The Wonder of Hemp

Hemp is a non-drug variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that is bred specifically to yield long fibres. It is a hardy plant and grows very quickly in diverse soil conditions. Hemp has been cultivated for thousands of years and used for numerous applications including rope, paper, canvas, and clothing. In fact, it is currently used in the manufacture of over 25,000 different kinds of products.

Traditional hemp is rather course when raw, however, advances in breeding and the treatment of hemp have enabled the creation of softer, finer hemp fabrics suitable for weaving into garments that can be worn comfortably against the skin.

It is possible to produce hemp fabric using chemical free processes. This makes it an ideal backing to other products like wool, and in many cases is the ideal replacement (when combined with wool) for sheepskin.

Hemp is mold and mildew resistant, and has antibacterial qualities. This makes it ideal when used in medical applications. It also makes it appealing to those with diabetes, since there appears to be a connection between mold and the condition. Hemp fabric helps by resisting mold inducing environments.

Hemp also resists the absorption of body odors, and a hemp garment will look better and maintain its qualities with numerous washings better than many other fabrics. Its ability to be washed at a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius also means that it is an ‘Infection Control’ approved fabric.

Although China has been the largest hemp producer over the years, other countries such as Australia and Canada are catching up.  Canadian hemp products can now be found in many global marketplaces including the United States. Hemp is truly a wonder plant with the potential to help ‘green up’ many industries.

   In an effort to be ‘green’ and to provide only the best products to our customers, Soul Comfort is moving towards the use of hemp in product offerings. The raw sheepskin that we import to create some of our products is getting more expensive and increasingly subject to use of harsh chemicals in processing.