Here at leafie we value and promote organically produced and sustainably manufactured products. Which is why we are celebrating organic month right now! Organic September is a month-long campaign which aims to raise awareness and celebrate organic products, producers and farmers. From the source to the end product. With many of us seeking to help restore nature, reduce illness and slow down climate change, becoming a part of the organic movement can help make significant change. Not only to you personally but the wider community.
We all hear that we should be eating and buying organic products, but how many of us know all the benefits which come with trying to switch to an organic lifestyle and what does organic really mean?
What is organic?
An organic product is made from materials produced by organic agriculture. The Department for Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) defines organic as:
‘The product of a farming system which avoids the use of man-made fertilisers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Irradiation and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or products produced from or by GMOs are generally prohibited by organic legislation.’
Organic labels don’t solely exist for food. Materials such as wool, cotton or products relating to health and wellness can all be certified as organic too. Certification is legally required to grow, process or market organic products and all organic farms and businesses alike are inspected by a certification body annually.
When we (consumers) buy organic products, we know that we are purchasing products that contain no artificial additives or preservatives, conform to high standards of animal welfare and have been produced in a way that is sustainable. This in turn, has long term benefits for both ourselves and our planet.
The Benefits
The primary reason people choose organic products is to fulfill the healthy lifestyle they seek. With organic food products containing fewer pesticides, more healthy fats and no antibiotics or synthetic hormones, the nutritional benefits are numerous and have driven a huge demand for organic produce across the world.
More and more, consumers are also buying organic products because they know it’s better for the environment. With the need to make positive changes to help the environment greater than ever, choosing organic products can significantly reduce our impact on the planet.
Organic farming is designed around sustainability. It’s design is based on ecological systems and cycles which respect the health of the soil, plants, water, air and animals. Conventional farming ignores the long-term impact on soil quality and therefore degrades the quality. This is creating huge problems for future generations as harvests are not as sustainable as they were before, whereas, organic farming delivers a long-term solution to soil management by increasing the soil’s ability to store carbon dioxide. A report published in 2018 by the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, stated that if Europe’s farmland all followed organic principles, agricultural emissions could drop by 40-50% by 2050. As well as reducing emissions by not using pesticides, organic farms are a sanctuary for wildlife: plant, insect and bird life are 50% more abundant on organic farms.
In addition to health and environmental benefits, organic agriculture is actually a more efficient economic system too. By being less reliant on fossil fuels (expensive inputs) and annual loans, organic farming is surprisingly less vulnerable to financial market fluctuations. Although organic products cost more, the organic industry provides greater and more stable employment opportunities because conventional farms rely heavily on machinery.
It seems like a no brainer.
Organic CBD
Much like organic foods that you would buy at your local supermarket, CBD oils that are certified organically are held to a much higher standard than non-organic products. As the label implies, organic CBD is sourced from hemp plants that are organically grown. As hemp plants are a natural bioremediator (they are prone to absorbing toxins from the soil), non-organic hemp plants are much more toxic than other non-organic produce.
As CBD oil is used for mainly health reasons, and works its magic once it has entered the body directly, it’s honestly very important to choose organic products. The benefits that come from this plant should be safety and health, which is why choosing organic is better for both you and the environment.
Luckily for consumers, organic CBD brands tend to provide information about their farming practice and their supply chains. Great British organic CBD brands that have transparent and ethical supply chains include Daye (organic CBD tampons) and Grass and Co (CBD oil).
Organic products are more expensive than conventional ones, and whether they’re really worth the extra cost is unquestionably a matter of opinion. We know that organic products are not feasible for many people, but, if you can make the switch to organic products, you will reap the benefits in many ways.
Unfortunately, our modern lives are inherently unsustainable: we are destroying the land and environment at an alarming pace. By supporting organic farming practices you can have a direct impact both on your health and the environment. So if you can, try and embrace organic month (even if it means replacing just one of your everyday products) and educate yourself on the way organic produce can create an overall healthier planet.
