Linen is the oldest natural textile in the world. Woven linen cloth fragments have been found in Turkey dating back to 9,000 B.C. A product of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum), it’s processed from the long, durable stems and combed out into fibers. Linen is also one of the world’s healthiest, most long-lasting, and most versatile fabrics–a 100% natural textile used universally.
The Timeless, Almost Mystical Fabric of Civilization
Linen is the timeless fabric that transcends the ages. It promotes cleanliness, purity, health, comfort, and serenity. It’s not surprising that, from antiquity, man has associated linen with holiness, order, integrity, royalty, wealth, healing, and even angels.
Working naturally with the body’s systems, the therapeutic flax plant’s capillary structure makes linen one of the most ideal materials to put next to your skin.
As a bonus, linen is eco-friendly and leaves a lower carbon footprint on the earth than any other textile. Historically, linen has been seen as aligning the body with nature, reverence, and the spiritual realm. Environmentally, it outperforms polyester and nylon, which are made from fossil-based petroleum that shed microplastics into laundry water and then groundwater.
Linen’s flax fibers have favored both the human body and the soil, but how does this all tie into your undies?
Because of linen’s breathable, light-reflective, and static-resistant qualities, Egyptian priests wore linen undergarments, pursuing purity and celestial harmony. Similarly, Ancient Asian cultures also valued linen’s breathable, non-static attributes as a means to enhance energy and meditative stillness. Like the Egyptians, Hebrew priests wore linen undergarments, but for the purpose of keeping perspiration away from their bodies. Even angels, in Revelation 15:6, are described as being clothed in “pure, bright linen”, again suggesting the natural, light-reflective property of the fabric. It can actually be luminous!
What makes linen a healthy, comfortable, and eco-friendly undergarment?
- Linen pulls moisture away from the skin’s surface and keeps you cool, unlike synthetic polyester, nylon or spandex that can trap heat.
- It’s hypoallergenic, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic.
- While possibly feeling a little stiff when brand new, linen becomes increasingly softer with each laundering.
- It’s mold-resistant, insect-resistant, and long-lasting.
- Linen promotes wound healing because of its superior moisture absorption, and eliminating moisture discourages bacteria where odor can grow.
- Linen undies can stimulate a sense of luxury and sensuality!
- It is one of the most environmentally sound textiles in the world. European flax absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows and improves soil health through sustainable crop rotation. High quality flax requires little water, minimal chemical intervention, few pesticides, and no genetic modification. Every part of the plant is used, leaving virtually no waste.
- Happily, the longer you wear a durable linen undergarment, the more you protect the environment.
Picking the right pair of undies for you!
When selecting linen underwear, look for a light to medium linen weave that is stonewashed or pre-washed. Selecting OEKO-TEX®-certified linen underwear ensures that you’re getting safety-tested, high-quality European Baltic linen. For organic linen, look for the GOTS label. One flattering, OEKO-TEX®-certified brand you can check out is LacyLinen.
Linen may be the oldest textile on earth, but it turns out it might also be the smartest choice we can make today. Long before science explained its benefits, people intuitively understood linen’s ability to support comfort, cleanliness and calm. Modern research now confirms what tradition suggested all along. Linen promotes ventilation, temperature balance, skin health, and long term wearablility.
What we wear closest to our skin matters. Choosing linen underwear made from high quality European flax is a small but meaningful act of self care that also supports environmental well being. Yes, linen undies can be an investment, but they last longer, feel better over time, and align the body with something natural, ancient and deeply supportive.
Not bad for a pair of underwear.
Photo by Chandra Oh on Unsplash
It’s a great reminder that what we put next to our skin matters for overall wellbeing. On a similar note, taking care of your body from the inside out is important too – whether it’s choosing better fabrics or looking after your oral health. If you’re also thinking about holistic self-care that includes your smile, the team at Advanced Dental Arts NYC – modern dental care in Manhattan offers comprehensive dentistry that focuses on your long-term health and comfort https://advanceddentalartsnyc.com/