Hemp seed oil may offer a natural and effective alternative for wound care, outperforming conventional antibiotic ointments, according to new research published in the Narra J journal.
Scientists from Universitas Syiah Kuala in Indonesia found that hemp seed oil significantly accelerated wound healing in mice compared to both untreated wounds and those treated with chloramphenicol, a common antibiotic ointment.
In the study, 36 male mice were divided into three groups: one receiving no treatment, another treated with chloramphenicol ointment twice daily, and a third treated with hemp seed oil at a concentration of 400,000 mg/mL, also twice daily. Researchers assessed wound recovery over a 21-day period using both visual and microscopic evaluations.
By day 14, wounds treated with hemp seed oil were noticeably smaller, and healing rates were significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared to the other groups. The study also noted marked improvements in key healing indicators such as epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, and new blood vessel growth. Notably, the hemp oil group showed enhanced granulation tissue as early as day 3 and increased vascularization by day 21 (p = 0.001).
“The findings suggest that hemp seed oil could be a cost-effective and natural adjunct in wound management,” the researchers concluded, citing its superior performance over standard treatment.
As interest in plant-based therapies continues to grow, the study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the medicinal value of hemp-derived products. However, researchers caution that further clinical trials in humans are needed before recommending widespread medical use.
