lthough hemp is now spread throughout the world, at one point, it is thought to have its origin somewhere in central Asia, probably near the Himalayan Mountains. The first fiber plant to be cultivated  was in Asia and there is evidence that it was being grown around or even before the advent of agriculture ten thousand years ago. There is archeological evidence from a twelve thousand year old Neolithic site, (in what is now Taiwan), that includes cultural artifacts containing hemp and objects used to process hemp.

Hemp is thought to have been first spread from Asia by the Scythians who brought it from Asia through both Greece and Russia and into Europe. The Scythians were part of the group of Aryans that invaded India. They came from Siberia into the Middle East and then to India and from there to Europe spreading the hemp plant as they went.

emp is involved with many historical events.  Some of these may surprise you.

• Did you know that in order for Spain, Britain and Holland to establish competitive sea trade routes, (in light of the riches flowing in the 15th century from the Orient to Venice via the silk road), that they relied upon hemp to make them strong canvas sails?  It was one of the only materials considered durable enough to weather the rough seas. The word canvas actually comes from the Latin word cannabis. It was considered such an important crop that “as early as 1533 King Henry VIII required all farmers to cultivate one quarter acre of hemp or flax for every sixty acres of hemp or flax for every sixty acres of land under tillage” (121 Robinson).

• Columbus had eighty tons of hemp rigging and canvas that he brought with him across the Atlantic ocean in 1492.

• Besides this momentous historical tidbit, the Mayflower also utilized hemp and brought it to America where apparently it grew much better than it had in Europe.

• The British were not the first to bring hemp to N. America; the Vikings brought it with them a thousand years ago when they visited and probably  planted it while they were here. “Cannabis was already in North America in prehistoric times, possibly brought from China by explorers, drifting shipwrecks, and birds migrating across the Bering Strait to the west coast of the continent” (124 Robinson). 

• In constructing the pyramids of Egypt. hemp was used to pull blocks of limestone.

• The first known book, the Dharani, written in China was made of hemp paper.

• When the British first came to America it was still a requirement to grow hemp and in those early times.

• The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were  written on hemp paper! 

• In1942, a film was produced  “Hemp For Victory”  in which American farmers were urged to grow hemp for the reinforcement of war supplies during world war II.

 

emp fiber is one of the strongest most durable fibers around and so future research into more and easier ways to process it is sure to take place. There is also research being done to even further lower the THC equivalent in the hemp crop.

 Besides being an alternative to cotton and timber... hemp has many other uses for industry.

• It is also an alternative to fossil fuels in its use as a biofuel, both the hemp seed and the stalk can be used to create bio fuel. Hemp’s high cellulose level makes it rather ideal for ethanol production. This is yet another environmentally beneficial use of hemp. When using biofuel made of hemp you are releasing the stored energy in the plant and the only byproduct is water vapor and carbon dioxide which are then reused by plants, it is a more sustainable fuel cycle than that of fossil fuels. Much  research is being done into this use of hemp.   Hopefully the future will reveal a potential and  practical use of hemp as a biofuel replacement for fossil fuels.

• The stalk can produce textiles, cordage, paper, furniture, and viable alternatives for the composites industry, hemp has amazing strength.

• The hurd, (inside the stalk) can produce paints, sealants, car parts, lubricants, fuel, electricity, green compost and more.

   very part of a cannabis plant is useable.

• The seed can not only produce many of the above mentioned products and applications, but can also be used in skin care products and for human nutritional purposes.

• Hemp has a full complement of EFA’s (essential fatty acids) and of essential amino acids. 

• It is high in protein and has been shown to lower cholesterol and dissolve coronary plaque.

 Currently hemp is grown in Canada, England, France, German, Russia and China. It is listed as a legitimate commodity in both NAFTA and GATT and could be utilized by the United States. Hopefully the U.S. will  start promoting Hemp, allowing the U. S. farmers to grow and promote this valuable plant.

It is time to look towards the future of the amazing historic hemp plant……
Hemp the New Natural!