Much to the delight of hippies everywhere, hemp has gone mainstream. Hemp is a marvelously sustainable material that has benefits across nutrition and health, as well. Today, you can find a hemp variety of almost every product, from hemp milk to hemp jewelry — but not everything benefits from being made with hemp. If you want to sample the power of hemp, here are a few of the everyday products that are more than worth a try.
First: What Is Hemp?
The term “hemp” tends to be confusing to many people who are unfamiliar with cannabis culture. People wonder, “What is hemp, and how is it different from the weed that gets users high?” In truth, hemp is derived from the cannabis plant notorious for its psychoactive effects, but most hemp contains only minute quantities of the compounds responsible for those psychoactive effects. In fact, because it is possible to grow varieties of cannabis that do not make users high, hemp cultivation has been legalized across the United States. Today, American hemp farmers are generating about $824 million per year — and that is likely to increase as more people recognize the benefits of hemp.
Cannabis was the first plant domesticated by humans. Millennia ago, our ancestors recognized the immense value in the fast-growing plant, harvesting it for its lightweight, durable, waterproof fibers, its nutritious seeds and its medicinal effects. These benefits of hemp remain remarkable today, and you can harness them by investing in the following products:
Hemp Hearts
Hemp hearts are the seeds of the cannabis plant, which contain essentially no psychoactive compounds but ample amounts of nutrients. By sprinkling a handful of hemp seeds on foods like salads, pasta or even pizza, you can gain high-quality protein, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc. Hemp hearts offer better nutrition than well-known superfoods chia and flax seeds, so you might as well replace these in your pantry with an ample supply of hemp.
Hemp Clothing
Cannabis is a fibrous plant, and it is relatively easy to extract fiber from hemp stalks and work that fiber into all manner of materials. For millennia, hemp was the standard textile for clothing because it was inexpensive, lightweight, durable and resistant to moisture, mold, mildew and pests. For the same reasons, you might invest in a closet-full of hemp clothing today. You can find hemp options for every element of your wardrobe, to include accessories like belts and shoes. At the very least, you might opt for hemp underwear and socks, which are more likely to need more frequent replacement.
Hemp Paper
Another use of hemp fiber is in the creation of paper products. Traditional paper products are made from fast-growing coniferous trees, like pines, firs and spruces, which nonetheless require around 20 years of growth before they can be harvested and pulped. In contrast, hemp plants mature in a matter of weeks, and they generally require much less processing than trees to produce paper products. By opting for hemp paper every day, you will be making a sustainable choice for the future.
Hemp Lotion
Many non-psychoactive compounds in cannabis have been shown to be exceedingly good for skin health — even in the treatment of skin conditions, like psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis. You should keep a trusted hemp lotion on hand to help you manage dry and damaged skin throughout the day.
Hemp Candles
Different cannabis varieties can offer over 120 different terpenes, which are aroma compounds that have been shown to offer positive physiological and psychological effects. Hemp candles tend to be made from hemp seed oil, which burns slowly and can contain some traces of those terpenes, to fill your environment with luscious and healthful smells.
Hemp Blankets
In the hot summer months, you don’t need a heavy blanket on your bed or sofa. Thus, you should invest in lightweight, breathable hemp blankets, which will prevent overheating and ensure you sleep well during the warmest time of year. You can also find hemp sheets, but you should be careful to check the thread count to avoid any unnecessarily scratchy fabrics on your bed.
There are far more hemp products than these, and you should feel free to experiment with all manner of hemp goods to find the products that provide the most benefit to you.
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