HOLISTIC BODY CARE

FREE RADICALS AND THE SKIN The skin is the interface between our internal and external organs. It is the largest and most adaptable organ in the body and reflects the state of one's health. All aging and illness result from the accumulation of toxins and the damage caused to the cells and tissues by free radicals. Free radicals are formed when oxygen is metabolized. This oxidation is a naturally occuring process of respiration and digestion. It is a lot like rusting. These metabolized oxygen molecules are missing an electron which they will rob from other cells, therefore causing damage if there are not enough antioxidants available.  Wrinkles, dry skin, gray hair and stiff joints are the result of free radical damage. Besides the internal, naturally occuring causes of free radical damage, there are outside influences such as: pollution, toxins, alcohol, smoking, poor nutrition (especially when increased amounts of sugar and trans-fats are part of the diet), sleep deprivation, pharmaceutical drugs, recreational drugs, harsh soaps and cosmetics, prolonged sun exposure and stress of all kinds. Prolonged exposure to the sun creates free radical damage by activating enzymes that break down fat in the skin cells, thereby producing arachidonic acid, which leads to inflammation. Dairy is high in arachidonic acid and is well known for causing inflammation and allergy type reactions. Hard cheese, whole milk and animal fats are all high in arachidonic acid. Soft cheese like cottage cheese are a better choice (always choose organic). Unfortunately most sunscreens cause some degree of free radical damage in and of themselves. This happens in the process of their trapping and reflecting UV rays. For this reason if one is going to use a sunscreen it is important that it contains nutrients to nourish and diminish the effects of free radicals. Sunscreen products that contain phenols, petrolatum (which research has shown to cause acne) and petroleum derivatives, like mineral oil, can increase photosensitivity. They also interfere with your body's own moisturizing abilities and create chapping and drying of the skin. It can suffocate and clog pores, which eventually can lead to enlarging of the pores. Products that contain alcohol destroy the skin's pH balance and dissolve the body's natural moisturizers, thus contributing to the creation of wrinkles. Other nasty ingredients that are in many sunscreen and other skin care products include the parabens - ethyl, methyl, propyl and butyl. These chemicals have been known to cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. Some natural sunscreens include: shea butter, avocado oil, sesame oil (which blocks 45% of UV rays) and coconut oil (which reflects radiation and is cooling). It may be best to avoid the sun at its peak hours of 10 A.M. to 3 P.M., wear a large brimmed hat and use long sleeves to cover up if you must be out in the full sun rather than relying on sunscreens. DIETARY FACTORS AND SUPPLEMENTATION To neutralize free radical damage it is best to have an antioxidant system of vitamins, minerals and enzymes working for you. This includes antioxidant rich foods such as avocado, sweet peppers, berries, melons, green leafy vegetables, oranges, squash, salmon, tomatoes and pineapples (use moderately as they are also high in sugar). Spices which are high in antioxidants include: dill, coriander, rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, fennel, garlic and ginger. It is also important to have a diet with adequate protein. Fish, poultry and the light proteins from vegetables are the best. Beef is pro-inflammatory so should be eaten in moderation. Sugar in the diet is damaging because it can attach to proteins making them less flexible and stiff. This leads to aged looking skin and is called cross linking. Free radicals in general activate chemical reactions that produce collagen-digesting enzymes. Collagen is what gives skin its firmness and elasticity. Without collagen skin sags and is wrinkled. Avocado has substances that are high in vitamins A, D and E and has 20% essential fatty acids that prevent this cross linking and damage. Diets that are high in carbohydrates require more insulin to break down naturally occuring sugars so they can be used by the cells. Increased insulin creates pro-inflammatory chemicals during this process which can lead to aging and degenerative illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, glaucoma, alzheimer's disease and retinal deterioration. These are low glycemic index foods: These are foods lower in sugars therefore requiring less insulin to break down: Green leafy and non-starchy vegetables, asparagus, beans, broccoli, cabbage, pears, melons, berries, citrus, kiwi and peaches. These are high glycemic index foods: banana, mango, papaya, carrots, corn, pasta, rice and potatoes. Yams are a better choice than potatoes as they are higher in proteins and carotenes. FOOD CHOICES FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE DRY- Foods high in essential fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, flax and avocado OILY- Avoid greasy foods, fried foods and hydrogenated oils MATURE- Avocado ACNE- Vitamin A and beta carotene rich foods, such as squash, cabbage, melons, spinach and broccoli ROSACEA- Antioxidant rich foods, fruits and veggies, especially broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage The anti-oxidant supplements most recommended to neutralize free radical damage are: ESTER C strengthens white blood cells which are defenders against bacterial and viral invasion. It stimulates fibroblasts which produce collagen and elastin in the skin. These collagens give the skin its tautness and suppleness. Ester C is absorbed more quickly than other Vitamin C's such as L-ascorbic acid. It also keeps its potency for years. Useful for fine lines, wrinkles, inflammed, irritated and/or sun damaged skin. VITAMIN E is a powerful antioxidant and emollient. Look for the tocotrienols and high potency tocopherols. Tocotrienols are 40-50 times stronger than tocopherols in repairing skin damage, decreasing free radicals and protecting the heart and circulatory system. It is helpful in healing redness and scaling of the skin. ALPHA LIPOIC ACID (ALA) is a metabolic antioxidant that is both fat and water soluble. It is the most powerful antioxidant, 400 times stronger than Vitamin C and E. It boosts the effects of Vitamin C, E and glutathione by protecting them and recycling them back into the system. ALA increases cell metabolism, therefore increasing energy and the capacity to heal. It protects DNA and prevents the action of certain factors which can produce inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. These cytokines can damage cells and accelerate aging. ALA helps the body to utilize sugar for energy, decreasing cross linking (also known as glycation). During glycation sugars attach themselves to proteins making the proteins inflexible and stiff. The sugar is not able to be used as fuel when this happens and inflexible proteins are not optimally functional. ALA promotes the production of nitric oxide which helps control blood flow to the skin and therefore can reduce inflammation and edema (swelling). ALA is a chelator that helps the body to detoxify heavy metals as well. It is useful for the reduction of enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, bags and puffiness under the eyes, acne scars, sallow and dull skin. It has also been useful in cases of Rosacea (redness, bumps and broken vessels on the face), with results noted in 2 weeks. Generally this condition is treated with antibiotics which can be detrimental to the immune system. DMAE or DIMETHYLAMINOETHANOL is known to boost the effects of other antioxidants and to protect cells from free radical damage. DMAE stabilizes the cell membrane. It has a firming effect and is considered a quick fix face lift when mixed with other antioxidants, nutrients and amino acids. Aging leads to a decrease in the acetycholine production which is needed for neurotransmission and muscle contraction, thus keeping the skin firm. DMAE is associated with this acetycholine production and also prevents the production of arachidonic acid and other pro-inflammatory mediators at the cell membrane. DMAE is helpful when there is a loss of firmness in the skin, fine lines and over tired skin. It can create a temporary plumping of the lips and will improve the appearance of dimpling on the thighs, stomach, buttocks and/or hips. ALPHA HYDROXY AND BETA HYDROXY ACIDS  are acids found in milk (lactic acid), sugars (glycolic acid) and fruits. They work in synergy with antioxidants. They work to exfoliate the dead layers of skin leaving fresh new skin on the surface. This gives skin a glowing supple look. They work well for razor bumps, rough dry skin, fine lines or uneven pigmentation and age spots. Glycolic acid is useful for the treatment of skin diseases that are characterized by scaling (ichthyosis). Salicylic acid is considered a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) and is anti inflammatory, helping to decrease free radicals. ACTIVITIES AND SUBSTANCES TO AVOID It is best to reduce or eliminate the use of tobacco, alcohol and all non-essential drugs. Avoid all hydrogenated and fried foods. Trans-fats are a health hazard. Avoid pro-inflammatory foods such as red meat. Keep the balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids at a 2:1 ratio. Omega-6s found in animal fats are pro-inflammatory. Better Omega-6 choices are sunflower and safflower oils. Avoid high carbohydrate or high sugar foods. Avoid large meals and eat smaller meals to help balance insulin levels. Avoid dehydration. Be sure to drink 1/2 ounce of pure, clean water for every pound of body weight each day. Avoid all chemicals, pollutants, toxins and additives. Read the labels of the foods you are eating and the personal care products you are putting on your body. Avoid all stressful situations. To decrease the effects of stress try meditation, massage and other forms of energetic clearing. Exercise is a good outlet for stress reduction providing it is not done to an excess, as pushing oneself is a stress in and of itself and can lead to free radical damage. Walking is a good form of exercise as is yoga and stretching. As you can see the skin reflects one's health. There are things you can do to help your skin and these considerations will also help your overall health. Why not be good to yourself and put your best face forward? HERE IS AN IMPORTANT AND INFORMATIONAL REFERENCE YOU CAN ACCESS FOR FREE: Since the government cannot mandate safety studies of cosmetics, and the cosmetic industry's review panel has assessed only 11 percent of 10,500 ingredients in products you may want to check the safety of the products you are using. California recently passed a law that would publicly list products containing ingredients linked to cancer and birth defects. You can go to the Skin Deep database to learn what's in — or unknown about — products and brands you use, and find safer choices for you and your family. Please refer to my webpages at http://community.webtv.net/essentialhealth/ENVIRONMENTALTOXINS for more information about toxic chemical exposure. copyright 2003 HOMEPAGE

BOTANICAL SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTHY SKIN REVERSING AGING SKIN PURIFY ~ REVITALIZE ~ REPLENISH The steps needed to reverse aging skin include purifying, revitalizing and replenishing. Let's start with the purifying. To reverse aging skin you must PURIFY by cleansing to remove toxins, this can be done with gentle cleansers, scrubs and steams. Common skin care practice is to cleanse, steam, scrub, tone and moisturize the skin. ONLY use products on your skin that you would eat. Cleanse with a non toxic soap such as Botanic Gold. To learn more about this safe, non toxic cleanser see the following page in my website: http://community.webtv.net/essentialhealth/PRODUCTS You can make a simple scrub by mixing 2 cups of oatmeal and 3/4 cup of almonds in a blender, processing until it is a fine powder. Always use organic ingredients when possible. A scrub can be used to exfoliate or remove dead cells, revive tired skin and increase cellular exchange. Almonds and oats are both high in nourishing essential fatty acids. Almonds will condition, smooth, moisturize, tighten and slightly bleach the skin, whereas oats are soothing, softening, cleansing and protecting. Oats are especially helpful if skin is itchy or there are bites. To this basic blend you may add botanicals in the form of flowers or essential oils. If using flowers you must powder them, with essential oils just add a few drops of your chosen oil and mix it in. You may keep this basic blend available in a sealed jar, mixing it with a teaspoon or more of water to make a paste when you are ready to use it. You can add additional botanicals as needed. Rinse thoroughly with warm water when you have adequately scrubbed your face. Always move the skin in a circular and upward direction to avoid damage. You can also leave the mixture on the skin for 10 minutes or more to help the properties of its ingredients feed the skin. Do not scrub too hard or you can scratch the skin and only use once or twice a week or it may tend to dry the skin. If you have acne it is best not to use a scrub as this can injure the tissue further or spread the infection. Also avoid over-use if you have dry skin. Fruits, flowers and/or essential oils you may want to add to your scrub are listed below. LAVENDER- Balancing and antiseptic. ROSE- Soothing, emollient and astringent. HELICHRYSUM- Good for mature or dry skin or where there is scarring. CALENDULA- Healing, regenerative, antiseptic and antifungal. CHAMOMILE- Soothing and anti-inflammatory. COMFREY- Regenerative. GERANIUM- Moisturizing. ROSEMARY- Antiseptic, stimulating, firming. MILK POWDER- Nourishing and exfoliating due to its alphahydroxy acid properties. You can also add the following to the paste before scrubbing: mashed papaya (high in enzymes), honey (hydrating), yogurt (exfoliating, high in vitamin A and protein) or raw egg (contains protein, vitamins and phospholipids). The fruits you can use to make a mask or exfoliating cleanser are listed below according to skin type. DRY- Apples, honeydew, pears. AVERAGE- Grapes, orange, canteloupe. OILY- Tomato, strawberries, carrot, avocado. Generally one would moisturize after scrubbing unless you are going to do a steam first.  Steaming is both cleansing and hydrating. To steam, place 2-4 tablespoons of herb into 2-3 cups of purified water. Simmer for 2-3 minutes then remove from the heat. Cover your head with a towel and put your face over the pan of hot vapors. Be careful not to burn yourself. You can reheat the mixture when it cools. Some Botanical Choices To Add When Steaming: SAGE- Firming. COMFREY- Healing (allantoin content helps to generate new cells). CHAMOMILE and YARROW- High in Azulene, giving it a blue color. Both are soothing and anti-inflammatory. They can decrease puffiness. LEMONGRASS- Astringent. PEPPERMINT- Cooling. PARSLEY- Unblocks pores and is very emollient. ROSE PETALS- Astringent, emollient and soothing. LAVENDER- Antiseptic and balancing. KELP- Mineralizing and emollient. LEMON PEEL- Astringent and unblocks pores. BERRIE LEAVES- High in Vitamin C, astringent, helps calm over-active sebaceous glands. CALENDULA- Healing. After you use one or more of the ways above for purifying the skin, REVITALIZE by toning and using natural fruit acids to stimulate collagen production. Toning helps to hydrate and normalize the pH of the skin. Botanicals that make great toners are Lavender, Rose, Neroli, Calendula, Peppermint, Yarrow, Comfrey and Lemongrass. Hydrosols which are the end product of distillation make wonderful toners. They contain about 2-10% of the essential oil. The rest is the water and other plant particles from distillation. You can also make a toner by mixing a few drops of essential oil into 4-8 ounces of distilled water. A few drops of glycerine will keep the solution from separating as essential oils tend to float on the surface of water otherwise. Another popular toner can be made by infusing 1/2 ounce of botanicals in 1 cup of organic apple cider vinegar. Set this mixure in a clean jar for a week or more and give it a shake once in a while. Once completed strain the contents and dilute with 1 cup water. This can be stored in the refrigerator. The juice of cranberries make a good toner and you can add a few drops of thyme oil (linalol type) for acne conditions. Organic Green Tea (2 tsp.) steeped for 10 minues in 1/2 cup water, then cooled also makes a good toner that is especially good for oily skin. Finally, REPLENISH, by using base oils, essential oils or foods to hydrate and nourish the skin. SKIN TYPES AND BASE OILS: DRY- Almond, Olive, White Camelia (hydrating), Shea Butter (softening), Rosa Mosqueta (rose hip from the Chilean rose to decrease free radical damage). OILY- Sesame, Sunflower, Corn and Safflower. MATURE- Avocado. You can also read more information about base oils and their attributes on my web pages at http://community.webtv.net/essentialhealth/AROMATHERAPY SKIN TYPES AND ESSENTIAL OILS: NORMAL- Jasmine, Rose, Lavender, Chamomile and Myrtle. DRY- Sandalwood, Geranium, Rosewood, Ylang Ylang, Carrot Seed and Helichrysum. OILY- Cypress, Niauoli, Lemongrass, Basil, Tea Tree and **Lemon to balance sebum. MATURE- Rose, Neroli, Myrrh, Sage, Frankincense, Lavender and Rosemary (borneal-verbenone). ACNE- Lavender, Thyme (linalol type), Neroli, Lemon Verbena or Melissa, Tea Tree (in small amounts) and Eucalyptus Radiata. ** CAUTION: CITRUS OILS can cause photosensitivity and may lead to discoloration of skin with sun exposure. See the above information on foods to add to your replenishing mixtures. Of course if you do not use the mixture right away you will have to refrigerate. These do not last long. I hope this information has given you some fun and creative ideas on how to create your own skin care products. Experiment and make quality products that will be free of chemicals and toxins for yourself and to share with others. They make wonderful heartfelt gifts. Give it a try, it's easy. You WILL see the difference. FYI: I have been making a wonderful blend of base oils, essential oils and antioxidant supplements for years now. I enjoy using it on my face and neck. I have found it to work as a sunscreen, conditioner, moisturizer and firming agent. I call it Simple Elegance Replenishing Skin Serum. The base oils I use have been infused with flowers from my own gardens here in Hawaii. It has aloe, shea butter and many of the anti-oxidants suggested in these pages for repair and reduction of free radical damage. Many essential oils are added to help the skin PURIFY, REVITALIZE and REPLENISH. The formula has proven to be helpful for all skin types and I have had nothing but praise for how well it feels, smells, moisturizes and protects. Another good thing, it costs a fraction of what most serums on the market today cost. Made in small batches, WITHOUT the addition of synthetic and toxic chemicals, it has been well received. If you look at your cosmetic and skin care product labels you will most likely see that many of these well-known and highly-priced products contain a long list of synthetic and toxic chemicals. For more information or questions about Simple Elegance Replenishing Skin Serum contact me at essentialhealth@webtv.net. Please refer to my webpages at http://community.webtv.net/essentialhealth/ENVIRONMENTALTOXINS to be reminded why using non-toxic products is so important. For more information about making your own personal care products you might enjoy checking out these two awesome books. • KITCHEN COSEMETICS: Using herbs, fruit and flowers for natural body care by Jeanne Rose • AROMATHERAPY AND YOU: A guide to natural skin care by Alexandra Avery copyright 2003 HOMEPAGE

AN UP CLOSE LOOK AT WHAT IS IN YOUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS, HOME AND GARDEN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS: ANTI-PERSPIRANTS AND DEORDORANTS: Anti-perspirants contain ALUMINUM CHLOROHYDRATE, which blocks sweat glands and prevents wetness. The possible build up of this chemical may be a cause in Alzheimer's disease. If the deodorant or anti-perspirant you use is an aerosol the problem is worsened as particles are easily inhaled and are propelled from the optic nerve directly to the brain where they can cross the blood brain barrier.   Another problem is that these aluminum salts create estrogen-like effects on the growth of cancer cells. Especially in vulnerable tissues of the armpits, where there may be nicks and opening from shaving.   Deodorants that are not necessarily anti-perspirants may contain TRICLOSAN, a bacteria killing agent that can lead to liver damage.   Replace toxic Deodorants and Anti-perspirants with safe alternatives. You can use baking soda that you put into a powder tin and apply with a powder puff or cornstarch that you have mixed in 6–10 drops of Essential Oils of sage, and/or lemon, of course you can use other oils if you choose. Or mix your choice of Essential Oils into 8 ounces of filtered water you have placed in a mister/spray bottle and add a drop of vegetable glycerin to help the mixture emulsify. Spray under arms as needed. Deodorant Crystals are also available at most Health Food store or online.   SUNSCREENS: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the USA with 1.3 million cases a year reported and a rate that is growing 6% a year. Though sun screens are meant to protect us from the cancer causing UV rays, they actually end up exposing the skin to carcinogens. These can come in the form of DEA and TEA, which can cause damaging effects on the liver and bone marrow and there can be the disruption of the endocrine system, through the effects of ingredients like BENSOPHENONE (OXYBENZONE), HOMOSALATE, OCTYL-METHOXYCINNAMATE and PARABENS.   These chemicals are not only harmful to you they are harmful to the environment, posing their treat as they enter our waterways. It is also best to avoid NANO particles as science is not exactly clear about their effects. Their very small size allows them to be more penetrative and if they prove to be harmful this would mean greater exposure.   Other damaging ingredients include ALCOHOL, which can destroy the skins pH and cause drying and MINERAL OIL, PHENOLS and PETROLATUM, all of which can increase photosensitivity of the skin, cause dryness and suffocate the pores of the skin eventually leading to enlargement of the pores.   The body needs sunlight to manufacture Vitamin D, a substance that has a protective effect over a dozen types of cancer, however, it would be best to get your sun by exposing your body to 10-15 minutes of sun once a day, in the early morning or later afternoon. During the rest of the day seek shade between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM wear a wide brim hat and light weight long sleeve shirts and pants. It is said that 1 inch of brim cuts the odds of skin cancer on the face by 10%.   Eating carotenoids, the colorful nutrient that gives foods their orange color, can help to protect you from the sun in the same way it works to help plants survive the damaging effects of the sun.   Nutrients like lycopenes, from tomatoes, and astaxanthin, from algae and spirulina, can help protect us from the suns UV rays from the inside out. Natural sunscreens include shea butter, avocado oil (best for free radical repair), sesame oil (blocking 45% of UV rays) and coconut oil (reflects radiation and cools).   Look to companies, like Aubrey Organics, for non toxic alternatives.   SOAP: Our skin is our first line of defense. Many soaps contain petroleum derived synthetic fragrances or anti-microbial agents, which are harmful to your health. Look for products without these agents to maintain the integrity of your skins immune function. Anti-microbial soaps kill all the bacteria on the skin, even those that are beneficial and protective. By using anti-microbial soaps we create a strain of resistant bacteria, as the germs begin to mutate in response to the anti-microbial agents in the soap. These anti-microbial agents can also cause liver damage.   SIMPLE SKIN CARE: Protocol includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Or PURIFY ~ REVITALIZE ~ REPLENISH as I like to say.   * Cleanse with Botanic Gold, Non-toxic soap OR a pure Castile Soap (Dr. Bronner's Baby soap makes a good cleanser and so does California Baby).  I avoid using Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds however because it contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, which you will learn more about later in this paper. I like the Botanic Gold best as it only has botanical proteins, minerals and enzymes from various seeds, leaves and other plant parts.   Once a week use a simple exfoliating scrub which can be made with organic oats, almonds and dried flowers. Mix 2/3's cup of finely ground almonds with 1 cup of ground oats and add powdered flowers of your choice. Rose, lavender, chamomile and /or calendula make good choices.  Or use these flowers in the form of several drops of their Essential Oil.   This formula can double as a Facial Mask by leaving it on the skin for 10-15 minutes then washing with warm water to rinse.   Use finely ground cornmeal instead of oats and you now have an exfoliating Body Scrub.   Looking for a Salt Scrub? Easy, just mix 50 drops of Essential oils of your choice, with ¼ cup epsom salts, ½ cup of sea salt and 2 ounces of a carrier oil of your choice.   A bath can turn into a Nurturing Bath Soak by putting 6 drops of essential oil into 1 # of Epsom or other salts while the tub water is running. No tub, or time to soak, you can add a drop or two of an Essential Oil of your choice on your wash rag and wash as usual in your shower, creating your own Body Wash. Stay aware of any sensitivity you may have to Essential Oils and do a patch test if you have doubts. Remember hot oils like cinnamon, thyme, peppermint or oregano can be irritating to sensitive skin.   Facial Toners can be made simply by adding 6-10 drops of an Essential Oil of your choice to 8 ounces of filtered water or hydrosol.   A Simple Moisturizer can be created by mixing 10 drops of Essential Oil with one ounce of carrier oil such as almond, avocado, apricot and/or sesame base oils or by mixing the Essential Oils with a more solid carrier such as shea or cocoa butters that has been melted in a double boiler. More complex formulas would include adding aloe, other botanically infused base oils, vitamins and anti-oxidants. An example is my Simple Elegance Skin Serum.   For a simple Relaxing Eye Treatment to help puffy eyes, or to use after removing eye make up, place Chamomile tea bags that have been soaked in hot water and squeezed out on you eye lids. Be sure they have cooled enough. Sit with your feet up for 10 -15 minutes.   SHAMPOO/CONDITIONERS: Though our hair does not absorb toxic chemicals directly, our scalp does. During washing warm water opens up the pores so there is even greater absorption. Out of 413 shampoos, 11% had carcinogens, 17% were linked to breast cancer and a full 82% had ingredients that helped carcinogens penetrate into the body. Shampoos commonly contain FORMALDEHYDE as a preservative. Though some products with formaldehyde need to have warnings on the label, shampoos are exempt.   Other toxic chemicals in shampoos include EDTA, UREA, PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATES and PROPYLENE GLYCOL, which combine with other chemicals making them carcinogenic and SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, a sudsing agent, that can damage and disrupt cells, SELENIUM SULFIDE, found in dandruff shampoos can cause degeneration in cells if swallowed and RESORCINAOL, which is irritating to eyes is known to cause drowsiness and convulsions.   I have found that the Botanic Gold botanical cleanser, which I already mentioned, works well for shampooing, as well as Aubrey Organics products. To make a shampoo you can put Botanic Gold in a squeeze or suds pump bottle, diluted between 1:7-1: 15.   TOOTH PASTE/MOUTH WASH: Most tooth pastes include PETRO-CHEMICALS, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, that can be coal tar derivatives, FLUORIDE, which myth says protects us from tooth decay yet is dangerous in even small amounts and in larger amounts can lead to osteoporosis, cancer and nerve damage, MINERAL OIL and SWEETENERS, including SACCHARIN a substance known to cause bladder cancer. Many tooth pastes contain SODIUUM LAURYL SULFATES to promote foaming.   There are several recipes included for making ones own tooth powder from baking soda, sea salt and 3% hydrogen peroxide, using Essential Oils for flavoring and to refresh the breath. Early humans used crushed shells, bones and egg shells mixed with powdered charcoal and flavors to create tooth powder.   To create a healthy Toothpaste replacement, mix 10 drops (more or less) of Essential Oils of peppermint, oregano, myrrh and /or cinnamon with 1/2 cup of baking soda. Store it in a glass jar. Sprinkle a little on your hand and dip your moistened toothbrush into the mixture. Or mix half and half baking soda and salt. You can also add a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide, creating a foaming cleanser that will bubble away material that has lodged under the gums. You can easily do this by using an eye dropper to put a few drops on your brush at the time of brushing.   When you eat a balanced diet with includes a lot of chewing and raw foods your saliva remains alkaline and this helps to re-mineralize teeth and keeps plaque from sticking to the teeth.   Many mouth washes used today boost that they kill bacteria, often using a dangerous chemical called TRICLOSAN, a broad spectrum anti–microbial that kills all bacteria, even the helpful bacteria in the mouth needed to start the digestive process. It is far better to prevent bad breath by eating cleanly and by brushing and flossing regularly then using harmful mouth washes.   A simple Mouth Wash can be created by putting one or two drops of an Essential Oil of your choice into a glass of water and swishing and gargling. Thyme, cinnamon, peppermint and myrrh make good choices.   HAIR DYES: Twenty two million American women and one in eight men use hair dye according to a consumer report. At least twenty chemicals are used in these dyes and most are carcinogenic. Studies of long term use have shown an increased risk of non-hodgkins lymphoma and multiple myelomas. A study from Xavier University in Louisiana showed the lead content in some dyes as being higher than the allowable level in paints. Lead is a carcinogen and hormone disruptor. Non permanent dyes are better than permanent dyes and lighter shades are healthier than darker shades. In non permanent brands there are P-PHENYLENEDIAMINES which can cause cell irritation. Even natural and non permanent brands can have this toxic chemical. Henna is a safe alternative to hair coloring and many botanicals can shade the hair though I have never seen them do a very good job at coloring gray hair. They also wash out over time, usually in a gentle way so there is no "roots" to contend with as in permanent coloring. Some brands that contain henna and botanicals include Lagona, Surya Brasil and Light Mountain.   HAIR SPRAYS: A number of chemicals including PHTHALATES are found in hair spray. What makes it more dangerous is that the particles are in an airborne mist that makes them more easily absorbed into the blood via the lungs. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors and especially seem to decrease the semen count in men that use them.   COSMETIC CATEGORY: As we already mentioned cosmetics are on the body for hours and can be absorbed easily as they are used in fragile areas of the body - areas where mucous membranes have a direct access to blood vessels that take their ingredients directly into the body. You can now find safe cosmetic alternatives from companies such as Ecco Bella, Burt's Bees and Dr. Andrew Weil's, Origins.   1. LIPSTICK is the most toxic of the cosmetics, containing POLY VINYLPYRROLIDIDON PLASTIC, SACCHARIN, MINERAL OIL and ARTIFICAL COLORS. Glamour magazine states that the average woman who wears lipstick swallows 4 to 9 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime.   2. MASCARA contains FORMALDEHYDE, ALCOHOL, PLASTIC RESIN and sometimes LEAD, all entering through the mucous membranes of the eyes.   3. EYE SHADOWS, BLUSH and FACE POWDER are made from talc which is irritating to the lungs and can sometimes be contaminated with asbestos. Alternatively you can use safe products which use colored clays and natural waxes.   4. PERFUMES and AFTERSHAVES contain a soup of SOLVENTS, NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC ESSENTIAL OILS IN A BASE OF ALCOHOL. These fragrance products can include TOLUENE, KETONES and other HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES. Ninety five percent of the ingredients in perfumes are PETRO-CHEMICAL derived and are notorious for causing skin irritation, headaches and nausea.   A safer alternative is to stick with Essential Oils or Botanical Fragrances. You can blend several oils together to make your own personal scent and put them in a base of jojoba oil as a carrier, or create a mist.   5. FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS consist of tampons and napkins. Many of these products are made from rayon, a PETRO-CHEMICAL based fiber, or cotton which has high levels of PESTICIDES when it is not organically grown. These products are often bleached with DIOXIN (TETRACHLORODIBENZO DIOXIN or TCDD) which is considered a very dangerous chemical even if only small amount are present. Remember these particles are next to fragile mucous membranes and can be easily absorbed by the body and taken directly into the blood stream. Unbleached dioxin-free products are available. If you can not find them you can check with www.seventhgeneration.com This page includes some of the most common products we use everyday on our bodies, however, what about the products we have in our homes and gardens. These also have an impact on our health. THE TOXIC WASTELAND YOU CALL HOME:   It is better to clean with green products, as many household cleaning products have toxic chemicals that can negatively affect the central nervous system and/or cause allergic reactions, irritating the skin, lungs and eyes.   LAUNDRY SOAPS are well known for causing allergic reactions. Just go down the household cleanser aisle at the grocery store and you can feel the effects of these products. Safe alternatives include Botanic Gold in a 1:3 dilution of Ecover and other non toxic brands.   A Wash for Delicate Clothes can be made by adding 10 drops of rosemary Essential Oil to ½ cup of liquid castile soap or Botanic Gold that is in a 1:3 dilution. Keep stored in a glass jar and use ½ teaspoon to a sink filled with water to wash your delicate pieces.    A few drops of an Essential Oil of your choice works well on a handkerchief that can be added to the clothes in your dryer to replace commercial, often toxin laden, Dryer Sheets, which can contain CHLOROFORM, CHLORINE and BROAD SPECTRUM ANTI-MICROBIALS.   ALL PURPOSE CLEANSERS often contain CHLORINATED PHOSPHATES, DRY BLEACH, KEROSENE, PETROLEUM BASED SURFACTANTS, SODIUM BROMIDE, GLYCOL ETHER, EDTA and NAPHTHA which are all toxic to the central nervous system and can lead to symptoms such as headache, brain fog and mental illness.   For healthier choices, use Botanic Gold, non-toxic soap as an All Purpose Non-Toxic Household Cleanser in a 1:3 dilution or create your own cleanser. To do this mix 1 teaspoon of borax with 4 tablespoons of white vinegar, ¼ teaspoon of liquid castile soap, 3 cups of hot water and 10 drops of tea tree, pine, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, patchouli or thyme Essential Oils.   BLEACH contains concentrated CHLORINE, a broad spectrum anti-microbial which kills good bacteria, as well as harmful bacteria, and breeds new strains of resistant bacteria because it is over used. It also forms harmful ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS that are stored in the fat and can enter breast milk.   Specifically on Floors you can use 2 gallons of hot water in which you have mixed 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap, 2 cups of white vinegar and 20 drops of two (or more) of your favorite Essential Oils -  pine, eucalyptus, orange or lemon work well.   A simple WOOD CLEANER and POLISHER can be made by mixing 2 tablespoons of distilled vinegar (optional) with 5 drops of orange and/or cedar oil in ¼ cup of jojoba, olive and/or sweet almond oil. Jojoba is really a wax so it won't go rancid like the other oils can. Dip your dust cloth into the mix and rub into your wood surface. Vinegar can be added for cleaning and polishing, otherwise the mix is more polishing and conditioning.   Make an OVEN CLEANER by mixing baking soda and water with a few drops of liquid soap in a spray bottle. Spray on the oven and let sit over night. Rinse in the morning.   A SOFT SCRUB can be made by mixing ¼ cup of baking soda with 1 -2 drops of lemon Essential Oil with enough liquid castile soap to make a paste (it will be the consistency of cake frosting).   A TOILET BOWL CLEANER can be made by adding 1 cup of borax to your toilet bowl with 10 drops of pine Essential Oil, let sit overnight and scrub with a toilet brush in the morning.   GLASS CLEANERS can have SOLVENTS such as BENZENE, which is known to cause cancer, AMMONIA and BUTYL CELLUSOLVE, which is very toxic to humans.   A non toxic window cleaner can be made by using a 1:62 dilution of Botanic Gold and water or use white vinegar mixed with water.   DISHWASHING SOAPS can be loaded with PETROLEUM BASED SURFACTANTS, NAPHTHA, which is a neurotoxin that can cause mental malfunctions, DIETHANOLAMINE PHOSPHATES, which can lead to liver poisoning, SODIUM NITRATES and CHLOR-O-PHENYLPHENOL, which is a metabolic stimulator.   You can find safe alternatives from Ecover and Seventh Generation and a 1:3 dilution of Botanic Gold and water works as well.   Besides the household cleaners we use, there are also toxins blasting us from our furniture, mattresses, carpeting and building materials. PARTICLE BOARD furniture out-gasses toxic fumes of PETROLEUM BASED GLUES and FORMALDEHYDE.   Remove these toxic items if you can or at least be sure to adequately ventilate the rooms they are in. Choose furniture made from sustainably grown solid wood (Smart Wood, Green Cross Label), glass or metal. If you can not replace your furniture, then seal the wood with a non toxic sealer such as Crystal Air available from www.nontoxic.com or be sure to filter your air.   An instant AIR FRESHENING can be accomplished by placing a couple of drops of an Essential Oil of your choice to your cold light bulb then turning it on or using an electric or ceramic diffuser. A drop or two of your favorite Essential Oil on a cotton ball works well to. You can also make a spray bottle with 6-10 drops of an essential oil of ice   UPHOLSTERY and PILLOWS can contain POLYURETHANE FOAM PLASTIC filling and FORMALDEHYDE RESIN to resist stains on the fabric. Just adding this toxic furniture to an empty room can triple the FORMALDEHYDE levels. Look for furniture older than 50 years old as it does not have these chemicals.   Most CARPETS are made from SYNTHETIC FIBERS and can emit 120 hazardous chemicals. These include neurotoxins such as TOULENE, XYLENE and carcinogens such as BENZENE. The padding and backing on these carpets are even more hazardous and many times they are treated with various repellants that are toxins as well. Carpets also trap toxic chemicals out-gassing in the air from your furniture and other items.   Replace PLASTIC VINYL shower curtains with tightly woven cotton. The heat from showering will increase the amount of vapor particles that enter your lungs from these fabrics. They are a source of PHTHALATES.   PAINTS are made from RESINS and SOLVENTS. The most hazardous ingredients in these SOLVENTS are called VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC'S). They are found more in oil based paints than water based paints. They can affect the central nervous system, causing dizziness, headache, breathing difficulties and vomiting. These gases can out-gas for years. There are non VOC paints available, so look for them. Check the references above for healthy building materials. THE TOXIC GARDEN:   PESTICIDES and HERBICIDES in your garden are a health hazard to you and the environment, so it is very important to use organic products in your yard to protect yourself, your family and the earth.   The typical suburban homeowners use 6 times the PESTICIDES and SYNTHETIC FERTILIZERS per acre in order to keep their lawns, as compared to a non-organic farmer, according to the Organic Center. The USA consumes one-third of all pesticides used in the world. Another shocking statistic states that 20% of all air pollution is caused by power equipment used on lawns and gardens and a power mower emits more exhaust in ½ hour than a car driven 187 miles   A National Cancer Institute study stated, children who live in households where outside pesticides were used regularly developed leukemia six to nine times more than others. When inside pesticides were used the figure was four-fold higher. Pesticide poisoning is the 2nd most common household poisoning in the USA, with 2.5 million poisonings a year by ant, roach, fly and insect repellants. Of the 1400 active pesticide ingredients available more than 100 are known to cause cancer. The worst of these are CHLORPYRIFOS, DIAZINON, BANVEL, BENOMYL and DACONIL.   It is far better to utilize techniques such as companion planting and the introduction of beneficial predators in the garden, rather than relying on toxic chemicals. Should your plants be infested, a 1:62 dilution of BOTANIC GOLD soap sprayed on the plants will often omit the problem. However, a healthy well balanced soil will do the most to create plants that can resist infestation. Use common sense when gardening and do what you can to keep toxins out.   Start anywhere, just start, and you will see how easy these healthy choices are to add into your routine personal and household cleaning routines, as well as your gardening. Be Wise and Stay Healthy! copyright HOMEPAGE

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