25 replies to this topic

[alternativista]

Alternatives to deodorants/Antipersperants

 

This was on Dr. Weil's site just a little ways down from the little bit of diet advice he offers to acne suffers. I like the green tea one. Perhaps use the same diluted ACV/Green tea toner we all ought to be using.

 

• An easy solution to reducing bacteria is to splash on rubbing alcohol.
• Most commercial deodorant products contain irritating or harmful ingredients, including aluminum salts and dyes. Avoid the antiperspirant varieties. You can find better products in health-food stores, such as those containing extracts of green tea, which is antibacterial.
• If you buy "natural crystals," make sure they do not contain aluminum in any form.
• Stimulant drugs, including coffee and tea, contribute to body odor by increasing the activity of apocrine sweat glands, special glands in hairy parts of the body that produce strong-smelling, musky secretions. Try eliminating caffeine if body odor continues to be a problem.

[alternativista]

Article about the pervasiveness of petroleum-based chemicals in our bodies, primarily from topically applied cosmetics and other chemicals. Versus the benefits of coconut oil.

 

http://www.greenmedi...oleum-body-care

 

And speaking of chemicals getting into our bodies, on an episode of one of his shows, Bill Nye the Science Guy commented that they don't need to use as much formaldehyde to embalm dead bodies any more because the bodies are already full of it. Of course, he said it took twice as much 20 years ago than it does today, and it just can't be true that we are half embalmed. And this guy points out that they remove your blood when they embalm, so it would make no difference. Still, that new car smell is a bad thing. And the new paint and any other strong chemical odor.  Use low or no VOC paints and let anything else air out, in the sun if possible, until the smell is gone.

Edited by alternativista, 07 May 2013 - 05:18 PM.

[alternativista]

Article on alternatives to NSAIDs for pain. 

http://www.greenmedi...bd334b-86969685

 

1. Ginger – A 2009 study found that ginger capsules (250 mg, four times daily) were as effective as the drugs mefenamic acid and ibuprofen for relieving pain in women associated with their menstrual cycle (primary dysmenorrhea). [7]


2. Topical Arnica – A 2007 human study found that topical treatment with arnica was as effective as ibuprofen for hand osteoarthritis, but with lower incidence of side effects.[8]


3. Combination: Astaxanthin, Ginkgo biloba and Vitamin C - A 2011 animal study found this combination to be equal to or better than ibuprofen for reducing asthma-associated respiratory inflammation.[9]


4. Chinese Skullcap (baicalin) – A 2003 animal study found that a compound in Chinese skullcap known as baicalin was equipotent to ibuprofen in reducing pain.[10]


5. Omega-3 fatty acids: A 2006 human study found that omega-3 fatty acids (between 1200-2400 mg daily) were as effective as ibuprofen in reducing arthritis pain, but with the added benefit of having less side effects.[11]


6. Panax Ginseng – A 2008 animal study found that panax ginseng had analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity similar to ibuprofen, indicating its possible anti-rheumatoid arthritis properties.[12]


7. St. John’s Wort – A 2004 animal study found that St. John’s wort was twice as effective as ibuprofen as a pain-killer.[13]


8. Anthrocyanins from Sweet Cherries & Raspberries – A 2001 study cell study found that anthrocyanins extracted from raspberries and sweet cherries were as effective as ibuprofen and naproxen at suppressing the inflammation-associated enzyme known as cyclooxygenase-1 and 2.[14]


9. Holy Basil – A 2000 study found that holy basil contains compounds with anti-inflammatory activity comparable to ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin.[15]


10. Olive Oil (oleocanthal) – a compound found within olive oil known as oleocanthal has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen.[16]

 

And they left off capcaicin.  aka hot chillies.  I mix cayenne with aloe vera for sore muscles. And I inhale a dab for my stuffy nose.

[alternativista]

I'm announcing that I am going 'no poo' as they tend to call the Baking soda wash, ACV rinse method.  No shampoo and no conditioner.  (I haven't used soap on my face and body for years) 

 

My last 3 'shampoos' have been using this method.  About one tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of water to wash.  And one tablespoon ACV to one cup water as a leave on conditioner. Currently I wash about every 3 days. I shall report if I start to need this less and less.

 

I still currently dye my hair with a no ammonia semi-permanent color (natural Instincts) and afterwards use the conditioner it comes with. That would be once per month.  I was hesitant to try the baking soda afraid it would strip the color, but I've read so many people swear it didn't. At least, less than the commercial sudsy shampoos. Someday I'll try henna.

 

Oh, and money saving, environment helping hair dye tip - Once you've dyed your hair your desired color, you should only do the roots from then on.  So instead of mixing the whole bottle and pouring the leftovers down the drain, go to a beauty supply and get an applicator bottle with the measurements on it.  Most dyes are one to one color and activator or whatever.  They usually are 2 ounces each. So just pour one ounce each into your applicator bottle and save the rest for next month.   Next month, you can use the bottle that came in the box.

Edited by alternativista, 30 May 2013 - 05:31 PM.

[alternativista]

Avoid antibacterial cleansers of any kind.

 

The obsession with avoiding and killing all microbes you come in contact with is one of the biggest reasons people these days have such poor immune systems and are filled with allergies that were unheard of when I was a kid. And the bacteria are evolving and becoming stronger as only the strongest survive the antibacterial soaps and they are the ones that multiply. Antibacterial soaps are why we now have antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria including one that causes such a severe infection in people with poor immune systems that it kills half the people who get it.  They call it CRE. The 'C' in CRE stands for the name of the most powerful/best antibiotic we have.  The 'R' stands for resistant.  So, if your immune system can't fight off this infection, there's nothing they can do for you. 

 

This doesn't just affect us, but also our environment, especially our waterways, which also suffer from overgrowth of other microbes when the bacteria should be there is destroyed. Also, our plumbing is suffering because microbes that would eat up much of the gunk in our pipes are being killed and so you get more clogs and probably dump more chemicals into the drain and thus into our water.

 

When washing hands, use ordinary soap and rub wet hands together briskly long enough to sing happy birthday twice. The friction of your hands, running water and slippery soap help wash them down the drain.

 

Most of the bacteria on your face is beneficial. You cause an imbalance by killing them and let harmful microbes grow. 

Edited by alternativista, 30 May 2013 - 05:30 PM.

[alternativista]

Good blog. This post is about raising healthier children but its good info foe everyone. Contains links to many recipes for making your own products. http://wellnessmama....-childs-health/

Also, I've Ben meaning to post a link to the Crunchy Betty blog. Especially big on making masks out of food, but there's all kinds of recipes for avoiding chemicals, saving money and not playing the whole consumer game. You'll have to google.

I also found some much easier ways to make laundry soap. For a liquid, which usually means cooking and a lot of work, you cut bar soap in chunks and put them in a jar with water and let sit. Eventually they'll dissolve and you can stir in the borax and such. For a powder, which usually men's grating and food processing to turn it to powder, laundry bar soap can be microwaved for a bit. It'll puff up in a weird blob, but when it cools, you can crumble it to a fine powder with your hands. I don't know if you can do that with glycerine or other natural soaps.

Also, if you just want to save a lot of money, you can make a vey cheap laundry soap with dish washing liquid, washing soda and borax. And perhaps that works just as well with liquid agile soap. These are in my Pinterest board. I'll have to find them and pst details.