Hemp, also known as industrial hemp, is a variety of cannabis Sativa plant species. Hemp is a plant of the Cannabaceae family. It is mainly grown because of its numerous industrial and domestic uses.
A hemp plant is somehow similar to cannabis plants that are the source of marijuana, and therefore its legality depends on the country. It is known for its many industrial uses and health benefits.
Some of the uses of the hemp plant are;
1. Making papers
Making paper is one of the industrial uses of the hemp plant. The pulp obtained from fibers of industrial hemp may be used to make papers. Examples of these papers made from hemp fibers may include; cigarette papers, filter papers, banknotes papers, etc.
Hemp plants usually produce a longer fiber as compared to wood pulp. However, the production cost of hemp pulp is expensive and higher than that of wood pulp.
2. Textile industries
The hemp plant is rich in fibers, which may be of great importance in the clothing or textile industry. Hemp’s fibers have a similar texture to that of linen as. Therefore, this property makes it fit in the textile industry. Apart from clothes, other products made from hemp’s fiber include ropes, sail canvas, shoes, housewares, dog collars, etc.
However, face a stiff from the cotton and synthetic fiber industries and is cheaper to extract than hemp fiber. Despite the high price of hemp products, they are of high quality.
3. Used in construction
The hemp plant is used to make hempcrete, which is a concrete-like block made with hemp and lime. This concrete-like block is used as an insulating material for construction and can also be used in constructing walls and foundations. Hempcrete is much stronger than other traditional concrete and, therefore, can be used in building a long-lasting wall or building. However, it is expensive to make hempcrete, and this raises the construction cost.
4. As for skincare
Hemp’s oils are used in cosmetic industries and also to improve skin conditions. The hemp plant is rich in oils, minerals, and nutrients that are vital to human skin and hair. In cosmetic industries, hemp oils are an important raw material in the making of products such as anti-aging creams, sun-block creams, make-ups, skin cleansers, shaving products, and hair products, and other skin products.
Also, applying hemp oil on the skin helps to control skin rashes and pimples caused to the skin by allergies.
5. Making home-made jewelry
Hemp plants may be used to make homemade jewelry by knotting hemp twines. These jewelry are beautiful as they may be of different colors and are cheap to obtain as compared to other industrial-made jewelry. Some of these pieces of jewelry include bracelets, anklets, necklaces, watches, etc.
6. Source of nutrient
Hemp’s seeds are rich in nutrients. They are rich in protein, oils, fatty, and amino acids, carbohydrates, and therefore they are beneficial to human health. Also, they are rich in fibers that help in the digestion process and absorption of foods in the body.
7. Food
Hemps products like seeds and leaves can be used as an ingredient when preparing food. Hemp’s seed, which is highly rich in protein and oils, can be eaten raw, cooked, or can be grounded into powder and be used to prepare a portion of nutritious food. Similarly, hemp seeds can be made into a liquid, and the hemp’s liquid can be added to a beverage or can be used in the baking process.
Hemp leaves can be used to prepare salads or can be compressed to make hemp juice.
8. Making animal feeds
Hemp products are as beneficial to animals as they are to human beings. Hemp stem, leaves, or even seeds may be manufactured into animal feed. These feeds are rich in nutrients that are required by the animal.
Also, hemp’s leaves and thick stems may be used as animal bedding.
9. To control weed
Growing hemp plants may be a useful way for a farmer to control weeds that grow underneath the plant. Hemp plants are tall, and they are usually associated with thick foliage, and hence this helps to control weeds from growing and killing the existing weeds. Therefore, planting hemp crops helps to minimize the cost involved in farming as the farmer avoids the use of herbicides.
10. Fuels
Hempoline is biodiesel made from oils of hemp seed and stalks. The fuel can be used in place of other similar fuels and therefore it is cheaper as it can be made from home.
Hemp’s oils, together with other compounds, can be used to make other fuels like the Alcohol fuel that is made by fermenting the whole plant with either ethanol or methanol.
11. Plastic-making industries
Plastic materials are made of plants cellulose. Hemp plants also may be used to make plastics. Plastic made from hemp is cheaper, stronger, and more environmentally friendly as they are biodegradable, and it, therefore, don’t damage the environment.
12. Soil purification (Bioremediation)
The hemp plant can be used as a “mop crop” to clean impurities and contaminants. Planting hemp plants in contaminated soil may help to purify it by removing the toxins from the soil through a process known as phytoremediation. Therefore,
it helps to allow other plants to grow where they didn’t grow before.
Additionally, the hemp plant can be used to clear impurities from sewage water.
13. Boosting heart health
Fatty and amino acids contained in hemp’s seeds are important for a healthy heart. Firstly, fatty acids help improve the working of the heart and reducing heart-related diseases. Secondly, amino acids contained in hemp seeds are converted by the body to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps in maintaining smooth and elastic blood vessel walls, and this ensures there is a smooth flow of blood in and out of the heart.
Also, hemp oils help to lower blood pressure.
14. Fiber benefits
Hemp plants mostly the seeds are a source of fiber, which is beneficial when taken to the body. Fiber intake in the body helps to reduce appetite, weight management due to proper digestion of food, stabilizing sugar levels in the body, among other benefits. Therefore, eating raw seed or cooked may help your body to benefit from these benefits of hemp’s fiber.
15. Making furniture
Hemp wood may be used to make furniture and other woodworks. After harvesting the plant, to avoid wastage, it can be used to make furniture like hemp fiberboard, table, etc.
