History of Hemp Clothing
Hemp fibre was used to make cloth long before agriculture, nine to fifty thousand years ago. It may also be one of the earliest plants to have been cultivated. An archeological site in the Oki Island near Japan contained cannabis from about 8000 BC, probably signifying use of the plant. Hemp use archaeologically dates back to the neolithic age in China, with hemp fibre imprints found on Yangshao culture pottery dating from the 5th BC. The Chinese later used hemp to make clothes, shoes, ropes, and an early form of paper. The classical Greek historian Herodes (ca. 480 BC) reported that the inhabitants of Scythia would often inhale the vapours of hemp-seed smoke, both as ritual and for their own pleasurable recreation. Hemp cultivation dates back to the beginnings of recorded history. Its first use was as food for humans and animals in Ancient China and India. Its fibre then became indispensable for making many necessary items.
Hemp seed is used to make a variety of commercial and industrial products, including rope, textiles, clothing, shoes, food, paper, bioplastics, insulation, and biofuel. The best fibres can be used to make textiles that are 100% hemp, but they are commonly blended with other fibres, such as flax cotton or silk, as well as virgin and recycled polyester, to make woven fabrics for apparel and furnishings. The inner two fibres of the plant are woodier and typically have industrial applications, such as mulch, animal bedding, and litter. When drying, hemp oil from the seeds becomes solid and can be used in the manufacture of oil-based paints, in creams as a moisturising agent, for cooking, and in plastics. Hemp seeds have been used in bird feed mix as well.
Hemp seeds can be eaten raw, ground into hemp meal, sprouted or made into dried sprout powder. Hemp seeds can also be made into a slurry, used for baking or for beverages, such as hemp milk. Hemp oil is cold pressed from the seed and is high in unsaturated fatty acid.
- Whole hemp seeds
- Hulled hemp seeds
Fibre (clothing)
Hemp fibre has been used extensively throughout history, with production climaxing soon after being introduced to the New World. For centuries, items ranging from rope, to fabrics, to industrial materials were made from hemp fibre. Hemp was also commonly used to make sail canvas. The word "canvas" is derived from the word cannabis. Pure hemp has a texture similar to linen. Because of its versatility for use in a variety of products, today hemp is used in a number of consumer goods, including clothing, shoes, accessories, dog collars, and home wares. For clothing, in some instances, hemp is mixed with organic cotton, lyocell, linen, bamboo and twill.
- Hemp stem showing fibres
- 100% hemp fabric