Copper enriched medicinal herbal treated garments for selective skin diseases

Abstract

Copper enriched herbals treated garments have been produced using alternate medical concepts to cure selective skin diseases. The extracts of three medicinal herbs, such as marigold, peppermint and camphor, have been imparted into the bamboo, micro-denier polyester and blends of bamboo and micro-denier polyester knitted fabrics by exhaust or direct application and by microencapsulation using pad – dry – cure method. Microcapsules are produced using herbal extracts as core and gum acacia as wall material. Structure of microcapsules has been evaluated using polarized microscope, and the presence of copper by FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope confirms the binding and availability of microcapsules on the fabrics. The antimicrobial efficacy by quantitative method in terms of bacterial reduction and the clinical trials also confirm the curative performance and antimicrobial activity of the treated samples.