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Hemp Shampoo

Organic Hemp ShampooFor many years we’ve been accustomed to use soaps and shampoos that contain chemicals that damage our skin and damage the environment. These chemicals can be so dangerous sometimes, that most manufactures have to test their products on living animals before they release these products to the market. Countless bunnies have been blinded by soap manufacturers.

However, there are alternatives. Recent years have seen a surge in organic cosmetics. Usually, these soaps, toothpastes, and make-up, are made of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, without being mixed with additional chemicals or color additives.

I want to present a natural shampoo made in Canada from organic hemp. There’s no animal fat in the ingredients — in facts, it’s even suitable for vegans. The delicate smell of the shampoo bar comes from sweet oranges, and it’s both gentle and antiseptic.

This item, along with other hemp products, and even hemp clothes, can be found at Rawganique.

Have a good scrubbing!

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M.R.S.A. Infections and Tattoos

As the practice of tattoos and similar body art becomes more and more fashionable, so does the risk of contracting skin diseases, including a serious one called Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus which often results after having a tattoo applied under unsanitary conditions. Called M.R.S.A. for short, this bacteria induced skin disease is very serious because it has been found to be resistant to known antibiotics including Methicillin, Penicillin, Amoxicillin and Cephalosporins (for those who are allergic to penicillin based antibiotics).

Though not normally life threatening, M.R.S.A. is very difficult to treat once it infects the skin and begins to form painful and ugly abscesses on the skin, often following a tattoo. A serious cause can result in complications which can cause the bacteria to enter the blood stream and eventually cause severe damage to internal organs, as well as lung diseases such as Pnueumonia. The condition can be prevented though with sanitary precautions being made before and during a tattoo session, as well as afterwards, once a person is home. A tattoo piercing causes open wounds on the skin, which take several days to heal. Following a tattoo, care must be made to cleanse the tattoo and surrounding skin areas with a skin disinfectant like the ones surgeons used prior to performing an operation. If not available, a good quality soap and alcohol based disinfectant should be used until the wound caused by the tattoo is completely healed.

Other skin infections that are possible from a tattoo include Follicolitus, an infection in the hair follicles, and impetigo, a very contagious skin infection which causes boils and abscesses similar to those caused by M.R.S.A. infections.

Recently in the 1990’s, a different type of staphylococcus infection called CA-M.R.S.A. or Community Associated M.R.S.A. infection has begun to appear which is highly contagious as well as being resistant to most antibiotics. These infections are found to be more numerous due to the popularity of tattoos and due to more and more people developing weakened immune systems as a result of virus such as HIV/AIDS. Older people as well, whose immune systems are weaker, may also be at risk of catching an M.R.S.A. caused infection.

Many people are “carriers” of M.R.S.A. bacteria and other similar infections even they themselves my not have any actual sores or other symptoms. The carrier, when having a tattoo done can then transmit the bacteria to others, including the tattoo artist, if proper sanitary precautions are not made.

So besides being a “marriage for life” a permanent, needle induced body tattoo may also give persons something more than what they previously bargained for.

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USDA Organic Certification

USDA OrganicOrganic labeling and certification for agricultural and other products is still relatively new in regards to state and national government regulatory bodies. California was one of the first U.S. states to incorporate an ‘organic law’ into its official statutes with the passing of the California Certified Organic Farm Certification Act in 1973. Other states soon followed suit, and as a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created the National Organic Production Act in 1990, resulting in the government body known as the National Organic Program (NOP). The NOP, through a network of national organic certification agents, regulations and policies has created a national standard for certified organic products: USDA Organic.

Agricultural products, in order to bear the USDA Organic certification label, must meet certain criteria in order to be considered as ‘100% organic‘. Regarding meat production, organic meat and meat products must come from animals and poultry that have been raised outdoors on natural feed sources. The term ‘range fed cattle’ and ‘free running poultry’ means exactly what the terms imply; i.e. not confined to cages or feed lots, and not fed vitamin or antibiotic enriched foods. Only pure natural food sources are allowed to be fed to these animals. Synthetic chemical additives such as growth enhancing hormones are also forbidden in organically grown animals.

Organic food products labeled as “100% Organic” by the USDA, must only contain organically produced ingredients. Another label, “95% Organic”, still allows the UDSA logo to be displayed, as most of the NOP’s organic requirements have been met. If a food product is noted to be “made with organic ingredients”, at least 70% of the product’s composition must come from organic sources. The UDSA Organic logo cannot be displayed on this food category, however.

Organic labeling is also becoming noted on soaps, shampoos and cosmetics, with the products ingredients clearly noted. Again, in order to be considered as coming from organic sources, the product must be at lest in the 70% category to be considered as “made from organic ingredients”.

Since the year 2000, more attention has been given to the subject of “green” or organic food and cosmetic production. European Union countries are still far ahead in their attention to this subject, and EU member governments even offer “green incentives” to farmers and food producers to meet strict organic standards. The benefit of this way of “green thinking” is obvious to everyone who is concerned about their overall health and well being.

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Those Miraculous Dead Sea Cosmetics

The Dead Sea, the world’s lowest point on earth, contains a vast wealth of very beneficial minerals and other products. Known for years as being very beneficial for the healing of people with a number of skin diseases (especially psoriasis and seborrhea) the sea’s mineral rich waters is often a recommended part of the treatment for these diseases; and people come from all over the world to bathe in the heavily saline waters, with a salinity content of nearly 25%. The minerals extracted from large collection pools on the sea’s southern shores are made into a number of cosmetic products and marketed worldwide. The following chart shows some of the Dead Sea’s most beneficial minerals (21 minerals are found in the lake’s waters), and the role they play in improving peoples’ health:

Potassium-Sodium: Supplies energy to skin cells
Magnesium: Activates enzymes to accelerate cell regeneration
Bromide: Soothes and treats skin ailments
Chloride: Helps balance body’s minerals
Calcium: Strengthens cell membranes and eases pain

Source: www.deadsea-cosmetics.com

A wide range of cosmetics are made from these minerals, as well as from Dead Sea salts and mud, which people either bathe in or apply to liberally to their bodies at several spas and resorts located on the lake’s shore. One of the most prominent of these companies, Dead Sea Cosmetics Inc, markets its cosmetics under the world renown Ahava line. These cosmetics, which include not only soaps, shampoos, creams, and lotions, also include containers of the Dead Sea’s original medicinal salts and mud, enabling people to benefit from the lake’s healing qualities without actually visiting there. The cosmetic products, for both men and women, also include a special line of aromatic lotions and oils, which have a special soothing and moistening effect on the skin. Some of the aromatic bath salts, for example, allow the user to feel that he is actually lying in the Dead Sea’s mineral-rich waters, while giving a pleasant aromatic scent. Those who suffer from scalp conditions, such as severe dandruff, will find Dead Sea shampoos very beneficial in controlling these conditions.

Dead Sea cosmetics can be found in many drug stores and pharmacies in Europe, the Far East, and North America. They can also be ordered directly via the Internet.

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Natural Body Care Products

Organic SoapsFor those who have experienced the pleasure and rejuvenation from being treated at a natural body care spa, it is now possible to have almost the same relaxing treatment in the privacy of one’s own home. By purchasing an ever increasing array of natural skin body, are hair care products, and together with creating an intimate atmosphere in either the bath or bedroom, you can give yourself the personal treatment that can cost hundreds of dollars at a weekend body care retreat.

For years now, many people have been abandoning commercial skin and body care products in favor or natural, organic based ones. These products, available either at health products stores, pharmacies, or via the internet, contain natural soaps, oils, herbs, and products derived from royal jelly – that mysterious substance derived from bees. For those who like to shop via the internet, a wide choice of natural body products manufacturers and suppliers are available by just clicking onto to a natural products website. If you are looking for special bath oils, soaps and shampoos, for example, you can find them on the web, with all the most natural and exotic ingredients imaginable. Shampoos containing soy extracts, rosemary and birch leaf oil, lavender, and natural vitamins and minerals will not only give your hair a much more natural feeling, but will help prevent hair loss and damage to the scalp.

Natural oils, including olive and palm oil, coca bean butter and oil, and jojoba bean oils, help restore your skin cells and even helps to prevent aging. Even products that Grandmothers used to swear by, such as eggs, natural herbs (rosemary, chamomile, thyme and nettle), as well as citrus seed extracts and citric acid all have their own skin and hair rejuvenating effects.

Whether or not you have a Jacuzzi or ‘hot tub’ in you home, you can still feel like you’ve received a royal spa care treatment, by just using these natural body care products in the intimacy of your own home.

Oh, by the way, don’t forget the aromatic candles and appropriate mood music.

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Organic Soaps Shampoos and Shower Gels

Organic SoapsOrganic products not only include food and food supplements, but an exciting range of soaps, shampoos, and cleaning products as well. A wide variety of bio-friendly products are available, containing such natural ingredients as natural olive and coconut oils, jojoba oils, cocoa butter, and extracts from large variety of herbs, including basil, rosemary, thyme, etc. Once the near exclusive products of natural products specialty stores, organic soaps and cleaning products can now be found in most supermarkets and pharmacies.

Ingredients in many popular soaps and shampoos have been found to be harmful to peoples’ health, and some ingredients are even carcinogenic, or cancer causing. By substituting harmful ingredients with organic ones, people not only improve their own health and well-being, but that of the environment as well.

To give you a better idea of the benefit of ‘natural’ ingredients, some of these are noted here, together with each one’s own beneficial qualities.

Basil: known not only for a flavorful herb in many food dishes, but for its detoxifying and energizing qualities.
Cardamom: antiseptic, cleansing and invigorating
Geranium: body toning, rejuvenating and uplifting qualities
Lavender: soothing, healing and tension relieving
Lemon Grass: detoxifying, deodorizing, anti-stress relief
Pine: antiseptic and physically elevating
Rosemary: stimulating, revitalizing, illuminating

In addition to herbs, a wide variety of natural essences, many made from plants and flowers, add to the benefits received from using these products.

Virtually no modern shopping mall is without at least one bath and body soap shop selling natural soaps, bath oils, and shampoos. Soaps offered in these shops, along with their wonderful scents and colors make these stores a true “garden of earthly delights”.

Along with personal body products, the harsh, abrasive, and even dangerous compounds found in most commercial preparations are resulting in many people turning to organic home cleaning products. Though more expensive than the commercial ones, the manufacturers of these products claim that they do not contain the caustic ingredients that can today be found in even the most well known dishwashing and laundry detergents. There is still some speculation as to whether organic cleaning products are really 100% bio-friendly. But even so, a growing number of people prefer to trust these products more and more.

Organic ‘soapless soap’ products come in a wide array of colors and fragrances. Ranging from aloe vera to sea weed, these products are found in virtually every modern home. To be assured that the ingredients are indeed from organic sources, one should examine the label carefully to make sure the product does not contain various ‘additives’ usually call “red………..” or “yellow………..” to disguise various chemicals which are definitely not from organic sources.

To be sure these products meet acceptable standards, they should have the logo for Organic Standard Soil Association, or one displaying the Good Shopping Guide for Ethical Companies.

Sources: www.panzeorganics.com & www.organicsoap.net

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Our Daily Poisons and the Earth Friendly Option

Organic FoodsThey’re around you every day; and in fact you and your family use and consume products that in the long run can be just as deadly as weapons that kill and maim people in the millions. We are not referring to guns, knives, and poisons such as arsenic, cyanide or other kinds of poisons used to eradicate rodents and other kinds of pests. The products referred to here range from detergents and cleaning compounds to deodorants and cosmetics to even seemingly harmless food and beverage items.

Every time people wash their clothing in their washing machine, or their dishes in their dishwasher, they are using chemical compounds which, if used in large enough amounts can cause not only burning and severe skin irritation, but eventual cancers like melanoma. Even though some detergents may claim to be “non-toxic” or “environmentally safe” they still contain such ingredients as sodium or calcium hypocrite, or sodium tri-polyphosphate, which can become very dangerous chemical compounds if used excessively.

Cosmetic items such as lipstick, hand cream, deodorants and anti-perspirants, all contain such chemicals as aluminum chlorhydrate, propylene glycol, or BHA and coal tar dyes (both lipstick preservatives and color enhancers that are said to contain carcinogens or cancer causing compounds). Even that liquid ’soap less soap’ that most people keep in their bathrooms is so full of chemical compounds (ammonium chloride, sodium laurel sulfate, plus a number of color-dyes, fragrances, etc.) that it may be better to use old fashioned home-made hand soap, even if it contains lye and other caustic compounds.

You don’t have to go through the list of cleaning compounds or cosmetic items to find these poisons; but many food products have similar chemical compounds as well. Even that soft tub of margarine has what is called ‘trans-fat’ and is extremely bad for your heart if consumed in large quantities (many nutrition advisors claim it’s better to use pure butter than these so called “safe” cooking and spreading products.

Yes there are alternatives; and by acquiring knowledge of safer, environmental ‘earth-friendly’ products, you can protect yourselves and your families from the long term effects of these ‘lethal weapons’.

Find out more about Organic Foods, Organic Teas, and Organic Herbal Supplements.