egg, salt and oil to the flour.
2. Knead to make a dough that doesn’t stick to your hands (add more flour or water as necessary).
3. Leave to sit for 30 minutes.
4. Cut a palm size piece of dough, roll out and dust with flour.
5. Knead by hand for at least five more minutes. Alternatively, run the dough through at the thickest setting of your pasta machine. Fold and dust the dough and run through again before repeating using medium setting.
6. If working by hand roll the smooth elastic dough out to 50cm by 40cm, 2mm thick on a floured surface. With the machine use thinnest setting to repeat and pull the pasta away from the end, this time without folding.
7. You now have the basic pasta sheet which can be cut into various shapes, cooked and served with a tomato, fresh basil pesto, garlic, oregano and olive oil sauce (see sauce section) or fungi royale. To make tagliatelle, cut into 5mm strips.

Creamy Hemp Seed Gluten Free pasta served with Rocket and Spring Onion

Ingredients

• 1 cup hemp seed
• 1 cup filtered water
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• pepper to taste
• 1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt to taste
• 1 bunch basil
• small handful baby spinach
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 packet gluten free penne
• handful of rocket
• 2 spring onions or shallots chopped

Method

Cook pasta as per instructions on packet. Prepare sauce by blending hemp seed, water, nutritional yeast, basil, spinach, apple cider vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Strain pasta and mix the sauce, rocket and spring onions through. Serve with hemp parmesan cheese.

Zucchini Gluten Free Lasagne with Hemp Bechamel

Ingredients

• 3 large Zucchinis thinly sliced with mandolin or knife

Hemp Bechamel

• 1 cup Hemp Seeds
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tablespoon Wood Smoked Olive Oil (if unavailable use 2 drops liquid wood smoke or a pinch of smoked paprika)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• pinch of nutmeg

Tofu Ricotta

• 1 large block of Tofu
• 4 spring onions roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh oregano
• 2 tablespoons of Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon herb salt or sea salt
• pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup water
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• Gluten free Lasagne sheets
• Olive Oil

Method

• Prepare hemp béchamel by blending all ingredients until smooth and liquid consistency. Add more water if required.
• Soak lasagne sheets in boiling water in a baking tray to soften, sheets not touching each other.
• Prepare tofu ricotta by blending tofu, oregano, spring onion, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, water salt and pepper in a food processor until a creamy cottage cheese consistency.
• In an oiled lasagne dish layer zucchini, hemp béchamel, pasta sheets and ricotta cheese 2-3 times. Ensure that the pasta sheets are covered well with toppings.
• The final layer or crust of the lasagne is ricotta topped with a drizzle of hemp béchamel.
• Cook at 180 degrees for approximately 50 mins till golden on top.
• Zucchini can substituted with other vegetables. Other vegetables such as pumpkin you may want to roast a little first before layering in lasagne.

Hemp Parmesan Cheese

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup hemp seed
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 1 ts salt or to taste
• 1/4 ts garlic powder

Method

Blend almonds until chopped fine in food processor. Add all other ingredients and blend until combined.

Parsley Pesto with Hemp Seed and Macadamia

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup macadamia
• 1/2 cup hemp seed
• juice of 1 lemon or to taste
• 1/4 cup hemp oil
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil.
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon herb salt or sea salt
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 bunches of fresh parsley

Method

In a food processor chop macadamia nuts into small pieces. Add all other ingredients and blend until desired consistency adding more oil if required.

Garlic & Ginger Hemp Dressing

Ingredients

• 150ml Organic Hemp Seed Oil
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Tamari (Hemp Tamari if available)
• 1 tbsp Tahini
• 1 tsp Ginger, freshly grated
• 1 clove Garlic, grated or minced

Method

Combine all in a blender. Use for any salad or vegetable dishes.

Balsamic Vinegar and Hemp Oil bread dip

Ingredients

• 50ml hemp oil
• 50ml balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• pepper

Method

Combine all ingredients in shallow bowl and serve with fresh sour dough.

Raw Thai Hemp Curry

Curry Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Red Pepper or mild Chilli, diced
• 1/2 cup Cauliflower, grated
• 1 tbsp Sweet Potato, diced
• 1 cup Kale or other greens, chopped
• 1 Carrot, grated
• 1 tbsp Currants, soaked

Sauce Ingredients

• 1/4 Coconut, juiced (use 2 tbsp Water in your juicer to produce this coconut milk) or
• 4 tbsp Dried coconut
• 1/4 cup Organic Hemp Milk
• 1 tsp Lemongrass
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 small Chilli, chopped finely or to taste
• 1 bunch fresh Coriander or to taste

Method

1. Mix all curry ingredients in a large serving bowl.
2. Add other fresh ingredients to taste.
3. Blend all sauce ingredients in a blender and pour over curry.
4. Serve with fresh Coriander

Thai Hemp Sweet Corn Cake

Ingredients

• 7 cobs of corn kernels removed
• 1 1/2 cups besan flour
• 1/2 cup hemp seed
• 1/4 cup chia seed soaked in 1/2 cup hemp milk
• 12 kaffir lime leaves ground
• 1 bunch coriander chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons herb salt or sea salt
• sunflower oil for frying more hemp milk if needed

Method

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Fry with sunflower oil over a medium heat, keep warm in oven until served.

Hemp Skincare

Hemp Oil Body Cream

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Castor Oil
• 1 tablespoon Sunflower Oil
• 1 tablespoon Organic Hemp Seed Oil
• 1 tablespoon Organic Hulled Hemp Seeds
• 1 tablespoon Beeswax
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 20 drops of Essential Oil

Method

• Melt the wax and Coconut oil together in a double boiler over a low heat.
• When they have melted together, add the Honey and combine well.
• Keep stirring constantly and add Sunflower and Castor Oil.
• As the mixture begins to cool, add the Hemp Seed Oil, Hulled Hemp Seed and Essential Oil.
• Stir until cool and creamy, this will prevent the water and oil separating.
• Then decant into airtight jars.
• Clear jars must be kept in a dark place to preserve the essential oils and fragile essential fatty acids in the Hemp Seed and Hemp oil
• Before going to bed, massage the cream all over the body.

Hemp Seed Oil Shampoo

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup grated Soap (Castile Soap is a common choice)
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon Organic Hemp Seed Oil
• 2 tablespoons Glycerine
• Few drops of Essential Oil (optional, for fragrance or therapeutic properties)

Method

• Dissolve the soap in the hot water.
• Stir in the Hemp Oil.
• Add the Glycerine and any Essential Oils you might want. You can add more if more fragrance, if desired.
• Pour the Shampoo into your bottles and seal the caps tight.
• Shake well and let them sit for 24 hours before use.
• Shake gently before each use to blend the oils through the Shampoo

Hemp Body Scrub

Hemp Protein is easily digestible with 65% globulin edestin and 35% albumin protein, more than any other plant. These substances aid digestion and assimilation, and are in a form similar to that found in blood plasma. Great for dry hair and skin, as it nourishes you. Hemp Protein powder is used in a skincare product (body scrub) as exfoliant.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Organic Hemp Protein
• 1/3 cup Organic Hemp Seed Oil
• 20 drops Vanilla Essential Oil, (optional)

Method

• Add essential oil to the Hemp Protein Powder in a glass or ceramic bowl, stir thoroughly.
• Gradually add the hemp seed oil, stirring continuously.
• Stop when the scrub reaches the consistency of moist sand.

Use Coarse Hemp Powder for a more coarse exfoliant.

Hemp Seeds Side Effects

You cannot get high from consuming low THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) hemp seeds.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA is the agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice and communicates on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain) hemp seeds are practically free of THC (maximum 12 mg THC/kg). The THC lethal dose in acute toxicity studies in rats, mice and dogs is approximately 1000 times higher than the lowest doses known to reproduce typical THC-related symptoms in animals ². The hemp varieties allowed for cultivation in Europe need not to exceed 0.2 % THC (in dry matter; average of 2151 samples collected in Europe between 2006 and 2008: 0.075 %).

Due to the increasing use of hemp seed meal/cake, hemp seed oil and whole hemp plant (including hemp flour) in animal feeds, the European Food Safety Authority was also asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the risks for human health related to the presence of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in milk and other food of animal origin. The Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) concluded that exposure to 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via consumption of milk and dairy products, resulting from the use of hemp seed-derived feed materials at the reported concentrations, is unlikely to pose a health concern. However, the CONTAM Panel could also not conclude on the possible risks to public health from exposure to Δ9-THC via consumption of animal tissues and eggs, due to a lack of data on the potential transfer and fate of Δ9-THC ³.

However, since the seeds come into contact with the rest of the plant, some residue may remain on the seeds after processing and shelled hemp seeds may contain extremely low levels of THC. The exact levels vary by brand, so if you are very sensitive to THC and happen to buy a brand with higher-than-average levels, you may experience euphoria or hallucination. It is also highly unlikely — although not impossible — to get a positive drug test result after consuming large amounts of shelled hemp seeds.

Lastly, since hemp seeds inhibit platelets and eating hemp seeds may pose a bleeding risk.

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