benefits
Amaiyah is a clothing label with a difference. The short version is that the clothes are good for your skin and beneficial for your body. They are totally natural, created in harmony with, and making use of some of the healing elements in nature.
The longer version is this. Ayurvastra is a based on the ancient indian science of life, ayurveda. It is founded on the principle that yarns and fabric infused with organic herbs and medicinal plant extracts can help relieve metabolic disorders when they come into contact with skin. An unusual dimension to holistic living, but one that makes perfect sense. The skin is the largest organ and it is possible for beneficial elements to be absorbed through the conduit of the skin into the body, just as chemical toxins in conventional clothes may be absorbed.
Some of the first people to practice ayurvastra were court physicians to the royal family in Travancore, around 500 years ago. They commissioned clothes to be worn at the palace by royals from kerala's shaliyar weaving community, in the south west of India.
Today, this skilled tradition continues in which yarns and cloth are dyed with organic plant extracts, creating absolutely beautiful colours which exude vibrancy and life, each one containing up to 50 different kinds of plant extract, combined in a skilled and lengthy process. Each combination correlates to beneficial effects on various disorders. Complaints that may be relieved by fabric dyed in this way range from sensitive skin, psoriasis and eczema, to rheumatism and arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. Clinical trials undertaken by the Indian government’s ayurveda college in Thiruvananthapuram demonstrated that patients using ayurvastra fabrics show a marked improvement in ailments, especially skin related problems, and arthritis.
There are three different parts to the process: dyeing, weaving, and tailoring. All of the employees involved are paid a good salary, have access to a provident fund, medical benefits, sound working environment and a guaranteed job. The dyeing of the silk is done by a non profit organization for the welfare of the handicapped, and includes mainly women. Not only are they earning a good income, they are also given dignity and meaning to an otherwise ostracized life. Some of the people involved with the dyeing who had previously suffered from asthma have experienced a marked improvement since they started working there. The weavers of the organic cotton (in which a collection is being prepared) are part of a co-operative which is growing as demand increases. The tailoring is done by women in a centre that is run on fair trade principles.
The fabrics produced are 100% natural, free of synthetic chemicals and toxic irritants. the entire dying process is organic and does not pollute the environment as synthetic dyes do. The natural effluent produced during dyeing is used as biomanure and also to generate biogas.
The current range is created from silk, but we are developing collections which will include hand woven organic cotton and chiffon. We are also working hard to find a reliable supplier of genuine peace-silk (which is proving very difficult but we persevere!).
We hope you will agree that the material is magical and the styles are classically wearable.
Enjoy them.
To acquire a piece of the Amaiyah collection please click here.
Garments in the current collection and corresponding health benefits
moltengold nighty = anti bacterial
greengold nighty = general wellness
pale indigo top = skin conditioning&blood purity
leadgrey top = general wellness
moltengold dressing gown = antibacterial
indigo dressing gown = skin conditioning&blood purity
leadgrey halternecks = general wellness
leadgrey&greengold shorts = general wellbeing
deep indigo bloomers = skin conditioning&blood purity
moltengold bloomers = antibacterial
indigo baggy pyjamas = skin conditioning&blood purity
leadgrey baggy pyjamas = general wellbeing
We also supply bed linen in ayurvedic handwoven organic cotton, in soft pastel colours, and children’s cotton covers. These are a separate collection to the nightwear above. If you would like more information on these, please contact hannah@housmancollective.com.