Why is everyone talking about hemp?

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Hemp isn’t a new thing. It’s a plant that has been cultivated and used for thousands of years. However, it is only recently that people have started to wake up to the versatility of hemp. You may not be aware, but it’s already in a lot of products that you may use.

8 Uses for Hemp

  1. Farming – the hemp plant is resistant to most insect and disease pests. The plants grow very quickly, and they have a high yield, easily reaching 15 feet in 70 to 90 days. They shade out weeds, acting as a natural weed killer too.
  2. Fabric – hemp has a range of fantastic properties. It won’t rot or fade in sunlight, it is mildew resistant and UV resistant. Like merino, it can keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Hemp can also be blended with many other fabrics such as cotton or silk.
  3. Paper – one acre of hemp grown in one season can produce as much paper as four acres of trees in several years. Hemp paper can be recycled up to ten times, compared to ordinary wood-based paper than can only be recycled twice.
  4. Building Materials and Plastics – the hemp stalk can help make fibreboard, carpet, insulation and cement blocks. The oil of hemp is used to make oil paints, plastics, garnishes and inks.
  5. Environment – growing hemp is good for the environment as it reduces deforestation and it improves soil where it is grown. Anything made from pure hemp fabric is also biodegradable and easily recyclable.
  6. Food and Nutrition – hemp can be eaten seed, a protein powder or as an oil that’s taken from the seed. There are a wide variety of food products that can have hemp in them including protein bars, breads, cakes, breakfast cereals and salad dressing.
  7. Bio Diesel – hemp made as part of a bio diesel would be a viable fuel source, as it’s less harmful to the environment than standard petroleum fuels due to less carbon monoxide.
  8. Body Care – hemp usage in this industry is huge. Hemp oil is used in a wide variety of soaps, shampoos, make up and lotions. One of the biggest health stores, The Body Shop, has an entire range dedicated to hemp-based products.

All these uses make hemp a very big deal. It is a highly versatile plant and chances are we will see more of this plant in the future.