About Hemp
Hemp is a bast fibre plant similar to flax, jute and ramie, meaning that it has particularly long, slender primary fibers on the outer portion of the stalk. An annual plant that grows from seed, hemp can be cultivated on a range of soils, but tends to grow best on land that is well drained, non-acidic and rich in nitrogen. Hemp typically requires no pesticides because is grows so quickly and attracts few pests.
The hemp plant is harvested for its fibres, seed, seed meal and seed oil. Due to the similar leaf shape, hemp is frequently confused with marijuana. Although the plants are from the same species, hemp contains virtually no THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the active ingredient in marijuana. Hemp cannot be used as a drug because it produces virtually no THC.
The hemp plant is harvested for its fibres, seed, seed meal and seed oil. Due to the similar leaf shape, hemp is frequently confused with marijuana. Although the plants are from the same species, hemp contains virtually no THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the active ingredient in marijuana. Hemp cannot be used as a drug because it produces virtually no THC.
Hemp Uses
Hemp paper is naturally acid-free. The oldest printed paper in existence is 100 per cent hemp. Hemp's cellulose level is almost three times that of wood, so it makes superior paper and yields four times as much pulp per acre as do trees. The hemp paper process also uses less energy and fewer chemicals than tree paper processing and does not create the harmful dioxins, chloroform, or any of the other 2,000 chlorinated organic compounds that have been identified as by-products of the wood paper process.
Hemp fiber is one of the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibers - three times stronger than cotton. Clothes made from hemp outlast their competition by many years. clothing is strong, and holds their shape, stretching less than any other natural fiber. The more hemp clothing is used, the softer it gets. Hemp is also naturally resistant to mould and ultraviolet light. Due to the porous nature of the fiber, hemp is more water absorbent, and will dye and retain its color better than any fabric including cotton. This porous nature allows hemp clothing to "breathe" so it's cool in warm weather. Air wtrapped in the fibers is warmed by the body, making hemp clothes naturally warm in cooler weather.
Hemp mixed with lime has been used as a building material in France since 500 AD. Today it is used to make floors, walls, bricks and insulation panels. Hemp hurds are often mixed with natural lime and water, and sometimes plaster of Paris (pure gypsum) or sand is added. It can be poured like cement and hardens to become mould and insect resistant. The material sets in a matter of hours. It becomes a lighter, tawny colour when dry, and has a texture similar to cork. It is many times lighter than cement and it offers both heat and sound insulation. The mix can be poured as a floor, or between sheets of plywood for walls, where hemp replaces several layers of conventional building materials.
Hemp mixed with lime has been used as a building material in France since 500 AD. Today it's used to make floors, walls, bricks and insulation panels. Hemp hurds are often mixed with natural lime and water, and sometimes plaster of Paris (pure gypsum) or sand is added. It can be poured like cement and hardens to become mould and insect resistant. The material sets in a matter of hours. It becomes a lighter, tawny colour when dry, and has a texture similar to cork. It is many times lighter than cement and it offers both heat and sound insulation. The mix can be poured as a floor, or between sheets of plywood for walls, where hemp replaces several layers of conventional building materials.