Sheep Wool for Healing and Comfort

Sheep wool is truly a miracle fibre, and one that seems to have been largely forgotten by consumers in the western world. This is sad, since it has so many amazing applications for comfort and healing.

One of the most intriguing properties of wool is that it is composed of the same protein that makes up the outer protective layer of your skin. This means it works in complete harmony with your body's own protective mechanisms. It has natural recovery properties too and a higher level of built-in UV protection than many other fibers. Wool fibers are resilient and springy, making them ideal for clothing.

Just as wool keeps sheep warm in winter, it can keep us warm. But more than that, wool has the amazing ability to moderate our body temperature. That means that we neither get too hot or too cold when wearing wool. Our bodies expend less energy as a result, leaving us feeling more rested. This is particularly noticeable after a night’s sleep. And if you are going through menopause and suffer hot and cold bouts while you sleep, a wool duvet can provide relief.

Wool also has tremendous ‘wicking’ properties. It can absorb and wick away up to 30% of its weight in moisture. Compare this to cotton that starts to feel damp after about 15% of its weight in moisture is absorbed. Since studies show that we lose about a litre of moisture at night, it’s nice to know that wool’s amazing properties can help our bodies to remove this moisture effortlessly.

Wool is also great when it comes to resisting mildew and mold. It repels moisture, and allows it to pass through its fibers leaving very little for molds and mildews to grow on. This makes it wonderful in creating products that resist body odors and provide a healthier environment for users. Diabetics may find that it provides relief, since there appears to be a connection between molds and the condition.

Wool is a nurturing, natural, hollow fibre that provides a soft cushioning layer for comfort. The coiled spring-like tubular structure of wool fibre allows it to bend up to 20,000 times before breaking. As a result it provides a gentle flexible support and pressure relief while preventing shearing. It provides the perfect solution for bedridden patients, dramatically reducing the incidents of bed sores. And if its fibres get trapped in an open wound, they simply become part of the scab and harmlessly disappear when the scab falls off. The bottom line is that wool reduces patient healing time and increases comfort and well-being.

Wool is also wonderful for use in pet products – offering comfort to young pets and to older pets. Both benefit from wool’s comforting and healing properties.

Wool is durable, fire retardant, resists static, dirt and dust, and is non-allergenic. Wool is also sustainable and renewable.  Is it any wonder we call it the ‘miracle fibre’?