Hemp seeds or seeds of the plant ‘cannabis sativa’ are said to contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids (EFAs) necessary for human consumption. The seeds are soft and easy to digest raw, and the essential fatty acids are in the ideal ratio of 3:1 omega 6 to omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs).

The omega 6 EFAs are linoleic acid (LA) and the anti-inflammatory gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), the omega 3 EFA is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Hemp seeds are rich in chlorophyll, magnesium, potassium, sulphur, calcium, iron, phosphorus, A, B and C vitamins. They also contain 35% fibre, including both soluble and insoluble fibre.

Foodstuffs made from hemp seed and oil are illegal in Australia and New Zealand for human consumption. This is despite the recommendation a few years back by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), that the prohibition be removed. However state ministers and government heads rejected the proposal, determining in their wisdom, that there would be law enforcement difficulties distinguishing between high THC cannabis sativa (marijuana) and low THC cannabis sativa (hemp) which cannot get you high. They also believed that the use of industrial hemp in food may send a confused message to consumers about the acceptability and safety of hemp. Sounds a bit silly to me and a bit backwards and I am saying this about my own country!

I did get some hemp seeds when I was recently in the UK and they are just fantastic! I was putting them in my green smoothies while traveling with gusto. They make your smoothie beautifully creamy. They are soft and simply yummy! I was sprinkling them on salads, putting them in my smoothies and just eating them by the spoonful. Hemp seeds are particularly great to use to make a green smoothie creamy if you don’t wish to use bananas or bananas are not available. If you do not to live in Australia or New Zealand then please enjoy hemp seeds in your green smoothies!