Tiny Bubbles

Ever wonder what makes your toothpaste, shampoo or liquid soap bubble? It's a toxic chemical called sodium lauryl sulfate, and it can cause eye irritations, dry hair, hair loss and allergic reactions. When mixed with other commonly used chemicals in cosmetic products, it causes the formation of nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. The chemicals that can combine to form these cancer causing substances are TEA (triethanolamine), DEA (diethanolamine), or MEA (monoethanolamine). Although sodium lauryl sulfate is not considered a carcinogen, it is a suspected liver and gastrointestinal toxicant, and it is regulated as a pesticide!

If you must use products containing this harmful chemical, you can add Vitamins A, C and E to your sudsy concoction. They are antioxidants and will help protect you from the nitrosamine contamination that forms with this chemical combination. In "Better Basics for the Home", Annie Berthold-Bond suggests adding the following to any 8 ounces of cream or oil: 1 teaspoon of Vitamin C powder, 1/4 teaspoon of Vitamin A powder, and 1 tablespoon of Wheat Germ Oil (for the Vitamin E). This combination is also useful for naturally preserving your homemade cosmetics.

Another option is to make your own shampoos and soaps, which can be fun and a great way to make the products you want and catered to your body. A book which I absolutely recommend for making your own cosmetics is "Better Basics for the Home", by Annie Berthold-Bond. The author also has a fabulous website called "Care 2", which I receive periodic emails in regards to all things green.

Yet another way to avoid those sudsing substances is to buy from cosmetic lines that avoid using them, and instead use herbs and coconut oils as a base. One brand that I like for shampoo is Aubrey Organics, which you can find in any health food store or online. Other brands are Kiss My Face, Logona and Real Purity. For toothpaste, I choose Weleda, but other options include Tom's of Maine, which uses a sodium lauryl sulfate derived from coconut instead of petroleum, and The Natural Dentist. Once again, these products are available online, as well as, many health food stores and grocery stores across the country.

So, suds up, but do it safely and the green way. Save those bubbles for your next celebration and make a toast to your health!

Here's to you!
Clearskies

Photo courtesy of: http://www.pdphoto.org/index.php

Aloe-nature's medicine

Succulent and tropical, Aloe Vera is one of nature's medicinal plants. It can be used internally and externally to treat numerous common ailments. The properties of the aloe vera plant include: antifungal, antiseptic, cooling, soothing, and cleansing, especially to the liver, stomach, spleen, kidneys and bladder. The ancient Greeks used the aloe and there are approximately 200 species of this cactus-like plant in Africa. It grows wild in Florida and makes a great household plant.

The uses for aloe include: sunburn, cuts that are infected, ringworm, shingles, acne, wrinkles, burns, dry or itchy skin, insect bites, over exposure to x-ray, eczema, sore gums and candida or thrush. Many people take the juice of the aloe internally to aid in digestion, organ support and to treat irritable bowel syndrome. The juice can be purchased at any health food store or online. Lily of the Valley offers a wonderful organic Aloe Vera Juice that is preservative free. Aloe Vera juice can be used as part of your daily regime to keep your body healthy and strong. Caution should be used if you are pregnant as the aloe can cause laxative effects.

Aloe Vera is also utilized in cosmetics due to its healing effects on the skin. The versatility of the aloe vera plant has been known for centuries and is just another of nature's wonderful remedies for what ails you.

Be well!

ClearSkies