First and foremost, we see in Scripture what clothes are beneficial for our bodies and once again, science backs it up!
‘Guard (Shamar 𐤔𐤌𐤓) My laws (Chaqatay 𐤇𐤒𐤕𐤉). Do not let your livestock mate with another kind. Do not sow your field with mixed seed. And do not put a garment woven of two sorts of thread upon you.’
Uyaqara (Leviticus) 19:19
Linen is everywhere in the Scriptures. Here’s just a few examples.
-The priest (kahnayam) garments (Uyaqara/Leviticus 16:4, Shamut/Exodus 28, 39, Yachazaqa’al/Ezekiel 44)
-Tabernacle curtains (Shamut/Exodus 26)
-Luxurious fabric for the noble and righteous
-Clothing of angels/messengers of Yahuah (Chazan/Revelation 15:6)
-Women’s garments (Mashalay/Proverbs 31)
-Yahusha’s burial cloth (Matay/Matthew 27:59, Marqus/Mark 15:46)
-The righteous ones are clothed in linen (Revelation 19)
-Leviticus 13 incurable disease?
-Shamu’al (Samuel) wore it (1 Shamu’al/Samuel 2:18)
-Dud (David) wore it (2 Shamu’al/Samuel 6:14)
“Do not put on a garment of different kinds, of wool and linen together.”
Dabarayam (Deuteronomy) 22:11
Your skin is the largest and most permeable organ of your body. We need to consider what we are putting on it and have touching it, as much as we are worried about what we put into it.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enacted the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1976, grandfathered in the already existing 60,000 chemicals that were on the market in the late 1970s. To make matters worse, the EPA only tested several hundred of them and only deemed around five to be semi-regulated. There are over 80,000 chemicals to date that have never been tested by the EPA and are deemed safe to use in products!
Dr Axe
As consumers, we must become label readers. As always, the closer you can get to the source, becoming a producer or buying locally from them, the better.
Natural fibers should be 100% plant or 100% animal.
– Plant: linen, hemp, cotton (eco-tek, organic are best), rubber tree, jute
– Animal: wool of various animals like sheep, alpaca or llamas; silk, leather, furs for clothing/furniture/rugs
Linen benefits
-Textile that helps with coolness and freshness, helps regulate temperature
-Aids in the healing process and has restorative properties. Hospital bedding used to be made from this to help with bed sores and pathogenic micro flora, bacteria, and fungi.
-Utilized for internal sutures in a surgical setting also used for bandages
-Cancer patients wrap in linen as a treatment therapy
-Reduces solar gama radiation
-Linen does not accumulate static electricity
-30% stronger than cotton
-Softer the more you wash it
-Fully biodegradable and a renewable resource. Also needs no irrigation
What to avoid?
-“Polyester, Viscose, Polypropylene, Acrylic, Nylon, Spandex, Chiffon, Fleece, Satin”
-“Polyester” describes a category of polymers produced by mixing ethylene glycol (derived from petroleum) and terephthalic acid. Not breathable, causes more sweat. Most is manufactured with antimony a carcinogen that is toxic to the heart, lungs, liver, and skin.
-When you dry synthetic clothes in a dryer, you are outgassing these chemicals into your home and the environment (not to mention if you’re using ones with phthalates, fragrances, fabric softener, and dryer sheets)
– “Wrinkle Resistant, Permanent Press, Moth Proof, Shrink Proof” These garments release formaldehyde which can irritate mucous membranes and harm the respiratory tract.
-“Colourfast” Dye fixatives used to bond the color to the fabric have a heavy metal makeup which when absorbed by our skin can accumulate in the liver, kidney, bones, heart, and brain as well as leach into the environment after processing.
-“Stain Resistant” Could contain perflourinated chemicals (PCFs) or Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or formaldehyde (PFAS became popular around 1940s when manufacturing companies realized they could resist heat, grease, stains, and water. “Forever Chemicals” linger for thousands of years and linked to kidney & testicular cancer, liver damage, and developmental issues.)
-“Flame Retardant” This type of fabric uses the chemical additive PBDE or polybrominated biphenyl ethers which are highly toxic
-“Wash separately” Dyes used in dark blue, brown, and black synthetic clothing can be absorbed by your skin as well as cause allergic contact dermatitis. Many textile dyes and bleaches contain toxic heavy metals such as radium and chromium.
-“Conventional cotton” If you can, source eco-tek or organic cotton as cotton can contain insecticides and pesticides. I do buy 100% cotton for my children second hand.
-“Rayon” is made from wood pulp that is treated with caustic soda and sulphuric acid.
Petroleum and the Oil manufacturing industry is the world’s largest pollutant
– Waste water from textile factories containing leftover dye is difficult to treat and, as such, enters the environment where its toxicity causes serious problems to plant and animal life.
-Polyester dyes are also toxic to humans. Dye workers worldwide report higher incidences of cancers and lung disease than the general population.
-Phthalates. In 2012, the environmental watchdog Greenpeace sampled more than 140 clothing items and detected phthalates in 31 garments. 3 t-shirts and a pair of underwear from popular clothing brands had “very high” concentrations of phthalates meaning the chemical comprised up to 38% of their weight. Also found in jeans, raincoats, and artificial “vegan” leather. Linked to ADHD, asthma, diabetes, breast cancer, and reproductive issues.
-Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and is used to make fabric wrinkle free and prevent shrinkage. It’s also present in AZO dyes which is common and cheap. It’s the “new smell” in clothes and cars and is also used to preserve dead bodies. Linked to dermatitis and lung cancer. It also prevents mildew and parasites during shipping specially from China.
-Triclosan used for antibacterial and anti-odor finishes . Insecticides and herbicides in conventional cotton accounts for 25% of the insecticides used around the world. Exposure linked to fetal damage, hormonal issues altering testosterone and thyroid serum levels, affects estrogen adaptors, sterility in humans, allergies, cancer, and brain damage.
“Chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, causing toxic effects.” As fabric both rests against our skin and is often treated with so many chemicals, it becomes a way for toxins to get into the body via the bloodstream & lymphatic system. The toxins come from production of synthetic petroleum based fibers as well as chemicals used to bind the fibers and fabric.
Extension Toxicology Network
How to get started:
-If a family member is sick and needs more support. Start there first.
-Switch out your bedding. We spend half(ish) of our time there in order to rest, restore, and heal on a cellular level. When we sleep, our body is naturally repairing itself, so give it the best benefit. Ours are from Magic Linen.
-Search clearance racks, thrift stores, or marketplace for second hand. Some of my favorite Facebook groups. All things linen BST. Not Perfect Linen BST. Slow Clothing Movement BST. Pyne and Smith BST. Natural Christian Mama Clothing.
-Slowly build up pieces. Little Cottonwood. Quince. Not Perfect Linen. Linen Fox. Pyne and Smith. Pact. Always Apparel Group & BST. Jenn Spanns company aprons. LinenbyMN. J Jill. FLAX. Meriwool. Simply Merino. Merino Tech.
Reproductive systems
-Think of what synthetic bras, underwear, and boxers are doing to your health. Check out these these Linen ones by Aleah Babcock and also Life Giving Linen.
-Women’s hygiene for menstrual cycles. Tampons and feminine products made from cotton is still considered a textile. Tampon companies do not have to disclose the chemicals used in manufacturing. Imagine we’re using the same material for diapering our babies.
-Get organic cotton at the very least or look into linen pads. I love White Rose Linen.
Benefits of natural fabrics
-Linen is hypoallergenic, causes less perspiration than cotton. It’s used for internal sutures because the body accepts it. Effective in reducing fevers and inflammation (We wrap wounds in it). 20% more absorbent than cotton and dries quickly.
-Wool is naturally amazing with antiviral and antimicrobial properties. It wicks away moisture keeping us from chilling when we overheat during winter chores. It insulates our bodies and does require washing like conventional materials.
A few instagram accounts to look up that talk on this. Ruach Wellness. Herreraholistic check out her highlight linen. Dr Ben Lynch . Remakeourworld on Shein. Natural Nurse Momma on feminine products.
