Yes, hemp seed oil can help your psoriasis. According to several studiesTrusted Source, this is largely due to the oil being made almost entirely of essential fatty acids — more than 75 percent omega-3 and omega-6.
Additionally, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in hemp seed oil is 3:1, which is considered to be the optimal nutrition ratio for humans and tissue creation. Hemp seed oil also contains gamma linolenic acid, making it more nutrient-rich than many other seed and fish oils.
Omega-3 has been known to have anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Outside of psoriasis, hemp oil is also useful in the treatment of acneTrusted Source, eczemaTrusted Source, and lichen planus (an inflammatory skin condition). Other benefits of using hemp seed oil include:
- stronger skin that is more resistant to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
- antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of yeast
- increased metabolism
- decreased cholesterol levels
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes extra cells to build up on the surface of your skin as a result of increased cell production. It is a fairly common condition, often identified by:
- dry, red areas of skin (commonly covered with scale-like patches)
- swollen or stiff joints
- itching or soreness
Psoriasis often becomes an ongoing cycle of new cells moving to the surface in a few days (instead of weeks), creating scaly patches that don’t disappear until treated.
While there is no cure, many medical professionals treat psoriasis with the primary goal of preventing skin cells from growing too quickly.
How to use hemp oil
There are several options for treating your psoriasis with hemp seed oil, but the primary methods are by taking the seeds or oil orally or applying oil topically. Natural health advocates recommend unrefined, cold-pressed oil, as some other processes can destroy important nutrients.
Ingestion
Hemp seeds tend to have a mild and nutty flavor, and can be consumed straight out of the bottle. Food and beverage applications include adding the oil or seeds to:
- smoothies
- salad dressing
- oatmeal
- dips and sauces
- tofu
The Food and Drug Administration considers hemp seed oil as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
As when you start any new supplement, after getting approval from your doctor, consider beginning with a small amount and then gradually increasing it based on your body’s reaction.
The amount you should consume varies depending on how your body handles the hemp seed oil. Avoid overheating the oil (above 120°F/49°C) as this can result in a loss of nutrients.
Topical
Hemp seed oil is a natural humectant, meaning it helps reduce dryness and strengthen skin by drawing water from nearby sources.
If your doctor agrees that hemp seed oil is appropriate for you try, start by testing the oil on a small patch of skin prior to full treatment to ensure it doesn’t irritate you or cause an allergic reaction.
Potential side effects
One of the major benefits of using hemp seed oil is that there are little to no side effects. Also, despite coming from the plant commonly associated with marijuana use, hemp oil does not contain THC, marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient.
Currently, there are no reports of toxicity from consuming hemp seed oil. However, you may experience some side effects depending on the size of your dosage and how your body digests and handles the substance when ingested.
These tend to be temporary issues and are usually the result of using too much oil when first starting treatment. These side effects can include:
It is also possible that hemp seed oil has an anti-clotting effect. If you take any blood thinning medications or have had issues with clotting in the past, talk to your doctor before starting any regimen involving hemp oil.
Takeaway
Because everybody’s skin is different, hemp seed oil treatments may require some experimentation. Your skin may get worse before it gets better, so you should try to follow the topical routine for a few weeks before deciding if you want to continue.
Stop use immediately if you experience an allergic reaction.
Contact your dermatologist or healthcare provider prior to starting any new treatments, as they can provide guidance and suggestions more specific to your skin’s needs.
