I have a confession to make. The only perfume I have ever worn since I was 15 years old is Oscar de la Renta. I have tried others but this one was perfect for me. When I was a senior in high school my boyfriend was a freshman in college and all the guys in his dorm knew when I was over...my essence lingered in the halls.
As a young girl I had a lot of allergies so my doctor put me on a perscription medicine to help my allergies. It worked for a while; it was only when I started wearing perfume that my allergies go worse. Almost immediately after I stopped wearing my beloved Oscar, my allergies cleared up. My immune system couldn't take the chemical cocktail that I was spraying on my body daily. Let me be clear, I still love Oscar and on occassion I still love to wear it. And yes, I still suffer sneezing and a plugged up nose when I wear it. I am not singling out this particular fragrance, they all have this effect.
Yesterday I dropped off something at a friend's house and our conversation meandered to the adverse effects of artificial fragrances. We were talking about allergies and how when I was younger I used to take an over the counter allergy medicine, I took it for 10 years! My naturopath helped my allergies and I have been relatively allergy free for the last 15 years. I now have a natural regiment for an allergy out break. I have learned to avoid synthetic fragrances in all aspects of my life.
Synthetic fragrances are everywhere; they are in soap, household cleansers, personal care products, candles, room scents, aerasol odor controlers, industrial cleaners, etc. I think the most used fragrance is in the laundry, the scented laundry detergent and the scented dryer sheets. When I stay over at someone's house that I know uses fragrance cleansers I bring my own towels so that I avoid the allergic reaction. If you want to scent your laundry place your favorite herb, like lavender in a muslim bag add a few drops of lavender essential oil and place in the dryer with your clothes. The clothes smell fresh and clean but not overpowering.
Read on to help you replace the synthetic fragrances in your life.
Replacing Your Artificial Fragrances
The world is a smelly place. There's the scent of our own bodies, of bread rising and spaghetti sauce cooking on the stove; the smell of rain and dirt, of exhaust and garbage; the aroma of evergreens on a woodsy path and low tide at the shore. Quietly, invisibly, these smells come into us, stirring up feelings and memories, alerting us to dangers or pleasures, and subtly altering our moods.
"Smell and emotion are intensely, intimately connected," says Brown University psychology professor Rachel Herz, Ph.D., author of The Scent of Desire, who notes that the two interact (along with memory) in an ancient region of the brain known as the limbic system.
But it's not just the natural aromas -- the crackling campfires, the blooming roses -- that influences. The "clean" smell of Tide or the "fresh" scent of faux-pine floor wax can elicit equally powerful feelings. Indeed, manufacturers add synthetic fragrance to everything from hair conditioner to clothing and even packaging in the hopes of soothing, exciting, or otherwise seducing us into picking products off store shelves. "In the past two decades," affirms Rebecca Sutton, Ph.D., an environmental chemist with the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit research organization, "production and use of fragrance has increased dramatically worldwide."
Unfortunately, that's not necessarily a good thing. Experts' concerns about the proliferation of fragrances have to do with their potential effects on our health: With an estimated 3,000-plus chemicals, mostly synthetic, used in the manufacture of artificial fragrances, "repeated exposures over a lifetime are creating a toxic soup in our bodies," says Sutton. The extent to which these exposures harm us is not known for certain, she adds, "because there's little regulation, and these substances don't necessarily get tested."
We'll never go back to a time when all smells emanate from the natural world. But that doesn't mean you can't limit what has become a deluge of chemical scents. To that end, we'll show you how to be savvy about fragrances and transition to unscented or botanically scented products -- some of which might even benefit your well-being.
Unregulated, Untested, Unlabled
Skin allergies are the most common and most proven adverse reactions to synthetic fragrances. Researchers in dermatology have labeled fragrance among the top five allergens, causing topical reactions like contact dermatitis.
But the health effects of synthetic fragrance may be more than skin deep. When we breathe in an odor, the lungs and the skin take in the molecules carrying the scent. From these two major absorption pathways, those molecules can enter the bloodstream and find their way to other parts of the body, where they may pose harm. "Studies are showing that some key ingredients in fragrance mixes have harmful effects -- on lab animals, and also on humans," says Sutton. Some synthetic fragrance ingredients may exacerbate asthma, for instance, while others can cause a range of problems in the immune, reproductive, and central nervous systems.
Synthetic musks, for instance -- widely used in perfumes, deodorants, and detergents -- have been linked to cancer. They can bioaccumulate, or store themselves in the body, and have been found in breast milk, which means that nursing infants ingest them. Research indicates that these musks don't biodegrade; they've been found polluting watersheds and the plants and animals that live there. Another worrisome class of chemicals, phthalates, are often used in fragrance because they allow the smell to last longer. They have been linked to changes in the reproductive and endocrine systems as well as in the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands.
To make matters worse, these ingredients don't have to be listed on labels. Household products like laundry detergent and glass cleaner aren't required to list ingredients at all. And while the law requires cosmetic and other personal-care companies to list chemical ingredients on their products, a loophole allows them to use the catch-all term "fragrance" without having to describe what's in it. "The word ���fragrance' includes chemicals that haven't been tested for safety," explains Sutton. "We are basically conducting a big experiment on ourselves."
The FDA has banned only a handful of ingredients in personal-care products -- none of them related to scent. The fragrance industry essentially regulates itself, deciding which chemicals it considers hazardous. Some manufacturers have voluntarily stopped using phthalates, for instance, but many others continue to use them; in 2002 the EWG tested 72 personal-care products and found phthalates in 75 percent. Certain companies have dropped some synthetic musks, but still widely use others. Without adequate federal regulation, says Sutton, "we're leaving our health in the hands of the manufacturers."
Scent Makeover 101
To put your health back into your own hands, at least in regard to fragrance, you have two options. The first is to use fragrance-free products -- the best choice if you have chemical sensitivity, allergies, or a tendency to react to natural plant fragrances. Note, however, that marketing claims such as "unscented" and "fragrance-free" aren't bound by law to hold true, explains Sutton. (She recently turned over a box of so-called "unscented" baby wipes only to find "fragrance" listed in fine print.) For household products, stick with brands that list ingredients (they're not required by law to do so). "Many manufacturers of green housekeeping products disclose all the ingredients they use," says Sutton, "because they need to show they're not using chemicals that could harm us."
The second option is to choose home and beauty products scented the old-fashioned way: with flowers and leaves, stems, and other plant parts. Essential oils (EOs), the potent, super-concentrated compounds derived from distilling botanicals, have been used for centuries to scent the body and the home, while subtly altering our emotional and physical state. "Just inhaling the scent of lavender or rose can de-stress you," offers clinical aromatherapist Mindy Green, coauthor of Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art. "And de-stressing, as we know, has health benefits including improved immune and circulatory systems."
The EWG doesn't let plant fragrances off the hook in terms of safety, asserting that they, too, should be tested before being used in products. But many have a long history of safe use, and they aren't composed of the nefarious chemicals so abundant in artificial fragrances. (For allergy reasons, always patch-test before use; pregnant or nursing women and anyone with an illness should consult a medical and/or aromatherapy professional before using these potent scents.)
To understand how plant-derived scents may benefit our mental and physical health, we return to the limbic region of the brain. Here, scents interact with the neuroendocrine system, triggering psychological and physiological responses. "Just through smelling an essential oil, you can feel uplifted, down, or otherwise have your mood change," says medical herbalist Peter Holmes. Smells also get mixed up with memories and emotions, linking past and present. "If a scent reminds us of a happy memory, we instantly relax," explains Green.
But it's not simply a matter of personal association. Aromatherapists have identified hundreds of plant scents that have tendencies to relax, uplift, or energize most people, and recent scientific studies bear this out. Sandalwood, for instance, traditionally used in the building of temples in India and in rituals in other Eastern religions, is thought to induce a meditative state; animal research confirms that its chemical properties can indeed relax and sedate the central nervous system. Another study found that inhaling the scent of rose essential oil helped induce lower adrenaline concentrations in the bloodstream.
For a growing number of people, plant-derived aromas provide a safe and seductive way to sidestep the health pitfalls of synthetic fragrance. But whether you seek out natural scents or try to avoid added scent altogether (even the plant-based variety), you'll be doing your health a big favor -- and reawakening your senses to the aromas enlivening the natural world.
Contributor Frances Lefkowitz is at work on a memoir, How to Have Not. She lives in northern California.
From: body + soul (March 2008)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Healing Hands for Everyday
Rough hands are a dead give away of age. Did you know that the skin on the back of your hands is as delicate as the skin on your face? And yet at times we do not always treat our hands very well; we garden, we wash dishes and we scrub floors, some of us sculpt and paint while others are musicians. Sometimes we wear gloves to protect our hands and sometimes we do not.
The hands are used everyday for healing; whether it is the nurse taking your vitals, the chiropractor making corrective adjustments, the massage therapist working out the stress in your muscles or the Reiki practioner doing energy work on your body, our hands are energy centers. Sense your own energy center by lightly rubbing your hands together and then concentrate on feeling the energy in your hands and fingers.
Take a few moments to think of how you use your hands daily for healing; brushing your childs hair, caressing a loved one, preparing your family meals, cleansing your skin, sewing, knitting, quilting, felting, sculpting, painting, typing, the list goes on. Have you ever had someone tell you that your hands are really rough and scratchy? It can be hard to be the recipient of a touch of someone with rough hands.
To keep hands smooth use products with rich and emollient ingredients such as cocoa butter, shea butter, avocado oil, olive oil, vitamin e. Make sure that products are alcohol free. Listed below are a few of the healing properties of these emollient ingredients.
Cocoa Butter provides a protective layer that holds moisture to the skin, making it a soothing emollient to soften skin. Shea Butter is high in anti-oxidants and skin nourishing properties, this butter also provides natural protection from harmful UV rays. Avocado Oil has a very high content of vitamin a and vitamin e, potassium, rich in proteins and fatty acids. Great nourishing properties needed to treat dry, dehydrated or damaged skin. This oil is known to regenerate cells and soften body tissue. Olive Oil attracts external moisture while holding the moisture close to the skin to prevent loss of internal moisture. Olive oil does not block the natural functions of the skin. Vitamin E is an oil soluble and deep moisturizing vitamin with excellent anti-oxidant properties.
To experience your own hand rejuvenation click on the link below to try our wonderful Rough Skin Cream.
Rough Skin Cream
Friday, October 16, 2009
Oils of the gods to protect
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years; ancient peoples knew of their healing properties. These aromatics were some of the most prized possessions in the ancient world. The Egyptians were the first to recognize the theraputic properties of many oils. They created personal fragrances, used them in ritualistic ceremonies, and had herbal prescriptions and remedies documented. Did you know that when Tutankhamen's tomb was opened in 1922 they found 350 liters of plant oils, perfectly preserved in alabaster jars with plant wax seals? These oils were equivalent to gold and silver in today's world.
The Romans were fond of soaking in oil scented baths. It was the ancient Arabians who developed and refined the distillation process of creating essential oils. In the 12th century during the plaque in Europe a band of thieves was caught robbing the dead and never got infected. At trial these thieves disclosed that they were perfurmers and spice traders and had rubbed themselves with aromatics (cinnamon, clove and oregano), which helped to protect them.
With the all the talk of colds and flus this time of year, creating a room spray will help to keep you well. When essential oils are sprayed in the air, certain compounds in the oils combine with oxygen to increase the oil's antiseptic properties. A combination of clove, lemon, cinnamon and eucalyptus is a very effective anti-bacterial.
I also like creating a throat spray of 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup fresh (strained) lemon juice, 15 drops of lemon essential oil and 5 drops peppermint oil. Place in a spray bottle, shake well and gently spray into your throat.
Do you want to know more about essential oils and natural skin care and health remedies? Ask me your question...I would love to answer!
Stay well!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Feeling age
Have you ever woke up in the morning and looked in the mirror and didn't like what you saw? Well I did this morning. I looked old and felt ugly. As the morning went on I realized that I haven't been drinking enough water.
Look younger - drinking water hydrates your skin
When the skin is properly hydrated, it looks plump and more radiant. Water will keep the toxins flushed out and help you to cool off through perspiration. Muscles need to have enough water to make them look full too. Deprive yourself of water and you’ll see the difference in the mirror.
Combat ailments by drinking more water
In many cases, fatigue, headaches and back pain may be caused by dehydration. If you suffer from an afternoon nod off, try drinking more water at lunch. If you or your children complain of frequent headaches, the amount of water you’re drinking could be responsible. And, muscle spasms are also caused by not being adequately hydrated.
Excerpt from www.thedietchannel.com. Top 4 Benefits Of Drinking Water By Michele Silence, MA
As we age we tend to ignore our bodies and therefore do not sense our thirst as much. A good plan is to start with drinking a glass of water every hour or an ounce of water for half our body weight. If you weight 150 lbs you would want to drink 75 ounces of water a day, that is only 10 - 8 oz glasses. Reach for the water instead of the coffee or soda, your body will thank you for it!
Look younger - drinking water hydrates your skin
When the skin is properly hydrated, it looks plump and more radiant. Water will keep the toxins flushed out and help you to cool off through perspiration. Muscles need to have enough water to make them look full too. Deprive yourself of water and you’ll see the difference in the mirror.
Combat ailments by drinking more water
In many cases, fatigue, headaches and back pain may be caused by dehydration. If you suffer from an afternoon nod off, try drinking more water at lunch. If you or your children complain of frequent headaches, the amount of water you’re drinking could be responsible. And, muscle spasms are also caused by not being adequately hydrated.
Excerpt from www.thedietchannel.com. Top 4 Benefits Of Drinking Water By Michele Silence, MA
As we age we tend to ignore our bodies and therefore do not sense our thirst as much. A good plan is to start with drinking a glass of water every hour or an ounce of water for half our body weight. If you weight 150 lbs you would want to drink 75 ounces of water a day, that is only 10 - 8 oz glasses. Reach for the water instead of the coffee or soda, your body will thank you for it!
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