Natural Medicine
- Eucalyptus Oil Repels Mosquitos
- PVC Shower Curtains Hazardous
- Natural vs. Lab GMOs
- "Organic" May be Misleading
- Essential Oil and Animals
- Healing Circles: A Caution
- Bisphenol A in Baby Bottles Banned
- Health Canada Says BPA Dangerous
- Spring Cleansing Time Again!
- How to Get Rid of Allergies
Eucalyptus Oil Repels Mosquitos
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Natural herbs and oils have been used traditionally to repel insects for thousands of years. New research highlights the power of eucalyptol to repel mosquitos.
From Medieval Europe to the banks of the Nile in Ancient Egypt, humans have been using herbs and essential oils to repel insects for thousands of years. Now research reported on June 24, 2008 by the New York Times suggests that eucalptol, one of the chemical components of eucalyptus, is especially effective at warding off mosquitos.
The article begins with the claim that Listerene - containig 1% eucalyptol - is an effective mosquito deterrent. It may be true, but Listerene's effectiveness is shortlived. The mouthwash's chemical soup is mostly water and alcohol, so it evaporates too quickly to be useful for long.
Natural sources of eucalyptol, on the other hand, are rather more effective. Eucalyptus oil, reported to be up to 75% eucalyptol in some varieties, also clings a bit longer than mouthwash. Lemon eucalyptus is mentioned in particular in this article, but other varieties are also known for their insect-repelling power. Blue eucalyptus is particularly long lasting.
The article begins with the claim that Listerene - containig 1% eucalyptol - is an effective mosquito deterrent. It may be true, but Listerene's effectiveness is shortlived. The mouthwash's chemical soup is mostly water and alcohol, so it evaporates too quickly to be useful for long.
Natural sources of eucalyptol, on the other hand, are rather more effective. Eucalyptus oil, reported to be up to 75% eucalyptol in some varieties, also clings a bit longer than mouthwash. Lemon eucalyptus is mentioned in particular in this article, but other varieties are also known for their insect-repelling power. Blue eucalyptus is particularly long lasting.
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) warms against VOCs, phthalates, and organotoxins released by vinyl shower curtains that contaminate indoor air.
Although the toxins present in personal care products are becoming common knowledge, there's another source of dangerous chemicals in your shower: plastic shower curtains.
A new report from the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) titled "Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell" warns that chemicals "gassing off" of new plastic shower curtains (and other plastic products) may contain potential carcingens, eye, nose and throat irritants, and toxic chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, liver problems, reproductive problems and more.
The hazardous chemicals released into the air by shower curtains include volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), phthalates, dioxin, organotoxins, and more.
According to CHEJ, "Some of these chemicals cause developmental damage as well as damage to the liver and central nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Some can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans." (Source: ABS-CBN News Online)
A new report from the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) titled "Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell" warns that chemicals "gassing off" of new plastic shower curtains (and other plastic products) may contain potential carcingens, eye, nose and throat irritants, and toxic chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, liver problems, reproductive problems and more.
The hazardous chemicals released into the air by shower curtains include volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), phthalates, dioxin, organotoxins, and more.
According to CHEJ, "Some of these chemicals cause developmental damage as well as damage to the liver and central nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Some can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans." (Source: ABS-CBN News Online)
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Farmers have altered plant and livestock genes for millennia by selectively breeding certain plants for food or commercial crops - a far cry from those designed in a lab.
Common jargon would have you believe that GMO or "genetically modified organisms" are a new development in the world of farming, but it isn't so.
For as long as agriculture has existed, farmers have modified the genetic makeup of food and commerical crops: from livestock to crops grown for grain, vegetables, tea or fiber, humans have altered the genetic code of living things we use by selectively breeding strains of dairy cattle, or only growing particular varieties of oats or beans.
So to say that GMO foods are a new development is unclear - because although we have selectively bred a crop, such as wheat, for certain qualities (inevitably related to the genetic code), selective breeding and growing is a far cry from the kind of genetic modifications we are seeing in labs today.
Lab research into genetic modifications involves "pasting" a short strand of genetic code from one organism into another, and observing the impact as the new "genetically modified" organism develops. This research has resulted in plant crops that produce their own pesticides, and pigs whose waste is less toxic to the environment (contains less phosphate). Yet the long-term impact on the organism's health - and on the health of the humans eating those crops - is unknown.
How is this different from "naturally" bred GMO's? It's a matter of extent. While wheat has been extensively altered by agriculture, the changes in its genetic structure are fairly minimal and are modifications that could have happened without human intervention, given the right circumstances and enough time. The changes laboratories are making - such as splicing E. coli genes into pigs - are unlikely to have occurred in nature, and represent a much larger change in the gene. Whether or not this change is hazardous may remain unknown for years to come.
For as long as agriculture has existed, farmers have modified the genetic makeup of food and commerical crops: from livestock to crops grown for grain, vegetables, tea or fiber, humans have altered the genetic code of living things we use by selectively breeding strains of dairy cattle, or only growing particular varieties of oats or beans.
So to say that GMO foods are a new development is unclear - because although we have selectively bred a crop, such as wheat, for certain qualities (inevitably related to the genetic code), selective breeding and growing is a far cry from the kind of genetic modifications we are seeing in labs today.
Lab research into genetic modifications involves "pasting" a short strand of genetic code from one organism into another, and observing the impact as the new "genetically modified" organism develops. This research has resulted in plant crops that produce their own pesticides, and pigs whose waste is less toxic to the environment (contains less phosphate). Yet the long-term impact on the organism's health - and on the health of the humans eating those crops - is unknown.
How is this different from "naturally" bred GMO's? It's a matter of extent. While wheat has been extensively altered by agriculture, the changes in its genetic structure are fairly minimal and are modifications that could have happened without human intervention, given the right circumstances and enough time. The changes laboratories are making - such as splicing E. coli genes into pigs - are unlikely to have occurred in nature, and represent a much larger change in the gene. Whether or not this change is hazardous may remain unknown for years to come.
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
"Organic food" means crops grown without pesticides, from unmodified seeds. But in chemistry, organic means molecules made up mostly of carbon and hydrogen.
Part and parcel of the greenwashing seen on supermarket shelves is the over-use of the words "organic" and "natural." Despite restrictions on what percentage of content must be organic or "natural" (unmodified) in order for these words to be used on labelling, there are some pretty dodgy cases where the words are used inappropriately...
There are a few words in the English language that mean one thing in one context and something entirely different when they're found in a different setting. Organic, unfortunately, is one of those words.
"Organic," in the food and supplement industry, means crops that are grown with no synthetic chemical herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, or artificial fertilizers.
"Organic" chemistry, on the other hand, means molecules that are made up mostly of carbon and hydrogen.
I've seen products on health food store shelves - mostly in the hair and personal care aisles - that use the word organic in obviously misleading ways, to suggest that the products are natural when in fact all they are describing is the chemistry of synthetic molecules.
It's a pet peeve and something I find almost humorous. One more reason to educate ourselves about what's in the food, medicine, and personal care we use.
There are a few words in the English language that mean one thing in one context and something entirely different when they're found in a different setting. Organic, unfortunately, is one of those words.
"Organic," in the food and supplement industry, means crops that are grown with no synthetic chemical herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, or artificial fertilizers.
"Organic" chemistry, on the other hand, means molecules that are made up mostly of carbon and hydrogen.
I've seen products on health food store shelves - mostly in the hair and personal care aisles - that use the word organic in obviously misleading ways, to suggest that the products are natural when in fact all they are describing is the chemistry of synthetic molecules.
It's a pet peeve and something I find almost humorous. One more reason to educate ourselves about what's in the food, medicine, and personal care we use.
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Despite rumors to the contrary, pets and other animals tend to heal quickly and experience relief when natural essential oils are used in their treatment.
I've been reading, recently, more about the kinds of success stories some people are having by using essential oils - specifically, therapeutic-grade oils - with their pets. Dogs with allergies, bad-tempered cats, budgies off their feed and losing feathers, horses with injuries and sprains - all of these and more seem to respond only positively to real* essential oils.
(*Nota: Most essential oils sold in stores are not pure and are NOT SAFE to apply to animals or to use ourselves. See the above link on therapeutic grade oils for details.)
Even though their bodies are built differently from ours, there is a real overlap in the natural treatments that are effective for most animal species. Sometimes I think it's pretty darn amazing that the same herbs will work to relieve indigestion in an adult human, a baby, and for my dog, cats, and more.
Natural Animal Care:
(*Nota: Most essential oils sold in stores are not pure and are NOT SAFE to apply to animals or to use ourselves. See the above link on therapeutic grade oils for details.)
Even though their bodies are built differently from ours, there is a real overlap in the natural treatments that are effective for most animal species. Sometimes I think it's pretty darn amazing that the same herbs will work to relieve indigestion in an adult human, a baby, and for my dog, cats, and more.
Natural Animal Care:
- Alternative Medicine for Pets
- Cats and Essential Oils - debunking the rumors that aromatherapy oils kill cats
- Dogs with Food Allergies
- Raw Food for Dogs (a.k.a. the "BARF" diet)
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
I'm a big fan of healing groups in the abstract - and not so big a fan in practice. Be wary of users, manipulators, and those with bad energy themselves.
When it comes to healing circles, I've seen both the good and the bad. The really fascinating thing about energy work groups is how they seem to magnify energy - not only the intentional, beautiful energies that the group leaders talk about, but also the crazy, the self-destructive, the manipulative, and the energies of those who would use or drain other people if they are given their way. Sometimes, the source of the problem is obvious, but sometimes it is the most erudite, calm-seeming person who is the unstable factor harming others in the circle.
Healing circles offer the potential for us to connect with other human beings and work in synergy to create great energy, and often an experience of the divine that is greater than ourselves.
But they also afford an opportunity to unscrupulous people, or to those who simply don't know themselves well enough to control their own energy and how it affects others.
One of my teachers, Donna Eden, spoke at an Energy Medicine training several years ago about how detrimental healing circles can be to someone who is too weak, open or vulnerable to protect themselves from other people's energy. All the toxic energy of everyone in the circle, she says, can fly to one weakened or sick individual - so be very careful who you share your energy with!
I suppose it all comes down to this: If you leave your coven every week feeling cheerful, uplifted and energized, then you've done well.
If you find, however, that you consistently feel drained, tired, grumpy, sad, doubtful or angry after leaving a meditation group, I would seriously recommend you ignore whatever your head might be telling you about how wonderful these people seem, and find another place to shine.
Read the article: Healing Circles: Good or Bad?
Healing circles offer the potential for us to connect with other human beings and work in synergy to create great energy, and often an experience of the divine that is greater than ourselves.
But they also afford an opportunity to unscrupulous people, or to those who simply don't know themselves well enough to control their own energy and how it affects others.
One of my teachers, Donna Eden, spoke at an Energy Medicine training several years ago about how detrimental healing circles can be to someone who is too weak, open or vulnerable to protect themselves from other people's energy. All the toxic energy of everyone in the circle, she says, can fly to one weakened or sick individual - so be very careful who you share your energy with!
I suppose it all comes down to this: If you leave your coven every week feeling cheerful, uplifted and energized, then you've done well.
If you find, however, that you consistently feel drained, tired, grumpy, sad, doubtful or angry after leaving a meditation group, I would seriously recommend you ignore whatever your head might be telling you about how wonderful these people seem, and find another place to shine.
Read the article: Healing Circles: Good or Bad?
Bisphenol A in Baby Bottles Banned
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Despite promising news earlier this week that Canada intended to list Bisphenol A as a hazardous chemical toxin, Minister Clement announces BPA ban in baby bottles only.
A quick news bite to update you on my earlier posting about the possibility of Health Canada citing Bisphenol A ("BPA") as a toxic chemical: The actual news is not quite so good. Health Minister Tony Clement declared yesterday that BPA is to be banned from baby bottles, but will be allowed in water bottles, can liners, and other products.
"We have concluded that early [childhood] development is sensitive to the effects of bisphenol A," Clement said Friday, but that "the migration of bisphenol A into food and beverage products from polycarbonate is not a concern."
Health Canada intends to work with industry to find an alternative liner for baby food cans, but does not acknowledge any health risk of bisphenol A for adults.
News source: Vancouver Sun, April 19, 2008.
See also: The Quest for Clean Water and my earlier blog post on BPA
"We have concluded that early [childhood] development is sensitive to the effects of bisphenol A," Clement said Friday, but that "the migration of bisphenol A into food and beverage products from polycarbonate is not a concern."
Health Canada intends to work with industry to find an alternative liner for baby food cans, but does not acknowledge any health risk of bisphenol A for adults.
News source: Vancouver Sun, April 19, 2008.
See also: The Quest for Clean Water and my earlier blog post on BPA
Health Canada Says BPA Dangerous
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Canada may be the first country to list Bisphenol A ("BPA"), a common estrogen mimicker that leaches from plastic and metal cans, as hazardous to health later this week.
I posted an article earlier this week entitled The Quest for Clean Water in which I mentioned bisphenol A ("BPA"), one of the chemicals that leaches into water (and other foods) from plastic bottles (and other plastic dishes, glasses, storage containers...). According to the latest news, bispenol A may soon be listed by Health Canada as a dangerous substance - making environmental and health history.
As today's Globe & Mail has it, this decision "will amount to one of the most important regulatory decisions regarding a single chemical in decades," and will put pressure on other countries to acknowledge the risks associated with BPA.
Bisphenol A is a "hormonally active chemical" found in almost all plastics and in metal can liners, where it can leach into foods and beverages. Industry maintains that BPA is safe at small concentrations, but concerns about its impact on human health continue to grow. Some experts say it mimics naturally occuring estrogen and according to the 2006 National Geographic Green Guide, animal studies indicate that BPA may cause infertility, cancers, and hyperactivity.
Health Canada's decision on bisphenol A is slated to be released tomorrow.
As today's Globe & Mail has it, this decision "will amount to one of the most important regulatory decisions regarding a single chemical in decades," and will put pressure on other countries to acknowledge the risks associated with BPA.
Bisphenol A is a "hormonally active chemical" found in almost all plastics and in metal can liners, where it can leach into foods and beverages. Industry maintains that BPA is safe at small concentrations, but concerns about its impact on human health continue to grow. Some experts say it mimics naturally occuring estrogen and according to the 2006 National Geographic Green Guide, animal studies indicate that BPA may cause infertility, cancers, and hyperactivity.
Health Canada's decision on bisphenol A is slated to be released tomorrow.
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
As the Earth renews itself in spring, our bodies are naturally attuned to cleansing to shed winter weight gain and any toxins we may have accumulated in the last year.
Our bodies are naturally attuned to shed toxins all the time, cleansing poisons and metabolic wastes (such as urea and carbon dioxide) out of our systems. But sometimes, particularly when we eat foods that have synthetic ingredients or that don't contain complete nutrition, this process can use a little help.
The best time of the year to do a cleanse is traditionally the springtime, as the Earth renews itself and our bodies turn toward fresh produce, outdoors air and sunshine to refresh us after the long winter indoors. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of ways to cleanse. Which approach to cleansing you take depends on your goals, commitment level, and your individual body and health. Read on for a look at a few of the options:
The best time of the year to do a cleanse is traditionally the springtime, as the Earth renews itself and our bodies turn toward fresh produce, outdoors air and sunshine to refresh us after the long winter indoors. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of ways to cleanse. Which approach to cleansing you take depends on your goals, commitment level, and your individual body and health. Read on for a look at a few of the options:
- What is Cleansing?
- Dietary Cleanses
- Cleansing with Supplements
- Who Needs to Cleanse?
- Cleansing for Weight Loss
- Aids to Easier Cleansing
- The "Master Cleanse"
- Cleansing Crisis
Posted by
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Victoria Anisman-Reiner
What do I do for allergies? Cleansing, probiotics, essential oils and energy work can all reduce allergies. Here's how I eliminated mine with dowsing and energy work.
I had a conversation about allergies last week with several people who knew next to nothing on the subject (but thought they did - groan!!). The trend of the discussion was, "Oh, those poor people with allergies. It's too bad there's nothing you can do about it."
Sometimes it seems like I'm living in a different world from the one most people inhabit: in my world, much as I respect the danger of anaphalactic allergies, there are things that can be done for even the most severe of reactions.
I grew up with dozens of allergies to food, animals, and all kinds of chemicals. By avoiding the foods I reacted to, I was eventually able to reintroduce them to my diet... after ten years! I now know there are quicker and more effective ways to remove allergies:
I've used dowsing to treat serious allergies to fish and pollen, and EDxTM energy psychology for an allergy to MSG, and seen allergies lessen and vanish.
There are options. Allergies don't have to be a "life sentence"!
Sometimes it seems like I'm living in a different world from the one most people inhabit: in my world, much as I respect the danger of anaphalactic allergies, there are things that can be done for even the most severe of reactions.
I grew up with dozens of allergies to food, animals, and all kinds of chemicals. By avoiding the foods I reacted to, I was eventually able to reintroduce them to my diet... after ten years! I now know there are quicker and more effective ways to remove allergies:
- For many people, cleansing reduces or eliminates allergic reactions by removing toxins that confuse the body and mislead the immune system. When your body is "clean" or free of most toxins, allergies tend to lessen.
- Probiotics that improve digestive function can help for the same reason.
- Essential oils like peppermint, fennel, anise, and others ease the digestive system and can combat allergic reactions when they happen.
- Energy work such as dowsing, guided meditation, or energy psychology can be done with the intent to reduce/remove allergies.
I've used dowsing to treat serious allergies to fish and pollen, and EDxTM energy psychology for an allergy to MSG, and seen allergies lessen and vanish.
There are options. Allergies don't have to be a "life sentence"!
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