It’s the star ingredient in all of our products, Hemp. Did you know that hemp is thought to be the oldest example of human manufacturing? It has been found in Chinese reference as early as 2,800 BC. It is thought to have made its way here to Europe in 1,200 BC. Let’s take a deep dive into the topic of hemp, everything you need to know from seed to harvest.
What Do You Know About Hemp?
Hemp is a plant that is part of the Cannabis sativa family. Although it’s not a drug, it is still illegal in some countries because of its relatives. This plant does contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the substance that causes intoxication in cannabis but hemp does not have enough in it to cause these effects. It can be used for a wide range of reasons and it’s extremely good for the environment, but we’ll get more into that later.
Interesting Facts About Hemp
- On an annual basis an acre of hemp will produce as much fiber as 2-3 acres of cotton and as much paper material as 2-4 acres of trees.
- Hemp can grow in all 50 states, and is ready for harvesting in as little as 90-120 days.
- Hemp can be used to create fiber boards that are both lighter and stronger than wood.
- The original U.S. Constitution was written on hemp paper.
- Industrial hemp contains little or no THC, the psychoactive chemical known for the high created by marijuana.
- Hemp contains Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), which is incredibly healthy and is found naturally in breast milk.
- At one point in our country, before it was made illegal in 1937, hemp was considered legal tender and could be used to pay taxes.
What Can Hemp Be Used For?
Hemp is used for a variety of uses. We can get fibre from the stem which can be used to produce paper, clothing and rope. The leaves and flowers can be used for their oils which can be used as a remedy for skin issues and stress and can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease. The plant as a whole can be used to produce feed for livestock and make fuel.
The seeds can be eaten to provide protein to the body. It also provides amino acids, vitamins and more to help keep the body healthy. It is also inexpensive and can be locally grown. The seeds can also be used to produce oil and flour for many more uses.
Hemp can also be used as a building material in order to make roofing, insulation, panelling and bricks. Using hemp in this way makes these materials stronger and lighter than if they were made from wood. In Japan homes made from hemp have been seen to last as long as 300 years old if not longer because of the hemp’s durability. The hemp is also resistant to mould and nontoxic making the homes made from it a healthier place to live.
How Is Hemp Good For The Environment?
Farmers love to grow Hemp. It is extremely sustainable. It can be grown in any environment no matter the weather and it needs no chemicals, pesticide or fertilizers as it does all of that for itself. This means the chemical damage to the planet overall can be reduced by growing hemp. In fact, hemp is a very good habitat for wildlife providing hiding places for things like mice and other animals as it grows three feet tall and its flowers bloom creating pollen for the bees.
It also is harmonic with the soil as it returns up to 70% of its nutrients. It cleanses the soil and holds the soil together with its deep roots preventing erosion. Once the hemp is harvested it can also be returned to the soil and rejuvenating the land for it to yield more the year after.
Hemp Grows Fast
Hemp grows very fast and only takes up to 4 months to mature. Compared to trees which can take 20 years to grow this makes hemp a very fast alternative to manufacture paper. If hemp was used in this manner more frequently it would help in the fight against deforestation.
You Don’t Need That Much Space To Grow Hemp
It is also very water generous as it can use as little as 3 times less liquid to grow than cotton and depending on the climate sometimes the rain is enough to grow. It requires half the farmland as cotton and can renew up to 3 times a year making it the most sustainable of all plants for farmers. This means the farmland and water can be used for other uses, saving costs and potentially benefitting the planet.
Hemp Clothing Is Eco-Friendly & Vegan
Hemp produces a lot more fibres than cotton plants and these fibres are the most durable natural fibre. Making clothes and shoes out of hemp makes these products soft, durable and strong having a texture very alike to linen. In short, hemp is worth the time, cost and effort to grow and is one of the world’s best plants for manufacturing companies.
The Bottom Line
As you can see hemp has great potential in today’s climate. It can solve so many of the world’s problems and I don’t understand why we don’t use it more often. It would make the planet greener and cleaner for countless generations to come if we were to switch to using hemp every day. 🌱
