Hemp is one of the world’s oldest cultivated crops, and for very good reason: Its versatility and sustainability were vetted over thousands of years of human use. Its history of thousands of years has provided a resource for food, medicine, and paper, as well as for textiles.
By rediscovering hemp’s potential regarding the environment, as well as economics, hemp is experiencing a renaissance. In this article, you will learn about hemp’s fascinating history and its part in a more ecologically friendly future.
Hemp in Ancient Civilizations
Hemp cultivation has been going on for over 10,000 years — making it one of the oldest agriculture practices of humankind that we know of. Archaeological evidence suggests that hemp was cultivated in ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Kuwait) for fiber and seed. The stalks of this plant were extremely robust and could be used to make ropes, textiles, and similar durable materials.
Hemp in China
In Chinese culture and innovation, hemp plays a central role. An ancient Chinese text, as early as around 2800 BCE, mentions hemp as a crucial crop. It was used for:
- Paper Production: According to history, hemp fibers were used by the Chinese to invent paper.
- Medicine: Hemp seeds and leaves were used in both traditional Chinese medicine for supposed healing properties.
- Clothing: Hemp textiles were widely used because they were lightweight and breathable.
Hemp in Ancient Egypt
Hemp was used to make rope in Egypt and played a large role in the building of the pyramids. Hemp may have also been used in textiles and for medicinal purposes, according to some historians.
Hemp in India
In ancient India, hemp was of capital significance spiritually and medically. Used in Ayurvedic medicine for therapeutic properties and used widely in religious rituals. Ancient Vedic texts called the plant one of the “five sacred plants.”
The Expansion of Hemp Across Europe and Beyond
Hemp cultivation moved into Europe by 800 BCE. Hemp was used for textiles, ropes & sails for ships by the Greeks & Romans until 800AD. It served as a vital tool for maritime survey, allowing for the manufacture of sturdier and capable ships to survive long cruises.
Hemp was a major agricultural crop in medieval Europe. It was used to make clothing, canvas, or paper. In the Renaissance, hemp paper was used for things like the early drafts of the Gutenberg Bible.
Hemp in the Americas
Hemp came to the Americas in the early 1600s on the boats of European settlers. From then on, it was taken as a staple crop in the American colonies, used to make rope, sails, and paper. Hemp farming was once the brainchild of founding fathers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson who saw its economic value.
The Decline of Hemp
Despite its utility, hemp’s popularity declined in the 20th century due to a combination of factors:
Industrial Competition: Synthetic materials like nylon eliminated the need for hemp products, as did sold.
Prohibition: Beginning in the 1930s, hemp fell into disrepute after its association with marijuana, and by the 1930s outright criminalized under the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 in the United States.
Stigma: Industrial hemp became conflated with psychoactive cannabis, creating a long lasting stigma: it was, to an extent, still considered largely illegal to cultivate or use.
Legally and culturally, hemp had to take a backseat for much of the 20th century.
The Modern Hemp Renaissance
In the late 20th and early 21st century, interest in hemp emerged as its environmental and economic potential was equally undeniable. Now, pure hemp products are making a comeback, and being used in industries such as textiles, construction and wellness.
You can now buy pure hemp online from services like cbdnerds, with many hemp-derived products that do not contain or leverage the plant’s natural properties that provide psychoactive effects. Pure hemp is celebrated for its versatility, offering eco-friendly solutions such as:
Hemp-Based Clothing: Hemp for fabrics is gaining popularity in the fashion industry because yarn made from hemp fabrics is durable and sustainable.
CBD Products: Hemp-based Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a product that people from all walks of life are seeking for its efficacy in the relief of pain and inflammation, as well as stress and reducing anxiety.
Construction Materials: A versatile building material consisting of hemp and lime, known as hempcrete, is transforming sustainable construction because of its strength and insulation.
Eaze is leading the hemp and CBD revolution by making best-in-breed, pure hemp products accessible and targeted for wellness and lifestyle.
Hemp and Sustainability
Hemp is known to be a “green” crop, in that it has a minimal impact on the environment and is widely used. Here’s why hemp is pivotal for sustainability:
Carbon Sequestration: It’s also one of the crops that absorbs the most CO2 so it can help fight climate change.
Soil Health: Hemp cleans up soil by pulling toxins out of the earth and adds nutrients back in, making it a very good rotation crop.
Low Water Usage: Hemp needs far less water than cotton, making it a more water-friendly alternative to textiles.
Biodegradable Products: Eco-friendly solutions from hemp-based plastics and packaging to reduce plastic waste.
The Future of Hemp
Governments are lifting restrictions on hemp, and consumers are adopting hemp products to create an industry that is set for exponential global growth. However, hemp’s potential uses have grown with the technology and can provide renewable energy sources or creative medical treatments.
Hemp’s history, from the ancients to modern sustainability, is a history of usefulness. Pure hemp will become increasingly essential to society as it continues to look for eco-friendly ways to make its future greener. However, by accepting this adaptable plant, we can celebrate its rich history yet utilize its latent potential for advancement and natural stewardship.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
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