Intro: Other than making us look attractive, clothes can be used in protection and healing of body. The life cloth Ayurvastra that heals the skin, and is still not popular, developed as a branch of Ayurveda in Ancient India.
A new wave floating across the society these days is of going eco-friendly. Environmentalists and social workers are popularising the concept of “GO GREEN”, and the effect of this concept is phenomenal. Walking along the same concept, the fashion trend that is forecasting these days is “eco fabrics”.
Ancient India has a branch in Ayurveda named as Ayurvastra. The Sanskrit word Ayur means life and vastra – clothing. Its history dates back to Rig-Veda which says that clothing can be used in protection and healing of body.
Ayurvastra technique is used in making eco fabrics—an organic clothing made from material grown with organic standards. Right from cultivation till dyeing everything is done with minimum use of chemicals which doesn’t harm the environment.
Using Ayurvastra in our daily life carries many advantages. Ayurvastra clothes are used in ayurveda health clinics in the treatment of various diseases like skin infection, eczema, psoriasis, high BP, asthma, hypertension, cardiac problems etc. It helps in strengthening the immune system of the body. Special care is taken while manufacturing mixing of different herbs for preparation of dyes, temperature of the dyes, time duration for which clothes are soaked in dyes etc. In short the whole process needs extensive care. Examples of usage of eco fabrics in ancient times:
- 1. Fabrics with antibacterial property were used in wrapping mummies in Egypt.
- 2. Infants were wrapped in turmeric dyed cloth etc.
Natural fibres
Natural fibres cotton, silk, wool, flax plant—A garment made from these fabrics has the property of coolness and freshness in hot weather; on the other hand, coir, hemp, nettle (can be easily grown without pesticides).
Materials used in dyeing Ayurvastra
Dyeing of fabric is done naturally without the use of chemicals. Some of the dyes used are: Neem, tulsi, indigo, khus or vetiver, touch-me-not plant, curry leaves, Magnolia champaca (champa) flower, hibiscus flower, turmeric, sandalwood, cumin, haritaki, madder, pomegranate, onion etc. Cow’s urine (gau-mutra) is also used.
Different fabrics are dyed with different combinations of some herbs which acts as healing agent, and helps treating skin allergies, eczema or psoriasis. Certain fabrics have antibacterial property too.
Healing properties
Our body’s uppermost layer is covered by skin. When we wear chemically manufactured clothing it damages the skin and can cause skin allergies. To avoid such situations one should use clothing which is manufactured naturally; right from procurement stage till the final product. Herbs which are used in dyeing have property to absorb environmental toxins, and also strengthens the immunity of skin.
One of the techniques used in Ayurvastra is micro encapsulation. In this technique micro capsules are inserted into the textile. When the fabric comes in contact with skin it releases the chemical payload which help in curing disease.
Because while sleeping the body undergoes natural healing, so the best time to wear such garments is while sleeping as sleepwear, bed sheets, mats etc.
Protects Environment
Textile industries are one of the major pollutants of environment. Each and every step starting from raw materials till manufacturing of fabric causes pollution. The chemicals pollute water, soil, air and also have harmful effects on the immune system of human beings and have long term effect on the biosphere.
In eco fabrics from cultivation till manufacturing the entire process is performed naturally with minimum use of chemicals. Therefore it doesn’t affect the environment. It is infact a step in protecting environment and becoming eco-friendly.
Eco fabric in India
- 1. Organic clothing India situated in Tamil Nadu gives a wide range of products such as children’s wear, men & women wear, bags and biodegradable products.
- 2. Niraamaya, showroom in Cochin Kerala has men & women wear in cotton and silk. Door mats and carpets are manufactured for natural aroma and to give protection from germs and bacteria.
- 3. Aura Herbal Textile Ltd., manufacturer and supplier of herbal dyed organic clothes, is located at Ahemdabad in Gujarat. Its products includes fabrics, towels, men and women organic clothes.
- 4. Tatha Vastram located in New Delhi has garment line which consists of clothing made from ahimsa silk, bamboo and herbal organic cotton. It offers men and women wear in silk, cotton and also in khadi.
Arpita K Sapre (The author is an occasional writer)
