What is made from hemp? 9 practical things you know!

In the history of cannabis, many products have been developed that still shape our everyday lives today: Clothing, food, oils and energy, paper and building materials as well as numerous remedies can be made from hemp. Hemp can be grown and processed without chemicals. It is very tear-resistant and is generally regarded as the most stable plant fiber. What is particularly exciting is that hemp is not only used for textiles, but also serves as a sustainable alternative in many other areas. Whether as paper, rope or building material – the plant’s versatility is impressive. What is made from hemp? 9 practical things you know from everyday life!

A sustainable all-rounder: hemp

Speaking of everyday life, this morning on Sat.1 breakfast television, the world champion florist. He ties his bouquets with hemp cords instead of plastic. Naturally, this caught my attention. Hemp is not only ecologically valuable, but also a real alternative to many conventional materials. This prompted me to take a closer look at the many possible uses of this special plant.

How a hemp plant grows

In this small infographic you can see how a cannabis seed becomes a cannabis plant, the components of which can then be used for various industries. Textiles, construction, cosmetics. How a cannabis plant grows.

Plant parts and their use

Which part of the plant is used for what? Here is a compact overview of which parts of the hemp plant are used for what:

1. Stalks – fiber production for textiles, ropes, insulating materials
2. Shives (wooden part in the stem) – building materials such as hempcrete, animal litter
3. Leaves – teas, extracts, fertilizers
4. Seeds – oil, food (protein, flour, snacks)
5. Flowers – medicine, CBD products, aromatherapy
6. Roots – natural medicine, soil improvement

10 advantages of hemp as a sustainable material

You want advantages? Hemp is sustainable, environmentally friendly, uses less water and grows back quickly. Wow! Here are 10 advantages of the hemp plant.

1. Sustainable & environmentally friendly – grows without pesticides
2. Low water consumption – significantly less than cotton
3. Biodegradable – no plastic pollution
4. Extremely tear-resistant & durable – ideal for textiles & ropes
5. Fast-growing – harvest in a few months
6. Versatile – from clothing to building materials
7. COâ-binding – improves air quality
8. Hypoallergenic – ideal for sensitive skin
9. No tree felling necessary – sustainable paper production
10. And of course, … the medicinal potential – proven for thousands of years

You see, hemp can be grown in this country, which saves a lot of resources. Did you know that? Hemp was already being processed on a large scale in Germany in the Middle Ages, more on that in a moment.

1. textiles & clothing

Bauernbetrieb mit Hanfanbau um 1840 (KI)

Hemp is a robust natural fiber that is used for sustainable clothing, shoes and accessories. Many well-known brands now rely on hemp textiles because they are durable, breathable and antibacterial. The fibers are particularly hard-wearing and offer a high level of comfort. In addition, hemp cultivation requires significantly less water than cotton and does not require pesticides. This makes it an environmentally friendly choice for the fashion industry.

• Tear-resistant hemp jeans
• Hemp T-shirts & sweaters
• Sustainable hemp shoes
• Breathable socks
• Robust bags & backpacks

Hemp for the textile industry? That must be incredible quantities! That’s right. Here you can see how hemp is grown and harvested on a large scale.

Revolution in the textile industry?

2. paper & notebooks

Hemp paper has been used for centuries and is a sustainable alternative to conventional paper. It requires fewer chemicals in processing and is more resistant to yellowing. Even in the past, important documents were printed on hemp paper because it is durable. Today, there are notebooks, printing paper and packaging made from hemp that are produced in an environmentally friendly way. In the packaging industry in particular, hemp could replace plastic in the long term.

• Environmentally friendly notebooks
• Hemp printing paper
• Tear-resistant packaging
• Historical hemp scrolls
• Ecological gift packaging

3. ropes & cords

Hemp ropes are extremely tear-resistant and resistant to moisture – they are often used for maritime purposes or in horticulture. Hemp ropes also play a role in floristry, such as with world champion florist Nicolaus Peters on Sat.1 breakfast television. They are a sustainable alternative to synthetic fiber ropes and impress with their durability. In the past, ship ropes were made from hemp because they are particularly hard-wearing and weather-resistant.

• Sturdy hemp cords
• Ropes for shipping
• Tear-resistant garden cords
• Decorative macramé ropes
• Hemp ropes for construction

Unfortunately there was no post from Sat1 to embed, but I found this little Insta video for you.

 

Check out this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SAT.1 Frühstücksfernsehen (@fruehstuecksfernsehen)

4. food & oils

Of course, it also gets exciting when it comes to oils, as patients can now order them online, even with THC. But let’s get back to hemp itself, whether with or without THC. Hemp oil is particularly rich in valuable fatty acids and is a popular superfood. Hemp seeds provide high-quality vegetable protein and are often used in muesli or smoothies. Hemp powder is also popular as a natural source of protein in sports nutrition.

Hemp oil (cold-pressed, rich in omega-3 fatty acids)

Hemp oil is pressed from the seeds of the plant and is particularly nutritious. It contains an ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids and is perfect for salads or skin care.

For example, production has been going on here since 1650, incredible!

Hemp seeds (high in protein, popular as a superfood)

Hemp seeds contain all the essential amino acids and are an excellent plant-based source of protein. They can be used in mueslis, smoothies or as a topping for salads.

Hemp powder (as a source of protein in shakes or muesli)

Hemp powder is made from ground hemp seeds and provides a natural source of protein for athletes and vegans. It is easy to digest and contains many nutrients.

Almost more importantly, also due to the hype surrounding CBD products:

5. cosmetics & care products

Many shampoos, soaps, creams and lip balms and other cosmetics contain hemp oil because it is skin-friendly and moisturizing. Just as hemp fibers provide longevity in the textile industry (hemp product #1), hemp oil provides natural care in cosmetics. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it particularly popular with sensitive skin. From hand creams to hair care – hemp has long been an integral part of natural cosmetics.

• Nourishing hemp creams
• Shampoo with hemp oil
• Hemp soap for skin
• Lip balm with hemp
• Hemp hand cream

6. building materials & insulation materials

Hempcrete is used as an environmentally friendly alternative to concrete, and hemp fibers are used as insulation material for houses. Just as hemp provides tear-resistant textiles, it also impresses in the construction industry with its stability. Hempcrete is light, mold-resistant and regulates the indoor climate. Hemp is also a sustainable choice for insulating materials, as it can absorb moisture and has a long service life.

• Hempcrete for walls
• Ecological insulation materials
• Lightweight hemp bricks
• Sustainable floor coverings
• Fiberboard made from hemp

Photo: immobilien-erfahrung.de (hempcrete)

7. bioplastics & packaging

Hemp is used as a raw material for biodegradable plastics that are intended to replace plastic – for packaging, cutlery or even car parts, for example. Just as hemp provides durable fibers in the textile industry, it also offers a sustainable alternative in plastic production. Hemp bioplastics are robust, compostable and reduce the environmental impact compared to conventional plastic. Large companies are already experimenting with hemp composites in order to develop more sustainable products.

• Biodegradable cups
• Sustainable packaging
• Hemp-plastic cutlery
• Eco car parts
• Recyclable carrier bags

8. pet products

Hemp is not only useful for humans, but also for pets. There are hemp dog leashes, hemp toys and even hemp food supplements for animals. The tear-resistant fibers make for durable accessories, while hemp oil and hemp seeds can be a healthy addition to a pet’s diet. Many pet owners swear by hemp products as they are more natural and sustainable than synthetic alternatives.

• Hemp dog leads
• Toys made from hemp fibers
• Healthy hemp treats
• Hemp feed
• Ecological scratching posts

Last but not least…

9. medical application

Did you know that cannabis was used as a medicinal plant over 2,500 years ago? The plant, which is often the subject of controversy today, was once an integral part of medicine in many cultures. Everyone talks about medicinal cannabis, but the medical use of cannabis is older than you might think. From China to Egypt to Ancient Greece – doctors and healers everywhere discovered the amazing effects of cannabis.

Today, cannabis is used in modern medicine primarily for pain therapy, neurological disorders and to relieve inflammation. There are various dosage forms, from flowers to oils and capsules. The active ingredient CBD, which is not psychoactive, has become particularly popular in alternative medicine. Research is still in its infancy, but initial studies are showing promising results.

• Pain-relieving cannabis oils
• CBD against inflammation
• THC for pain therapy
• Hemp in natural medicine
• Traditional healing treatments

Learn more about cannabis in medical use as a therapy and its history here:

• Cannabis as a medicinal plant