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The effects of chemicals on our children Did you know that children as young as two and three years old can show the signs of precocious or premature puberty? The medical profession now assumes that it is quite normal for eight to ten year olds to enter puberty, when in my day it used to be 12 to 14 year olds. Why is this happening? The primary culprits appear to be endocrine disruptors and oestrogen mimics, which are now rife in our environment and daily lives, in our food, e.g., hormone-laden meat and pasturised dairy products, in plastics, household products, cosmetics etc, the list is almost endless. What is even more disturbing is that our children begin to be exposed to these toxins whilst still in the womb. What is the solution? It is almost impossible to become totally chemical free in our modern lifestyle. However, we can start by consuming primarily organic meat and vegetables and avoiding as many toxic chemicals as possible in our homes and gardens by using natural alternatives, such as trusty old baking soda and vinegar for cleaning (see below for other cleaning ideas) and making your own natural cosmetics (see below for recipes). The fewer synthetic chemicals we use on a daily the basis, the less of an impact we have on our environment and the wildlife within that environment. EcoStore has a great range of natural products for house and garden ENJO has a great range of cloths that can be used without cleaning products For a guide to shoping for organic food and eco baby products in NZ see Organic Baby Automotive grease - use citrus-based products rather than solvent types. For grease spots on the floor, sprinkle kitty litter or cornmeal on the spot, allow to sit for several hours, then sweep up and dispose of in the garbage. Bleach - use non-chlorine bleach. Try baking soda and water on stains or use borax in the laundry (these substitutes will clean, disinfect and deodorize and are gentle to the environment). Carpet cleaner - sprinkle carpet with 2 parts cornmeal and 1 part borax, leave on one hour, then vacuum thoroughly. For small spills, clean with white vinegar and soapy water. Cleanser
- use a mixture of baking soda, soap and salt on a damp sponge,
or rub the area with half a lemon dipped in borax and rinse clean. Disinfectant - use 1/2 cup borax in one gallon hot water, apply with a sponge and allow to dry (wear gloves when applying). Drain opener - try using plunger or snake first. Or pour 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup salt, and 1/4 cup vinegar, in that order, down the drain, when the fizzing stops, flush with two quarts boiling water. Floor cleaner - mix 1/4 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon warm water. Garlic insecticide - liquidise 100 grams garlic with 3 tbsp vegetable oil; add 10 grams soft soap, strain and bottle (keeps for months); dilute 1 part in 10 parts water and spray on plants (this mixture is good for wireworm, aphids, codlin moth, caterpillars, white butterfly, beanfly, leaf curl, brown rot, red spider mite, green vegetable bugs, whitefly). Mildew
remover - dissolve 1/2 cup borax in warm water and add
1/2 cup white vinegar, rinse with clean water (make a fresh batch
for each use). Oven cleaner - place 1/4 cup ammonia in a shallow, non-aluminium pan, and add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan; heat the oven at 400?F (200?C) for 20 minutes, turn it off, then place the pan in it overnight; next morning, scrub oven with baking soda on a damp sponge (be sure to turn on a fan or open window while your cleaning). Polished wood furniture - to remove a watermark mix a few flicks of ash with olive oil, rub it in and leave for 30 minutes, then buff with a soft cloth; a mixture of salt and vegetable oil, left on for an hour, then removed and rubbed with a soft cloth, also helps remove marks. Remove sticky marks with a little vinegar and water, then apply some beeswax or linseed oil. Sterilising solutions for cloth nappies - To a bucket of water add: 5 drops of tea tree oil, or 2-3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar, or 1 tablespoon borax, or 1/4 cup dishwashing detergent. For stains apply lemon juice, leave in the sun for a few hours, then wash as normal. Tile cleaner - use baking soda on a damp sponge, then rinse with water. Window
cleaner - mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar in 1 quart
warm water, pour into an empty spray bottle, use as you would
a commercial glass cleaner.
Make
your own natural cosmetics
Many ingredients found in commercial products can be quite detrimental to not only your body, but also the environment. These also require extensive testing on animals. Some examples include: mineral oil - a by-product of crude petroleum which depletes the skin of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K so is very drying as well as being carcinogenic; paraffin wax and liquid paraffin - which are synthetic compounds and are known to be carcinogenic; coal tar - which is used in the production of colouring agents and is a common carcinogen; petroleum jelly - a petro-chemical by-product which forms an impenetrable layer in the skin; synthetic scents - which are produced from precious fossil fuels; preservatives and emulsifiers - which are usually allergy forming chemicals. Many of the ingredients used in natural home made cosmetics can be found in your local supermarket or health food store, or grown in your own garden. These include: vegetable oils - which are cold pressed and hence rich in the lipid soluble antioxidant vitamins A and E and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that nourishing the skin; unbleached beeswax - which feeds and perfumes the skin (try your local bee keeper); apple cider vinegar - which restores the natural acid mantle of the skin; vegetable glycerine - which attracts and holds moisture against the skin to soften and lubricate; unpasturised honey - which is highly moisturising and full of vitamins and minerals; essential oils - which are synthesised naturally by plants from carbon dioxide, water and sunlight; dried herbs and flowers - which can be organically grown and gently dried in the shade to retain their beneficial properties. Herb
or flower water Herb
or flower water is made very simply by infusing the herbs or flowers
in boiling water for 10 minutes. Once strained through a tea strainer
or muslin it is ready to use. Herbal
cleansing and toning lotion A multipurpose
cleanser and toner can be easily made by mixing together the herb
or flower water, glycerine and cider vinegar. Once mixed well this
can be poured into small bottles. Herbal
moisturising cream Melt
the beeswax and vegetable oil together in the double boiler. Warm
the herb or flower water until about body temperature and dissolve
the sodium borate in this. Remove bowls from heat and stir oil vigorously
while adding herb or flower water. Beat continuously until the mixture
starts to cool and become creamy. Add the essential oil of your
choice and mix in well before pouring into small jars. Herbal
lip balm Warm
the beeswax and vegetable oil in the double boiler until the beeswax
is melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly before
mixing in the essential oil of your choice and pouring into small
jars to harden. Read the full article Did you know? These common ingredients in cosmetics, skin and hair care products are linked to a number of health issues. FORMALDEHYDE Linked to: burning eyes, nose and throat, rashes, coughing, nausea. SLS or SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE Common detergents used in many shampoos, bubble baths, shower gels and cleansers. Can affect: brain, eyes, heart, liver. DEA - DIETHANOLAMINE and TEA - TRIETHANOLAMINE Added to soaps, bubble baths and facial cleansers. Linked with: stomach, oesophagus, liver and bladder cancers. PROPYLENE GLYCOL Commonly found in skin creams, hair conditioners, deodorants, cosmetics, toothpastes, and body lotions. Connected to: liver abnormalities, kidney damage. Source: The Herbal Dispensary newsletter, 2005.
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© 2004 Embrace, Christchurch, New Zealand info@embrace.net.nz |