What’s the Fuss with Hemp?

HEMP. It’s a bit of a hype word, and I’m here to tell you what all the fuss is about.

So, a little bit of hemp-history to liven up your day. According to research, hemp dates back to 8,000+BC where ancient Taiwanese villages used hemp cord in pottery. This means that hemp is one of the first known human agricultural crops.

Why do we love hemp so much? Where to start! Let me give you my top 4:

1. HEMP IS USEFUL
Thanks to its versatility, hemp has been used for many things over thousands of years. Aside from the most commonly known use as a highly nutritious food source, hemp can be utilised in order to make fabric, plastic, paper, biofuel and rope. Many companies are now making use of this material as an alternative in order to make more sustainable products that they can use.

2. HEMP IS SUSTAINABLE
Not only is hemp incredibly useful, it also has key environmental advantages over other materials. Hemp is naturally resistant to insects and crowds out different weeds, so that pesticides and fertilizers are not needed. The roots of the hemp plant are also long, which helps prevent erosion of the top soil. This keeps the soil healthy, without depleting the nutrients. Hemp uses minimal water to grow, is recyclable, reusable and 100% biodegradable!

3. HEMP IS A NUTRITIOUS FOOD
This superfood has a long history of being known for its nutritious value. Hemp seeds are a rich source of protein and have a perfect 1/3 ratio of omega 3 and 6; nutrients essential for strengthening the immune system and promoting cardiovascular health. They are also packed with vitamins and minerals – zinc, calcium, potassium, vitamin E, sodium and sulfur.

4. AND TO TOP IT OFF…
Hemp is vegan, GMO-free and doesn’t contain gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, cholesterol or any other additives!

I know what you’re thinking – isn’t hemp just a form of marijuana? In short, no. Hemp contains little to no THC, the element in marijuana that gives you the ‘high’ and it has no effect on the human body. It is also entirely legal to eat and was approved by the Council of Australian Governments in 2017. Yay!

Let’s talk Mt Elephant,

Mt Elephant produces a bunch of pantry staples that feature our favourite ingredient – yep, you guessed it - hemp. As they like to say, hemp has a way of making the ordinary, extraordinary! Mt Elephant has hemp & oat mylks, snack bars, seeds, oils and a bunch of other delicious foods that will get your mouth watering. My personal favourite are the baking mixes – they are a quick and easy vegan alternative. We need more of these on our shelves!

It's sister brand, Field Day, is also making some epic hemp products. They produce pet supplements to help keep our furry friends in tip top condition. Developed with a leading vet nutritionist, these products are sustainable, nutritious AND your pets will love them!

So there’s the lowdown. Hemp is a win for me. Whether it’s clothes, seeds, or the delicious mixes from Mt Elephant, I’ve been making sure to choose hemp more often. Hemp for the planet, it’s hemp for me.