Hemp has a very long history.
China, in particular, has been cultivating hemp for over 6000 years. The Red Emperor Shen-Nung, who ruled around 2700 BCE, and who was also known as the “Father of Chinese Medicine”, was an early adoptee of the hemp plant. He is said to have discovered the healing power of cannabis (hemp).
The Shu King, a book dating to about 2350 BCE, refers to the soil in Shantung as “rich with silk and hemp”. The ancient Chinese are known to have used hemp for paper, clothing, rope, and medicine.
Interestingly, by 1850 cannabis (hemp) was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia (the public standards-setting authority for all available medicines). Cannabis was listed as a treatment for neuralgia, tetanus, typhus, cholera, rabies, dysentery, alcoholism, opiate addiction, anthrax, leprosy, incontinence, gout, convulsive disorders, tonsillitis, insanity, uterine bleeding, and others. Patented tinctures containing cannabis were sold and were quite popular at the time.
Today, hemp seeds are regaining their popularity as a superfood and are eaten either raw or roasted. The seeds are full of vitamins and minerals (including potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc). They are also a complete source of protein and provide all 9 amino acids.
High in omega-3 and omega-6, cannabis seeds are also considered heart-healthy and can reduce blood pressure. The consumption of cannabis seeds seems to be linked to a lower risk of stroke-inducing blood clot formation and increased overall cardiovascular function.
Indeed, your risk of contracting other forms of cardiovascular disease also drops. Some reports claim that hemp seeds help the heart recover after a heart attack.
Finally, the gamma-linoleic acid that’s abundant in cannabis (hemp) seeds can reduce the production of specific proteins that result in inflammation. This is particularly the case with inflammation of the heart and surrounding cardiovascular tissue.
The impressive health benefits of hemp seem to be worth adding it to your diet.
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