Scholars believe it to be the mankind’s oldest
cloth. Hemp fibre is associated with low THC strains of the plant Cannabis. THC
stands for Tetrahydrocannabinol. Of the 2000+ variety of the cannabis plant
found in the nature 90% consists of the plants having low THC and thus making
it very fit for variety of the use.
The rest 10% consists of the THC rich
cousin of Cannabis. Marijuana is one such erratic cousin of the Cannbis.
Hemp
is similar to flax. Its fibre range in length from 3-15 feets running the
length of the plant. Its one of the most environmentally fabric that requires
little or no pesticides and produces 250% more fibre than cotton and 600% more
fibre than flax on the same amount of land. Since hemp is very self-compatible,
it can also be grown several years in a row in the same fields (monoculture).
Characteristics of Hemp
The hemp naturally may be creamy white, brown, gray,
black or green depending upon the process it undergoes while removing fibre
from the stem
They are superior in strength and durability. Very
resistant to UV light and mold. They are also comfortable and possess good
absorbency level.
Uses of the Hemp
Hemp fabric is used for wide variety
of the purpose.
Cordage of varying tensile strength, durable clothing and
nutritional products are important use of hemp fabric.
For apparels the hemp
are generally mixed with cotton, flax, lines, acrylic in the ratio of 55%
(hemp)/45% (other). Hemp has hollow fibres and therefore it regulated body
temperature better than cotton. Hemp fiber also has anti-microbial
properties, making it useful not only in clothing, bedding, and upholstery but
also in medical bandages. The robes of Buddhist monks and Sumo wrestler in
Japan are made from the Hemp fabric.
Hemp seeds can be eaten raw,
sprouted, made into hemp milk, tea preparation. Its leaves can be consumed in
salads. Hemp seeds contain omega-3
higher than walnuts.
Hemp paper is useful for specialty
applications such as currency and cigarette papers on account of its superior
strength compared to wood. However hemp paper is not suitable for newspapers,
books and general papers. Though you may find such hemp papers in the market
but at a premium price. Those supporting hemp industries and this wonderful
eco-friendly paper must purchase hemp paper items. It is interesting to note that
the word Canvas is derived from the word Cannabis
Industrial
use
Hemp used with lime is used as insulating concrete
like material for buildings. Since such blocks are not strong enough to sustain
the building they are used with bricks, steel etc for support.
A mixture of hemp fibre, linen, glassfibre are used
for making Composite panels of the automobiles.
Each Mercedes C-Class uses near
about 20 Kg of Hemp fabric in it. Audi, BMW, Toyota, GM, Ford etc all use Hemp
fabric for making the composite panels.
Biodiesel and Alcohol fuel can be made from Hemp
seeds and stalks. The word 'hempoline' is used for such fuels. However, so far
its not a commercially successful.
Hemp Jewelry
Hemp twines are knotted to create beautiful Hemp
jewelry. Bracelets, necklaces, anklets, rings, watches and many adorn able items
are made from Hemp.
Another most important use of Hemp is in Water and
Soil Purifications. The hemp is being used to de-contaminate the Chernobyl
Nuclear disaster site. By Phytoremediation, the hemp can clean radiation as
well as variety of the other radiation from soil and water.
Ban in US
Because of erratic cousin of Cannabis, rich in THC
known as Marijuana, the Hemp fibres are banned in United States. United States
Government does not distinguish between Marijuana (rich THC) and
non-psychoactive Cannabis (low THC).
United States is one of the largest
importers of Hemp. China is the leading producer of Hemp in the world. Although
most varieties developed in India were for its narcotic use, India is the main
producer and exporter of hemp seed oil
All the information about the us, you may need, is explicitly mentioned in the website. Follow this link
All the information about the us, you may need, is explicitly mentioned in the website. Follow this link
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