If you say the word ‘hemp’, most people will instantly assume you mean cannabis – but actually, although they look remarkably similar, hemp is a completely different strain of plant, and very misunderstood.
Unlike cannabis, hemp contains very little THC – the compound which has psychotropic effects and makes you feel ‘high’ – but does have an awful lot of excellent properties; it’s been shown to help fight anxiety and depression, it’s a brilliant painkiller, and can even help to aid sleep. It’s available in many different forms, from oils and balms to the more recent hemp wellness spray, but which variety you buy can depend on what you’re intending to do with it – read on for three simple ways to add this wonder plant to your life.
Add It To Food or Drink
There are so many ways to use hemp oil with edibles, that you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you’re pushed for time in the morning, you can easily add a few drops to your morning coffee, and it’s super easy to add in with your breakfast smoothie – simply pop everything in the mixer, add the oil, and blend away. If you’re keen to cook with hemp oil spray, mixing it into sauces and garnishes is the way to go – you can also mix it into scrambled egg, pesto, salad dressings…. in fact, there’s not a lot of things it won’t work with! If you’re more of a baker, try adding it to cakes, brownies, biscuits and cheesecakes for a deliciously sweet and calming treat.
Use A Topical Application
If you’re looking to hemp to alleviate pain symptoms such as arthritis or chronic back pain, or you’ve got a sports injury that you need help with, you’re going to need a topical application. These are made up as either a balm or a salve, and are rubbed directly on to the area to provide instant pain relief and reduce inflammation – meaning you can finally throw away those painkillers! Many of the balms also include other ingredients, such as lavender oil, peppermint and green tea, which means they not only help with your pain levels, but they also smell great. Other popular ingredients are menthol and white willow bark – these contain analgesic properties of their own, so it’s worth reading the packaging before you commit to a purchase.
Use A Tincture
One of the most common ways to use hemp oil is as a tincture; this is where you place a few drops of the oil under your tongue as and when you need it; this method is more popular with people who might be using the product to fight stress and anxiety, or help with mental health problems. If you don’t fancy a tincture, you should consider the the sublingual hemp oil spray – available in a variety of flavors, the spray is a travel-friendly alternative, which is small enough to fit in your pocket but large enough to help you cope with whatever life throws at you.