Aside from helping to heal the earth through your conscious fashion choices, there’s a new - yet very old - way to heal with clothes.

Ayurvastra (ayur, life, and vastra, clothing or dress) is based on the same ancient system as Ayurveda, India’s tradition of healing. Ayurvastra fabrics are literally infused with herbs based on time-tested recipes to relieve a host of ailments and create radiant health. Herbs are infused in the dyes, which are then applied to dresses, shirts, pants and bedsheets. The fabrics have a deep and lasting aromatic presence.

The Indian clothier Niraamaya touts itself “the dress that heals”. Niraamaya clothing can be purchased online, where the catalog reads like a guide to medicinal teas! A handsome organic cotton indigo-denim men's shirt is fashioned of an ayurvastra recipe for "general wellness" while a stunning women's silk shawl in sappan pink is especially healthy for those with arthritis. There is even an ayurvastra yoga mat, and given the nascent trend of eco-friendly and biodegradable yoga supplies, I think this has a chance at becoming an international hit.

Ayurvastra is an ancient version of another newer technology called micro-encapsulation - a method of embedding capsules of subtle fragrance or medicinal herbs into textiles for slow release after contact with body heat. All authentic ayurvastra textiles are 100% chemical-dye free and organic due to stringent Ayurvedic guidelines for clothing.

In the coming years, watch for these therapeutic threads to appear on more designer fabric bolts. Clinical studies are being conducted in both India and the States to determine the clinical efficacy of Ayurvastra. Talk about adding a whole new sensory dimension to fashion!

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