Latex

Natural rubber

Latex (or latex) is the raw material from which innumerable natural rubber products originate: it is a milky liquid with a rubbery and extremely elastic consistency, extracted from some higher plants (angiosperms). Due to its extraordinary properties, latex is widely used in the healthcare, construction and domestic sectors, as well as in the toy sector.

In recent years, latex is increasingly capturing the attention of Scholars and Researchers: this apparently harmless milky substance is in fact involved in numerous allergic processes, which are also responsible for serious adverse reactions. Latex allergy is a health problem in continuous growth: hence the need to create products with materials other than latex, trying to imitate as much as possible the prodigious elastic characteristics.

Generality

The tropical rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis or rubber tree) is the primary source from which the latex is extracted.

However, this substance is also obtained from other higher plants (phylum: Angiosperms) - papaveracee, moraceae, composite, euphorbiacee - and some fungi (gen. Lactarius).
The latex is obtained from the incision of the trunk of some angiosperms: the liquid flows in a complex system of channels and canaliculi inside the plant, precisely in the "laticiferous" vessels of roots, stems, stem, leaves and (sometimes) fruit. Inside these ducts, the latex is subjected to a certain pressure: this explains why, following a small incision in the stem of a rubber tree, the latex gushes and gushes easily. In contact with the air , the liquid is altered and tends to coagulate.
From a chemical point of view, latex is a complex emulsion consisting of:

• water (60%)
• rubber (35%)
• proteins and enzymes (3%) → evein proteins are allergens involved in allergic reactions to latex
• other molecules: resins, hydrocarbons, starch granules, secondary metabolites (alkaloids), inorganic salts (2%)

The composition of the latex just reported is approximate: each species from which the latex is obtained has its own and specific mixture of substances.
The latex has a rubbery and extremely elastic aspect. The actual latex (latex) has a milky-white appearance, although it is often orange, yellowish or even red-purple. The milky liquid appears thick, viscous and sticky.

Properties and applications

Latex is extremely useful for the plant that produces it: the milky liquid, in fact, exerts excellent DEFENSIVE properties from the attack of herbivorous animals. The sticky consistency of the latex allows the plant to trap many insects and small animals, preventing them from taking advantage of the plant itself.
Latex also has excellent ANTIBACTERIAL, anti-mold and fungicidal properties: for this reason, latex is a material widely used to make mattresses and countless sanitary items.
But the most important property - as well as the best known - recognized to latex is the ELASTICIZING one: it seems that this liquid is by far the most elastic known in nature. Immediately after being subjected to stretching or pressure, the latex resumes its original shape: from here we understand the reason why latex is widely used to make gloves and elastics.
The latex can be produced by synthesis, by polymerizing the styrene monomer, which is subsequently emulsified with specific surfactants.
Latex is widely used as a raw material; during the manufacturing process, additive substances are often added to the latex (thiurams, thiourea, ethyl carbamate), which are also involved in allergies.
There are countless everyday objects made with latex: just think that 7 million tons of latex are extracted every year, subsequently exploited to make 40,000 objects of all shapes and types.
Let's see the most common in the table.

CATEGORY OF BELONGING OBJECTS Furniture and household items Adhesives, hot water bags, latex foam pillows, rubber bands, gloves, gaskets, window insulation, mattresses, shower curtains Toys / products for children Pacifiers, balloons, toys, diapers, teats Garments Belts, braces, gloves, shoes, elastic bandages, bras Sports items Accessories for boats, diving masks, balls, fins, sole for tennis shoes Contraceptives Condoms, diaphragms Mechanics Tires Objects for the hospital environment Needle cannulas, orthodontic appliances, bladder catheters, droppers for eye drops, suction cup electrodes, compression bands, tourniquets, urinary support bags, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, endotracheal / nasopharyngeal tubes, artificial respiration valves, etc. Chewing gum The latex obtained from some particular trees (Manilkara chicle, in Colombia and Dyera costulata, in Malaysia and Thailand) is used to make chewingum

The objects shown in the table are just some of the countless products made with latex. An individual who is allergic to it must always keep in mind the list of "at risk" objects: severe allergic reactions to latex can degenerate up to anaphylactic shock.

Latex and medical use

From the incision of the immature capsules of Papaver somniferum it is possible to extract the latex, from which, in turn, opium is obtained.
Even the latex extracted from the fig (Ficus carica L) and from celandine (Chelidonium majus L) is used for "therapeutic" purposes, as a natural remedy for the treatment of warts and for the treatment of warts.

Select plant Fir Acacia Acerola Sorrel Yarrow Yarrow Yarrow Aconito Adatoda Garlic Agnocasto Agrimonia Alchemilla Alkekengi Aloe Altea Witch Hazel Ammi or Visnaga Pineapple Andrographis Anemone Pulsatilla Angelica Anise Star Anise Japanese Star Anise Bitter Orange Bitter Areca Arnica Harpagophytum Arpagophyte Artemisia Asteragus Basil Asparagus Asparagus Peruvian Asparagus Asparagus Asparagus Hawthorn Boldo Borage Shepherd's Purse Boswellia Bucco Butea superba Cocoa Coffee Cajeput Calamus Calamus Marigold Camedrio Chamomile Roman Chamomile Camphor Cinnamon Ceylon Maidenhair Capuchin Artichoke Cardamom Cardiac Thistle Asian Thistle Carvi Cascara Cassia Catecu Catha Cabbage Celandine Chicory Centaurea Cinnamon Cypress Celandine Chives Cypress Coca Cola Colchico Combreto Condurango Comfrey Coriander Cranberry Barberry American Chrysanthemum Cumin Turmeric Damiana Digital Dioscorea Drosera Dulcamara Dunalilella Echinacea Eder a Ephedra Elenio Eleutherococcus Helichrysum Evening primrose Horsetail Alfalfa Erica Euphrasia Erisimo Escolzia Eucalyptus Farfara Farfaraccio Calabar bean Fenugreek Fennel Phytolacca Frangola Ash Fumaria Japanese Mushrooms Galega Ganoderma lucidum Garcinia Cambogia Mulberry Gentian Broom Ginkgo Ginkgo Guipana Guipana Gynestra Ginkgo Hibelia Gymnasium Hibiscus Guarulp St. John's Wort Horse Chestnut Ispaghul Hyssop Jaborandi Kava kava Konjac Laminaria Cherry Laurel Lavender Lemongrass Lespedeza Lovage Icelandic Lichen Lemon Flax Lippia Licorice Lobelia Hops Maca Marjoram Maize Mallow Manna Marrubio Marrubio d "water Matè Melaleuca Meliloto American Lemon balm Myrtle Myrama Walnut Nutmeg Walnut vomica Olive tree Meadowsweet Ononide Opuntia Oregano Orthosiphon Nettle Poppy Papaya Parietaria Feverfew Passiflora Chilli Perilla Periwinkle Phyllanthus Plantain Picrorhiza Pilosella Pino Pisci dia Podofillo Polygala Grapefruit Parsley Psyllium Pueraria mirifica Butcher's broom Pygeum Quassia Oak Rhubarb Ratania Rauwolfia currant Castor bean Rhodiola Rosehip Rosemary Rue Willow Sarsaparilla Sage Elderberry Sassafras Sedum Ergot Senna Serenoa Repens Soybean Solidago Tansy Taraxus Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarindo Ursina Valerian Vanilla Mullein Verbena Veronica Viburnum Vinca Pansy Mistletoe Vine Withania Yohimbe Saffron Ginger Pumpkin Select disease Juvenile Acne Rosacea Tinnitus Tinnitus Aerophagia Tendon Affections Afonia Aphthae Algias Functional Halitosis Breastfeeding Allergy Anemia Anguish Anxiety Arteriosclerosis Asthrosis Asthrosis Arthritis Arthritis Men Sex Woman Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis Eye bags Bronchitis Gallstones Kidney stones Salivary stones Baldness Androgenetic Candida Fragile hair Caries Headache Cellulitis Motion sickness Cystitis C limaterio Cholecystopathy High cholesterol Ulcerative colitis Colonoscopy Contusions Hematoma Convalescence Couperose Depression Dermatitis Diaper dermatitis Diabetes Diarrhea Erectile dysfunction Dyslipidemia Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Disturbances of vision Hemorrhoids Epistaxis Herethism Heart disease Fever Fibromyalgia Gastro-intestinal disease Flatulence Hypertension Fibromyalgia Gastrointomnia Jaundice Laryngitis Renal lithiasis Toothache Sore throat Thinness Menopause Meteorism Mononucleosis Alzheimer's disease Crohn's disease Nausea Vomiting Obesity Dark circles Onychomycosis Osteoporosis Dry skin Periarthritis Piorea Low pressure Prostatitis Psoriasis Colds Breast fissures Anal fissures Gastro-nasal rhinitis Senescence Premenstrual Syndrome Sinusitis Quit smoking Overweight Fatty liver Constipation Stomatitis Stress Cough Triglycerides high Ulcer Burns Nails Brittle flashes Heat Warts Dizziness Properties herbal Tanning Abortive adaptogenic Aphrodisiac bittering analgesic anesthetic anorectics analgesic antacid anti-allergic anti-asthmatic Antibiotic catarrh Anticellulitiche anticonvulsant Antidiaforetiche antidiarrheal edematous anthelmintic antiemetic Antiemorroidarie antiphlogistic Antiidrotiche Antinevrotiche Antioxidants antipyretic antirheumatic antiscorbutic Antiseptic antispasmodic anti-uric Aperitive Flavoring Astringent Balsamic Bechiche Capillarotrope Cardiotonic Carminative Cathartic Caustics Healing Cholagogues Choleretic Dyes Decongestants Deodorants Purifying Diaphoretic Cleansers Disinfectants Detoxifiers Thirst quenching Diuretics Exciting Emetics Emmenagogues Emollients Hemostatic Energies Hepatoprotectors Expectorants Eupepticus Moisturisers Galactosensitizers lanti Hypertensive Hypnotic Hypoglycemic Hypotensive Irritants Laxatives Soothing Narcotic Nerves Nutrients Odontalgic Pectoral Purgative Revulsive Remineralizing Refreshing Rubefacient Scialagoghe Sedative Soporifugas Sneezing Stomachic Stomatics Narcotic Vascular Tightenitis