Benefits of Hemp

The benefits of hemp seem to be almost endless. The fiber can be turned into textiles. The plant itself is environmentally friendly, and as a food, hemp is highly nutritious, a powerful anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, and a pain reliever.

Hemp is also considered a perfect, or complete, protein. That means it contains all 20 amino acids, including nine that your body can’t produce. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and protein is the building block of muscle. Therefore, you need adequate amounts of protein to support muscle growth.

There are many kinds of protein supplements on the market. You’re probably already familiar with whey protein and several others. However, hemp proteins are different in that they are the same kind already found in the human body. As a result, the body is able to use it more efficiently.

Lastly, hemp protein is compatible with a variety of diets. It contains no gluten, which makes it a good source of nutrients for those with Celiac disease. It is also acceptable for Kosher and vegan diets.

History of Hemp

Hemp has a long and storied legacy, not only in the United States, but around the world. The first evidence of hemp has been traced back to 8000 BCE in what is now China and Taiwan. These remnants include cords used in pottery and records of hemp seed and oil being used as food. This indicates that hemp was one of humankind’s first agricultural crops. As the use of hemp spread across continents and civilizations, its uses expanded to include everything from clothes to paper.

Hemp was first introduced to North America in 1606. From that point on, American farmers relied on the crop to produce many everyday items. In fact, in the 1700s, farmers were even legally required to grow hemp as a staple crop. Abraham Lincoln used hemp seed oil to fuel his household lamps. Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft of the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper. It was a staple of American life.

However, attitude towards hemp started to change in the early 1900s. Cotton had replaced hemp as America’s favorite crop once it was discovered that it was much less labor-intensive. The plastic and nylon industries were on the rise. Suddenly, hemp was grouped in with its cannabis cousin, marijuana, as a threat to America’s war on drugs. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed, and for the first time since the 1600s, the hemp industry suffered a major decline. In 1970, hemp farming was eventually banned altogether. The Controlled Substances Act declared hemp a Schedule 1 drug, grouping it in with drugs like heroin and LSD.

Only recently has this controversial stigma started to subside. In 1998, the U.S. began to import food-grade hemp seed and oil. In 2004, the US started to allow businesses to import dietary hemp products. Once again, the domestic hemp industry began to diversify as all the applications for hemp fiber were rediscovered.

In conclusion, the use of hemp is nothing new. For over 10,000 years, humans have been using it for medicine, food, textiles, and other household items. In 1938, Popular Mechanics wrote an article identifying 25,000 different products hemp could be used in. Today, we invite you to discover what hemp can do for you. Join the journey of this incredible crop into the future as it benefits our farmers, our health, and our environment.