There is a lot of discussion about the medical and recreational benefits of weed. It truly has proven itself a versatile and incredibly useful plant, with applications in numerous areas of medicine.

Its close relative, hemp, also has many practical applications outside of medicine. Truly, the plant is underutilised and undervalued. Here are just some of the numerous ways hemp can be used:

Fish oil substitute

Health buffs can go on and on about the health benefits of fish oil because of its fatty acids. Hemp oil contains all those fatty and amino acids without ever having to kill a living being. It is a healthy and more cost-effective alternative to fish oil—all while being a vegan choice.

Bird feed

Already used in many types of bird feed, hemp is a healthy source of food for pet birds and livestock. Birds have also been seen to prefer hemp to other types of birdseed.

Antibacterial fabric

EnviroTextile, an environmental company based in Colorado, USA, is looking into developing fabric made from hemp. The fabric will be specifically designed to have antibacterial properties, stopping the spread of staphylococcus bacteria, which can cause deadly infections.

Better paper

Hemp has been used as paper for millennia, and has been shown to degrade at an astoundingly slower rate than paper made from other materials. Hemp paper is also easier to produce than regular paper, which is made of wood. This is because hemp grows much faster than trees, and the environmental footprint of growing hemp is much smaller than chopping down a tree.

Concrete alternative

The unique properties of hemp have allowed scientists to develop hemp concrete, or “hempcrete,” which is waterproof, lightweight, fireproof, and more flexible than concrete. It is meant to see use in pipes, insulation, and bricks.

Hempcrete is already gaining popularity as a material for houses, and may soon see widespread use in construction as an inexpensive and readily available material.

Biofuel

If the research pans out for hemp as a replacement for fossil fuels, we may well hamper our dependence on non-renewable resources. Hemp’s fast growth can not only draw carbon quickly from the air, but it can also provide a renewable source of biofuel.

Plastic alternative

Single-use plastics are one of the greatest threats to our ecological balance, but plastic made from hemp is just as strong with none of the toxic chemicals and a much smaller environmental footprint.

Environmental cleaner

A 2001 study showed that hemp could be used to extract toxic heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, and nickel from the soil. This is because of its fast and prodigious growth as a plant. Known as a bio-accumulator, hemp can be used as a solution for plant leaks and contaminations.

Conclusion

The potential in hemp as an ecological marvel is nearly limitless. As time goes on, dedicated scientists, researchers, and engineers are discovering more and more uses for the miracle plant. Hopefully, one day we’ll make great use of this plant to protect the environment and improve the quality of human life.

For more information on the uses of hemp and CBD products in the UK, we at Quintessential Tips have everything you need. Contact us today!