Hemp is one of the most versatile and misunderstood crops on the planet. Because of its association with marijuana, many people believe that hemp is a drug; however, hemp contains only trace amounts of THC and does not cause intoxication. Hemp is an eco-friendly crop that consumes fewer resources than many traditional crops while replenishing the soil. These are seven of the many uses for hemp.
1. Healthcare
CBD is a substance that can be extracted from the hemp plant to make products such as hemp CBD pills. These products can be used to treat anxiety, relieve pain, reduce depression, alleviate cancer-related symptoms, reduce acne and improve heart health. CBD extracted from hemp is an excellent way to utilize the medicinal benefits of cannabis without the intoxicating effects of marijuana.
2. Paper and Textiles
The hemp plant is made up of strong, durable fibers that can be used to manufacture textiles for ropes, clothing, linens and other products. They can also be turned into pulp that can be used to make paper. Because of its tendency to become softer and more comfortable over time, hemp clothing is more durable than clothing made from cotton. It is also more environmentally friendly than cotton or synthetic materials. Using hemp to make paper reduces the need to cut down trees.
3. Housing
One of the more surprising uses of the hemp plant is building materials. Hemp fibers can be used to replace much of the plywood, drywall and insulation used in home construction. Additionally, hemp can be made into sealants and glue. This process works by putting the hemp plant stalks through a decortication process and then turning the fibers into a pulp, which is mixed with lime and water to create hempcrete. Hempcrete is pest, mold and fire-resistant and each cubic meter of it can remove more than 220 pounds of carbon from the air. In addition to providing excellent noise reduction and heat insulation, hemp is one of the best material choices for eco-friendly construction.
4. Soap and Skincare
Cold press extraction is used to produce hemp seed oil that retains amino and fatty acids, vitamins A and E and minerals that are beneficial to the skin. These oils are used in many types of soaps and lotions. Hemp seed oil can also be used to prevent moisture loss from the skin and reduce the symptoms of dry skin or dermatitis without clogging the pores. Cleansers made from hemp seed oil gently remove dirt and excess oil from the skin. These cleansing properties also make the oil a popular choice for natural laundry detergents, because it is effective at removing dirt without causing fading.
5. Fuel
Hemp seeds are used to manufacture biodiesel, while the rest of the plant is used to make bioethanol. Biodiesel provides more effective lubrication than petroleum diesel and can extend the life of diesel engines. The use of these fuels also helps reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Both the production and use of hemp-based fuels emits less ozone-damaging pollutants and can be grown more rapidly and less expensively than corn.
6. Protein
Because hemp seeds contain all 20 amino acids and are packed with healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fats, they are a popular source of plant-based protein. Hemp seeds also contain a substantial dose of fiber. Hemp seeds can be used as salad toppers, mixed into veggie burgers or ground into powder for use in smoothies and protein shakes. It is also a cost-effective choice for livestock feed.
7. Plastic
Most types of traditional plastic can be replaced with eco-friendly hemp-plastic. Traditional plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose and can release toxic chemicals in the process. Hemp breaks down more quickly and does not release any harmful chemicals. However, hemp plastic has not achieved widespread use due to the higher production costs when compared to traditional plastic.
Hemp is an extremely versatile and eco-friendly resource that can be used for products ranging from food to clothing to building materials and fuel. Increasing hemp production could be a key component of reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuels and deforestation, while also providing health and wellness benefits as a food source and nutritional supplement.
