What Is The History of Hemp And CBD?

Hemp and CBD have an ancient history. In recent years, hemp has hit the mainstream, however it out dates much of modern civilization. In fact, the oldest recorded use of hemp goes back over 10,000 Years in the region now known as Taiwan.

Similar to today, Hemp was used for thousands of years as food, fiber and medicine. The seeds were used as food, the oil (containing CBD) as medicine, and the hard durable stalks as fiber.

Some other ancient dates of hemp include:

8,000+ Years Ago Cannabis seeds & oils used as food in China.

6,000+ Years Ago Textiles made of hemp used in China.

4,756 Years Ago (2,737 BCE) First recorded use of Cannabis as a medicine in China by Emperor Shen Neng.

4,000+ Years Ago Cannabis leaves, seeds and stems are mentioned as “Sacred Grass” in Hindu sacred text (Atharvaveda).

2500+ Years Ago Scythian couple were buried with a pouch containing cannabis seeds. Hemp was introduced to Northern Europe by Scythians around this time, and spread quickly.

2,200+ Years Ago Hemp rope found in Greece.

Year 570, Arnegunde, a French queen, was buried with hemp cloth.

Year 850, The vikings bring hemp rope and seeds to Iceland.

Year 1533, King Henry VIII fines any farmers who do not grow hemp.

Year 1776, the State of Kentucky begins cultivating hemp.

What is Hemp?

Most people have heard of Marijuana, but not everyone is familiar with the hemp plant.

Hemp is a species of cannabis, and closely related to marijuana. However, a highly important distinction is necessary.

Unlike marijuana, neither hemp nor CBD is psychoactive. This means the consumption of CBD and hemp does not get you high.

In fact, it can be an extremely safe and effective remedy for people of all ages, who suffer from a wide range of health concerns.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol and it is one of many active constituents found in certain cannabis plants, particularly hemp. It is what gives hemp it’s especially potent “healing” properties.

CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. It is non-psychoactive, and has numerous benefits due to its influence on the mammalian Endocannabinoid System.

It is safe, non-toxic and can be given to humans, dogs, cats and horses.

CBD consumers have found relief from:

- - - - Anxiety
        
        Sleep disorders
        
        Chronic pain
        
        Inflammation
        
        Oxidative stress
        
        Heart disease
        
        Diabetes
        
        Depression
        
        Epileptic seizures
        
        Nausea
        
        Digestive issues
        
        Skin problems

Hemp’s Ancient Uses:

As listed above, hemp has been used across the world. Starting in ancient Asia and moving West from there, hemp has been recorded as a folk medicine, source of fiber, and food source for ancient humans.

The seeds are an excellent food source, containing essential fatty acids of Omega-3 and Omega-6, protein, fiber, and other vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

The thick stalks of the hemp plant were traditionally used as fiber to make paper, ropes, and clothing. If you ever get the chance to see a hemp stalk, you will notice that the fibers can literally be pulled off by hand, kind of like “string cheese”.

The flowers and leaves of the hemp plant was used as medicine, primarily due to the high concentration of CBD and other cannabinoids.

Interestingly, hemp continues to be used for these same purposes today.

Hemp’s Migration History:

According to Archaeological findings, Hemp has been quite the nomad. It appears that the primary method of travel for hemp has been humans!

With early findings placing hemp in Asia (China / Taiwan) about 8,000-10,000 years ago, it began to move West from there.

About 3,000 years ago, evidence was found in Russia and Persia. From there, it would appear the nomadic Scythian people of Iran, Russia and Ukraine traveled to Europe with hemp and cannabis seeds.

Then around 2,000 years ago, evidence of hemp ropes and documentation was discovered in Greece, England, France and other “western” countries.

As this spread is occurring across Europe, there is evidence of cannabis and hemp plants being cultivated in Syria, Jerusalem, and Egypt, which eventually leads to the spread South to Africa from Egypt.

Finally, when ships from Europe and the UK began travelling West to the Americas, they brought hemp seeds with them.

Hemp’s History in the United States

Hemp has an especially interesting history in the United States. Before it was outlawed in the 20th century, hemp was a huge cash crop across the USA.

The early European ships brought cannabis seeds and it was a revered plant for early Americans, due to its numerous uses. It became so important, that hemp was actually considered a legal “currency” for a 200 year period starting in the 17th century. During some of this period, it was illegal not to grow it. Many farmers even paid their taxes with hemp.

The United States was literally grown on hemp…

So why has hemp become such a “taboo” in the USA?

Well, it is hard to know what to believe, with so much information flying around.

However these are the most popular and solid theories:

Hemp is such an easily and quickly cultivated source of paper, plastic, and oil, the oil and logging companies pushed the government to outlaw it.

The effectiveness of CBD and cannabis as medicine threatened the pharmaceutical companies. Similar to the oil and logging industries, the government received pressure from “big pharma” to outlaw it.

Hemp is also a form of Cannabis. It is such a similar plant, that most individuals would not be able to tell the difference between the two. Even though it does not get people high, when the government chose to outlaw marijuana due to its psychoactive properties, hemp was banned as well, due to the striking similarities in genetics.

Although the 20th century was turmultous for Hemp, as of 2019, things have never looked better! Hemp is redefining freedom in the United States.

Hemp In The Here & Now

As of the 2018 farm bill, hemp is now legal across all 50 states. CBD and hemp products are now gaining traction, and becoming wildly popular and accepted.

Mainstream media has blown up with everything hemp, and many stores and websites now carry hemp and CBD products.

There is still a long way to go with Hemp though. Many payment processors do not support this industry, and the FDA is not backing up CBD at all.

Furthermore, we run the risk of CBD becoming another industry like tobacco, where only giant corporations can grow it, and pharmaceutical companies use chemical derived cannabinoids instead of the real thing.

So, please share this article and spread the word, so we can continue to protect and promote this amazing plant!

More Than Just CBD

CBD is just one of many compounds found in cannabis that can benefit health and well being.

These compounds tend to synergize with the medicinal qualities of CBD creating an entourage effect, as well as contain some of their own unique qualities. They are found in the form of phytonutrients, cannabinoids and terpenes. The hemp flowers contain an extensive array of terpenes that not only impact flavor and aroma but also have been shown to enhance the effectives of CBD and other cannabinoids in the Cannabis plants. THC is one of these compounds and most CBD products still contain legal amounts of THC (>0.3%) which Is the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.

All the Benefits of CBD Without the Risks of THC

Part of Patriot CBD’s vision is to provide all the benefits of CBD without the risks of THC. We offer a number of full spectrum, THC free CBD supplements, so those who do not wish to ingest THC, and those who regularly undergo drug tests, can still receive the benefits of CBD. Our products are rigorously tested to ensure they are rich and balanced in active constituents and meet the highest organic standards. You can find out more information about our products and gain access to these tests through www.patriotcbd.org/zero-thc/