The
Therapeutic Benefits of Angora
Angora is one of the most exquisite, light and beautiful fibers in the
world. It is sought after for its natural fur-like halo and
its
insulating and warming powers. But its remarkable beauty is
only one
of its many benefits. Angora fiber is 8 times warmer than
wool and is
doctor-prescribed in Europe for the relief of pain, without
drugs.
Arthritis pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress
ailments, and back pain will all benefit from angora wraps and
garments. It is valuable as an insulator for joints and
extremities
and beneficial for illnesses that inhibit circulation, such as
diabetes, chilblains, and heart disease. Although wearing
angora and
other natural fibers will not heal these diseases, wearing angora and
angora blends in garments that cover the affected parts of the body,
can increase warmth, circulation and relieve pain, increasing freedom
of movement in the affected area. 
How it works. The fine angora fibers, with their
halo, trap warm air
against the body and increase the blood flow to the part of the body
that they are encircling. As the blood flow increases it
removes
toxins and lactic acid from the affected area and brings oxygenating
nourishment to the affected body part. This in turn
brings relief of
pain. This is the same principle that therapeutic massage
works on.
Knitted
angora wrist cuffs
can increase circulation in the wrists and hands during activity and
relieve the hand pain of arthritis and carpel tunnel
syndrome. Angora
fingerless gloves work along the same principle, but increase the area
of the hand kept warm by the glove, without inhibiting finger
movement. Angora shawls, shrawls, and ponchos
can give warmth
and
relief to one's back and shoulders by keeping the area warm, and
increasing circulation to the painful muscles. And angora
offers these
benefits while looking beautiful and elegant. Angora just
doesn't come
across looking like therapeutic clothing.
Angora bedsocks will increase the warmth and circulation to the feet
and are doctor-prescribed in Germany for diabetics to prevent poor
circulation and possible complications which may lead to
amputation.
Those with sore, aching feet or ankles induced by injury -- will also
benefit from the specific heat applied with the use of angora
bedsocks. However, regular socks that are only 15% angora and
85%
wool, mohair, or silk would be more durable, offering some of the same
benefits for daytime wear. An angora scarf can
offer warmth year
round as a wrapper for sore joints and muscles and to relieve neck
pain. Personally, I put on an angora scarf,
hat, and socks,
and even
wrap up in an angora shawl to wear in bed whenever I feel a cold or the
flu coming on and often (not always) the extra warmth is just what my
own immune system needs to be able to conquer the virus.
Other pet fibers, such as some dog and cat
hair, are also 8 times
warmer than wool and can offer the same benefits as angora to those
suffering from arthritis, repetitive stress injuries or back
pain.
These fibers are much better next to the skin when the guard hairs have
been removed before spinning the yarn. In Europe some spinning
mills mix dog hair with wool to be made into therapeutic clothing.
What
about those who are allergic to
angora, dog or cat hair? Are they doomed to rely on drugs
with their
complications, for pain relief?
Allergies are very individual. Some people are truly allergic
to the
protein of the hair of dogs, cats or rabbits. Those people will
not benefit from wearing angora. However, the
majority of
people who think they are allergic to these natural fibers are actually
allergic to the dander, or saliva of the animals in question.
Once the
fiber has been washed, as it always is when it is spun into yarn, the
person finds that they can knit with and wear the once offending fiber.
Llama, Alpaca, Mohair, Silk, Cashmere, Yak, Buffalo Down, are all
natural fibers that are 4 times warmer than wool and offer some of the
benefits of a 50 % angora / 50% wool blend, to those looking for
increased warmth and circulation to test the pain relieving benefits of
natural fibers.
Do you think you might benefit from wearing angora? We offer
a free
pattern for knitted angora wrist cuffs so that you can try it
and see
if you personally will benefit from wearing angora. Handspun Angora yarn is available.
Have a project in mind? We are happy to custom spin any of our angora fiber into the blend and grist of
your choosing.
Disclaimer:
The above observations
are based on my personal experience and on research that I have done
over the years that I have been breeding and raising French Angora
rabbits. Wearing angora is not a substitute for
professional medical
advice. Wearing angora will not cure serious medical
disease. Be
sensible and seek the advice of a professional medical practitioner if
you think that you have a serious medical condition.
I
am not a medical professional and I do not offer medical
advice. However, the information about the therapeutic
benefits of
natural fibers have been kept from the English speaking world for far
too long!