CBD Oil And Hemp
28 December 2021Hemp oil, cannabis oil, marijuana, CBD, or simply weed oil: sometimes, it’s hard to see the forest for the hemp trees. In this blog, we explore the history of CBD Oil while we show the many applications of hemp plants through the ages. That’s a bit of a spoiler on the origins of CBD Oil, but that’s just because we’re so excited to tell you… Read on to find out all about this versatile natural supplement!
What Is Hemp?
Hemp is a plant that belongs to the species Cannabis sativa L. in the Cannabaceae family. For over 10,000 years, hemp has been used for production of food, rope, paper, and construction materials. Even today, hemp plants are used all over the world in an endless variety of applications.
The History Of The Hemp Plant
Hemp and humanity share a bond that reaches back across the millennia. Our early ancestors used hemp plants for all sorts of clever purposes, including rope, paper, and textile. Hemp was vital for our naval exploits as well: it is claimed that Columbus never would have discovered America without the hemp fibres used to make the sails and rigging for his ships.
However, hemp as we know it from today’s CBD Oil has also been used for health applications for many centuries. Archeological evidence shows that active compounds from the plant were already used in China thousands of years ago. Legendary emperor and plant sage Shen Nung recorded the wholesome potential of the Cannabis sativa L. plant as early as 2,700 BCE. Since those days, hemp has known its ups and downs, but presently, the plant is as popular as ever – thanks in no small part to the rise of CBD Oil.
What Is The Difference Between Hemp And Cannabis?
Hemp and the cannabis plants sometimes called marijuana or ‘weed’ are different variants of Cannabis sativa L. The main difference between these variants is the concentration of THC that they contain. Hemp plants cannot contain more than .3% THC. Any plant with more THC is called cannabis.
Why Is CBD Oil Derived From Hemp?
The species name Cannabis sativa L. probably rings a bell with most people. Cannabis is often associated with weed, intoxication, and getting ‘high’ or ‘stoned’. In the case of hemp, however, this is incorrect: hemp plants contain only minute quantities of THC, if any. There is little or no THC in hemp, but it does contain plenty of CBD and other useful cannabinoids. This is why these days, hemp is used for large-scale production of CBD Oil.
Don’t let the name confuse you! In contrast to products like weed oil or marijuana oil, CBD Oil does not make people high or stoned. CBD leaves you perfectly sober, so you can still drive a car and stay focused, allowing you to use it at work or anywhere else. In the Netherlands and in ever more countries around the world, CBD Oil from hemp is fully legal and freely available as a dietary supplement.
What Is Hemp Used For?
Perhaps it is better to ask what hemp is NOT used for these days… This is an incredibly useful crop: apart from CBD Oil, hemp is grown for its seeds, while hemp fibre and its woody parts can be used for a staggering range of practical applications.
Useful Plant Parts
- The seeds of the hemp plant are highly nutritious, and in fact very healthy, too! They are full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Essential amino acids make them good for the skin, memory, joints, and the cardiovascular system;
- Hemp bast fibre is traditionally used as raw material for rope production. Modern hemp fibre applications include sustainable fashion and textile products;
- The wooden parts of the plant, totalling about 60% of its biomass, are often used as hay to feed horses and small pets. Its combustion value is very high, leaving minimal ashes after burning. This makes hemp a great alternative for firewood.
Smart Applications
Paper & Bioplastics
Hemp plants contain cellulose, which is a very useful ingredient for manufacturing paper. Few people know, however, that hemp can also be used to produce biodegradable plastics. These materials are every bit as sturdy as regular plastics, but the best thing about them is that they’re bioplastics, which are naturally broken down after use. A hemp plastic water bottle is almost completely gone after about 73 days. From an ecological point of view, hemp bioplastics make a fine sustainable substitute for the polluting fossil fuel plastics we use today!
There seem to be no limits to the applicability of hemp plastics: from construction materials for housing, cars, and boats to furniture, musical instruments, and shopping bags. Even medical science is investigating hemp plastic applications, which are already being used in bone tissue reconstruction.
Construction
If you’re looking to go sustainable when building a home, you may want to check out the options hemp fibre provides! The fibre from the wooden parts of the plant is very strong, and if mixed with lime and water, they can be compressed into building blocks fit for construction. These hemp blocks are lighter and stronger then concrete! In addition, hemp products keep your house warm (or cool) by their insulation capacity while they regulate moisture and acoustics. The greatest bit, of course, is their eco-friendly nature: hemp plants absorb CO2 as they grow, which is then trapped while you use them to build your dream home!
Fuel
You’re getting the picture by now: hemp is incredibly diverse! It’s even used for fuel production, giving diesel engines a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuel. This effective biofuel is obviously good news for the environment. Some say that the very first T-Ford prototype designed by Henry Ford was made of hemp plastic panels and powered by hemp fuel. Whatever the case, if hemp biofuel were to be mass-produced, it would have a positive effect on our present climate conditions. And since it is fully biodegradable, the worst case scenario of a hemp oil spill would be spilling your bottle in the bathroom sink…
Cosmetics & Skincare
Hemp oil is also frequently used in cosmetics and skincare products. In addition to CBD, hemp oil naturally contains various vitamins and minerals to protect your skin against harmful external influences. Hemp oil also works from within, by nourishing the skin to keep it soft and supple. Our blogs tell you more about the protective, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating benefits CBD can offer your skin in summer and winter with our CBD Cream or CBD Salve. No wonder our lovely Hemp Oil Soap is so popular!
CBD Products
We’ve finally arrived at the best of all hemp products when it comes to your health: CBD Oil! In a very real sense, CBD Oil has just too many uses to summarize in a single blog. To be brief, CBD (cannabidiol) is capable of working together with our own body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) that governs the balance between various physiological processes. This system allows CBD to regulate a balanced body and mind, unlocking huge potential for pain and stress relief and many other possible health benefits. Anyone looking for information on CBD Oil for specific conditions or symptoms should check out our many blog posts to learn more.
Our web store offers the finest and the most delicious CBD supplements, from CBD Coffee and CBD Chocolate to CBD Gummies, CBD Tablets, and of course, prime quality CBD Oil with or without Full Spectrum formula!
Tip: our CBD Products make great gifts for sharing moments to enjoy!
