A Study on Herbal Finish to Prevent Bed Sore Using Mangifera indica and Triphala Dried Fruit

“Bed sores” owe their name to the observation that patients who were bedridden and not properly repositioned would often develop ulcerations or sores on their skin, typically over bony prominences. These bed sores, which result from prolonged pressure, are also called “decubitus ulcers,” “pressure sores,” “skin breakdown,” and “pressure ulcers.” They are associated with adverse health outcomes and high treatment costs. This study focuses on developing herbal finish to prevent bed sores. For this purpose, functional finishing was utilized to produce a bedsore preventing fabric. Plain weave cotton fabric was dyed by using herbal extracts, dried, and then cured. Two samples in different ratios (1？:？2 and 2？:？1) of two herbal extracts (Mangifera indica and Triphala dried fruits) were prepared with and without binder (chitosan). Air permeability, wicking ability, Drop Test for absorbency, and antibacterial properties were examined for those samples. Based on the results, fabric dyed with Mangifera indica and Triphala dried fruits in the ratio of 2？:？1 with chitosan is determined as the most promising combination for the final product. 1. Introduction The skin is a large barrier organ that protects the human body from environmental hazards (heat, cold, chemicals, mechanical forces, etc.) and maintains the integrity of the body, whereas the clothing system provides extra layer(s) of barrier to enhance the aesthetic, thermophysiological, and sensorial comfort of the wearer [1]. However, direct contact and interactions between textiles and skin may cause reactions, even damage or diseases [2] (see Figure 1). Figure 1: Time versus pressure curve for tissue breakdown in a canine model [2]. Bed sores can result from one period of sustained pressure on the skin; however, most bed sores probably occur as a result of repeated incidents of blood flow interruption without adequate time for recovery. In fact, low pressure endured for long periods of time is believed to be more significant in producing pressure ulcers than higher pressure for shorter durations. The role that textiles play in the prevention and formation of these injuries is examined. 2. Materials and Methodology 2.1. Fabric Particulars Plain weave cotton fabric with 60s yarn count, EPI: 88, and PPI: 86. 2.2. Herb Particulars See Table 1. Table 1 2.3. Methodology The selected herbs were dried in sunshade and grinded. Methanol extract of the herbs was obtained and tested for antibacterial and wound healing property. Chitosan was then diluted with citric acid. Scoured and bleached fabric was padded, dried,