Hemp: the plant that gave humanity everything it needed—and got nothing but grief in return.
For over 5,000 years, this botanical overachiever has been feeding us, clothing us, healing us, and even holding our civilizations together (literally). And how do we thank it? We ignore it.
Demonize it. Rip it out of the ground like it’s trespassing.

Let me ask you this: if hemp had an Instagram, it’d have 10 million followers by now for all it’s done for humanity. But no, it’s not trending—it’s treated like an old relic while we glorify
single-use plastics and prescription drugs. Well, not anymore. Let’s give this plant its due credit by diving into its ancient history. And don’t worry—we’ll get to how things went off the rails in the
20th century soon enough. Spoiler alert: politics and money ruin everything.

What Is Hemp?
Before we get into the history, let’s clear one thing up: hemp is not marijuana. They’re cousins, sure, but comparing them is like comparing beer to moonshine. Hemp has less than 0.3%
THC—so if you’re hoping to get high off it, good luck. But what it lacks in psychoactivity, it makes up for in versatility.
Hemp gives us food, fiber, fuel, and medicine. It’s basically the MacGyver of plants, solving every problem you didn’t even know you had. And civilizations around the world figured this out
thousands of years ago. Let’s take a look.

Ancient China – Where It All Began
If there’s one thing the Chinese were good at, it was being ahead of the curve. Hemp was no exception. As far back as 2800 BCE, they were growing it, wearing it, and even writing on it.
That’s right—hemp paper existed thousands of years before you started doodling on your notebook in middle school.

• Hemp Paper and Textiles:
  Before hemp, people wrote on silk (expensive) or bamboo (awkward). Hemp changed the game, making paper accessible and durable. It also clothed millions with its strong,
  breathable fibers.
• Medicinal Uses:
  Emperor Shennong, the godfather of Chinese medicine, used hemp seeds to treat pain, constipation, and even malaria. The guy probably walked around with a pouch of hemp
  like it was his personal health insurance.

“China was using hemp to solve problems while the rest of the world was still figuring out fire. Let that sink in.”

Ancient Egypt – Ropes, Remedies, and Maybe Even Pyramids

Ah, Egypt: land of pharaohs, pyramids, and hemp ropes. Those massive stones they used to build the pyramids? Probably dragged into place with hemp ropes. The irony: hemp built
monuments that outlasted entire empires, yet people still ask if it’s “useful.”

• Hemp Ropes:
  Archaeologists found hemp ropes in tombs dating back to 1,000 BCE. These weren’t just for decoration—they were crucial for farming, shipbuilding, and construction.
• Medicinal Uses:
  The Ebers Papyrus (1550 BCE) lists cannabis (likely hemp) as a treatment for inflammation. So while the pharaohs were busy preparing for the afterlife, their doctors were using hemp to keep them healthy in this one.

“If hemp was good enough for building pyramids, why is it suddenly not good enough for us? Somebody explain that logic.”

Ancient India – Holy Hemp
In India, they took things to another level. Hemp wasn’t just practical—it was spiritual. They considered it one of the “five sacred plants.” Sacred. Not trendy, not optional—sacred. Imagine a world where hemp gets more respect than Wi-Fi.

• Ayurvedic Medicine:
  Hemp was a staple in Ayurveda, treating insomnia, pain, and digestive issues. Ayurvedic texts even referred to it as a “joy-giver.” You know what else gives joy? Knowing that your medicine doesn’t come with 20 side effects.
• Spiritual Uses:
  Hemp was a key ingredient in Bhang, a drink consumed during religious rituals. People drank it to feel connected to the divine—or maybe just to feel better about their in-laws.

“While we’re out here banning hemp, ancient Indians were using it to chill and commune with the universe. Priorities, people.”

Ancient Greece – The Original Innovators

The Greeks loved a good invention, and hemp was no exception. If you think about it, hemp was the duct tape of the ancient world: it held everything together.

• Hemp for Ships:
  Greek ships sailed the Mediterranean using ropes and sails made from hemp. Without hemp, Odysseus might still be stuck on that island.
• Medicinal Uses:
  Herodotus wrote about the Scythians, a nomadic group, using hemp in steam baths. Meanwhile, the Greeks themselves used it to treat inflammation. Basically, if you had
  hemp, you had options.

“The Greeks gave us democracy, philosophy, and hemp ropes. And we still had the audacity to ignore one of those.”

Why Hemp Deserves More Respect
Here’s the thing: for 5,000 years, hemp was the MVP of plants. It fed us, clothed us, and healed us. Then, in the 20th century, we turned on it like it owed us money. But here’s the kicker—it’s still here. Hemp is like that friend who doesn’t hold a grudge, quietly waiting for us to get our act together.

And now? It’s making a comeback. But let’s not kid ourselves—hemp’s resurgence isn’t an innovation. It’s a return to common sense. Stay tuned, because in future articles, we’ll dive into how we screwed things up and how hemp is finally reclaiming its rightful place.

Conclusion:

From China to Egypt, India to Greece, hemp has been humanity’s secret weapon. And now, it’s time to stop treating it like a taboo and start giving it the respect it’s earned. Because if hemp
could talk, it’d probably say, “You’re welcome.”

“Hemp helped build civilizations. Let’s not let it get lost in bureaucracy and ignorance. Because trust me, plastic ropes and synthetic fibers aren’t going to build the next pyramid.”

Ready to learn how hemp went from ancient hero to modern villain? Follow our blog for the next chapter in hemp’s wild ride through history. Got a favorite ancient hemp fact? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear from you.