healing food
Hemp seeds
Hemp seeds do not contain hallucinogenic THC but they do contain a rich array of nutrients that make them a powerful healing food.
Words DR KAREN BRIDGMAN
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is possibly one of the oldest crops known to humans. Hemp seeds have been eaten worldwide as a major source of food for millennia, and hemp seeds used as food generally do not contain the hallucinogenic component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is these non-THC varieties that are the older prehistoric plants.
The leaves, flowers and sprouts can be eaten, but hemp seeds are the most common food source. Hemp seeds are very versatile and can be eaten raw, sprouted or made into milks as well as used for baking and teas. Hemp oil (from the seeds) is high in unsaturated fatty acids and can be used in salads.
Despite its ancient history of use, there is minimal but increasing research today looking at its effect on human health. As such this article is based largely on traditional evidence and animal (mainly rodent) studies.