You might know hemp as a product used to make alternative, "hippy" items but now more eco-conscious brands have jumped onto hemp as a fabric, skin care ingredient, supplement and food.

Here, we look at some of the benefits of hemp and why we stock many products made using the plant.

What is hemp

Hemp is a plant that is grown worldwide. It belongs to the cannabis plant species (Cannabis sativa). But eating it in a Nutra Organics Collagen Beauty Bar or using it on your skin won't get you high like marijuana.

The benefits and uses of hemp are diverse which is why we love hemp products as part of the Whole Store collection.

Hemp is versatile

Hemp is used in the making of a variety of products across a variety of industries. With evidence of hemp fabric dating back 8,000 years ago, hemp is believed to be one of the oldest natural fibres.

Hemp is used in fabric, paper, upholstery, rope, paint, wallpaper, food and even building materials. It's also a common product in the beauty and self care industries in products such as Hemp Face Cloths and Make-up Wipes, skincare and even hair products like Ethique Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bars.

Hemp is durable

Hemp is an incredibly durable and strong fibre. It has three times the flexible strength then cotton, more tensile and lasts at least twice as long.

This is one reason why Pawsome Organics have used hemp as their chosen material for the Dog Collars and Leads.

Hemp is sustainable

Hemp is a hearty, drought-resistant crop. It thrives in a variety of climates and uses 4x less water than cotton to grow and harvest. The fibre requires no pesticides or herbicides, making it naturally organic and resistant to insects, mould and even fire.

Hemp is also carbon positive, trapping more carbon per year than fast-growing Eucalypt trees.

Hemp is zero waste

One of the amazing advantages of the hemp plant is that everything part of the plant can be used. The fibres are used for fabrics, the woody core of the stalk as building materials and the seeds as 'superfoods' for us to eat.

Hemp is also biodegradable and compostable so when finished, it can be disposed of without causing impact.

Hemp is naturally bacterial and anti-fungal

Hemp is a popular ingredient in skincare and haircare products due to its natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Hemp is nutritionally dense

Hemp can be consumed in the form of seeds, flour or oil and has a growing reputation for its diverse health benefits.

Hemp is a great source of plant protein containing all essential amino acids. It's also high in fibre and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and iron. Hemp also is an excellent source of polyunsaturated fats and contains the perfect ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Not only can this be beneficial for human health when consumed, but also pets, which is why we stock Pawsome Organics Hemp Nectar and Detox DErt.

Not convinced? Try one of our hemp-based products for yourself!