Hemp is an incredibly versatile plant that has been used for centuries for a variety of industrial and medical applications. From providing some of the world's most nutrient-rich foods and fibers to strong textiles, hemp is a powerful resource that can help heal the earth and provide humans with food, clothing, and shelter. Not only does hemp capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it also requires less water than cotton and can be grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. In this article, we'll explore the many benefits of hemp and why it's so amazing.
Hemp is known to be one of the strongest natural fibers in the world and has a tensile strength up to eight times greater than that of cotton. It reaches maturity within three to four months and produces resources for food, as well as rope, paper, clothing, insulation material for the home, hemp cement, carbon-neutral textiles, biofuels, and personal care products. Hemp also doesn't yellow like traditional paper does. For every ton of hemp produced, 1.63 tons of carbon are removed from the air, making hemp a much more effective carbon dioxide sequestrator than trees.
This is important from an environmental point of view because it can help alleviate the dark cloud of the environmental crisis in which we live. Hemp can also be used to create hemp concrete which is fireproof, rot-proof, resists mold and provides an insulating platform from which to build sustainable, non-toxic, carbon-free and environmentally friendly homes. In terms of water consumption, hemp only uses about 37% of the amount cotton consumes per acre cultivated. This means that hemp can be cost-effective without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. In a study conducted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in 1994, more than 40 species of animals were found to live among outdoor hemp fields and rely on them. Centuries ago when Puritans came to the United States to establish the Plymouth colony, they found vast tracts of hemp flourishing in Plymouth Rock.
In fact, there are now about 30 countries that grow hemp for a variety of industrial purposes. The oldest example of hemp used as a textile material dates back to 8,000 BC. Well-known British TV presenter Kevin McCloud says: “I can't find a building material that matches hemp. Hemp rehabilitates and enriches the soil with nitrogen and oxygen, restores pH levels and fights erosion.”The so-called Manila hemp isn't actually hemp; it comes from Musa textilis, a member of the banana family. Hemp is an incredibly versatile plant that has many benefits for both humans and the environment. From providing some of the world's most nutrient-rich foods and fibers to strong textiles that can be used for everything from ropes to building materials, hemp is an amazing resource that can help heal the earth while providing humans with food, clothing and shelter.
