The secret powers of silk
Silk has long been the ultimate in luxury textiles. It can conjure images of the wealthy and powerful of China, Marilyn Monroe claiming to only sleep naked in silk sheets and the high end of the sensuous lingerie market. Now, research from all around the world is showing how versatile and useful this natural fibre can be.
Medical trials are using silk proteins to save lives, while silk clothing has been shown to be able to assist with everything from dermatitis to vaginal thrush. The ability of silk to fight the signs of ageing is also becoming better understood, allowing us to use these natural properties to turn back time — at least a little!
Silk is an environmentally sustainable and biodegradable natural fibre, too, so it certainly deserves further investigation into how its amazing properties can benefit humanity.
An ancient love story
Silk fabric was originally developed in China, with the earliest example dating back to 3630 BCE. The Chinese emperors so jealously guarded the secrets of their treasured robes that silk remained a largely Chinese monopoly for a millennium. Originally reserved for the emperor and the gifts he bestowed, the fabric later began to be used by the wealthy of China both as
