Rope is one of the many things made from hemp fiber.
For 12,000 years people have grown hemp plants for their fiber to make textiles, paper and rope. Because of the need for sails and rope for shipping, hemp was grown all over the American colonies. The long fibers of hemp are superior to cotton, extremely versatile and can be made into more than 25,000 different products. Because of its close relation to the cannabis plant -- both industrial hemp and and marijuana are classified as cannabis sativa by taxonomists -- growing the hemp plant was outlawed in the United States in the 1950s. Hemp products available for wholesale in the U.S. are easily found in online databases.
Raw Hemp
Hemp fiber has been sought for its usefulness throughout history. Hemp fields are cut and the stalks are allowed to dry out in the field for three to four weeks while the leaves decompose. The stalks are then cleaned processed into cellulose for the making of rope, paper, sails and canvas. Hemp paper is more durable than paper made from wood pulp, and it does not turn yellow over time like regular paper. Other fibers like cotton are mixed with hemp to make clothing and bags.
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seeds are taken from the plants before processing and run through a mechanical expeller press to smash the seeds and extract the oil. Hemp seed oil is almost as versatile as hemp fiber in that it is used in a range of products. Soaps, shampoos, lotions, lip balms and body oils are made from hemp oil. Paints and varnishes were once made from hemp seed oil as well. Rudolph Diesel designed his diesel engine to run on hemp oil. Hemp seed oil can be used as fuel for biodiesel engines, and up until the late 19th century, hemp oil was used in lamps for lighting. The oil is made up of long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids; this makes it an ideal precursor for other industrial compounds.
Hemp Building Materials
The long cellulose fibers of hemp are also very desirable for making particle board and other construction materials. Medium-density fiberboard known as hemp board is made entirely of hemp fiber instead of wood. Studs, posts and beams can also be made from hemp. Because the fibers of the hemp plant are much longer than those of regular wood, these materials are stronger and lighter than comparable wood products.
Hemp as Food
Hemp was used as a food source long before soy. Hemp seed is a superfood loaded with protein, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp oil is processed into nutritional oils for eating and cooking. Hemp seeds are also smashed and ground into protein powders that are used in nutritional supplements. Raw hemp seed is often made into protein bars and birdseed. Cereals, protein powders, pretzels and even milk are made from or with hemp. All hemp is sterilized before being made into food products so that no THC is present.
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