We explain the difference between CBD Oil, Hemp Essential Oil, and Hemp Seed Oil.
Today at the hemp shop we’re diving in to the difference between CBD oil, hemp essential oil and hempseed oil. With the boom of the CBD industry, old terminology is becoming mixed with new language to change the meaning of some of the terms that we have been used to for the past 25 years of our operation here at the hemp shop. Namely, the term “Hemp Oil” has become somewhat ambiguous. What does “Hemp Oil” mean exactly? Is that CBD oil, is it hemp seed oil, or is it hemp essential oil? Well, the answer seems to be “all three”.
Hemp Seed Oil
If you were talking about “hemp oil” before 2015 (when CBD oil burst into the mainstream) you’d probably be referring to hemp seed oil. The nutritious oil extracted from hemp seeds. This oil is used as a dietary supplement due to its fantastic nutritional profile.
Hemp seed oil is high in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and they are present in a “perfect ratio” for optimal absorption by the body. It also contains a huge range of other amino acids. It contains all 9 essential fatty acids that are not produced naturally by the body but are essential for normal function. This is why hemp seed oil is used by people worldwide as a dietary supplement for general health and to help with various conditions. Omega oils are famously good for joint health, dry skin conditions, regulating blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and inflammatory responses.
Hemp, with its vital nutrients, supports the healthy metabolism of all cells and strengthens the immune system. This pure, unrefined cold-pressed Hempseed Oil has a delicious nutty flavour, and is rich in Vitamin E and Omega 3, 6 and 9, in a form more easily digested by the body than any other plant oils. Omega 3 and 6 are beneficial for lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, supporting a healthy heart and improving joint health.
CBD Oil
These days, more people seem to be referring to CBD oil as “hemp oil”.
But, why don’t they just call it “CBD Oil”?
This seems to be a change caused by the advertising industry, and perhaps not in the way that you might think. You see, many advertising platforms are wary of allowing CBD ads to run on their networks because it is derived from cannabis, an illegal and controlled substance in the majority of countries. Because of this connection, many advertisers simply will not allow CBD ads to run on their networks. This also extends to 3rd party selling platforms such as Amazon and eBay. You cannot sell CBD oil on either of those platforms, as it is against their policies.
To get around this ban on CBD, some companies are re-labelling their products as “hemp oil” to avoid being picked up for using the term “CBD”. They are keeping the contents of the product deliberately ambiguous so that they can sell on Amazon/eBay and run ads with digital advertising platforms such as Google Ads and Google Shopping. This simple removal of the terms “CBD” and “Cannabidiol” from product names and descriptions seems to be enough for them to circumvent the ban on CBD products. With large companies like Google and Amazon, their volume of new products and ads being listed is so large that most checks are done autonomously by bots and not reviewed by a real person unless flagged in a complaint. This allows companies to fly under the radar and advertise or sell their CBD products under the name “hemp oil”, at least for a while.
This is problematic. The situation is causing major harm to the CBD and the hemp industry as a whole. As a result of the ambiguity surrounding products labelled as “hemp oil”, some companies have started to defraud people by selling “hemp seed oil” in packaging that looks exactly like CBD oil. This fake CBD oil has the higher prices associated with real CBD oil, but has 0% CBD in it. This is why we recommend that you never attempt to buy CBD oil from Amazon or eBay. Buy only from trusted sellers, and always make sure that the product you are buying has a 3rd party lab test certificate, that’s up to date, saying that it contains CBD.
We believe that this practice is eroding trust in CBD as a whole, and devaluing the entire industry, but the big companies (Amazon, Google, eBay) are doing very little to combat it. So it’s left up to consumers to be smart about where they buy CBD oil, and do the necessary checks before they commit to a purchase.
Here at the hemp shop we pride ourselves on having some of the finest CBD oils available on the market today. We always provide 3rd party lab testing certificates, and we always test products ourselves before allowing them to go on sale on our website. You can be sure that all of the CBD products are legitimate. Don’t bother with the minefield that is eBay and Amazon, buy from us for complete peace of mind!
Hemp Essential Oil
“Hemp Essential Oil” is another product that people might be referring to when they say “hemp oil”. This is a highly concentrated essence of the hemp plant. This holistic aromatherapy oil is a pure plant extract, steam distilled from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. 50lbs of hemp is required to make just 20ml of hemp essential oil, which is why it comes with a premium price tag.
Hemp essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy diffusers, as a relaxing massage oil (when diluted with a carrier oil such as the Hempiness Organic Hemp Body Oil), and as a food additive (when heavily diluted). This hemp concentrate has a number of uses, and the terpenes contained within the oil are reported to have a number of beneficial effects for body and mind, including…
- Creates feelings of tranquillity and peace
- Extremely relaxing and antispasmodic
- Stress-relieving, good for insomnia
- Anti-inflammatory and reduces swelling
- Alleviates skin irritations & allergic reaction
- Beneficial for respiratory tract problems/infections
- Relieves asthma, hay fever, sinusitis
- Boosts energy, optimism & confidence
- Reduces nervousness, fear and apprehension
- Holistic: Opening, releasing, balancing and uplifting
- Hormone balancing: regulates female hormone system
Hempiness hemp essential oil contains less than 1% cbd, and no THC.
Conclusion
The term “Hemp Oil” is most commonly used to refer to hemp seed oil, but has been co-opted by untrustworthy CBD sellers and counterfeiters on popular digital sales platforms (Google, Amazon, eBay) to circumvent bans on selling CBD. This ambiguity has led to scams where customers are misled into thinking they are getting CBD oil, when they’re actually getting a mystery oil product which is sometimes hempseed oil, and sometimes a mixture of other oils, but it’s certainly not CBD.
If you’re looking for hemp seed oil, then try the Hempiness Hempseed Oil.
If you are interested in CBD, then go ahead and check out our range of CBD oils, capsules, edibles and teas from trusted brands which are guaranteed to contain exactly what they say on the label (unlike the untrustworthy “hemp oil” available on Amazon/eBay).
If you’re interested in hemp essential oil, then try the Hempiness organic and natural hemp essential oils.
