Wool is a natural material that is grown by sheep. Sheep are the oldest domesticated animal species. Sheeps wool has been used for centuries by humans and has a rich history of being used for clothing, textiles and insulation. Not only is it natural and renewable, but it's also biodegradable and has a low carbon footprint.
Wool is an excellent resource for improving the way we live, sleep, and go about our daily lives. Wool is temperature regulating, wicks away moisture, is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, and resists dust mites and allergens. But that's not all wool does. Here are 3 health benefits of wool that may surprise you:
Improves blood flow
Research has shown that wool has four main properties that determine its effects on the skin – resiliency (the ability to return to its original shape), elasticity (the influence of its fibre flexural stiffness), fibre thickness, and density. Different textures of wool fabrics can have different impacts on the human body. When the wool touches the hair on our body, it transfers stimulation to the skin and triggers micro receptors in the skin. This type of stimulation is so gentle that most people wouldn't even realize anything is happening. With the appropriate texture, the mechanical action of the wool fibres gently rubbing the skin can actually produce heat and increase blood flow.
Increases pain threshold
When wool stimulates the skin, it produces a physical energy that results in heat. Regardless of how mild or moderate it is in strength, this stimulation has an overly-calming effect on the body. Again linked to the micro receptor response in our skin. It also creates a gentle anesthetic action, increasing the users' pain threshold.
Decreases muscle tension
This heat created by wool also decreases muscle tension and joint pain associated with many conditions. For example, one study showed significant improvement in joint pain and mobility for patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis.
These 3 benefits we experience while using wool can help us;
- have a more restful, deep and comfortable sleep
- heal our bodies and promote good health
- keep us more comfortable during our everyday activities
Wool is a remarkable resource that is so readily available to us. However, it is important to find high-quality, ethically-sourced and local wool. At Revolution Wool Company, our sheep are part of our family, and we treat them as such. A sheared sheep is a happy sheep!
If you would like to learn more about the health benefits of wool, please read this fascinating study: https://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/35001/InTech-Natural_wool_fabrics_in_physiotherapy.pdf