Hmm.. hamf, hammp? hemmf? HEMP! the hell are you muttering there you might ask, well, allow me to introduce you to the wondrous realm of the Hemp plant – so without further ado…

What the hell is Hemp?

Hemp is a fiber-type cannabis and has been used for both food and industrial purposes for thousands of years Throughout human history, it's a distinct variety of the plant – Cannabis Sativa L (A dioecious plant meaning a plant group that includes female and male distinctively). Hemp comes in the form of seeds, can be made into oil, and is created from the seeds of Cannabis Sativa and possesses beneficial attributes ranging from nutritional values to industrial usage, and cosmetic applications, in recent time the evaluation and Characterization of hemp have been growing in the scientific community. The question that rises normally is - does Hemp share similarities to medical cannabis or recreational Cannabis? the answer is - NO, why? Hemp contains much smaller amounts of THC, which is the psychoactive phytocannabinoid, containing concentrations ranging from 0.2% to 0.3% and below. Hemp does not grant the elated feeling, the "high" effect that many people seek So what is the point of Hemp then? Keep reading to find out! Although Hemp contains small amounts of THC, it is rich in other Cannabinoids and compounds that are responsible for the aroma attributes of the plant. Studies show and examine synergy with other Cannabinoids.

Common terpenes that can be found in hemp are

• Limonene
• Linalool
• Pinene
• Terpinolene
• Humulene
• Nerolidol - Though in low content
• Flavonoids - most common.

Several medicinal attributes have been ascribed to hemp's flavonoids:

• Anti-inflammation
• Anti-bacterial
• Neuroprotective
• Antiproliferative

(more details in flavonoids post!)

Industrial Hemp

Hemp has been a part of industrial production and consumption for thousands of years it has been used in the form of fibers, paper, jewelry, as a building material, and even biofuel. In ancient times it was used as nets for hunting, and in recent times used as a drying oil in paints and coating. It was replaced by linseed in the late 30s after being prohibited in North America and thus affecting its European counterpart, a few varieties of fiber were allowed in Europe. The second world war brought hemp manufacture back into the fold to the Americas until it was replaced by other fibers. in the 50s, petroleum-based fibers took most of the hemp fiber market. being cheaper it overtook the market through the 60s. Hemp can be made and used for:

• Medicinal and cosmetic uses
• Food for humans and farm animals
• Cooking oil
• Paper
• Ropes
• Building materials such as concrete and insulation
• Clothes
• Biofuel (Henry Ford created the first
• The car made of HEMP in the '40s
• Purifying toxins in contaminated ground

The list can go further, it amazes me how little I knew about Hemp up until the past few years, due to the historic ban and prohibition in the West, but with the changes in the US, I am glad the public is more aware of this amazing variation of cannabis that holds tremendous potential and can benefit not only our lives but the environment.