THE MANY USES OF HEMP

Hemp Industry in Australia

SEEDS

  • Highly nutritious as a protein source and better tasting and more digestible than soybean
  • Contains the recommended 3 : 1 ratio of essential omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids
  • Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, osteoporosis and diabetes

LONG FIBRES

  • Long, strong, durable and superior to cotton
  • Natural anti-mildew and anti-microbial
  • Biodegradable and serves as an environmentally sound substitute for fibre glass

LEAVES

  • Highly absorbent and good for animal bedding
  • Dense canopy of foliage prevents weed undergrowth
  • Reduces carbon dioxide while producing fresh oxygen

SHORT FIBRES

  • Highly absorbent and an excellent choice for packaging and animal bedding
  • Can replace wood in construction materials
  • A bio degradable and environmentally responsible material for use in manufacturing plastics

ROOTS

  • Deep penetration encourages good aeration of soil
  • Adds organic compost and nutrients to the soil for future crops

 

PAST USE OF HEMP​

8000 BC

​The earliest known woven fabric was made with hemp fibres. This work began back in the eighth millennium.

6000 BC

​The cannabis hemp seeds were used for food in china.

2700 BC

Cannabis, as hemp fabric, cordage, medicine and food, was incorporated into virtually all cultures of the Middle East, Asia Minor, India, China, Japan and Africa.

400 BC

​Buddha was known to have eaten hempseed.

500 AD

The French constructed a bridge using hemp hurds and lime. This material nowadays is called Isochanvre.

1450 AD

Gutenberg's bible was printed on hemp paper. 

1600 AD

Rembrandt started painting on hemp canvas. 

1750 AD

​Benjamin Franklin starts one of America’s first hemp-rag paper mills. 

1776

The organisation “Spinning Bees” turns hemp fibre into military uniforms,for general Washington’s Continental Army.

1800

​Australia survives two prolonged famines by eating virtually nothing but hemp seeds for protein and hemp leaves for fibre.

1842

Extracts and derivatives of the hemp plant are the second and third most prescribed medicines in the US.

1935

​116 million pounds of hemp seed were used commercially in America to manufacture paint and varnish .

1937

4 million pounds of hemp seed are retailed as 'song-bird' food in the USA. 

1941

Henry Ford manufactured a car fabricated and fueled by hemp.

2008

The Lotus Company released the 'Eco Elise', a new car that used sustainable materials such as hemp, eco wool and sisal in the body of the car.