Hemp, the plant associated with cannabis, is good for you.

Not only can it be used to make clothes, ice cream, bread, pesto and other food products it is also a health food.

The type of hemp used for the purpose is not the same that alters minds.

But it can have a positive affect on health, including improving the quality of blood and helping to ease skin conditions such as eczema.

MotherHemp, based in Firle, near Lewes, is the UK's leading supplier of hemp food products and has now announced the results of the world's first clinical trial on hempseed oil.

Dr Jace Callaway, scientific adviser to MotherHemp, said the trials tested the potential of hempseed oil as a "functional food".

His team of researchers from the University of Kuopio, Finland, conducted their tests on a group of eight men and six women volunteers.

Results showed dramatic increases in the blood of the essential omega-six fatty acid and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) substances that improve the circulation of oxygen and boost the immune system.

Dr Callaway said: "We were surprised to see the dramatic increases in blood levels of GLA from the hempseed oil.

"Increased levels of GLA might help explain some of the numerous anecdotal reports of seemingly miraculous cures from people taking hempseed oil, particularly those suffering from chronic health problems such as allergies, dry skin, slow-healing wounds and even rheumatoid arthritis."

Sarah Yearsley, MotherHemp marketing manager, said: "As with vitamins, the human body cannot make these two fatty acids but they are essential to health and must be obtained from our daily diet."

MotherHemp was formed in February 1998 and manufactures and supplies hemp-derived products to the retail and wholesale markets.

It has exclusive rights to Finola hempseed in Europe.

Ms Yearsley said: "Like soya beans, hemp seeds can be made into numerous nutritious food products.

"Once they are ground, soaked and crushed for their oil content, the resulting seed cake can be used for flour to make bread, cakes, pasta, and biscuits an ideal alternative for special diets.

"In addition, the soaked seeds can be made into milk, ice cream and non-dairy cheeses."