Cannabis Essential Oil Benefits and Uses in Aromatherapy

Cannabis essential oil benefits include pain relief and sleep support, but the essential oil does not contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), meaning you cannot get high. The oil also does not contain detectable amounts of therapeutic CBD (cannabidiol).

The essential oil, produced by steam distilling the flowers and upper leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant, is also called hemp essential oil or cannabis flower essential oil. 

What is the difference between cannabis (hemp) essential oil, hemp seed oil, and CBD oil?

Hemp seed oil, also called hemp oil, is a fatty oil made by cold pressing the plant's seeds. You can use it as a carrier oil for aromatherapy. CBD oil is different from the essential oil or the seed oil and is usually produced with supercritical CO₂ extraction.

Note: The generic term "cannabis oil" might refer to a number of different types of oils. Make sure you know what you are buying. You can also make a cannabis-infused massage oil.

Basic Hemp Essential Oil Facts

Plant family: Cannabaceae.

Aroma: Sharp, herbaceous. Some people do not like the scent.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Middle.

Is cannabis essential oil safe to use during pregnancy? Consult a professional.

Is cannabis essential oil safe for children? For ages 10+, according to Revive Kid-Safe Oils. Consult a professional for details.

Cautions: If the oil becomes oxidized, it may cause skin sensitization.

Main components of essential oils commercially produced in France and Switzerland:

• beta-myrcene        21.1–31.1%
• beta-caryophyllene  13.7–19.4%
• (E)-beta-ocimene     2.1–10.2%
• terpinolene            1.6–9.1%
  

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed.

Note: Mountain Rose Herbs sells a hemp essential oil made from cannabis grown in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and states the main components are beta-myrcene, limonene, beta-pinene, and alpha-pinene.

Cannabis Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

"Hemp essential oil positions you to view things from a new perspective... [and] has a very high ethereal vibration. It is gloriously happy, vibrant, and energetic," writes aromatherapist Elizabeth Ashley in Cannabis: CBD Rich Hemp Oil, Hemp Essential Oil and Hemp Seed Oil. (If you want to dive deep into those three oils, I recommend starting with Ashley's ebook.)

Ashley explains that the beta-caryophyllene in the essential oil activates the endocannabinoid system's CB₂ receptors, which help reduce inflammation in the body. Thus, the essential oil is useful for conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, digestive problems, allergies, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols: The oil is indicated for respiratory and digestive inflammation.

Essential Oils: A Comprehensive Handbook for Aromatic Therapy: Cannabis essential oil has relaxing, anxiety-relieving, and depression-relieving effects. The oil may help relieve headache pain, musculoskeletal pain and injury, and chronic inflammation. In skin care, this essential oil may help manage inflammatory, allergic, and painful skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis.

Suggested essential oils to blend with cannabis:

• For mild acne: coriander seed.
• For skin inflammation and healing: sandalwood.
• For skin inflammation and allergy: rose or German (blue) chamomile.

Revive Essential Oils: This essential oil is relaxing, offers minor pain relief, and supports the immune system. Three ways to use the essential oil:

• For a rub for tired muscles, add 1 or 2 drops essential oil to 1 teaspoon carrier oil.
• For deep relaxation, mix 1 drop essential oil with 2 drops carrier oil and apply to temples and neck.
• To moisturize skin, blend a 2 or 3 drops essential oil with 1 teaspoon hemp seed oil.

Eden's Garden: Cannabis essential oil benefits include helping relieve the stresses and strains of over-exertion and daily wear-and-tear. The oil also supports relief of mild skin conditions when used in lotions, balms, salves, and massage oils.

DIY Facial Oil

• 1 one-ounce bottle
• Hemp seed oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops hemp essential oil
• 1 drop frankincense essential oil
  

1. Add enough hemp seed oil to the bottle to fill it two-thirds full.
2. Add the essential oils.
3. Cap bottle and then shake well.
4. To use, wash and dry your face, and then dab a few drops of the blend on your face, avoiding the eye area.

Mountain Rose Herbs: To make a skin-nourishing moisturizer for dry and combination skin, dilute hemp essential oil in hemp seed oil (1 to 3 drops essential oil in 1 teaspoon carrier oil). You can also add the essential oil to lotions or creams to support smooth, healthy skin. Suggested essential oils to blend with hemp:

• For hair and scalp care: rosemary, cedarwood, or sandalwood.
• To support relaxation and restful sleep: lavender or clary sage.
• For a clean and harmonizing diffuser blend: tangerine (or another favorite citrus oil) and pine.

Miracle Botanicals: Diffusing the essential oil can help nurture a calming atmosphere to relieve stress and elevate mood.

Pain Relief Blend

• 1 tablespoon hemp seed oil
• 5 drops cannabis essential oil
• 5 drops turmeric essential oil

Combine the oils. Gently massage onto areas of discomfort as needed.

Studies of Cannabis Essential Oil Benefits

"Identification of Anti-Neuroinflammatory Bioactive Compounds in Essential Oils and Aqueous Distillation Residues Obtained from Commercial Varieties of Cannabis sativa L." (2023). Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10706820/.

"Industrial, CBD, and Wild Hemp: How Different Are Their Essential Oil Profile and Antimicrobial Activity?" (2020). Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7587197/

"Cannabis Essential Oil: A Preliminary Study for the Evaluation of the Brain Effects" (2018). Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5822802/.

"The Essential Oil From Industrial Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) By-Products as an Effective Tool for Insect Pest Management in Organic Crops" (2018). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669018304515

"Yield and Quality of Essential Oils in Hemp Varieties in Different Environments" (2019). Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/9/7/356.

"Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils from Fibre-Type Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp)" (2019). Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6631254/.

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About the Author

Carol Wiley is a retired massage therapist and freelance writer. She uses her deep interest in aromatherapy and essential oils to research their benefits and uses and bring you summaries and blends with links to more resources.

If you find this site useful, you can show your support by buying through my affiliate links. The site is a labor of love, and I appreciate any income that helps keep it up and running.

Buy essential oils at Aromatics International or Rocky Mountain Oils.
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Photo Credit: Chmee2, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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