HEMP: the Perfect POWER PLANT!

Hemp is too perfect, providing humankind with such of a viable alternative to petrochemical resources, that people in power for the last 80 years and with interests in the oil, cotton and paper (from trees) industries, had to demonize the plant in order to impose their environmentally-unfriendly businesses, until when people had forgotten how amazing it was and how many things used to be made from it. Then they made it illegal.

Hemp, a marketable wonder plant

Hemp was cultivated in China more than 6,000 years ago, from a wild plant that grew in central Asia. The Chinese recognized hemp's amazing nutritional value, and used it as a food source long before soy foods. Unlike soy, hemp is not genetically modified, and it doesn't contain the anti-nutritional qualities commonly found in soy.

About a thousand years ago, hemp was brought to Europe, where peasants used it in several ways, one of the most popular being the making of hemp butter by grinding the nutricious, tasty seeds.

Hemp is one of the purest, most complete plants on Earth. Its uses are many and varied; the nutritional and healing properties of Hemp seed and its oil are of particular value to humans.

Hemp grows almost anywhere and requires no pesticides or fertiliser. It is even beneficial both for the soil and the atmosphere.

Hemp also makes an excellent source of textile and paper. The fibres are long and very strong, making the most beautiful fabric and paper. Many of the world's most famous historical works are written on hemp paper: the American Declaration of Independence 200 years ago was signed on paper made from hemp.

Hemp powers empires

The British Empire was built on hemp. The ships used hemp, from the sails to the ropes down to the sailor's uniforms. At one point Britain and France went to war over protecting the Russian hemp supplies, as the Russian hemp made the strongest sails and ropes. Italian hemp was also very valued for its quality.

Clothing can be obtained from hemp using minimal pesticides (unlike cotton which has half of the world's pesticides sprayed on it).

The potential for Hemp is enormous: it can be be turned into thousands of products and is a renewable source of bio-mass (power) and bio-diesel (fuel). Hemp fuel works very efficiently, as the diesel engine was originally designed to run on vegetable fuel; Henry Ford built a hemp-fuelled car, using hemp as a material.

This amazingly versatile plant is a great non-toxic biodegradable source for the manufacture of plastics; from its oil, the highest quality paints can be obtained without the toxic smells and by-products. It is one of the most suited ingredients for cosmetic products.

Hempseed is considered by leading researchers and medical doctors to be one of the most nutritious food sources on Earth.

In a nutshell, hemp can just provide you with everything you might need to live a very long healthy life while returning the planet to a garden rather then a toxic waste dump.

Hemp Seeds: a Nutritional Powerhouse

Shelled hempseed is packed with 33 percent pure digestible protein and is rich in iron and vitamin E (three times the vitamin E contained in flax), as well as omega-3 and GLA. Hempseed is just too good!

A recent report funded by the Canadian government states that hemp protein contains the highest percentage (66 percent ) of high-quality edistin protein than any other any plant source.

It boosts the immune system, decreasing the need for doctors and pharmaceuticals; it provides with the daily protein requirement, making a healthier substitute for meat or a perfect protein supplement in a form that is easily digested and absorbed by the body.

Although fish oils are another source of EFA's, there are concerns about the high level of toxicity in fish oils. A preferable source therefore maybe organic seeds and nuts.

1. Rich in Essential Fatty Acids Omega 3 and Omega 6

Whole hemp seeds make great hemp seed milk, but can also be sprouted, or ground and used in flour recipes. Their full amino-acid spectrum gives complete vegetable protein, whilst retaining the trace mineral content too. Because the human body produces no Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), it is important that EFAs be consumed on a regular basis. EFAs are the "good fats" that doctors recommend as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Many people take in too little of one of the most important EFAs--omega-3--which is found in flax, walnuts, deep-water fish, and hempseeds. A lack of EFA's has been associated with learning difficulties and behavioural problems with children.

0. Meanwhile, our brains are 60% fat! And over one third are EFA's. The quality of fats is imperative for proper brain function.

1. EFA's benefit human health in two essential ways, especially for the cells and the brain. EFA's help repair cell damage as they are part of the cell membrane; they also help keep the cells fluid, whilst improving the energy flow between cells, as well as the nutrient absorption and detox function.

A balance between omega 3 and omega 6 intake is very important, because an excess of omega 6 can have detrimental effects. EFA expert Udo Erasmus considers hemp seed to have the ideal ratio of Omega 3 and 6 for human health. No other plant contains the essential oils in a ratio exactly suited to the bodies needs.

Hulled hemp seed, also known as hemp hearts and hemp nut, is the whole seed with the crunchy outer shell removed.

Hulled seed is not more nutritious then its whole grain counterpart. The main detriment, compared to the nutricious whole seed, is that you lose the hull, a rare source of insoluble fibre. This gently cleanses the colon and flushes toxins from the intestinal tract. It is often not found in our diets because of over processing of foods.

Whole hemp seed is also an excellent source of minerals and is much more stable out in the air then hulled seed.

Oil on salads, and hempseed everywhere!

Oil has a mild nutty flavour and is ideal for salad dressings. It is delicious on salads, pasta, side dishes and desserts. Due to its high Essential Fatty Acid profile, hemp oil should not be heated as this will destroy the EFA's. However, organic hemp oil can be added to all foods once removed from direct heat to improve both the flavour and nutritional content.

EXTRA EASY Recipy for Hemp Seed Milk

You can benefit from the full nutritional impact of the hemp seed by following this simple recipe:

• Take some organic fresh hemp seed and soak for 24 hours in distilled water with a few organic almonds.

• Drain, rinse and blend in a blender with a little distilled water.

• Strain through a cloth or sieve.

This milk will then be ready to drink and should be consumed immediately, although it will keep for 48 hours refrigerated. This milk will combine well with all fruits and vegetables. Instead of almonds, you can add some syrup or honey to taste.

The quality of omega-3 can be diminished by oxygen, heat, and light. Thus consume the freshest seeds possible and store them in a dark, cold environment such as a refrigerator.