Camels are often called ships of the desert. This is a unique animal that has adapted to life in arid areas. Its fur helps it survive in harsh climatic conditions. The wool and down of the Bactrian (the so-called Bactrian camel) are especially valued. They are much thicker and longer than their one-humped counterparts.
Camel down - what is it, properties
The coat of the desert ship is a combination of coarse hair on the outside, soft inside and an undercoat consisting of the most delicate downy fibers. This is what they consider camel down. The most valuable is the undercoat of a young Mongolian Bactrian. Down fibers are obtained by manually combing the animals once a year during natural molting. Up to nine kilograms of fluff are combed out of one camel. Afterwards it is sorted by color and composition.
There are only three main colors of camel undercoat: white (very rare and expensive), beige, tan (the most common) and about fourteen shades.
The finest fibers, despite their lightness and softness, are durable and elastic. Camel down fibers retain heat well, do not accumulate static electricity, have good hygroscopicity, and are hypoallergenic. They are endowed with unique healing properties. Camel down has long been used to help get rid of various diseases. Dry heat and certain substances have a beneficial effect on the human body. Finished products are durable and very practical.
Features of camel wool
Camel wool is not treated with any chemicals, it is not dyed or bleached. Therefore, it is environmentally friendly.
In addition to this feature, there are several more:
- The hollow inside of the hair makes camel hair the easiest of all those used in the textile industry. It is twice as light as sheep's wool.
- Due to its high hygroscopicity, it provides dry heat, which prevents hypothermia and overheating of the body, does not allow it to sweat.
- Wool hairs do not accumulate static electricity. Moreover, they remove it and protect the human body from electromagnetic radiation.
- Fibers have the ability repel dust particles.
- Camel hair is capable of neutralize toxic substances, secreted by the human body.
- Wool fibers can have rejuvenating effect on the skin.
- Another great feature is the ability to speed up metabolism, dilate blood vessels. This property is used to treat rheumatism, arthrosis, arthritis, and osteochondrosis. Mongols use camel hair to treat fractures.
Comparison of camel down and wool
Camel hair is simply cut from the animal's rump, so it contains both coarse and soft hair, the lightest fluff. Because of this, when comparing there are some differences:
- if you take the same amount of fluff and wool, then the volume of fluff will be greater and it will be lighter;
- the wool is coarser, and when clipped from adults it can be scratchy;
- down fibers are warmer and softer;
- fluff manually cleared of hair is valued much higher;
- significantly less fluff is produced.
What is better to choose - camel down or wool?
It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally. Each product has its own buyer. Of course, down fibers are silkier and more pleasant than wool fibers, but much more expensive. It is extremely difficult to find products made from pure undercoat. This is very rare as it is produced in small quantities.
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