Healing plants

There are several plants that are associated with having healing properties, many of these are referred to as weeds. Below are a number of commonly found plants that are claimed to have healing properties:

Nettle  

Nettle is an anti-inflammatory and is used for its cleansing and astringent properties. It is also an anti-allergenic. Nettle can be used to slow bleeding and to treat many skin conditions and arthritic problems

Dandelion  

Dandelion is a detoxifying plant which helps eliminate toxins as a result of infection or pollution and the leaves are commonly eaten to diminish carcinogens in the body to reduce chances of cancer. It is also used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and arthritic conditions

Chickweed 

Chickweed is a popular healing and soothing plant. It is used to treat all skin conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its ability to encourage tissue repair

Burdock 

Burdock is an antibiotic and cleansing herb used to treat infections including skin conditions such as acne, abscesses, eczema and psoriasis

Mugwort 

Mugwort is an antiseptic which has a wide variety of uses

(Chavallier, 2000)

In order to test the efficiency of naturally dyed garments, I decided to create a fabric wrap for my hand as I suffer from eczema and will see if it improves the condition.

I dyed a strip of silk with Nettle and Turmeric and wore this every night for a few weeks.

I feel after testing this that there is definite potential to take this forward  and think this is a highly marketable element of using natural dyes that can be used for a future business plan.