The cotton plant is widely used in the textile industry for producing clothes and linen that are eco-friendly, breathable, and durable. It is hard to overestimate cotton’s significance in the national economics of those countries where textile industries play a major role. Moreover, cotton fiber is used for the production of calico, cambric, awning, knitwear and woolen fabrics, making their content more natural; apart from textiles, large quantities of cotton are needed for the automotive, aviation, and rubber industries, where it produces tires, machine and aviation oils and rubber items. Linter, or short fiber, is used to manufacture felt, cellulose, plastics, photographic films, and lacquers. Cottonseed oil contained in cotton seeds, where its level reaches up to 18-27% finds its usage in the food and canning industry for the preparation of margarine, glycerin, and drying oil (Aslan et al., 2020, p.100).
Cotton contains resinous substances, essential oils, organic acids, vitamins and other compounds that are useful to the human body. Studies show that cotton has antiviral properties that allow it to effectively fight viruses and bacteria and treat such deceases as lichen and herpes. In addition, this plant removes cholesterol from the blood and can be taken for the prevention of atherosclerosis and its treatment. Preparations from this plant are used for skin diseases, tumors and herpes. Cotton, as part of medications taken internally, serves to reduce blood pressure and normalize pulse (Aslam et al., 2020). Cotton oil prepared from the seeds of the plant is used in the form of ointments and plasters, while cotton bark has hemostatic properties. Moreover, cotton is recommended for strengthening blood vessels. People with a lack of vitamin E are advised to use cotton in any form since it contains a large number of vitamins and minerals.
Reference
Aslam, S., Khan, S. H., Ahmed, A., & Dandekar, A. M. (2020). The tale of cotton plant: From wild type to domestication, leading to its improvement by genetic transformation. American Journal of Molecular Biology, 10(2), 91-127. Web.