Concerning the wound-healing properties of Sphagnum holocellulose: the
This article is available at Sciencedirect, I accessed it through Evergreen Library.
Here is an overview of the article:
Sphagnum is 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton (pure).Sphagnum
reacts chemically with proteins enabling it to possibly "immobilize whole bacterial cells... enzymes, exotoxins and lysins secreted by the most invasive pathogens".
"... complex pectin in Sphagnum is structurally similiar to... other plants, including some that are traditionally used for wound healing."
Pectin in Sphagnum contains "highly reactive a-keto-carboxylic acid... a major component in hyaline cell walls of Sphagnum mosses..."
This reaction can cause 'tanning'. A 2000 year old preserved human body found in a peat bog in the UK underwent this process.
Sphagnum is not toxic to living cells.
*sidenote; research has been done duplicating this process with fish skins. sciencedirect "Preservation of fish by embedment in Sphagnum moss, peat or holocellulose:...)
