Between hemp’s unrivalled eco-credentials, long list of health benefits and the ability to make a mean cup of tea – it really is the no-compromise crop. But what exactly is hemp and what are the differences between CBD, hemp oil and the stuff we drink? Keep reading as Good Hemp talk us through all things hemp - as well as touching on the health benefits, nutritional information and why hemp is the sustainable plant of the future.
Hemp is the future of our planet – but what on earth is it?!
Plainly speaking, hemp is a plant, scientifically known as ‘cannabis’- but before you start wondering how it’s legal, it is very different from its better-known cousins. Whilst the two plants look very similar (we can’t tell you the number of times our farm in Devon has been reported to the local police), hemp won’t get you high, in fact, it does a lot more… Hemp is a zero-waste crop, meaning every inch of it, from the stalk to the leaves to the flowers, can be used. Here at Good Hemp, we’re mostly interested in the seeds which form the base of all of the products we make. Hemp seeds are tasty little drops of goodness, not just because they’re delicious, but because they are also filled with omega 3, protein and fibre, plus a handful of minerals including potassium, iron and zinc.
But the seeds aren’t the only cool part of the hemp plant – as the stalks can be spun into a fibre which is now widely used across the fashion industry (by brands such as Patagonia, Levi’s and COS), and the flowers and leaves contain large amounts of CBD. We wouldn’t be surprised if the only reason you’ve heard of hemp is through CBD, but the terms are certainly not synonymous!
What’s the difference between CBD and hemp?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have heard the term ‘CBD’ however... we’ll forgive you for not completely understanding what it is! CBD is one of 104 chemical compounds (known as ‘cannabinoids’) found within the hemp plant and is mainly extracted from the plant’s flowers and leaves. CBD is used in many different industries as it’s been found to have properties that can help with a number of ailments including, anxiety, arthritis, Parkinson’s and eczema.
Researchers are still trying to figure out where the potential benefits of CBD fully extend to but widely agree that it works by interacting with the body’s ‘endocannabinoid system’ to restore homeostasis. This applies to multiple areas in the body, hence the multiple benefits! Pretty amazing stuff.
When CBD is extracted from the plant, it’s usually mixed with a carrier oil which can be taken through dropping under the tongue for the most efficient uptake. For this reason, CBD oil is often confused with hemp seed oil, made from the seeds rather than the flowers of the plant. Hemp seed oil naturally contains no CBD, however, is commonly used as the carrier oil for CBD, coming from the same plant it’s not surprising that the flavours go well together. CBD on the other hand, when extracted, is more of a paste, which when mixed with hemp seed oil (or any other carrier oil eg: coconut) forms what we call CBD oil.
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Why is hemp so special?
If we haven’t convinced you that hemp is the future already, then let’s talk about sustainability.
We probably don’t need to remind you about the trouble our planet is in right now, or that we can’t continue the way we’re going if we want to have a future at all. And this is where hemp really does step forward. There are no other crops that compare to hemp when it comes to environmental impact – it doesn’t need pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers to grow (think of the nickname ‘weed’), in fact, it absorbs toxic chemicals from the soil so can help repair the damage caused by non-organic farming. Could hemp be more on brand? It only needs three to four months from being sown to being harvested and can be grown in almost all climates due to its ability to naturally irrigate itself.
Hemp requires far less water than cotton and absorbs far more CO2 (four times more than trees) making it a more sustainable option for brands looking to offset their impact on the planet. So we’re not joking around when we say that hemp truly is the future of the planet.
*This guest blog is sponsored content written by Good Hemp
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