About hemp
Hemp is a member of one of the most advanced plant families on earth, capable of using the sun's energy more efficiently than virtually any other.
Originating from Asia, it has been cultivated by mankind for more than 6000 years and until the late 16th century was our planet's largest agricultural crop and most important industry. Almost every part of the plant was used to provide the overall majority of our fibre, fabric, lighting oil, paper and medicinal needs, as well as being a primary source of essential food oil and protein for humans and animals. Click here for more information on why Hemp is SO good for the environement.
Hemp flourishes without the the use of pesticides (having few natural enemies) and grows so fast that it literally leaves other plants in the shade. This means herbicides are not required either, making hemp ideal for organic farming. Cotton, on the other hand, uses vast amounts of chemicals both in its growing and processing.
Hemp produces up to three or four times more pulp per acre than timber, and produces higher quality paper. There are no environmentally damaging bleaching processes in hemp paper production and it recycles many more times than wood pulp.
At present we are over-reliant on dwindling fossil fuel reserves and are still busy chopping down forests at an alarming rate. Hemp is a sustainable alternative and also one of he most effective convertors of CO2 to oxygen - cleaning the air, improving the soil and helping to fight global warming.
Apart from living in a healthier environment, using hemp is beneficial to the individual in many ways. Hemp fibres are porous so they allow your skin to breathe, whilst also being softer, stronger and more durable than cotton.
