➪  What is Mulberry Silk ?

Mulberry Bombyx Silk

The Mulberry Bombyx, also called Bombyx mori, is a moth native to northern China. It is specifically bred for silk production and does not exist in the wild — created through selective breeding, a technique known as sericulture. Its luxurious fiber is prized for its softness, shine, and strength. Domesticated around 2600 BCE, it is still raised mainly in China, India, Japan, and France.

The silk is produced during the larval stage, when the caterpillar secretes a viscous fluid that turns into a single raw silk thread as it spins its cocoon. This thread can be between 300 and 1500 meters long, produced by specialized glands called sericigenous glands.

Silkworms feed exclusively on white mulberry leaves, which gives the silk its superior quality due to the leaves’ nutrition. Once mature, the worms spin their cocoons, which can contain about 3000 meters of silk thread, though only a small part is used for silk production.

To harvest the silk, the cocoons are placed in boiling water to dissolve the glue holding them together, allowing the silk to be unwound without breaking.

In short
The Mulberry Bombyx is a remarkable insect raised for thousands of years to produce the finest and most precious silk, responsible for the most common silk production thanks to its superior quality.

Silk Soothes
If you suffer from neck pain, stiff neck, or throat irritation, silk can help soothe these symptoms. Its softness and smooth texture reduce rubbing and friction on the skin, helping reduce inflammation and pain. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, which may reduce skin and respiratory irritations. Try a silk pillowcase, shawl, or sleep mask to enjoy its soothing benefits.

A Bit of History
In China, the discovery of the silkworm (the Bombyx caterpillar) is credited to Empress Xi Ling-Shi. Legend says she was drinking tea under a mulberry tree when a cocoon fell into her cup. Trying to retrieve it, a soft silk thread detached and lengthened as she pulled it, warming her finger. She told others about this, and sericulture was born! This story is one of many legends about silk’s discovery.

Types of Silk
. Mulberry Bombyx (produces the finest and softest silk threads)
. Wild silk (silkworms producing thicker, less soft threads)
. Madagascar silk (a rustic brown thread from the borocera moth)
. Spider silk
. Marine silk (from shells)
. Plant-based silk
. Artificial silk (viscose) ...