Aluminum Alert!

Aluminum is an element that has been proven to harm the body. Internal consumption has been linked to breast cancer, Alzheimer's, and kidney problems. The most common place where we intake aluminum is in our drinking water. Cooking in Aluminum pots and pans is also not recommended because the aluminum is transfered from the cooking vessel to the food. Aluminum toxicity is also well known in the food preparation business. In particular, breweries take care not to brew their beverages in aluminum containers. It doesn't just influence our food preparation, it also appears in anti-perspirants and deodorants. The aluminum in deodorants lodges itself in the pores and absorbs the sweat naturally produced by our body. While it does not permeate the skin, it clogs the pores in an area that is dangerously close to important underarm lymph nodes. I recommend using a natural deodorant crystal made from either ammonium allum, or potassium allum. 

Almond Oil: A Great Winter Solution to Dry Skin!

Almonds are delicious, particularly toasted and on some type of pastry. Besides their lovely flavor, the oil derived from almonds is an effective emollient. Emollients are substances that soften the skin and are used to treat dryness and scaling. Not only does almond oil sooth the skin, but it also smells delightful. Many massage therapists use this oil as the base oil for their formulations because it is such a pleasant, easy to spread substance. Here is my favorite line of almond products, they smell good enough to eat!

Wonderful Willow

The internal use of White Willow bark for pain relief has been documented to reach back to the era of Hippocrates in the 5th century B.C. White willow is also very useful in maintaining healthy skin. It contains an active ingredient called salicin, which is an anti-inflammatory. Salicylic acid, which is found in many skin-care products intending to treat problem skin, can also be derived from the bark of the White Willow tree. This naturally occurring acid is known as a beta hydroxy acid, a popular type of anti-aging ingredient. Salicylic acid is also useful in the treatment of acne, psoriasis, calluses, keratosis, and dandruff. There are many products available with this naturally occurring ingredient, here are some of my favorites!

Surfactant Confusion: Soap vs. Detergent

Detergent is common in our everyday lives, from the laundry room where we wash our clothes, to the shower where we wash ourselves. Believe it or not, most soap is actually a detergent. While  laboratories manufacture detergents from petrochemicals derived from plants and animals, many small soap companies hand make their soap with fine, natural ingredients, often the actual plants or oils, not chemically created synthetics. With the onset of a global market, the line between soap and detergent is being blurred by the major chemical companies that produce the majority of these products. Because detergents are cheaper to produce, these companies will typically use the same detergent base when producing their "soap". Because these detergents are being marketed as soap for human skin, and because they are reaching a global audience, there is an increase in the percentage of people experiencing allergic reactions to the artificially derived chemical compounds, and or fragrances, contained in "soap". The solution? Handmade, natural soap. A quick Google search lists so many companies to choose from, and so many luxurious natural soaps on the market, all you have to do is find the product that suits you!

Dehydrated Dermis

Dry skin is a problem for most people in the winter.  The dry wintry  air absorbs moisture from the skin, regular bathing then becomes damaging because it depletes the naturally occurring body oils and not replenishing lost moisture. Sometimes, people reach for a petroleum based lotion or cream intended to prevent further damage to their skin. What if we could use something that moisturizes the entire dermal layer? In fact, you can. Oils applied directly to the skin will work, or some creams with an oil base. Soaps with a cocoa butter, shea butter, 

Luxurious Lavender

It is now midwinter and if you live in the North-East like I do, you are probably feeling a bit of the wintertime blues. Incorporating lavender into your day is a wonderful and relaxing way of combating the dreary weather. Lavender oil is anti-fungal and antiseptic, but aside from those wonderful properties, it also has the ability to sooth tension, and the nerves. Enjoy various lavender products in your home and in your shower, just be sure to use organic lavender and organic lavender oils. 

Antibacterial Vs. Antiseptic

There are about ten times as many bacteria cells as human cells in the human body, and while many of us have become obsessed with obtaining a germ-free world, the reality is that bacteria is necessary for proper health. Is eliminating bacteria necessary or even possible? Hand sanitizer has become a popular alternative for people on the go who are unable to wash their hands, and it is a helpful product for people who shake hands all day, or live in a city, or a dorm. Of course it has also become a habitual favorite of your local germophobe hypochondriac. One has to wonder how effective it is at preventing disease and infection. Recently studies have questioned the alcohol content of these products, if it is lower than 60% alcohol, your product probably is not as effective as you think. There IS a better alternative to this antibacterial craze, antiseptic herbs for millennia have been known as antiseptic, and recent science has shown that naturally occurring alcohols behave this way. Herbs such as lavender, thyme, and myrrh along with  clove buds, and tea tree oil are all proven antiseptic agents. Perhaps we should be using personal care products with these naturally occurring ingredients, rather than the chemically created alcohols that are being peddled by major manufacturers. My favorite company SallyeAnder has created many products containing lavender, myrrh, thyme, tea tree, and clove. Check it out!