Why Hemp Is The Future
The Hemp industry is exploding due to the popularity of CBD. As it continues to affect different industries and making a name for itself especially in health and wellness, the CBD industry is projected to hit $20 billion by 2024. But, there is endless uses of all parts of a hemp plant, from root to leaves.
Hemp was one of the first plants from which fibers were made almost 10,000 years ago. Today, along with other compounds found in plant, it has many industrial and medicinal applications, it also happens to be great for the economy and environment
Here is ‘Why Hemp is the future’… The only plant that can feed you, house you, heal you and cloth you.
Human Food
Hemp fatty acid and amino acid profiles are identically aligned with human DNA, so as a food source, it offers protein, omegas and dietary fiber in perfect proportions to our nutritional needs. For food consumers, hemp seeds have it all. Hemp is naturally gluten free, non GMO, free of trypsin inhibitors, dairy free and virtually free of any form of residual chemicals. Hemp protein is highly nutritious and easily digested and hemp seed oil is cold pressed to retain all of its natural nutritional value. Hemp seed oil is a perfect balance of Omega 3-6-9, ideally suited for optimal human nutrition. Hemp seed/grain is also an excellent source of digestible fibre and a wide array of minerals and vitamins.
Building Materials
With construction consuming a whopping 40% of the world’s global energy and resources, it is imperative that this industry moves towards more sustainable practices in the face of climate change’s many threats. This means moving away from building materials which are mined from the earth or harvested from rapidly depleting forests, and making the switch to renewable resources — and hemp is the perfect material for the job, in the form of a mixture known as hempcrete. Hemp is toxin-free, virtually fireproof, and pest resistant.
Medicinal Uses
Aside from being a nutritious plant with fatty acids that benefit the health of the body and mind, hemp also has other medicinal uses. It has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years and is thought of to be a solution for:
- Skin problems
- Stomach problems
- Migraine headaches
- Minor skin burns, abrasions and cuts
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- General inflammation in the body
- Menopause symptoms and other general hormonal symptoms
- Arthritis
These are just a few of the areas that hemp may help with, but further study is needed to know all of its benefits.
Textiles
It isn’t just about hemp fabrics vs. other more common textiles such as cotton. It is about the economics of production. Hemp needs about half the amount of water cotton needs to produce 200 – 250% more yield than cotton can produce. Cotton relies on pesticides while hemp does not. Hemp is pest resistant naturally and its dense foliage makes it difficult for weeds to sprout. The deep roots help maintain soil quality, too.
Plastic Alternatives
Plastics have been a major cause of pollution, and plastic manufacturers have faced criticism from environmentalists over the years.
Hemp plastic is increasingly becoming a viable option as an eco-friendly alternative to carbon-based plastic. Not only is this bioplastic sourced from safe and sustainable hemp plants, but it is also typically both biodegradable and recyclable. Hemp plastic is stronger and lighter then petroleum-based plastics, and it’s non-toxic.
Fuel
Biofuels, as a concept, have been around since 1895 when Rudolf Diesel used peanut oil to power a diesel engine. Henry Ford even backed the use of ethanol. Hemp oil is among the contenders for biofuel use.
Hemp biodiesel is the name for a variety of ester based oxygenated fuels made from hemp oil. Hemp biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as hemp. With over 30 million successful U.S. road miles hemp biodiesel could be the answer to our cry for renewable fuel sources.
Paper
Though it has been around for close to 2,000 years, hemp paper only comprises .05% of the paper industry. It take 24 trees to make one ton of standard office tree paper.
Americans use roughly 700 pounds of paper or paper products every year. That’s roughly two-thirds of a ton of paper per person per year — in only America.While hemp paper doesn’t need to replace tree paper, it could present a solution to the harvesting of so many trees for paper product annually.
There are many more reasons why Hemp is the future… Hemp Animal Feed and Bedding, Hemp Cosmetics, Hemp Beverages, Air and Soil Cleaning…