Can Hemp Help Treat Eczema And Other Skin Conditions?

With the rising popularity of hemp and CBD products, more and more people are asking what else this wonderful plant can do for us. One such possibility that often gets talked about is hemp's ability to treat skin conditions like eczema.

HEMP, COSMETICS AND SKIN CONDITIONS

Without a doubt, hemp offers the nutrients and compounds required to help keep skin healthy. It has a high nutritional value when consumed, and is often used in locally applied balms as part of beauty regimes. In fact, many cosmetic companies now use hemp in their skin care products, attesting to its value. Products made from hemp can be rich in omega fatty acids, non-psychoactive cannabinoids, minerals, and vitamins, depending on which part of the plant is used.

But what about hemp when used to treat rashes and eczema? This becomes a bit more of a controversial subject. There are plenty of anecdotal reports all suggesting that it can be a benefit, and various bits of research to back up the claim, but there have been few, if any, clinical trials.

Most confusion stems from the fact that results are different depending on which actual part of the hemp plant that is used. For example, oil pressed from the seeds don’t contain much CBD, whereas the extract of the flower does. Skin care products that contain CBD often perform better, as CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. When combined with the natural vitamin rich and nutritional value of the oil, it can be an even bigger benefit. When the oil is used on its own, results are going to be less pronounced – but still a benefit for those looking to maintain healthy skin.

WHY DOES IT HELP?

Apart from the obvious nutritional aspects offered by hemp – which are all required by bodily processes that maintain and heal the skin – CBD is a known to have lipostatic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. While this is not a cure for skin conditions such as eczema, it can level the playing field, giving the skin a few extra resources to try and normalise conditions. For this reason, people get different results. Some swear by it, while others don’t see much effect.

RESEARCH EFFECTS

The skin is thought to be intricately linked with the endocannabinoid system, with research also showing that cannabinoids appeared to regulate and inhibit keratinocyte production – a compound whose abundance is associated with many skin conditions.

RESEARCH TO ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM RESEARCH TO KERATINOCYTE

In addition to this, hemp oil is moisturising. As conditions like eczema and psoriasis are characterised by dry skin, it only makes sense that cosmetics with hemp oil in can help combat this. In addition to this, hemp oil is packed full of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties – reducing itching.

Research published back in 2005 comparing ingested hempseed oil to olive oil found that hemp seed oil appeared to be much more effective at helping reduce eczema. This was thanks to a much greater essential fatty acid content (both omega 3 and 6) as well as a high presence on non-essential PUFAs.

LINK RESEARCH

THE TAKE AWAY FROM IT ALL

So what does this all mean? Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that yes, hemp oil – especially where CBD is involved – could help reduce the severity of skin conditions like eczema. It is no cure, and varies person to person, and can depend whether the product has CBD in, but there is certainly potential. Without a doubt, more precise research looking at the various aspects of hemp and CBD are required, but things are looking good!