Therapeutic value of Natural Dyes on textile materials:

Natural dyes are dyestuffs made from plants, minerals, and in the case of Cochineal, an insect. Natural dyes can be sorted into three categories: natural dyes obtained from plants (indigo), those obtained from animals (cochineal), and those obtained from minerals (ocher). There is increasing interest in adding value to textiles by the use of natural products. Many of the plants from which natural dyes are obtained are, for example, also known to have medicinal properties. Recently, the antimicrobial properties of eleven natural dyes against three types of Gram-negative bacteria were studied experimentally. The results demonstrate-

1. Certain dyes are able to reduce microbial growth almost completely in the case of Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris.
2. Selected dyes are valuable for the dyeing of sheets and gowns for hospital use, and on articles which are less suitable for laundering such as mattresses and upholstery.
3. They also have good wash fastness and the antibacterial effect is therefore likely to be durable.a

A large number of fungi have been isolated on exposed cotton textiles. In order to combat these adversities, it is highly desirable to impact antibacterial, antifungal and mildew resistance properties to textile materials. Some recent developments in antibacterial products include a process involving the preparation of antibacterial resins containing phenol derivatives. The resins exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.b

Four natural dyes Acacia catechu, Kerria lacca, Quercus infectoria, Rubia cordifolia and Rumex maritimus were tested against common pathogens Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Quercus infectoria dye is the most effective and shows maximum zone of inhibition, thereby indicating best antimicrobial activity against all the microbes tested.Beliakova et al discussed the process for preparing an antibacterial formulation by reaction of carboxymethyl starch with trimethylolated methamine in the presence or absence of cupric ions to render cotton fabric antibacterial.c The cellulose has been modified chemically with biocides accompanied by redox reaction to achieve durable and regenerable antibacterial activity on cotton and other cellulosic fabrics.d

It is well known that many infectious diseases can be prevented or sterilized by wearing antibacterial fabrics-protective clothing. Burn patients and people who do not have functioning immune systems also need to wear these germ-free or germicidal textiles to avoid infections.
Chitosan and β-cyclodextrin, two special polysaccharides have been used as medical textile applications. Chitosan is the deacetylated derivative of Chitin, which is the second most abundant polysaccharide found on earth next to cellulose. It has been demonstrated by a number of researchers that Chitosan has a great potential for a wide range of uses due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, anti-microbial activity, non-toxicity, and versatile chemical and physical properties.e

Natuarally Dyed silks have proven therapeutic value. Beyond the joy of their beauty, Naturally Dyed silks bring healthy, healing energy to whatever part of the body where they are worn. All of the dyes have therapeutic uses as botanicals (herbs), or as homeopathics (diluted), or as nutritional supplements (minerals).
Twenty five years of clinical results have established the following recommended uses:

Cold Extremities: Warm colours such as gold, golden brown, salmon, orange, coral or rust are good for people with arthritis, diabetes, or any condition of impaired circulation.

Hot Extremities: Cooling colours such as indigo blue, blue green, blue purple, silver or grey, also lavender grey or light purple might be tried if these colours especially appeal to the people.
Excessive heat in the feet may manifest as sweat, odor or itching. These colours are also good for people with overexcited nerves, as manifested in tics, shakings, epilepsy or headaches.
Colours dyed with Natural Vat Indigo have the advantage of the botanical value of Indigo to alleviate itching, and the homeopathic value of Indigo to calm nerves.

Immune System: The following dyestuffs have value as immune stimulators when taken as herbs: Fustic (golds and most greens); Catechu/Cutch (browns). Wearing silk dyed with these dyes will assist our other immune stimulating therapies.(f,g)

Note:
Chemical dyes are synthetically constructed from petroleum. They are major poisons. Natural Dyes are extracts from therapeutic plants (madder, indigo, brazilwood, logwood, fustic, catechu/cutch), insects (cochineal), and naturally occurring minerals (alum, iron, tin) needed by the body in trace amounts. Natural Dyes have been used by mankind for at least ten thousand years. Chemical dyes are a bi-product of the petroleum industry and have only existed for 146 years.

Compiled by
Fatema Naushin Jhahan
Quality Control, Executive
Novo Pharmaceuticals Ltd.



Source:
a. Deepti GuptaaaDepartment of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. Email: deepti@textile.iitd.ernet.in Sudhir Kumar KharebbDepartment of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India Ankur LahaaaDepartment of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. Email: deepti@textile.iitd.ernet.in aDepartment of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. bDepartment of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, Indiaa Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India.
b. Y. Nonaka, Y. Uemura, K. Ohse, K. Jyono, S. Kurihara, J. Appl. Poly. Sci. 66, (1997) 1621-1630.
c. M. K. Beliakova, A. Hebeish, Am. Dyest, Rep. 87 (1998) 46-49
d. G. Sun, X. Xu, Am. Chem. Soci. Abst. Part 1 Cell 047 (1997).
e. S. M. Hudson, C. Smith, Polysaccharide: Chitin and Chitosan: Chemistry and technology of their use as structural materials, in: Biopolymers from renewable resources, Kaplan, D. L. (Eds.) Springer-Verlag, New York, 1998, pp. 96-118.
f. http://www.aurorasilk.com/info/naturaldyed_silk.shtml
g. Kris Driessen, Hickory Hill Antique Quilts. The earliest dyes. http://www.quilthistory.com/dye.htm