How Does
Mulberry Silk
Boost Your
Health & Beauty?
As one of the most sought-after natural textiles, mulberry silk is time-honored with an esteemed reputation. Throughout history, it was one of the highly desired exports and the symbol of the noble and wealthy. Even today, it is still a coveted material for high-end bedding, clothes and accessories.
With such popularity, many people may hear about the benefits of mulberry silk even if they have never used it. However, few know the working mechanism behind it. This article strives to help everyone learn more about mulberry silk and how it improves our health and beauty.
What is Mulberry Silk?
Among the animal fibers, mulberry silk is the first-ever one used by humans. According to legend, an ancient Chinese empress was sipping tea under a mulberry tree when a cocoon accidentally fell into her tea cup. The empress tried to pick up the cocoon with sticks and somehow unwind it into a long, sheeny thread. Amazed by the luster and the strength of the thread, the empress weaved it into cloth and developed sericulture.
To produce mulberry silk, farmers feed the larvae of the domestic silk moth, Bombyx mori, with the nutritious mulberry leaves exclusively. As a return, the larvae spin a cocoon and pupate. Famers collect cocoons, boil them to soften the glum holding the silk fibers together, and then reel long silk threads of the cocoons onto a spool. Mulberry silk is considered the highest quality of silk available. It has several properties that are good for people’s health and beauty, making it a recommendation from medical experts, particularly dermatologists.
Properties of Mulberry Silk
1. Softness
Mulberry silk is incredibly soft and smooth to the touch, making it one of the most luxurious fabrics.
2. Shine and Luster
Mulberry silk has a natural sheen that gives it a luxurious, radiant appearance. This is due to the smoothness of the fibers, which reflect light beautifully.
3. Breathability
Mulberry silk has fine fibers and a naturally porous structure, which allows air to circulate easily and moisture to evaporate quickly.
4. Hypoallergenic
Mulberry silk naturally resists the accumulation of dust, mold, and other particles that could cause allergic reactions. This is partly due to its smooth structure and the fact that silk is less likely to harbor bacteria or allergens compared to cotton or synthetic fabrics, which tend to absorb moisture and dust.
5. Moisture-Wicking
The main protein in mulberry silk is fibroin, which is hydrophilic (meaning it has an affinity for water). This allows the silk fibers to absorb moisture, such as sweat, from the skin. While silk doesn’t absorb as much moisture as some other fibers (like cotton), it can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp.
6. Natural Protein Fiber
Being a protein-based fiber, mulberry silk contains around 18 different amino acids which can also be found in the human body, including essential ones like glycine, alanine, and serine. These amino acids are important for various biological functions, such as protein synthesis and tissue repair.
Benefits of Mulberry Silk
Health Benefits
1. Prevent Allergies
As mentioned above, mulberry silk resists dust mites, mold, and other common allergens. This makes it an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin or those prone to skin irritation, especially for individuals with eczema, psoriasis, or respiratory sensitivities.
2. Improve Sleep Quality
Mulberry silk helps sleep in the following ways:
● Reduce Stress
The luxurious feel of silk can have a psychological effect, contributing to relaxation. The soft texture and comfort can reduce stress and promote a feeling of calm, which is essential for falling asleep.
● Regulate Temperature
The moisture-wicking properties and breathability allow mulberry silk to absorb moisture (such as sweat) and release it into the air quickly. This process helps with temperature regulation, keeping sleepers dry and comfortable in both hot and cold conditions.
3. Eco-Friendly and Chemical-Free
As a protein-based fabric, mulberry silk is sensitive to harsh chemicals, especially strong acids or alkalis. Using aggressive synthetic dyes or chemicals can break down the protein structure of the silk, weakening it, causing damage, or even changing the texture. For this reason, mulberry silk requires specific, mild dyes or natural methods (such as plant-based dyes) to preserve its strength and luster. This makes mulberry silk a safer, more natural option for people concerned about exposure to harmful chemicals in other fabrics.
Beauty Benefits
1. Prevent Wrinkles and Fine Lines
The incredible smoothness and softness of mulberry silk can minimize the friction between your skin and your pillowcase or clothing while you sleep, which helps prevent the formation of sleep lines and wrinkles that can occur when your face is pressed against rougher fabrics. Over time, this can contribute to a smoother, more youthful appearance.
2. Help Maintain Skin Hydration
Although mulberry silk naturally has moisture-wicking properties, it also helps to retain moisture on your skin. Its protein structure doesn’t draw moisture away like cotton can, which can cause skin to dry out. By helping to lock in moisture, mulberry silk can keep your skin hydrated, promoting a soft, plump, and radiant complexion. This is particularly helpful for dry or sensitive skin types that can become dehydrated during sleep.
3. Prevent Hair Damage and Frizz
Mulberry silk is gentle on hair, which means less tangling, breakage, and split ends. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase or using silk hair accessories helps to reduce hair damage, leading to healthier, shinier hair. It also minimizes frizz, helping your hair retain its smoothness and shine, so you wake up with less bedhead and more manageable hair.
Silk Suen provides premium, 100% pure mulberry silk products, including bedding, clothes and accessories. Shop here and indulge in the ultimate in comfort, elegance, and beauty.
