Cannabis, often associated with medicinal and recreational use, is a plant full of surprises. It has a history of thousands of years of use in many cultures, whether as part of clothing, medicine or food. But did you know that there is much more to cannabis than meets the eye? Did you know that it can be used to build walls in the form of hempcrete? Or that there is hemp plastic? And what about the use of hemp in gastronomy, do you know all the hemp foods? Start reading and get to know 7 amazing and quite possibly unknown uses of this unique plant.

What can cannabis be used for?

Cannabis is a very versatile plant that can be used to make a variety of products. That's why we've selected 7 of the most interesting ones.

Food uses of hemp

Hemp is an increasingly popular food supplement thanks to its nutritional values and its diverse uses in gastronomy. The most common cannabis foods include:

  • Hemp seeds: can be eaten raw, roasted or ground. They have a nutty taste and are a great source of protein, essential fatty acids and minerals. You can add them to muesli, yoghurt, smoothies or sprinkle them on salads.
  • Hemp milk: hemp milk is an alternative to conventional milk and is made from hemp seeds and water. It is very mild and has a slightly nutty taste.
  • Hemp flour: ground hemp seeds are used to make flour which can be used to make bread, muffins, pancakes or as a thickener in soups.
  • Hemp protein: ground hemp seeds contain a high protein content and are therefore a popular dietary supplement for athletes or part of vegetarian and vegan diets.
  • Hemp drinks: there are a variety of drinks made from hemp, including teas, coffee with hemp and even hemp beer.

The use of hemp in textiles

Hemp has a long and rich history in the textile industry due to its exceptional properties. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in hemp textiles, particularly because they are environmentally sustainable. The most common hemp textiles include:

  • Hemp fibre: obtained from the long stems of the hemp plant. These fibres are known for their strength, durability and longevity. It is traditionally used to make ropes, sails and coarse fabrics.
  • Hemp fabrics: thanks to modern processing techniques, hemp can be used to produce finer and softer fabrics. These fabrics are now often compared to cotton, but have better wear resistance and durability.

Use of hemp in building materials

Hemp has become an increasingly popular building material in recent decades due to its excellent properties and environmental benefits. The most common hemp building materials include:

  • Hempcrete: a mixture of hemp starch (the crushed part of the hemp stalk), lime and water. The resulting material is lightweight, durable, has good insulating properties and controls moisture. It is ideal for building walls, floors and ceilings.
  • Insulating materials: hemp fibre is an excellent insulating material that can be used in walls, roofs and floors. It is highly resistant to mould and rot, which is key to maintaining a healthy interior.
  • Particleboard and building boards: hemp can also be processed into boards and particleboards, which can serve as an alternative to traditional building materials.

Use of hemp in bioenergy and biofuels

Hemp is a plant that grows very quickly and provides a high volume of biomass, and therefore offers a number of interesting possibilities for the production of bioenergy and biofuels. Its use in this sector is both environmentally sustainable and energy efficient. The most common hemp bioenergy and biofuels include:

  • Biodiesel from hemp seeds: hemp seeds contain oils that can be converted into biodiesel after pressing. Hemp biodiesel is a renewable energy source and produces less harmful greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.
  • Biogas: the whole hemp plant can be decomposed to produce biogas, which is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. This gas can be used for energy production or as a fuel.
  • Bioethanol: sugars can be extracted from hemp biomass and then fermented to produce bioethanol. Hemp bioethanol can then be used as a fuel or as an additive to petrol.

Use of hemp in cosmetics

Hemp is increasingly used in the cosmetics industry due to its important nutritional and medicinal properties. The oils, extracts and other hemp constituents have many benefits for skin care, hair and overall skin health. The most common hemp cosmetic products include:

  • Hemp creams and balms: these products have moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects thanks to hemp oil, which regenerates and nourishes the skin.
  • Hair care products: hemp is also a popular ingredient in hair products such as shampoos, conditioners and oils. It makes hair hydrated and nourished, shinier and less prone to damage.
  • Lip balms: due to its moisturising properties, hemp is often included in lip balms to protect , moisturise and nourish at the same time.
  • Hemp soaps: soaps made with hemp oil are known for their gentleness and ability to moisturise the skin without drying it out.
  • Hemp serums: these products often contain hemp oil along with other nourishing and healing ingredients to counteract specific skin problems such as acne, wrinkles or scars.

The use of hemp as an alternative to plastics

At a time when the world is trying to reduce its consumption of plastics made from petroleum and is looking for eco-friendly alternatives, hemp is coming to the forefront as a promising candidate. Thanks to its exceptional properties and renewability, it can be a solution to some of the problems associated with conventional plastics. The most common hemp alternatives to plastics include:

  • Hemp bioplastics: hemp can be processed into bioplastics that are biodegradable. These plastics can replace some traditional plastics used for packaging, kitchenware and more.
  • Composite materials: hemp fibre is often combined with other materials to form composites that can be as strong as traditional plastics but have a lower environmental impact.

The use of hemp in gardening and cultivation

Due to its exceptional properties and adaptability, hemp has many uses in gardening and cultivation. The most common uses of hemp in gardening and cultivation include:

  • Mulch: hemp stalks can be ground into fibre which can be used as a natural mulch to control weeds, regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture.
  • Compost: hemp plant residues that are not used further can be used for composting and returned to the soil as a rich source of nutrients.
  • Biodegradable pots: hemp can be used to make biodegradable pots that will decompose themselves in the soil over time, reducing the consumption of plastic containers.

A few words in conclusion

Cannabis, which is often associated with psychoactive effects, has much more potential than it might seem at first sight. From renewable biofuels to modern building materials to luxury cosmetics, the uses of hemp are almost limitless . At a time when we are looking for ways to protect our planet while maintaining the comforts of modern living, hemp is a fascinating and environmentally friendly solution to many problems. This versatile plant is proof that sometimes the best innovations are hidden in nature.


Cannabis is much more than just a plant.
Experience its unique benefits and try one of our hemp products. Whether you're looking for nutrient-packed food or quality cosmetics or eco-friendly homeware, we have an offer that is sure to surprise and delight you.