Ointments

Hemp ointment is a topical plant preparation applied directly to the skin — in this category at u Bucha, you will find hemp balms and ointments: warming, cooling, and regenerating with hemp oil as a base. Hemp seed oil (Cannabis sativa L.) provides omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in a ratio close to 3:1, which according to Journal of Dermatological Treatment (2020) meets the needs of human skin. On this page, you will read how to choose a hemp ointment for your needs, which products work well after training, and which are suitable for caring for dry skin or cracked heels — and how to use them step by step to achieve the best effects.

How to choose a hemp ointment?

Hemp ointment is a broad term — one preparation will warm up tense muscles after a run, another will cool a joint after an injury, and yet another will nourish dry heel skin. Before you buy, determine the purpose of use. According to the report from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, the sale of topical hemp preparations in the EU increased by over 38% year on year in 2023 — the market is growing, but the quality of products is uneven.

Four selection criteria:

• Purpose of action. Warming (capsaicin, eucalyptus, rosemary) — for overloaded muscles before and after exercise. Cooling (menthol, eucalyptus, peppermint) — for acute pain, swelling, inflammation. Regenerating (omega fatty acids, shea butter) — for dry, irritated, or flaky skin. Properly matching the hemp ointment to the purpose is key to effectiveness, as confirmed by a review in Frontiers in Pharmacology (2020).
• Composition and quality of the base. Look for cold-pressed hemp oil — it retains the full profile of fatty acids. Medicinal petroleum jelly as a carrier extends the contact of active substances with the skin. Avoid products with a long list of synthetic emulsifiers as the first ingredients in the INCI.
• Concentration of hemp in the ointment. Medicprogress hemp ointment with 10% hemp seed oil content is a significantly higher concentration than in typical drugstore creams — a higher concentration means more omega fatty acids per square centimeter of skin with each application, as explained by Journal of Dermatology (2015).
• Additional active ingredients. Camphor and methyl salicylate increase blood flow at the application site. Extract from the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) in Molpharma balms is a novelty — muscimol acts locally on GABA receptors, which may relieve tissue tension, although clinical studies on topical-grade muscimol are still preliminary and require further confirmation, as noted in phytochemical literature.

Common mistake #1: buying a warming preparation for acute inflammation (e.g. fresh sprain). Heat stimulates circulation, but with active swelling, it can exacerbate discomfort — in the first 48 hours after an injury, as advised by Mayo Clinic, reach for a cold compress or hemp ointment with menthol.

Common mistake #2: one-time use and assessing effectiveness after a few minutes. Ointments with fatty acids require regular use for at least 7–14 days to evaluate their impact on skin condition — as indicated by a review from Journal of Dermatology (2015).

Who hemp ointments are NOT for: individuals allergic to plants from the Cannabaceae family, with open wounds or damaged skin at the application site should consult a specialist before use. Children under 3 years old should not use preparations with high concentrations of menthol due to the risk of irritation of the upper respiratory tract, as recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics.

Most popular products in the category

In the category of hemp ointments and balms at u Bucha, we distinguish three groups of products based on their action. Each hemp ointment in our offer uses certified hemp seed oil as a base.

Classic hemp ointments. Medicprogress Hemp Ointment 250 ml 10% green is one of the cheaper choices per ml (32 PLN for 250 ml), with a formula enriched with menthol, camphor, and methyl salicylate — a good entry point for those looking for quick relief after exercise. PALACIO Herbal Ointment with Hemp 100ml focuses on simplicity: cold-pressed hemp oil and medicinal petroleum jelly without unnecessary additives — it works well for daily care of dry face and body skin. A sister product, PALACIO Hemp Ointment for Heels 100ml, is concentrated on heels and elbows — a thicker consistency keeps active substances on rough skin throughout the night.

KANNAMOL Balms. The Kannamol line offers three variants of 100–200 ml, all based on GMO-free hemp oil. Regenerating Balm 100ml KANNAMOL (35 PLN) is a preparation without chemical preservatives, recommended for eczema and psoriasis, due to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Warming Balm 100ml KANNAMOL (35 PLN) combines shea butter with extracts of eucalyptus and rosemary — it warms tissues and moisturizes at the same time, without leaving a greasy layer. Cooling Balm 200ml KANNAMOL (59 PLN) is a larger container for those using the preparation daily — eucalyptus and peppermint provide an intense cooling sensation just seconds after application.

Molpharma Balms with Amanita muscaria. For advanced users: Warming Balm with Red Fly Agaric Amanita Muscaria 100g (59 PLN) and the 200g version (99 PLN) combine traditional warming ingredients with extract from the fly agaric, used in folk medicine for centuries. Similarly to the cooling line — Cooling Balm with Red Fly Agaric Amanita Muscaria 100g (59 PLN) and the 200g version combine eucalyptus with fly agaric in one formula, offering dual action: the hemp base moisturizes, while the active ingredients relieve pain and muscle tension.

How to use hemp ointment?

The correct application technique significantly affects the effectiveness of hemp ointment. Skin absorption studies show that massaging the application site can increase the penetration of active ingredients by up to 30–40% compared to passive application. Below is a step-by-step guide.

1. Wash and dry the skin at the application site. Grease, sweat, and dust reduce the absorption of active ingredients — clean skin is a prerequisite for the effectiveness of any hemp ointment. The temperature of a warm bath (about 37°C) additionally opens pores and aids in the absorption of fatty acids.
2. Measure the appropriate amount of hemp ointment. Apply a portion the size of a hazelnut (about 1–2 g) to the painful area or skin requiring care. Too much hemp ointment does not speed up effects and may hinder absorption.
3. Rub in circular motions for 30–60 seconds. Massage the product in circular motions until it is absorbed. Massaging improves microcirculation and accelerates the action of the ingredients — particularly important for sports balms, as indicated by sports massage literature.
4. Wash your hands after application. Menthol and capsaicin are highly irritating to mucous membranes — contact with the eyes or nose is painful and may require rinsing with water. With balms containing Amanita muscaria, this is particularly important, as warned by American Academy of Pediatrics.
5. Occlusive technique for heels (optional). For hemp ointments intended for heels and elbows: apply in the evening, put on cotton socks, and leave overnight — occlusion enhances moisturization, and the temperature under the sock aids in the penetration of omega fatty acids into deeper layers of the epidermis, as confirmed by Journal of Dermatology (2015).
6. Monitor skin reaction for the first 3 days. If redness, itching, or rash occurs — discontinue use and consult a dermatologist. An allergic reaction to terpene ingredients is possible, though rare, as noted in Frontiers in Pharmacology (2020).

Safety and contraindications

Hemp ointments and balms are cosmetics for external use — they do not absorb into the bloodstream in clinically significant amounts according to a review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology (2020). Nevertheless, several safety rules apply to every user of hemp ointment.

• Patch test before first use. Apply a small amount to the inner side of the forearm and wait 24 hours, as recommended by Mayo Clinic. Allergy to terpene ingredients is possible, especially with atopic skin.
• Do not use on damaged skin. Open wounds, burns, and rashes are absolute contraindications — active substances may penetrate faster than intended and cause irritation or systemic reactions.
• Children under 3 years old. Menthol in higher concentrations can cause laryngeal spasm in very young children — balms with menthol are not intended for infants, as confirmed by guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is insufficient research on topical hemp during pregnancy — consult a doctor before the first use of any hemp ointment.
• Amanita muscaria — drug interactions. Extracts from the red fly agaric may interact with GABA-ergic medications (benzodiazepines, antiepileptic drugs) — if you are undergoing active pharmacotherapy, consult a specialist before purchasing.

Did you know that hemp ointments applied topically do not produce a psychoactive effect? THC in products available in Poland must be below 0.2% of the dry mass of the plant according to EU regulation 1307/2013, and skin absorption is additionally limited by the epidermal barrier.

More about how hemp cannabinoids interact with the body can be read in the article How CBD and other hemp cannabinoids affect the human body. If you are interested in a broader spectrum of cannabinoids in hemp preparations, also check CBG, CBD and other hemp cannabinoids — use together or separately?.

Who are hemp ointments and balms for?

Hemp topical preparations work well in several specific situations. Athletes and physically active individuals appreciate warming balms before training (better tissue perfusion) and cooling balms after exercise (faster heat dissipation from overloaded muscles). A clinical review in Journal of Clinical Rheumatology (2016) confirmed that topical preparations with methyl salicylate reduce pain perception by about 40% in patients with muscle pain compared to placebo.

Seniors with rheumatoid complaints appreciate the regular use of hemp ointments with methyl salicylate — this substance, after being absorbed through the skin, acts similarly to topical acetylsalicylic acid, without burdening the digestive system. Individuals with dry or flaky skin, eczema, or psoriasis can benefit from regenerating balms rich in omega fatty acids, especially in summer and winter when the skin is more exposed to external factors. Studies from Journal of Dermatology (2015) have shown that hemp oil used topically normalizes trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) with regular use for 20 weeks in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Products in this category may be less suitable for: children under 3 years old (due to menthol, as recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics), individuals with hypersensitivity to plants from the Cannabaceae family, and those taking GABA-ergic medications when choosing balms with Amanita muscaria.

This page is for informational and educational purposes. It contains links to products available in the u Bucha store. Prices and specifications may change — check the current data on the product page before purchasing.