Clothing, the second skin of our body, is of immense importance in human life and has been evolved continuously. Textile products having special properties are used for umpteen purposes, and one such product is herbal textiles. Changing trends in clothing, cosmetics, and aesthetics necessitates the development of newer technologies that can benefit end users by enhancing their health and aesthetics and provide a sense of relief and satisfaction. Herbal textiles are prepared by imparting essential oils and herbal extract finishes to textiles. These treatments provide medicinal value and aroma to the garment, which enhance its value. Herbal extracts and oils can be incorporated in textiles by microencapsulation, sensory perception technology, liposomes, dyes, and coated textile technology. The temperatures of the finish, the duration and concentration of plant extract, the blend of herbs, and the equipment used need to be carefully controlled. Herbal textiles are revitalizing and help in keeping the body fresh and healthy. These fabrics also shown to have therapeutic value in ailments like skin allergies, breathing problems, sleeping disorders, and blood pressure. In this chapter, emphasis is given on the significance of herbal clothing and the use of natural herbal extracts to produce them.
Part of the book: Chemistry and Technology of Natural and Synthetic Dyes and Pigments