Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds, also known as “火麻仁” (huǒ má rén) in Chinese, are the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. They are annual herbaceous plants that grow upright and can reach a height of 1-3 meters. The branches of the plant have longitudinal grooves and are covered in dense gray-white hairs. The leaves are palmately lobed, with lanceolate or linear-lanceolate lobes. The longest lobes are in the middle, measuring 7-15 centimeters in length and 0.5-2 centimeters in width. The leaves have a pointed tip, a narrow wedge-shaped base, a deep green color on the surface, and a rough texture. They are initially covered in gray-white hairs on the underside but become hairless with age. The edges of the leaves have coarse inwardly curved serrations, and the midrib and lateral veins are slightly sunken on the surface and raised on the underside. The leaf stalks are 3-15 centimeters long and covered in gray-white hairs. The plant has linear stipules.

The male inflorescence of the hemp plant can grow up to 25 centimeters long. The flowers are yellow-green in color, with 5 membranous petals covered in fine hairs on the outside. There are 5 stamens with very short filaments and elongated anthers. The small flower stalks are approximately 2-4 millimeters long. The female flowers are green, and the petals are tightly wrapped around the ovary, which is covered in small hairs. The ovary is nearly spherical and enclosed in bracts. The fruits are dry achenes covered by persistent brown bracts. The fruit skin is hard and brittle, with fine reticulations on the surface. The flowers bloom from May to June, and the fruits mature in July.

Hemp seeds are cultivated in various regions of China and can also be found as semi-wild plants. They are distributed in Northeast China, North China, East China, Central China, and other areas.

Medicinal Use:

The dried, mature seeds of the hemp plant are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They have a sweet taste and a neutral nature. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, hemp seeds are attributed to the spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians.

Health Benefits:

Hemp seeds are believed to moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements. They are mainly used to treat conditions related to blood deficiency and body fluid depletion, such as dryness and constipation.

Traditional Uses:

Hemp seeds are often prescribed in conjunction with other herbs for various conditions. For example:
1. To treat nausea and vomiting: Mix and grind hemp seeds, extract the juice, and consume it with a small amount of salt.
2. To relieve constipation: Grind hemp seeds and cook them into a porridge with rice.
3. To treat symptoms such as fatigue, lower abdominal heat, joint pain, muscle spasms, difficulty urinating, and reduced bowel movements: Grind hemp seeds and boil them in water. Reduce the liquid by half and take in divided doses.
4. To promote postpartum blood circulation: Soak hemp seeds in alcohol overnight, remove impurities the next morning, and warm the liquid for consumption. Take one liter in the morning and another liter at night. Avoid sexual activity for one month and follow postpartum recovery practices.

Dosage:

The recommended dosage of hemp seeds is 10-15 grams.

Processing:

Hemp seeds are harvested in the autumn when the fruits are ripe. They are then cleaned and dried in the sun.

Preparation Methods:

There are two common preparation methods for hemp seeds:

1. Raw hemp seeds: Remove impurities and the fruit skin.

2. Roasted hemp seeds: Take clean hemp seeds and roast them until they turn slightly yellow and produce a fragrant aroma.

Appearance:

Hemp seeds are oval-shaped, measuring 4-5.5 millimeters in length and 2.5-4 millimeters in diameter. They have a gray-green or gray-yellow color and are covered in fine white or brown net-like patterns. The seeds have ridges on both sides and a pointed tip.

In conclusion, hemp seeds, or “火麻仁” (huǒ má rén), are the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for their potential health benefits in promoting intestinal health and relieving symptoms of blood deficiency. The seeds can be prepared in various ways and are commonly used in conjunction with other herbs to treat specific conditions.