Art of Dyeing Using Herbal Dyes

Art of Dyeing Using Herbal Dyes

Using herbal dyes on organic fabrics is not actually a recent trend. The process dates back to almost 4000 years and was being practiced more as an art.

Environment friendly fibers such as organic cotton and recycled synthetic fabrics have become more popular among apparel makers. However, during the process of apparel making though organic fibers are used, chemical dyes are used in the process, which again infects the environment.

The need for using herbal dyes came into practice recently. Extracts of herbs are used for dyeing fabrics. They not only have natural but also medicinal values. This provides health benefits to the end products, and helps the wearer in fighting against diseases such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes and many more. Alluring shades of red , brown, orange , and green are obtained from herbs.

Herbal dyeing process does not involve any chemical treatment on fabrics. Only natural and certified organic fibers such as silk, hemp, cotton and wool are used. The dyeing process even stays ahead of organic fabrics in a way that throughout its various stages, only natural processes are used. Even bleaching is done by exposing the cloth to sunlight. To keep the purity and power of the herbs intact, the extracts are directly applied to the fabric. Desizing of the fabric is done by washing the cloth with sea salts and natural mineral water. Herbally dyed fabrics are mostly used for making undergarments, bed sheets and pillow covers. These fabrics stay close to the skin, so all the benefits of the herbs are absorbed by the skin.

 Reference : Fibre to Fashion ,Nov'12