Many people are aware of the many uses of hemp (cannabis sativa) and the ways in which it is changing our world. The excitement of hemp continues to grow as new uses are being developed and long time uses are coming back online once again.
The hemp plant has been cultivated and used by us humans in many parts of the world for several thousand years, and has helped build cultures.
Humans have used hemp to create, heal and feed.
Among all of the fascinating and innovative things us humans have managed to accomplish with hemp, there are 5 in particular that stand out to me.
The world’s first hempcrete home was built in Florida.
1. Hempcrete
It is hard to imagine using any material other than concrete to construct some of our more spectacular architecture, such as skyscrapers and religious monuments. But did you know that the hemp plant can actually be used to build structures that humans can both use and live within?
Hempcrete is a composite material made of hemp hurds (the fiber portion of the cannabis plant) and lime. Surprisingly this material has shown to be up to 6x stronger than conventional steel used in most construction applications.
The reason for this increase in strength is that hempcrete resists bending better than steel does, making it more firm and durable than steel.
Hempcrete is 1/8 the weight of concrete, making it much easier and more practical to work with. And less destructive in the event of building collapse.
This material is also insulating by nature, making it great for building homes to run efficiently in all climates, protecting the occupants within for less energy consumption.
Hempcrete is fire resistant and has a low thermal density, meaning it is resistant to sudden changes in temperature.
Another advantage that hempcrete has over concrete, is that it does not expand and contract with changes in the temperature.
Hempcrete is also more cost effective than concrete because it requires less labor to produce, making it more efficient per unit area. Source
2. Hemp Paper
Hemp paper is a sustainable product made from the fibers of the hemp plant, which can be grown and processed into high-quality paper. Hemp paper is stronger than cotton paper and less likely to tear or crumble. It can also be recycled multiple times, unlike most other types of paper. Source
Hemp paper has similar properties to wood-based paper when it comes to strength and durability, but with a few key differences. It can withstand moisture, chemicals, heat and humidity better than wood-based paper. It folds more easily than wood-based paper and is more resistant to mold and mildew. Hemp paper also lasts longer than wood-based paper.
A car made partially with hemp by Henry Ford
3. Automobiles Can Be Made From Hemp
One of the most interesting ways that hemp can be used is in the construction of cars. By using hemp in the construction of cars, it can be possible to reduce the amount of carbon emissions that are produced during the production of cars. Source
In 1941, Henry Ford built a car out of plastic from hemp and other plant material that ran on hemp fuel.
A Model T made of hemp, flax, wheat, and spruce pulp, which was ten times tougher than steel and lighter than fiberglass, was produced in 1941.
Ford’s experimental design was described as a step toward his dream of “growing cars from soil”, as the rise in greenhouse gasses was noted even back then.
The prohibition of growing hemp in the USA during this time brought the evolution of a spectacular idea to a halt. With the re-legalization of growing hemp in the USA in 2018, we hope to see many new applications of hemp within the auto industry. Source
4. Textiles Using Hemp
Hemp textiles are a hemp-based product that can be used for clothing, bags, and other household items.
In addition to its environmental benefits, hemp textiles are also characterized by their versatility. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including commercial applications such as building materials, outdoor apparel and footwear. Source
When used for non-commercial purposes such as clothing and bedding, these textiles are often made from organic material. These organic hemp textiles are often grown using organic farming techniques.
Hemp is one of the fastest growing materials used for making clothes today because of its strength and durability.
It’s also an environmentally friendly choice as it doesn’t require pesticides and requires much less water than cotton does. Source
5. Hemp Oil
Hemp Oil has become a recent mainstay in health routines because of its health supportive properties that are known to benefit both humans and animals.
Hemp oil cannabinoids have been shown to have noticeable effects on stress receptors in the body that are involved in helping to promote a healthy inflammatory response throughout the whole body.
Hemp oil has also been shown to promote a better sense of well being and is commonly used by many to support a healthy mood and outlook.
Thanks to its ability to promote a healthy neuroinflammatory response, hemp oil has been shown to support multiple facets of cognitive health.
As an Iowa native and resident for much of my life, I am excited to announce that we at Ascent Nutrition have launched our Full Spectrum Hemp Oil, which comes from hemp grown right in Iowa and Colorado.
With over 3,500 other companies in the hemp oil / cbd oil industry, we are bringing to market a unique solution that stands on its own merit because of a few major differentiating factors:
1. Our hemp strain is referenced as the gold standard in hemp genome sequencing by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). [1]
2. In addition to our superior plant genetics, we intentionally don’t use “extraction” methods, but use our own industry-unique and patent-pending “infusion” process.
Our gentle hand-pressed infusion method uses organic coconut MCT oil, and is free of harsh CO2 and hexane extraction methods.
Our natural bonding infusion method is what gives us the most efficacious full spectrum hemp oil while delivering significantly more hemp phytonutrients than competitors that use CO2 and hexane.
3. We are GMP certified and our products are manufactured in facilities that have national and international certification. [2]
4. We meet federal guidelines for THC content needing to be below 0.3% and because our hemp plants are below this percentage level, the sale of this product is legal and consuming this will not induce a “high” in a person.
5. We use organic growing practices and because of the health of our soil and plants, no pesticides are needed or used. We also hand-plant each hemp plant and we hand-weed on our farm in Iowa and our second farm in Colorado.
6. We also utilize advanced technologies to monitor soil and plant conditions to ensure maximum nutrient availability.
It is because of these factors that we are happy to announce our Full Spectrum Hemp Oil product to the world.
Full Spectrum Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil
CBD (cannabidiol) is a single hemp phytonutrient that can be isolated and has been used by many to support mood, a healthy inflammatory response and more. While CBD oil has certainly been popularized, it is only one compound of over 120 that are present in the hemp plant.
This includes dozens of hemp phytonutrients (cannabinoids like CBN, CBC, CBG), terpenes, bioflavonoids, fatty acids, and minerals.
All of these nutrients work together to deliver the full benefits of the hemp plant and is the reason we chose to offer a full spectrum hemp oil. Utilizing the full spectrum of nutrients gives your body the power of the whole plant – exactly as nature intended.
Because our unique infusion method gives us significantly more nutrients from the hemp plant, our Full Spectrum Hemp Oil can help support a process known as “The Entourage Effect.”
“The Entourage Effect” is the combined effect of the different cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds from the hemp plant that work together in synergy in the human body.
The combined effect of these different nutrients is labeled as being “greater than the sum of the individual effects.”
In other words, having all of these different compounds working together is far more beneficial than just one compound, such as using only CBD.
Our unique Full Spectrum Hemp Oil delivers a complete Entourage Effect, whereas the CBD compound can only induce a limited number of effects.
Not only does our Full Spectrum Hemp Oil contain the CBD compound, but also 119 other phytonutrients found naturally within the hemp plant.
Ascent Nutrition Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
- The gold standard strain in hemp genome sequencing
- Industry-unique infusion method, free of CO2 and hexane
- Significantly more phytonutrients than competitive oils
- Supports brain health, cognition and mental well-being
- Supports a healthy inflammatory response
- Supports a healthy stress response and sleep cycle
