By the year 2025, the industrial hemp market is on track to reach a valuation of $270 million.
This expected growth has to do, in part, with the increase in popularity of hemp-based CBD products. In reality, though, hemp gets used for way more than making CBD oil and CBD gummies.
If you want to learn more about all the different products made by hemp, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for a list of some of the most popular uses of the hemp plant.
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What Is Hemp?
The hemp plant is a form of the Cannabis sativa plant. It differs from other forms of the cannabis plant due to its low THC content (less than 0.03 percent THC).
Throughout the world, hemp is grown for a variety of industrial uses, as well as for the harvest of phytochemicals like CBD.
Hemp grows faster than many other plants, and it was one of the first to be made into usable fibers over 10,000 years ago. It’s used to make all kinds of other commercial items, too.
Most Popular Hemp Uses
There are lots of different ways that one can use hemp. The following are some of the most popular practices being used throughout the world:
Human Food
Some people don’t realize that hemp is a very nutritious food source. It provides plenty of protein for those who prefer not to get their protein from animal sources, and it’s also a great source of essential fatty acids.
Hemp can be used to create hemp seed oil and hemp milk, and the hemp seeds are edible and easy to add to a variety of dishes.
Pet Food
Hemp is also a beneficial ingredient to include in pet food. For example, cats, dogs, and horses can consume hemp to get healthier, shinier coats. The seeds are a great food option for birds, too.
Animal Bedding
In addition to being a good food source for pets, hemp also makes great animal bedding.
It’s often including in bedding products designed for pets like gerbils, hamsters, and rodents. Horse owners may also use hemp plants as bedding for their horses.
Body Lotion
You may have come across hemp body lotions or body oils in the past. Have you ever tried them, though?
Thanks to its essential fatty acid content, hemp is a very nourishing and moisturizing ingredient to use in these products. It can help to soothe dry, cracked skin and leave it feeling silky and smooth.
Clothing
Hemp can also be used to manufacture all kinds of clothing, from jeans to lingerie. Material made from hemp actually lasts longer than many other fabrics, too, but it’s still lightweight and breathable. Many popular brands use hemp in some of their clothing, such as Armani and Calvin Klein.
Plastic
For those who are looking to cut down on their plastic usage, consider looking for hemp-based alternatives.
Hemp can act as the base for all kinds of products traditionally made from plastic, such as straws, bowls, and utensils. These hemp-based products are biodegradable as well, meaning they can help to keep plastic out of our landfills.
Paper
One of hemp’s first uses was to create paper. In fact, the world’s first paper came from hemp, not from trees. Paper made from hemp is strong and durable, and it helps to minimize the number of trees that get cut down each year.
Construction Materials
Some manufacturers also make construction materials out of hemp. For example, they may use HempCrete, a hemp-based concrete alternative, in various projects.
HempCrete is easier to work with than regular concrete, and it’s less brittle. This means it does not require expansion joints when it’s used in buildings.
Supplements
Finally, hemp has also received a lot of attention lately for its use in supplements such as CBD oil, CBD vapes, and CBD gummies.
The benefits of CBD gummies and other products are almost too numerous to count. From reducing inflammation to improving mood, there are lots of ways to use hemp-based CBD supplements, which contain little-to-no CBD, to find relief and feel your best.
Hemp and the Environment
In addition to being incredibly useful, hemp is also a very sustainable crop. For those who have concerns about their carbon footprint and environmental impact, using hemp-based products is a great option to consider.
The following are just a few things to keep in mind about how a focus on hemp can benefit the plant:
Hemp vs Cotton
First, one acre of hemp produces 2-3 times more fiber than one acre of cotton. The fibers created from hemp are softer and stronger than cotton, too, and they have a much longer lifespan.
Hemp can be grown in more climates than cotton, too, and it requires less water, pesticides, and herbicides. It only requires a moderate amount of fertilizer compared to cotton as well.
Hemp vs Trees
One acre of hemp can produce the same amount of paper as 2-4 acres of trees. Hemp can be used to produce all kinds of high-quality paper, too, including cardboard and tissue paper.
You can also use hemp to produce strong, lightweight fiberboard. Fiberboard is a good alternative to wood and helps reduce the number of trees that need to be cut down throughout the world to produce it.
Hemp vs Soy
Many people who have made it a priority to eat more plant-based in an effort to help the environment often end up eating large quantities of soy.
What these people might not realize, though, is that hemp is much more sustainable than soybeans. Hemp requires no pesticides and herbicides, unlike soy, and it requires less water.
Try Something Made By Hemp Today
As you can see, there are tons of products made by hemp all over the world. Are you interested in trying them out?
It doesn’t matter if you want to look into CBD products or hemp clothing. There’s something for everyone.
For more information on the uses of hemp, especially when it comes to making CBD oil and other CBD products, check out some of the other hemp-related articles on our site today.
