🕸️ Woven by Nature

GENERAL HEALTH, HALLOWEEN

🎃 Halloween is the season…

… for stories of ghosts, creepy creatures, and things that go bump in the night abound. However, it is drawing to a close. So, how should we close up this month’s theme of creepy histories and spooky superstitions behind Halloween’s favorite traditions (always grounded in science 🧪 and Scripture 📖, of course)?

How about closing up wounds with spider silk? 🧵 🕸️

📜 History of Spider Webs in Medicine

❗🧠 Don’t forget about the fun quiz at the end of this newsletter!

Spiderwebs are said to be stronger than steel (by weight), and their use in treating wounds is known to date back to at least Roman times (Spider Silk: Could “Webicillin” Beat Infections?, 2025; Spider Silk’s Supposed “Healing Properties” Might Have No Basis in Science, 2021).

Even Shakespeare makes a nod to this practice in A Midsummer Night's Dream: “Good Master Cobweb: if I cut my finger, I shall make bold with you.”

But the supposed use of these sticky traps isn’t as ancient as some would have you believe.

🧬 Spider Webs in Modern Science

Sources debate whether spider webs are antimicrobial, and many believe that the antimicrobial properties of the webs contribute to their ability to promote wound healing. One thing that is known is that spider silk is considered hypoallergenic and biocompatible, meaning the body doesn’t reject it.

But what if antimicrobial actions were never the reason these cobwebs were used? What if they are helpful due to their ability to aid in blood clotting? Some researchers believe that vitamin K, found in spider webs, is responsible for blood clotting (Kumari et al., 2013).

Randolph Lewis, a molecular biologist at the University of Wyoming, explains that scientists are exploring its use in repairing human ligaments and tendons, where flexibility and strength are essential (Choi, 2006). He also states that spider silk sutures are being developed for closing surgical wounds, as well as those affecting nerves and eyes.

In a study by Liebsch et al. (2018), researchers investigated whether spider silk could serve as a wound dressing, specifically for burns. They concluded that spider silk could be considered as an eligible wound dressing application.

Not only did they note that there were no adverse reactions, such as inflammation or prolonged healing time, but also that the silk had completely degraded by 8 weeks. This means that no damage or pain was caused by removing the dressing.

What they found was that the skin cells actually moved and grew on the silk fibers! 🤩💥🙌 👏

In another study performed by Kumari et al. (2013), researchers tested an ointment containing spider silk. They concluded that the traditional use of spider webs in wound healing was substantiated. They believe it might be due to proteins that are naturally found in the web.

The daily health habit you’ll actually stick with…

This time of year, it’s so easy for your daily routine to be thrown off.

When it starts getting dark before you’re home from work and the Halloween candy is taunting you, it’s important to find something that’s easy to do daily for your body.

That’s where AG1 Next Gen comes in.

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Click here and you’ll get a free AG1 welcome kit with your first subscription including a:

✔️ FREE Flavor Sample Pack
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It’s one of the easiest things you can do for your body every day.

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_{*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.}

🕸️ Why You Shouldn’t DIY with Spider Silk

So, should we run up to the attic and grab some spider webs when we get a cut? Probably not. Who knows what all might be in those? 🦠

However, an interesting fact is that the researchers in the study by Kumari et al. (2013) collected spider webs inside the roofs of houses; they just separated the spiders and their bugs from it all… so…

But! It did say that the paraffin base used in the ointment was “hot”. Was it hot enough to kill any microbes? 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️

Better safe than sorry for now, though.

Spider silk may not be a staple in the first aid kit, but it’s a reminder that even the smallest creatures in God’s creation can hold remarkable secrets waiting to be uncovered.

🦇 Wrapping Up October & Looking Ahead

🍁 Thank you for spending October with The Integrative Report, where we uncovered the science behind myths, superstitions, and old wives’ tales!

This November, it’s time for a new theme: Harvest Your Health: Thyroid Edition 🦋. Each week, we’ll dig into this tiny but mighty gland that can cause big trouble when it’s out of balance. What does it do? How does it work? How can you support it if it’s acting up? What questions should you ask your doctor? And more!

Get ready to give your thyroid the attention it deserves this season! 🍂

❗️ For our position on sources that do not align with Christian values, as well as our affiliate disclaimer, see our full statement.

🤔 DID YOU KNOW…

🕷️ Not all spider silk is the same! A single spider can produce up to seven different types of silk, each with its own unique purpose. Some strands are sticky for trapping prey, while others are strong and non-sticky for structure or egg sacs. For example, orb-weaver spiders use at least five distinct silk glands, switching between silks like a craftsman choosing tools, one for building the frame, one for catching dinner, and even one for wrapping leftovers! (Römer & Scheibel, 2008)