Hemp and its many uses
Cannabis has an interesting connotation in today’s society, which mostly links to drugs and getting ‘high’. However, before cannabis was used as a narcotic, it had countless uses, including gifts, medicine and self-care, and as a material used for fabrics, paper, packaging, and even construction. In fact until the 20th Century, cannabis didn’t really have a link to drugs in the Western world and was only reused as a material in the military during WW2 (for uniforms, rope, and canvas bags).
The long history of cannabis, and all the twists and turns in its tale, have helped in making it a very misunderstood plant. More often than not our point of views are influenced by news stories, misinformation and anti-drug political campaigns. As a result, it’s probably a good idea to take a look at what cannabis is used for nowadays – some might be a bit unexpected – and how that became possible.
Building Blocks of the Future
Hemp bricks, among other materials, have been developed as a way to replace the standard building materials in both commercial and residential properties. Although they can’t currently support load-bearing walls, they can be used for partitions within the building that separate spaces.
Hemp’s ability to regulate temperature and moisture makes it ideal for environments with varied or erratic climates due to the fact that they can keep a consistent temperature, and absorb and release moisture to control humidity too. As a result, it is the perfect green substitute for modern insulation.
They’re also incredibly fire resistant, so using it to partition offices or rooms can prevent a fire from spreading as quickly. Furthermore, the fact that it’s almost completely sustainable means it’s a great option for creating a more eco-friendly society.
Food and Drink
Hemp seeds have been used as part of the human diet for thousands of years – the earliest evidence of this is 8000BC in Asia, before it spread throughout Europe and Africa. It was mostly used within pottery and food at that time, but not much has changed 10,000 years later.
In fact, it has simply developed in its use. With a greater understanding of its health benefits, we can now include aspects of hemp in chocolate, or honey, or even CBD tea and flapjacks! (which you can find in our online store https://wildhealthco.com/shop/ ).
In fact, before cannabis got its bad reputation during the 1900s, it was so essential there were laws that farmers had to grow it. Some were fined if they didn’t. How times have changed!
Environmental Rejuvenation
As well as being a sustainable material, it can also be used as a way to fix or prevent further environmental damage. For example, bio-fuels have been growing in popularity in the fight against climate change and hemp is one of those options. It can be turned into biodiesel that doesn’t release toxins into the environment and can be regrown – it’s almost completely renewable.
Furthermore, because hemp is a very sturdy plant, it can survive in places that other plants might not be able to. This is often the case if the soil is damaged enough that you can’t plant anything there. However, by planting cannabis in those areas, you can cleanse the soil – a method called phytoremediation. You can create fuel and rejuvenate the soil with the same plant!
So there you have it. Hemp is such a wonderful plant, which is why we use it of course! Its properties are diverse and its benefits for the environment and our bodies are numerous. So let’s celebrate it year round – its rich history deserves it. Happy (international) hemp day!
