A remarkable history of hemp

A remarkable history of hemp

Hemp is a miraculous plant as nothing goes wasted. Hemp is also known as Cannabis Sativa and it is mainly cultivated for fiber and seeds in textile, paper, bio-fuel, health, bio degradable plastics and food industries. Often referred to as “cash crop”, its seeds and fiber are very popular in Asian countries like: China, Taiwan and Philippines. Even though it was cultivated by famous political personalities like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, in the 1950s hemp cultivation was prohibited in the Unites States of America due to its association with marijuana. Cultivation of hemp in the United States of America is still prohibited but it is legal to import, process and wear hemp clothes. The canvas, a fabric used for making sails has an etymological root in the word cannabis.

Short ancient history of hemp

According to Columbia History of the world the first evidence of human industry is a piece of hemp fabric dating from 8000 BC. It is believed that it was widely spread throughout China, Europe and India. In 2700 BC, legendary Chinese King Shennong, also known as “the divine farmer” includes hemp as a “superior plant” in his writings, known as being the first medical writing worldwide. The hemp was a day to day product for the Chinese society. Hemp has been used in health, clothing and food industry since then.

In 1400 BC, Indian writings define hemp as a miraculous medicine for treating leprosy. In 800 BC, Herodotus describes the finest clothing of ancient Greeks as being made of hemp fabric. It is believed that Greeks spread hemp all over Europe.

It is said that Gautama Buddha (563 BC - 483 BC) had been eating only hemp seeds for 6 years and in 300 BC Roman ape ducts , an ancient engineering wonder, were made of hemp mortar. Around the year 100 BC, Chinese are using hemp and mulberry wood to create a high quality paper which afterwards was spread worldwide through the famous “silk road”.

Around 100 AD the Greek surgeon Pedanius Dioscorides and Gaius Plinius Secundus recognize the beneficial effects of hemp in medicine and industry.

Hemp in the middle ages

In 565 AD, hemp is used by the Merovingian dynasty to create a very expensive dress for queen Adelgunde’s burial. In 600 AD, in southern France a bridge made from a mixture of hemp shells with chalk was successfully built. The bridge has been petrified and it is still solid today. In 800 AD Charles the Great, founder of the Holy Roman Empire, implements a law permitting hemp cultivation.

In 1009 AD, hemp paper is firstly produced in Europe, more exactly in Xativa, Spain. For the following 850, paper would be mainly made of hemp. In 1100 AD, medieval knights were known for drinking hemp beer. The famous Magna Carta was initially written on hemp paper in 1215 AD in England.

In 1492 when Christopher Columbus made his historical decision to sail in the unknown waters of Atlantic Ocean, the ropes and sails used for his ship were made of hemp due to their remarkable endurance.

Henry the VIII ordered in 1535 AD that every citizen is obliged to cultivate at least one acre of hemp or else they would have been sanctioned. A similar move made Philip the First of Spain and Elizabeth the First of England around 1564 AD. Actually, Philip the First ordered the cultivation of hemp all over his kingdom and even in Argentina following a similar decision of Elisabeth the First taken for the commonwealth.

It is also believed that Galileo Galilees, the father of modern astronomy has written his notes on hemp paper in 1600 AD

Hemp in modern history

George Washington encourages the internal production of hemp by imposing import taxes for external hemp imports. Thomas Jefferson defines hemp cultivation as a “necessity” and encourages farmers to grow hemp instead of tobacco. George Washington’s quote remained famous till today: “Make the most of the Indian hemp seed, and sow it everywhere!” In 1801 Thomas Jefferson said: Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and prosperity of the nation”.

During the 2^nd World War, between 1941-1945, and due to the hemp Japanese crisis, a famous campaign is launched in the United States of America: “Hemp for Victory”. With this campaign hemp farmers are encouraged by free funds and grants and even exemption to join military services just for the sake of hemp production. Hemp was the main source for military accessories like: ropes, fabric, textiles and many other items.

In 2001 another eco miracle happened having hemp in the light of media’s reflectors. A car using hemp bio fuel departed from Washington DC in 4^th of July 2001 and returned back in 2^nd of October 2001, after a 10 000 miles trip. This extraordinary attempt was meant to promote hemp fuel as an alretnative solution for classic fuel.

Hemp clothing today

Today, hemp is used to manufacture eco friendly clothes. Its features natural qualities provide warmth in winter and a cool sensation in hot summers. Modern industry has developed bio methods to process hemp due to its proved natural endurance and highly appreciated properties. Chemical process is basically excluded as it seems useless. Hemp clothes prevent sweating and offer a natural sensation to the skin. Mass production may have altered the original methods of processing hemp but you can rest assured that no synthetic chemicals are involved during hemp processing.

Buying organic hemp clothing

Either you use online e-commerce websites or you go shopping to the mall, be aware and always check if the hemp product have attached an organic certification label. Another check you can do is to verify the manufacture’s policy, read reviews and comments on their websites or just ask a professional.

Interesting facts about hemp

Hemp “bast” fibers are known to be the most durable natural fibers worldwide.

Canada’s Cinema Space located in Montreal is the first cinema known to have used hemp fabric for its cover seats.

It is believed that the first pair of the famous brand Levi’s was made of hemp.

Un- dyed hemp materials do not rot and do not fade when exposed to sunlight.

Hemp is a natural ultra violet (UV) resistant and also an environmental friendly fabric.