When we talk about the benefits of plants it’s important to understand that some components are water soluble and some are fat soluble.
The water soluble vitamins are needed in frequent increments as they work through the system quickly and are excreted by the kidneys. Fasting has been shown to lengthen the time that water soluble vitamins remain in the body thereby increasing the absorption of the essential elements. In fact taking any supplement after fasting for a period of time increases the strength of the supplement. That is why taking a supplement in the morning can produce the greatest effects.
Water soluble vitamins include:
- B1 / thiamine – important for nerve function, promotes a healthy appetite
- B2 / riboflavin – important for vision and skin
- B3 / niacin – important for nervous system, digestive system, and skin, helps to produce hormones
- B5 / pantothenic acid – important for producing red blood cells and hormones
- B6 / pyridoxine – important for making red blood cells, helps to produce melatonin, helps to reduce levels of homocysteine
- B7 / biotin – helps to maintain blood sugar levels, strengthens hair and nails
- B9 / folic acid – important for making DNA and red blood cells
- B12 – important for making new cells and maintaining a healthy nervous system
- Vitamin C – antioxidant, important for the immune system, aids in iron absorption, building block of collagen
Teas are a great way to take in some of these important vitamins because they are extracting the water soluble components of the plants.
Other vitamins are fat soluble. They tend to get stored in the body for longer periods of time.
Fat soluble vitamins include:
- A / retinol – important for bone growth, tooth development, regulation of the immune system and fertility, it is an antioxidant and keeps the mucous membranes moist
- D – critical in helping the body to use calcium and phosphorous, essential for strong bones and teeth, deficiency linked to autoimmune disease and osteoporosis
- E / tocopherol – antioxidant, helps to prevent heart disease, critical for healthy skin and eyes, protects the circulatory system
- K – essential for normal blood clotting, promotes bone health especially in reducing post-menopausal bone loss in women
These vitamins can be found in oils.
Hemp oil and bamboo have properties that accentuate each other so let’s talk a bit about this specific blend.
By combining hemp oil with bamboo we can get the best of two fantastic supplements. One way in which this is done is through the magnesium content in bamboo. Vitamins A and D require adequate levels of magnesium to carry out their functions in the body. Bamboo contains magnesium which helps to build receptor sites on the cells for vitamins A and D. So adding the bamboo to the oil increases the bodies ability to utilize these important vitamins. This is really important for bone density and healthy teeth.
Another example is zinc and vitamin A. Vitamin A helps the body’s intestinal tract to better absorb zinc, in turn zinc then helps transport fat soluble vitamins across the intestinal wall. Bamboo contains zinc which works with the fat soluble vitamins to improve overall health specifically in relation to the immune system.
A third example is with beta-carotene, which is found in vegetables (think carrots). Beta-carotene is turned into vitamin A by the body. It has been shown that eating a salad with a oil dressing greatly increases the ability of the body to absorb beta-carotene. So adding a hemp oil dressing to your salad improved the body’s ability to absorb vitamins in the salad. Interesting. This is why adding seeds to a salad greatly increases the benefits of eating the salad.
So drinking teas made with bamboo and then adding in oils infused with bamboo gives the full spectrum of benefits. So making a smoothie with Bamboo Leaf Tea and then adding 2 tsp of bamboo infused hemp oil brings all of the benefits of bamboo in a delivery system that works. I find that hemp oil is one of the best oils out there to deliver the fat soluble components and it brings a host of amazing contributions itself to the mix. Let’s break down a bit some of the benefits of this fantastic combo and more importantly how to use it.
Benefits and use – external
Massage is great for stimulating the body. It aids in increasing circulation and rejuvenating the skin. Massage is also great for the scalp. It stimulates hair growth by bringing vital nutrients to the surface where the hair follicles are located. The bamboo infused hemp oil is the perfect addition to this regimin. A small amount of this oil goes a long way so start with a few drops and add more as needed.
- fatty acids present in hemp oil combined with the silica in bamboo can be used as a conditioner for the scalp or moisturizer for the skin, this is especially good during the dry winter months when the skin can become dry and the hair brittle
- the high protein content in hemp strengthens the hair
- topical use of hemp oil with bamboo can be used on burns, skin irritations, eczema, and in healing tattoos
- unlike the chemically laden shampoos, conditioners, and skin care products this is 100% organic with no additives – so no stress on the liver
- hemp oil with bamboo acts as an anti-inflammatory and contains anti-oxidants
- hemp oil makes a great massage oil – healing sore muscles
Benefits and use – internal
First things first there is much confusion over the difference between hemp and marijuana. This product is safe for everyone to use and is not a drug. Here is a link about the safety of using hemp products if you are concerned with THC levels. http://nutiva.com/documents/THCStudySummary.pdf Hemp oil has amazing benefits that are unique to this seed. Combining it with bamboo accentuates the benefits of both ingredients. You can use hemp oil as a replacement for olive oil in foods, dressings, and smoothies. I recommend not heating it to preserve the highest nutritional value. For the best results take 2-4 tsp a day.
- hemp oil has highest amount of fatty acids of any plant, these EFA’s cannot be produced by the body and play a big role in preventing diseases such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and high blood pressure
- EFA’s are essential for a healthy brain and nervous system
- vegan alternative for fish oil (without the worry of toxins)
- natural anti-inflammatory
- EFA’s in hemp oil shown to heal ulcers
- lubricates joints and reduces swelling – this hemp oil with bamboo is one of the best products on the market for joint pain and arthritis
- high silica content
- contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and E
- high levels of chlorophyll
- it is a complete protein
- hemp oil is the only plant to contain vitamin D.
