What is Botanical Latex?

Botanical latex is terminology that is sometime used to describe natural latex. It simply means that it is a plant based derivative, in this case, the rubber trees found mostly in Malaysia. I guess it sounds more like “organic” than using the term natural. One thing our Latex Mattress Company won’t do is try and mislead or deceive our customers in any way. Botanical latex is natural latex, pure and simple.

There are now latex mattress cores available that contain Certified Organic Latex but are more expensive than the natural latex. Technically they contain botanical latex but they are marketed as “organic” and command a higher price. Most latex mattresses that are marketed as “botanical” are not also “organic” and are less expensive. Just be aware when shopping for a latex mattress that botanical latex is not necessarily “organic”. Organic certification means “no pesticides or chemical fertilizers” in the raw latex milk made to create latex cores, pillows and toppers.

Botanical Latex Facts

Brazil provided the world with the rubber tree, Hevea Brasiliensis. In 1876 the British government exported seedlings to London for further development. The botanical latex seedlings were then exported to Sri Lanka and Indonesia where they thrived and the tapping technique was discovered. For the next several decades the British in Sri Lanka and the Dutch in Indonesia cleared large amounts of rain forest to make room for the rubber tree plantations used for harvesting botanical latex today.

Are There Different Types of Botanical Latex?

Yes, there is the all natural Talalay latex and traditional Dunlop latex?

The natural Talalay process is a highly controlled, sophisticated latex manufacturing process that produces the highest quality, most consistent botanical latex available in the world. The Dunlop process is the most commonly used production method globally. It typically creates a firmer product that is most often used as a foundation core with the all natural botanical talalay latex used as a softer topper material.

Botanical Latex Harvesting

The biggest difference between the two processes is what happens in the mold just before the initial latex curing stage. In the Talalay process, only a small amount of latex compound is poured into the mold. Air is then extracted to perfectly distribute the foamed latex liquid inside the mold and to create a consistent round, open cell structure. The botanical latex mattress core is flash frozen to lock the cell structure in place and to prevent the particles from settling.

For the Dunlop botanical latex process, the molds are filled to the rim, air is not extracted, and there is no freeze stage. Therefore, the latex cell structure is less “airy” and more solid. This process produces a heavier product. Gravity takes over settling the particles to create a more dense product than than the Talalay process. Talalay latex is available in a much wider firmness range so it can provide enhanced comfort choice for consumers who especially sleep on their sides.

Is Botanical Latex Better Than Synthetic Latex?

Despite what you may read elsewhere, latex made with a combination of botanical latex and man made latex will last longer. Even Latex International, the inventors of botanical talalay latex, will tell you that their Talatech brand latex ( mixture of natural and synthetic) has tested superior in durability over their natural talalay latex. Also, there is virtually no evidence world wide to support the claims that synthetic latex used in mattress components is somehow toxic or harmful. SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) does involve the use of chemicals but during the super cooking process and then flash freezing, any harmful substances are completely destroyed and then washed out of the finished product rendering a completely safe and non-toxic latex rubber. Perhaps that’s why there has never been an allergic reaction to latex mattress components ever reported world wide. So whether it’s a blend or all natural, these types of mattresses all contain botanical latex rubber.