Official Review: The Hemp Miracle by Carol Merlo M.Ed.

[InStoree]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Hemp Miracle" by Carol Merlo M.Ed..]

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4 out of 4 stars

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What's your first impression when you hear the word “hemp”? It could be total rejection if you relate it to drugs. It may be a euphoric feeling if marijuana is part of your life. Or, on the other hand, it may not interest you at all.

Before this book blitzed me, I was no stranger to the idea that hemp is one of Mother Nature's children. I'm enchanted by the organisms that belong to the vegetable kingdom and the way this maternal force supplies us with the natural substances needed for preventing disease, healing our bodies, and maintaining our well-being every day. I noticed that, for the author, hemp is considered to be a miracle, so I became intrigued. What was this miracle? Isn't this plant related to cannabis and associated with pot? With more than twenty years of studying dietary supplements, Carol Merlo, the author, condenses valuable, factual and scientific information that explains the characteristics of this member of Gaia's garden, as well as clearing up the massive confusion between hemp and weed, which are two different species of the genus Cannabis. Personally, I like to call them twins, with similar silhouettes and aspects, but with absolutely different personalities and virtues.

The Hemp Miracle is divided into three parts. Firstly, I was acquainted with this 10,000-year-old child who spent most of its youth in Asia, becoming one of the ancient crop plants. Since 2000 BC, this kid came to reign as one of the five most sacred plants in Hinduism. In Europe, among the Germans, the Franks, and the Vikings, it was its fibers which made it popular. Merlo also gave me a glimpse of the hemp scene in the days of King Henry VIII and King Phillip of Spain. They were raising hemp for industrial use. She also introduced me to respected personalities such as Henry Ford, who projected and manufactured a prototype vehicle fueled by hemp, and George Washington, who emboldened the domestic hemp industry.

After recounting the plant's history, Merlo's work turned to the scientific aspects of hemp and sheds light on this herb's effects on the human body. Thanks to her talent for interpreting the technical expressions, I was able to absorb all the details regarding hemp's components related to health. Did you know that the human body has an endocannabinoid system, “similar to the immune, cardiovascular, or endocrine systems”? That was news to me! So was the term “bioavailability”, which the author simplified it with a creative and easy-to-understand style.

The Hemp Miracle comes in the form of a compact and educational book about the multiple benefits that hemp has to offer to both mankind and its planetary Mother. With no psychoactive properties, hemp will keep you sober, while it will use its medical abilities against heart disease, anxiety, diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, to name only a few of the problems that it can influence and improve. From agriculture to home construction, hemp has given itself completely to humanity, through the use of its seeds, leaves, oil, fiber, and roots. “Nothing is wasted.” The plant has demonstrated its varied capacities in the fields of food, clothing, body care products, and even in the Earth's climate control system. The book drew me in further with its explanations of scientific studies, and the collection of references that I found at the end of each part was of great assistance.

Carol Merlo's concentrated work of 110 pages supports the value of hemp. She indicates a “tremendous environmental impact” by giving this book the subtitle How One Miraculous Plant Can Heal the Planet and Its People. I would recommend this book to those “who are not amendable to the whims of the pharmacological community”, to anyone who wishes to maintain their own well-being, and to readers who are eco-friendly.

This second edition of The Hemp Miracle seems to be professionally edited and structured. I couldn't find any technical errors. But I must make a comment concerning the title of the book, which in my opinion has a slightly exaggerated tone. Even if the author's enthusiasm for this perennial plant is understandable, maybe a more earthy concept should have been considered instead of using the term “miracle”. Through my lens, the marvelous plant is a sort of idiosyncratic genius. Anyway, this peripheral detail won't take away from a perfect score. Therefore, I will rate the book with 4 out of 4 stars.

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The Hemp Miracle
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Like InStoree's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Cecilia_L]

I'm all for alternative medicine and really appreciate it when the author supports findings with research. Thanks for the great review!

[Katlinvidal98]

I believe the book Hemp can teach many people things they did not already know about Hemp.

[Bianka Walter]

This is such an interesting topic. Your review has taught me a thing or two as well. I didn't know that there were different types. The 'high' one and the 'healthy' one
Great review.

[Rachel Lea]

Natural medicine has always appealed to me, so I think that I would find this book very informative. Thanks for your review!

[Uinto]

I would like to read more about this miracle plant. Thanks for the fascinating review.

[InStoree]

I'm all for alternative medicine and really appreciate it when the author supports findings with research. Thanks for the great review!

A simple search on Google, about hemp, can create lots of confusion and waste of time, as there are sites out there that offer misleading information about this plant, associate it with weed. But, this book comes with rich references, from where I could go in more depth search. I hope you'll find it enjoyable and useful! Thank you for your comment, Cecilia!

I believe the book Hemp can teach many people things they did not already know about Hemp.

I agree, Katlinvidal! It contains beneficial information that could be in handy for anyone! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

This is such an interesting topic. Your review has taught me a thing or two as well. I didn't know that there were different types. The 'high' one and the 'healthy' one
Great review.

Indeed, as long as we live, we learn! It was very educative for me too, Bianka. What I found hilarious in my experience with the hemp book, was the moment when I tried to inform my mom about this plant and she said: "Oh, yes! I know it since I was a kid! My grandma used to make tea from it!" And I was trying to teach her!
Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate your honesty!

Natural medicine has always appealed to me, so I think that I would find this book very informative. Thanks for your review!

Definitely, you'll find some fruitful aspects. I hope you'll enjoy it, Rachel! Thank you for taking the time to read my review!

I would like to read more about this miracle plant. Thanks for the fascinating review.

Thank you for your kind words, Uinto! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Happy reading!

[Wyland]

Reading from your review, it's so interesting that the popularity of this plant has spawned strange myths since yore. Thanks for the review.

[InStoree]

Reading from your review, it's so interesting that the popularity of this plant has spawned strange myths since yore. Thanks for the review.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Wyland!