According to Dr. Josh Axe and many other well-known researchers, the cannabis plant yields two main chemical constituents: THC (the one that produces a “high”) and CBD (the one with many healing qualities that does not produce a “high”). What we are talking about in this article is the latter, agricultural hemp, not marijuana.
Upon mentioning the word “hemp,” most people snicker and immediately think of marijuana and getting high. However, the state of Kentucky has a history of being one of the largest producers of agricultural hemp for many legal uses. In this day and age, it is easy to find all the information you want by simply Googling the subject you are interested in, but we will touch on a few highlights about agricultural hemp.
The many legal uses include food, clothing and shelter. Hemp is a very versatile plant. The body of the plant makes wonderful rope and textiles and is extremely strong. It will outlast almost any other alternative natural material. The seed contains biodegradable oil that can be used as an alternative to petroleum in the manufacturing of molded plastics. I once had a pair of flip-flops made from hemp!
The seed from the agricultural hemp plant is high in protein, calcium and omega 3 essential fatty acids. Hemp milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk. The protein powder made from the seed also contains fiber along with the protein. The raw hulled seeds, also called hemp hearts, make great snacks or additives to cereal, salads and other foods. The toasted seeds are a great crunchy snack, like peanuts or pumpkin seeds.
People have reported all kinds of benefits from the hemp seed oil including relief for tinnitus (ringing in the ears), smoother skin, less joint inflammation and pain, etc. Many manufacturers are now making health and beauty products from hemp seed oil. CBD oil from hemp seeds is touted to help with anxiety, insomnia, seizures, tremors, nausea, diabetes, cardiovascular health, inflammation, pain and more. The products we’ve mentioned here come from the agricultural hemp strain of seeds. By law, these plants can only contain .3% THC, the chemical that makes you feel high. In other words, not enough to produce a high feeling.
The history of agricultural hemp as a cash crop goes back to our founding fathers and pioneer days. The first crop in Kentucky was grown near Danville in 1775, and Kentucky was the greatest producer of agricultural hemp in the 19th and 20th centuries. Senator Henry Clay was a hemp pioneer when it was discovered that it was a superior rope to use for ship’s rigging. Henry Ford made and ran his first car on hemp oil. Kentucky Senior U. S. Senator Mitch McConnell has fought hard to legalize agricultural hemp as a legal crop in Kentcuky and just recently introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate to also legalize it in the entire U.S. Let’s start growing and buying our hemp products from Kentucky farmers instead of from Canada and Europe! Just think how many ways this could benefit our economy, both agriculturally and industrially.
So, come on out to Nutrition Center Health Food Store on Saturday June 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and help us celebrate Hemp History Week with free information, food, drink, health and beauty products, music and more. Farmers are welcome to come get more information about this exciting new (old) crop!
