Pure linen is a fabric/cloth made from the woven fibers of the environmentally friendly flax plant. Only the ‘skin’ of the stem provides a soft, supple (flexible) fiber which is used for weaving into pure linen. Being strong (stronger than cotton) and long lasting, it is no wonder pure linen has been manufactured into tablecloths, napkins, sheets, pillowcases, handkerchiefs and now clothing. A breathable fabric, pure linen allows your skin to air and absorbs moisture (sweat) which evaporates. Pure linen is a renewable resource and is fully biodegradable.
Other Benefits of Flax
The flax plant is uprooted to make sure not one part of the plant is wasted. The seeds are widely used for their oil properties as well as grounding the dried seeds into ‘flour’ for the use of poultices. A poultice is a paste for drawing out infections. Linseed oil differs from flax seed oil even though they both come from the same seed. Flax seed oil is raw, cold pressed which makes it safe to be sold as a dietary supplement; whereas linseed oil has been heated and gone through chemical treatments; therefore rendering (producing) it not to be fit for consumption (drinking/eating). The oil of linseed is used in cosmetics, paints, dyes, floor coverings and to preserve cricket bats.
Cost of Pure Linen
The cost of pure linen relies on the grade (quality) of the fibers used and the thickness of the thread. Taking this into account, finely woven pure linen (more expensive of all pure linens) is the kind which is generally used for christening/baptizing gowns and designer clothing.
Brief History of Pure Linen
In recorded history it shows that pure linen (linon in Greek and linum in Latin) has been around for thousands of years. Mummification in Egypt saw to mummies being wrapped in pure linen. Thousands of years being entombed showed little mark of pure linens deterioration. This could be partly due to the fact that pure linen is very strong and is resistant against bacteria as well as insects.
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