Uses of Hemp
Beauty Products
Hempseed oil a good source of gammalinolenic acid GLA, an essential fatty acid that resembles sebum, the natural lubricant in skin and hair. For this reason, personal hygiene products made with hempseed oil enhance the skin’s softness and smoothness and help lend hair its natural sheen and body. GLA may also help treat psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, and other skin diseases. There are a number of hempseed based products on the market including shampoos, conditioners, soaps, creams, massage oils, lip balms, perfumes, and scrubs.
Building Materials
Hemp is an excellent material for cabinetry, paneling, flooring, and furniture. Its long bast fibers makes hemp stronger fiberboard than wood chips and is naturally more fireproof and insect resistant. Hemp used for insulation is healthier for the lung and skin than traditional fiberglass insulation. The inner hurds of the hemp stalk are treated with a fire retardant and blown into space between walls for insulation. Hemp fiberglass is also used to make sporting equipment like skateboards and snowboards, and for interiors of cars and boats. A French company Isochanvre patented a concrete substitute made by calcifying hemp stalks into a solid mass. This material is as strong as concrete but lighter, more flexible and able to withstand natural cycles and a more efficient insulator. There are hundreds of homes built with natural materials in Europe and Canada.
Food
Each plant can produce a liter of seeds, which make oil, flour, ale, coffee, hummus, cheese, and ice cream. Hempseed is a highly dense source of nutrition, rich in protein, essential fatty acids and all eight essential amino acids. Over 25% of the seed is protein, great for muscles and bones. Essential fatty acids help cells stay flexible and fluid. Hempseed is a rare vegetable source of Omega-3 EFAs, usually found in cold water oil fishes such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Omega-3 EFAs are known to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and prevent the hardening of the arteries. Hempseed is also a good source of Gammalinolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that lubricates the skin and hair. Hempseed contains all eight essential amino acids, particularly a rare one called edestin. Edestin plays a key role in keeping the immune system healthy, and has been studied for decades as a treatment for tuberculosis, cancer and now AIDs. Chickens produce larger, more nutrient rich eggs when hempseed is part of their diet.
Fuel
Hemp is a prolific producer of ethanol and can be used in crop rotation with corn. The carbohydrate molecules in hemp can be broken down into a clean burning fuel source. Hemp supports a sustainable agriculture, by keeping the environment free of weeds for the next crop and providing another revenue stream for farmers.
Medicine
Stress is the primary cause of disease, and relaxation is the key to longevity and a healthy immune system. What makes cannabis a cost-effective way to treat a wide range of disease is it encourages relaxation in a way that is healthier for the body and for the planet. Thousands of glaucoma patients smoke cannabis to relax their vision, because it is healthier to the liver and kidneys than traditional glaucoma medicine. AIDS and cancer patients can take in nutrients when they smoke cannabis because it eliminates nausea and lack of appetite. Cannabis is a bronchodilator and helps with asthma by expanding air passage and allowing greater air intake. The relaxing effect of cannabis is extremely effective for asthma attacks, arthritis, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and other spasms.
Paper
The first paper was made from hemp in China around 100 BC. In the 15th century Johannes Gutenberg printed the Bible on hemp paper. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were drafted on hemp paper, and even our currency contains hemp fiber. Hemp paper is naturally pliable and water resistant and makes stronger paper. 2000 year old pieces of hemp paper have stood the test of time. By using hemp for paper, it allows trees to regenerate and effectively clean our air.
Plastic
Hemp is a healthy alternative to plastic. Used as shower curtain, it saves the environment from gases released when heated with hot water. Hemp grocery bags can save the environment an average of 400 plastic shopping bags per family per year. Reusable hemp diapers can save the landfill from 18 billion tightly wrapped plastic diapers annually from the landfill. The high percentage of cellulose in its stalk makes hemp an extremely absorbent material for diapers, menstrual pads and animal pedding.
Textiles
Hemp is the strongest and most durable fiber known to man. Hemp rope is the only substance strong enough to move the giant limestone blocks to build the pyramids in Egypt. Yet hemp can also be spun into delicate fabric similar to linen or raw silk. In Japan, hemp is considered a superior plant and is the primary source of fabric for kimonos. Hemp clothing is naturally resistant to mold and uv light, keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Purchasing clothing made from hemp saves the environment from pesticides.