Hemp is the distinct oilseed and fiber varieties of the plant species Cannabis sativa L. It is a tall, slender fibrous plant that has been cultivated worldwide for over 10,000 years.
Similar to flax, hemp provides raw materials for both food and fiber. It is an environmentally sustainable solution for potentially thousands of products ranging from food and body care to plastics, paper, textiles and building materials.
It is important to note that hemp has no drug value. Hemp seed contains 0.00% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in drug varieties of Cannabis. Using hemp products will not cause a false positive drug test. Learn more at www.TestPledge.com.
Thousands of Planet-Friendly Uses
Hemp Fibers and Textiles
Hemp fiber is the longest and one of the strongest natural fibers on earth. Hemp also offers greater breathability than cotton, which accounts for nearly 25% of pesticide use. Hemp can be grown without any pesticides or agricultural chemicals and is a non-toxic source of fiber for clothing that is gaining popularity among leading designers. The strength of hemp fiber makes it a favorite for specialty paper, popular in today's ecologically aware marketplace. Paper pulp made from hemp's bast fiber is superior to short-fiber wood and is an ideal additive to strengthen recycled post-consumer waste (PCW) pulp, thus expanding PCW's use.
Today millions of cars built by Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Lotus, Mercedes and BMW contain hemp composites for door panels, homes are built with hemp concrete (which helps sequester carbon) and retail stores are using hemp fiberboard displays. Imagine a future where hemp is just another useful material for all kinds of products.
Hemp Foods - Delicious, Nutritious and Sustainable
Foods made from hemp seeds have become a staple in co-ops and grocery stores across the country. The light, nutty flavor of hemp seeds (similar in taste to toasted pine nuts) make them a perfect raw ingredient for delicious breads, cereals, waffles, nut butters, protein powders, nutritional oils, ice-cream and even non-dairy milk and frozen deserts.
Hemp seeds are a perfect food source. High in digestible protein, healthy Omega essential fatty acids (EFAs) and naturally occurring minerals, hemp seeds are also free of gluten and other common allergens such as those found in soy, dairy and tree-nuts.
Nutrition and medical experts agree that including EFAs (the "good" fats) in your diet can have important health benefits, including improved heart health, brain function (especially in children), skin conditions such as eczema and immune function. However, as our bodies do not produce EFAs, we need to obtain them through our food.
Hemp seeds have a perfectly balanced 1:3 ratio of naturally-occurring Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFAs for our body. And unlike other seeds and nutritional oils, such as flax and fish oil, hemp seeds also contain Super Omega-3 Stearidonic Acid (SDA) and Super Omega-6 Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) in nutritionally relevant amounts that help to reduce inflammation and improve mental functioning, as well as make up for potentially impaired fatty acid metabolism.
Good for the Earth
Knowing where our food comes from and how it is processed has never been more important to consumers. Hemp can be grown organically and aids in weed suppression and soil regeneration, making it a favored rotation crop for farmers.
Hemp Body Care Products
Hemp oil's Omega-3 EFAs and vitamin E content make it an ideal ingredient for body care products. The EFAs soothe and restore skin in salves and creams and give excellent emolliency and a smooth after-feel to lotions, lip balms, conditioners, shampoos and soaps.
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