Regardless of who you are, when you hear the term “420”, there’s probably one thing you think of - pot, cannabis, weed, medicine - whatever term you use, you know what I mean. And, the unofficial official holiday for ston- I mean, cannabis enthusiasts, is April 20th, and this year we’re talking about its close relative: hemp! The term ‘hemp’ is often mistaken for the psychoactive strain of Cannabis Sativa, but to be classified as “hemp”, that means it doesn't contain more than 0.3% THC.
Hemp has been used for over 10,000 years, and evidence of hemp material has been found on almost every continent, so the technology behind the plant and its purposes is nothing new. Hemp was introduced to North America in the 1700’s, but when the The Controlled Substances Act classified hemp as an illegal Schedule I drug in 1970, it took a hiatus until late 90’s- early 2000’s. More recently, since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado in 2014, we’ve seen the market explode, hemp included.
Not only does hemp have over 25,000 uses, it is incredibly sustainable for the industrial manufacturing and farming worlds. As a crop, hemp requires nearly 50% less water to survive per season than cotton, takes up less space, and returns depleted nutrients to the soil by 60-70%. For example, one acre of hemp yields as much paper as 4 acres of trees in one growing season (~100 days).
Hemp is one of the strongest and versatile materials, and overall an ecofriendly wonder crop - sturdy, soft, and protective as a textile, and biodegradable and non-toxic as a ‘plastic’. It’s also known for its benefits as a superfood and medicinal properties, strengths in skincare and paper making, hemp-based biofuel- the list goes on.
The technology of hemp and its sustainability factors are magical, and it’s amazing to see its accessibility broadening. A couple ways we’ve found hemp incorporated into our daily lives is through CBD, and wearing the softest textiles made from its fibers.
The body’s endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating your emotions, motor control, immune system, and pain response. When the body ingests CBD, it affects the way your body perceives and responds to pain. So, as you can imagine, CBD is very beneficial for relieving chronic pain, like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, reducing inflammation (acne, and sore muscles, for example), and easing anxiety, insomnia, and depression. There’s various methods in which you can implement CBD into your routine, like topically through salves, transdermal patches, skincare, orally with tinctures, capsules, or infused foods, and inhaling the herbal smoke. We’ve got you covered with a few of those methods, which you can find here.
Both are wonderful CBD infused topicals that absorb nicely into the skin to help alleviate pain, psoriasis or eczema, or can even be used for congestion during a cold. Both are made with organic and sustainably sourced ingredients so you know you're giving your body the good stuff to help it combat whatever it is that might ail you.
As a textile, hemp is versatile, long-lasting, and biodegradable. Additionally, it’s UV-resistant, breathable, and gets softer with age, making it ideal for all seasons. Robert Jungmann, founder of Jungmaven, is a pioneer in high quality hemp fashion, passionate in bringing hemp into the mainstream due to its ability to heal one of the most planet devastating industries. Jungmann’s work and advocacy led to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, making it legal to grow hemp in the US for the first time since 1937. For now, Jungmaven sustainably sources their hemp from China, although it’s weaved in the USA.
We love Jungmaven not only for their environmental impact and social work, but for their high quality fashion styles that are perfect for everyday wear.
The Hemp Bralette and Underwear are quite literally perfect to wear everyday. I really haven't worn much else since snagging these in a few different colors, they're just softest and the bralette, while it looks unassuming, actually does a great job of keeping everything in place securely and comfortably.
Another favorite from our recent drop of the spring collection from Jungmaven is the Sespe Romper. I've been living in this thing, so easy to throw on for the beach or to meet up for coffee, even just hanging out at the house.
Basically, we love hemp. Good for your body, good for the planet - good ol' hemp is the way of the future and as the stigma against cannabis in general declines and it becomes more accessible, we truly hope that this magical plant continues to be noticed and appreciated as time goes on.
