Industrial Hemp - an alternative to our problems?
Today, we have a society that is confused, living in fear and consuming all it can with little regard for our Mother Earth. Fear and consumption are creating a crisis and we are forced to look for a solution. But how can there be a single solution for decades of ‘going down the wrong path’?
Our modern industrial society demands more, better, different. But the results are always the same- we are surrounded by appliances and packaging that has been sourced from the very foundations of our earth. These products are then transported to us, via a distribution system that sometimes takes them around the globe first- this distribution system requires infrastructure- involving more products, and is fuelled by again, the very foundations of our earth.
Some may argue, what else are these resources useful for? Well look into the future, when Mother earth is emptied of these finite resources and you will see a need for these base materials- These primal resources are too valuable to be used for packing the sushi box bought from the local petrol station or driving to it.
And while we are on food- how long until we acknowledge that our society is becoming under-nourished, depleted of the ability to make clear, conscious choices about such behaviour? It is a fact that despite our ‘bigger, better’ agricultural systems we are under-nourished- hence the need for supplementation. Mono-culture and chemicals are also stripping the minerals, the foundations of our earth from our foods. No longer is a carrot a carrot. Carrots used to be around 3% sugar, now they are around 17% and full of residues of chemicals that are toxic.
With bio-dynamic* farming we are moving back to supporting the re-mineralisation of our soils and thus of ourselves. As we start to incorporate such techniques in a new world, we look to alternatives for other matters that require immediate attention.
Footnote: *bio-dynamic farming is a step on from organic farming- not only allowing no toxic chemicals, but taking into consideration the industry as a whole
There is one plant that may be able to contribute to the solution and help us to create a brighter future.
From the sixties an industry was built on it, Sailors have used it for centuries on their ships and Police seek it out.
There is much myth and much hope around the widespread use of the industrial hemp plant.
Hemp or Cannabis Sativa as it is properly known is a crop that has been grown for millennia- as far back as records can tell. It is only very recently; in the chaos of an industrialized society that hemp has become lost. Some believe it was deliberately and maliciously lost by corporations to remove competition for their new technologies in the timber, paper and plastics industries. Whatever the truth both hemp and cannabis were portrayed as a deadly drug and "lost" by corporations using their proven method of control- fear.
With recent advances in communication it has become more widely known that the medical form of hemp (cannabis/ marijuana) is not deadly- and actually beneficial for some diseases. And now some of us are looking back to cultures that have survived the industrialized chaos, to a degree at least and discovering that plants such as hemp hold many keys.
Industrial hemp is used as a strong, yet soft fabric, a substitute to virgin tree pulp in paper, an alternative to petrochemicals in plastics, an option as a fuel source and a nutritional food, hemp has great potential.
This means industrial hemp should be everywhere- in nearly every industry – but it isn’t. Before we find out why, let’s look at the history books.
Around the world and back
The Chinese were eating hempseed as long as 8000 years ago. Even George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp on their plantations. Queen Victoria was prescribed hemp as medicine.
Throughout Europe ice creams, snack bars, breads, milks and many other products are based on the nutritional benefits of hemp seed and its pleasant nutty flavour. In North America, where it is still outlawed as a crop for fiber and textiles there is a multi-million dollar market for healthy hemp foods where you can find them in supermarket chains.
In Australia they have just allowed the crop to be grown, but ban the use of its nutritious non-drug seed source of ice-creams, snack bars, bread etc.
18 metres tall in 90 days with a biomass yield of 2.5 tones per hectare- this is impressive by any standards.
Hemp Nutrition and benefits
So we knew hemp could be used as an alternative fibre, a mulch material, horse bedding, paper and more, but as a food? Is hemp so nutritious- or are we bulking up its uses?? Firstly ‘hemp’ is a fibrous plant and not so nutritious! The fruit of the hemp plant- the hemp seed is full of nutritional qualities that are beneficial to us all. Hemp seed can be used as you would sunflower seed, flax seed or soybean. It can be ground into a flower, pressed into oil or processed into non-dairy milk.
Hemp seed is gluten free, wheat free and does not contain any of the negative effects found in Soy.
Omega-3, an essential fatty acid (EFA) found in hemp seed and oil has been shown to protect against certain types of cancers, modify immune and inflammatory reactions. They have also demonstrated the following benefits: renal, respiratory, cardiovascular, and dermatological. Omega-6, also found in hemp seed and oil may help prevent skin problems such as acne, loss of hair, poor blood circulation, liver and kidney problems, gallbladder problems and cardiovascular disease. Some authorities recommend that pregnant and lactating women should increase their Omega-3 intake. EFA's are required for maintaining the structure of cell membranes and the permeability of the skin. Hemp seed also contains GLA whose attributes include relief of premenstrual syndrome and use in chronic skin diseases and neurodermatitis.
Recently a skin care specialist has tried everything for her son’s Eczema including natural and traditional medicines. Nothing worked until she tried hemp oil that cured 95% of the eczema within just five days.
A new natural skin care range based on these properties of hemp, with pure essential oils and chemical free is to be launched later this year.
Alternative to Plastic
Henry Ford’s first motorcar used plant-based fibers in the body and an early picture of an axe-wielding Mr. Ford showed the world how strong plant fibers were in re-enforcing man made materials. The idea was then mysteriously dropped and no reference to the use of hemp fibers being used as a plastic alternative have been seen until close to 1990 when the automotive industry re-discovered this little used technology.
Plastics and petro-chemical based materials are so abound today- they are used in almost everything around us, from surface tops, to pens, toothbrushes, computers, light fittings and the list really does go on. With the new consciousness and understanding we have we can no longer ignore the question of how the products around us are made. And I am yet to meet anyone who is not affected by some form of plastic product in his or her daily lives.
It was only in 1991 that I first dreamed of hemp plastics replacing the polluting, non-sustainable energy intensive petro-chemical based plastics. In 1998 I created my first hemp plastic product – a Frisbee made using 25% hemp plastic. Since this time the technology has improved and now the first truly commercial hemp plastic product is about to become widely available- the hemp plastic cd-tray. The product was chosen as it is hoped the product will be high profile- that all popular bands will use hemp plastic cd trays in 2004 and we can hold a piece of material in our hands while listening to our favourite music and know that not all hope is lost.
The first CD to be produced using the hemp plastic CD tray is the relaxation CD ‘Fields of Green’. Using harp, flute, angelic voices and the grounding sounds of a didgeridoo. The didgeridoo is no ordinary instrument- it is made from 100% hemp. It is as hard as stone, totally biodegradable and creates fantastic resonance. This material is expected to advance into a number of other household products in the not too distant future.
Other hemp uses
Industrial hemp is also being used as a superior animal feed. Chickens improve the strength quality, and essential fat content of their eggs. Horses benefit from hemp oil to treat symptoms of itching and hoof symptoms, whilst bird breeders cannot get enough of hemp cake- the by-product from hemp oil production. As an ingredient for mulch, hemp hurds are being used in container lots. The mulch has superior properties and a recent trial in a major hardware store sold out within days. The hurds are the inner core of the hemp plant that is super absorbent and is now the preferred choice of breeders’ worldwide for horse bedding. Hemp fibres are being used in car parts for Mercedes, BMW, Rover and other well-known brands. Hemp is strong, light and cheap. With growing demand for recyclable materials and increasing taxes on waste materials the future of hemp looks bright.
For more information
To have your say about legalizing the non-drug use of hemp in Australia and New Zealand visit www.hempfoods.com.au
“A Modern Introduction To Industrial Hemp”- the latest book by Paul Benhaim focusing on all aspects of hemp includes photos and hemp plastic news is available from your local library (order book with reference:0-9751482-0-6) and online direct to your door from www.hemp.co.uk
Subscribe to updates on the industrial hemp industry- email subscribe@hemp.co.uk with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. A private update approx. 4 times per year only.
Hemp Plastics updates can be found at www.hempplastic.com
You can purchase a new hemp plastic cd tray with the Relaxation music cd (based on didgeridoo- 100% hemp!- harp, flute and acoustic guitar) from www.hempmusic.com
Journey Cosmetic Range to be launched around time of press– contact www.thejourney.com
You can also invest in the hemp industry – best opportunity at time of press is www.ecofibre.com.au
Other hemp products available from your local health food store, supermarket or enquire online at www.hemp.co.uk
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Authors description
Paul Benhaim is published author of H.EM.P., Healthy Eating Made Possible, A Modern Introduction To Hemp and Living Food Recipes.
In 1991 he followed his heart and produced the first commercially available hemp snack bar in the EU, pioneering the hemp food industry. His first product is now sold in mainstream supermarkets world-wide.
Currently Managing Director for Hemp Foods Australia where he has brought his skills in pioneering improved recipes, formulas and production capabilities to bring hemp foods to an even wider audience.
Creating his first hemp plastic product in 1998, Paul is now offering mass produced hemp plastic products. His latest hemp plastic product- a CD-tray was introduced to market by using a relaxation music CD that he designed, produced and played a hemp didgeridoo for.
Manager of some of the world’s most popular hemp web sites and advisor to a number of companies world-wide, he is also involved with writing and lecturing on Living Foods.
A qualified yoga teacher, masseur and a keen gardener, Paul is often found walking near his new rainforest home in Northern NSW of Australia. Paul continues to work in Europe and is based in Essex near London where he orchestrates projects throughout Europe.
Author, H.E.M.P.- Healthy Eating Made Possible ISBN:1-901250-64-4
Author, Modern Introduction To Hemp- Food to Fibre: past, present and future ISBN:0-9751482-0-6
Author, Living Food Recipes - for energy, beauty and longevity ISBN: 0-9751482-1-4
Paul Benhaim
paulb@hemp.co.uk
Hemp Food Industries Association
Hemp Foods Australia
Ecofibre Industries Association
Hemp Plastics
Hemp Music Productions
Alive Foods
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