Eco-Friendly Bags for a Better Planet

We fully support the earth-friendly mission of our friends at Factory Direct Promos.

Eco friendly reusable bags have seen their popularity surge in the past few years. They have a dramatically reduced environmental impact. So far this year nearly 318 billion disposable paper and plastic bags have been wasted and are piling up in landfills. Many countries across the globe are passing laws to tax or ban plastic bag usage and people are starting to act on the Earth's behalf. Together we can help save this planet with every bag we reuse. Seattle's bill for taxing plastic bags was just voted down, but it is just the beginning and a sign of change. Communities need to continue to strive towards a solution and be proactive about setting an example for others.

The Toxic Ten - Chemicals to Avoid in Personal Care Products

There are literally hundreds of potentially harmful chemical ingredients in personal care products. I can't emphasize this enough--read ingredients labels! Products can claim to be natural, even organic, without any substantiation necessary. After reading the ingredients, you find a laundry list of synthetic chemicals and petroleum derivatives.

A good rule of thumb: if you can read and recognize the ingredients without taking Chemistry 101, the product is probably somewhat safe. Keep in mind, however, that some natural ingredients, such as lavender and tea tree oil, have been linked to adverse health effects as well.

Ten ingredients that should be avoided in your personal care products:

1. Fragrance (synthetic): Companies can put any chemical they desire into the product and list it as fragrance, since fragrance is considered proprietary. "Fragrance" typically contains a host of harmful chemicals, such as:

• Phthalates (endocrine disruptor, damage to liver & testes, birth defects, carcinogen, linked to asthma in children)
• Parabens (possible carcinogen, hormone disrupter)
• Dioxins (carcinogens)

2. Mercury: Can you believe that mercury is still an ingredient in many eye drops and mascaras? It is listed as "thimerosal". The dangers of mercury include:

• Profound central nervous system effects
• Impairment of heart & lung function
• Birth defects

3. Phthalates: In synthetic fragrances, nail polishes and hair sprays, as well as soft plastic toys and vinyl shower curtains, phthalates can cause:

• Endocrine disruption
• Damage to liver & testes
• Birth defects
• Cancer
• Asthma in children

4. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate: Contained in about 95% of foaming products, and 50% of personal care products, it is difficult to find a product that doesn't contain it when you comb through the drug store shelves. SLS can cause:

• Skin and eye irritation
• Hair loss
• Microscopic damage to gum tissue, leading to gum disease and increased incidence of canker sores.
• An increase the permeability of the skin, enhancing the absorption of other potentially harmful chemical ingredients
• It is also usually contaminated with toxic by-products from the manufacturing process.

5. Parabens: These widely used preservatives in cosmetics and hair care products:

• Disrupt hormones
• Increase the risk of certain cancers
• Linked to infertility
• Cause allergic skin reactions & irritation

6. Triclosan & Triclocarban: Commonly used in anti-bacterial products, they:

• Interfere with thyroid function
• Create "super-germs", leading to bacterial resistance to antibiotics
• Weaken the immune system
• Alter sex hormones
• Are linked to birth defects
• Cause cancer
• In the environment and at home, combine with chlorine in tap water to produce dangerous chloroform and chlorinated dioxins (carcinogens)

Funny thing is, antibacterial soaps have not been found to be any more effective at killing germs than plain old soap and water.

7. Placenta: Placenta is added to some hair relaxers and is extremely high in hormones, mainly estrogen. Linked to premature breast and sexual development in young girls.

8. Hydroquinone: Banned in many countries, hydroquinone is a common ingredient in skin lighteners. It is a known carcinogen.

9. Diethanolamine (DEA): Found in almost all conventional soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and cosmetics, DEA is readily absorbed by the skin and accumulates in the internal organs.

• Skin and eye irritant
• Causes impaired vision
• Linked to damage to the kidney, brain, spinal cord, bone marrow, liver and skin in animal tests
• Combines with common nitrate preservatives in cosmetics to form nitrosodiethanolamine (NDLA)-A potent carcinogen

10. Formaldehyde: Still used as a preservative in many cosmetics, face creams, shampoos, bubble bath, deodorants and nail products, causes:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Coughing
• Asthma attacks
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Nose bleeds
• Ear infections
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Weakens the immune system
• Cancer in animal tests

Fortunately for the health conscious consumer, there are many products on the market formulated without harmful synthetic chemicals. The manufacturers of these products have their customers' health in mind, and product safety is their ultimate goal. They use only natural, mineral and botanical ingredients to create effective, and even glamorous, cosmetics, skin care, hair care and oral care products. These are infinitely safer than their conventional counterparts, and can help those that are sensitive to or concerned about toxic chemical ingredients.

How Safe Are Your Personal Care Products?

We now know that there are synthetic chemicals in our personal care products, and that some of these are potentially harmful to our health. How do we determine the safety of the products we currently use?

There are literally hundreds of potentially toxic chemical ingredients in personal care products. In order to analyze your products more closely, you must read the ingredients! Products can claim to be natural, even organic. After reading the ingredients, however, you will find out that they are anything but.

To do a quick check on some of your products, check out the Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database run by Environmental Working Group. Enter the name of a baby product, cosmetic or personal care product (even toothpaste), and find the safety rating of the ingredients contained in the product. The database also will tell you what effects the ingredients have on your body. You may be unpleasantly surprised at the safety of the products you currently use. Many common ingredients are carcinogenic, neurotoxic, disrupt the endocrine system, have reproductive effects, and much more.

The good news is that there are many safe products on the market today that use only natural ingredients, and they work as well as their conventional counterparts. Their manufacturers avoid the use of synthetic chemicals in their formulations, and their products are designed with product safety and concern for the health of their customer in mind. The Cosmetic Safety Database recommends the safest products in dozens of categories, ranging from baby bubble bath to deodorant.

It is easy to obtain recommendations for safe products using this valuable resource, but you may not necessarily recognize any of the brand names listed. Many of the safest products are made by manufacturers that very few people have heard of, let alone being able to find them in stores. Never fear, however, because the yet again, the Internet is our friend. These manufacturers usually have a website and products can be ordered through their site and delivered conveniently right to your door. At Hibiscus Naturals we have taken it a step further. We have chosen to carry all of the best quality, safest natural products all in one place. Check us out!

Tips For a Healthier Home - Protect Your Family From Toxins

The statistics are alarming regarding the chemical "Body Burden" of modern Americans. Cancer rates have skyrocketed, along with rates of autoimmune disorders, infertility, and leukemia, cancer and developmental disorders in children. There is a growing body of knowledge that links these pressing health concerns to toxic chemical exposure.

Exposure to toxins is cumulative, and every little bit that you can reduce your exposure helps. There are several things you can do to safeguard your health and the health of your children and pets:

1. Use Non-Toxic Household Products: Conventional cleaning products contain numerous, harmful synthetic chemicals that have detrimental health effects, ranging from asthma to cancer. Thankfully, there is a wide range of non-toxic, natural cleaners available. Always check ingredient lists. Avoid products with fragrance, chlorine, formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, dioxins and Triclosan. And always, if there is a significant warning on the label (poison, danger), you should think twice about using the product in your home. Don't take manufacturer claims at face value; they can claim products are safe with no accountability. Always do the research on ingredients.

2. Use Natural Personal Care Products: Conventional personal care products contain toxic chemical ingredients that have not been tested for safety. Men use an average of 6 personal care products a day, and women sometimes use up to 20! That means we may be exposed to the same harmful chemicals several times a day. Buy products that have ingredients you can pronounce. If you don't know what an ingredient is, find out before buying.

3. Buy Organic Whenever Possible: Not only is it a better choice for the planet, it is better for your bodies. As the demand for organic products increases, organics will become increasingly more available and more affordable. Reduce your dependence on canned foods (the lining of cans contain Bisphenol-A, a known endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive dysfunction)--fresh or frozen is better. Use filtered water rather than plain tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking.

4. Use Green Pest Management: Common lawn care and indoor/outdoor pesticides can be dangerous to children and pets and hazardous to our health. There are several pest control products on the market today (Eco Smart is one) that are chemical-free, safe to use in your home and just as effective.

5. Choose Plastics Carefully: Avoid any plastics marked V, or 3, 6 or 7. They may potentially contain phthalates (linked to asthma, cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption), Bisphenol-A (linked to reproductive dysfunction, endocrine disruption and possible carcinogen) or other harmful synthetic chemicals. Replace conventional baby bottles with those marked "BPA Free", and replace any toys or products made of soft plastic (think the consistency of a rubber ducky or shower curtain). Aim for toys made of wood, cloth or metal that are colored with non-toxic paints. Use glass or ceramic containers to store or heat/microwave food, and use stainless steel bottles for your drinking water.

6. Clean Up "Indoor Air Pollution": Furniture treated with flame-retardant chemicals (virtually all new furniture and mattresses), vinyl shower curtains, particleboard furniture, and synthetic carpet contribute greatly to the toxins in the air circulating in your home. Open windows whenever possible, use only non-VOC paints, keep houseplants in every room (certain plants, like rubber trees and spider plants, absorb toxic chemicals from the air), buy organic mattresses, avoid Teflon, and change filters (in vacuum cleaners, heaters, a/c units) regularly. Look for furniture manufacturers that do not treat their products with flame-retardants (like IKEA), and choose sustainable hardwood flooring or natural fiber carpet and rugs instead of synthetic carpet for your home. If you notice a product has a strong smell (think "new car smell"), either return it or sit it outside for about two weeks or until the smell diminishes.

These things may not be easy to do all at once--believe me, I know. It can be rather overwhelming. I am still in the process of transforming my home as I learn more and more about what can be harmful. Just take it step by step: concentrate on changing one thing at a time until you have eliminated most of the sources of toxic chemical exposure for your family. Your health and theirs depends on it!

A Toxic World - What You Should Know About Our Chemical "Body Burden"

In a study done in 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested randomly chosen blood samples of ten Americans for toxic chemicals. By "toxic chemicals", I mean chemicals known to cause harm to our health, such as carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, teratogens, and the like. This study was the first attempt at getting a true look at the chemical "body burden" of modern Americans.

The results were astounding: each blood sample contained an average of 200 toxic chemicals, some as many as 287. Chemicals found included 100 different chemicals from food packaging, 133 linked to cancer in animal tests, 151 chemicals linked to birth defects, 153 hormone disruptors, 185 chemicals that can cause infertility, 130 that cause immune system toxicity, 157 neurotoxins, and over 30 chemicals that have been banned for over 30 years (like DDT)!

The most astounding thing about these findings were that the samples were taken from umbilical cord blood. That's right, from newborns. Our children are being exposed to toxic synthetic chemicals in what we think of as the safest, most protected spot on earth: the womb. Alarmed yet?

Experts around the world are waking up to the realization that our modern lifestyle , which immerses us in a literal bath of synthetic chemicals each day, is causing chronic and life-threatening health problems . As of today, one in three women and one in two men will develop cancer in their lifetime. The infertility rate has increased by 20% in the last 30 years, and childhood brain cancer has increased 40%. Autism, leukemia, birth defects, ADHD/ADD and other learning disabilities are on an unprecedented rise among children, and have been linked to chemical exposure.

As conscientious parents, we lock up our cleaning products, alcohol, and medicines thinking that this will keep our families safe from the harmful substances in our homes. Unfortunately, most of us don't realize that the air in our homes can be primary sources of toxic chemicals and harmful substances. In fact, indoor air can be as much as 11 times more polluted than outdoor air. Considering this generation spends up to 90% more time indoors than we do outdoors, we need to take a closer look at this "indoor air pollution".

Unknowingly, we may be contributing to indoor air pollution with the household cleaning products we use, furniture we buy, and ways we eliminate pests, among other things. For the past 50 or more years, chemical companies have been developing and releasing thousands of new chemicals each year, most of which have not been proven safe for use around humans. These chemicals are put in our cleaning products, our carpets, our furniture, our cosmetics, our personal care products, into everything.

The government has failed to protect us from these potentially harmful substances. The U.S. government has taken the stance that assuming a chemical is safe as long as it has not been proven otherwise. Operating under The Toxic Substance Control Act created in 1976, the government does not require any testing when a new chemical is introduced, and had only reviewed 200 of the 62,000 chemicals used at that time (30 years ago). It takes an enormous amount of time and effort to ban even the most toxic of chemicals (think how long it took to ban DDT, for example), even when we know the detrimental effects outright.

The chemical industry and large corporations that use these chemicals have tried to deny or cover up the facts, claiming that their chemicals are safe (and they come up with any number of studies, personally funded, to prove it). Think about the tobacco industry and how they denied smoking causes cancer, even though experts had suspected it for 30 years. This is what is happening now in the chemical industry.

The public has been kept in the dark about the dangers of chemicals contained in products we use every day. Without knowing, we may be using cleaning products, purchasing toys, or buying furniture that could be detrimental to the health of our families. Learn how to avoid these dangerous products in our next article "Tips for A Healthier Home: Protect Your Family From Toxins".

Coping with Eczema the Natural Way

Do you suffer from dry, cracking, itchy skin? You may be suffering from a common skin disorder that affects many of us in the dry, cold winter months: eczema.

This common but irritating skin condition is characterized by severe dry skin, recurrent rashes, and relentless itching. Although not life-threatening, it is uncomfortable in the least, and in extreme cases it can be socially and mentally debilitating. Not only can the itching drive a person to scratch until they are bleeding, but the effected areas can become painful and lead to scarring. Not to mention the emotional toll of having to cover up or hide embarrassing rashes or sores.

The sufferer is also much more vulnerable to skin infections. Severe cases involve skin swelling, crusting, blistering, cracking, oozing and bleeding. Breaking and cracking of the skin allows bacteria and viruses to enter the skin surface, which can lead to more serious infection.

Causes

Eczema tends to run in families and is usually linked to allergies, hay fever and asthma. Modern medicine does not seem to have much of an idea why it happens to some of us and not to others. The experts have determined however, that this skin condition has both emotional and physical triggers.

On an emotional level, stress, anxiety, depression and fear can cause or aggravate an outbreak. Controlling stress and negative emotions can have a beneficial effect on the eczema sufferer. Yoga, meditation and other calming activities can have a positive effect on the duration and severity of an episode.

Physical triggers fall into two categories: dietary (food related) and environmental. These triggers must be eliminated or reduced in order for the problem to be effectively treated.

Dietary triggers consist of mainly sensitivities or allergies to certain foods. Wheat, eggs, dairy products, soy, corn, nuts, food additives, preservatives and coloring are the main culprits for flare-ups.

Environmental triggers are extensive and can include: certain chemicals, scented soaps, perfumes or laundry detergents, pesticides, synthetic fibers, rough fabrics, wool and the fabric treatment on new clothing ("sizing"), excessive sweating, dust and dust mites, animal dander, mold, pollen, tobacco smoke, and pollution.

Treatment

The good news is that a combination of prevention, hydration and natural treatments for the symptoms can control or even eliminate this persistent skin problem.

Unfortunately, conventional medical treatments for eczema include medications such as antihistamines to calm redness and inflammation, and steroid creams to decrease itching and promote healing. However, medications have undesirable side effects and mask the problem without addressing the cause. Antihistamines can dry skin out, further aggravating the issue, and steroid creams lead to thinning of the skin and premature aging of the skin tissue. Both should obviously be avoided if possible.

Natural treatment addresses the causes of extremely dry skin, and treats the symptoms through the use of specially targeted essential oils and botanical extracts.

Prevention is first step in the effective treatment of eczema. For possible dietary causes, you may need to do an elimination diet to determine your particular triggers. Eliminate all of the most common triggers (wheat, eggs, dairy products, soy, corn, nuts, food additives, preservatives and colorings) from your diet for at least two to four weeks, while treating your dry patches or rashes aggressively to accelerate the healing process. Slowly re-introduce potential dietary triggers, one each week. When you get a reaction, you have found your personal trigger food or foods. You then need to eliminate this food from your diet altogether to prevent the re-occurrence.

With environmental triggers, it may be difficult to determine exactly which environmental trigger is responsible. Scratch testing for allergies with an physician may give clues to which environmental factors you may be sensitive to, however it is very limited in scope and rarely tests for chemical sensitivities.

If you suspect environmental factors are to blame, the best bet is to make changes in your lifestyle in order to reduce these environmental causes. Switching to non-toxic, natural cleaning products and chemical-free personal care products can help or eliminate many of the environmental triggers. Purchase natural, breathable fabrics like cotton (organic if possible) and always wash clothing several times before wearing. Use only fragrance-free products and chemical-free laundry detergents, and wash in very hot water to reduce dust mites. Finally, eliminate smoking indoors, and clean up indoor air with an effective HEPA air filter to reduce other airborne triggers such as pollen and dust.

Moisture is the second step to successful treatment. Properly moisturized skin is healthier, more resilient and flexible, and creates a more effective barrier against pathogens. Drinking adequate water is the first step in helping your skin stay hydrated. Avoid extremely salty foods, caffeine, preservatives and any trigger foods, which may dehydrate you as well as your skin.

Don't soak too long in hot baths or take hot showers; they rob skin of moisture and aggravate inflammation. Short, lukewarm showers with a gentle, non-drying soap are best. In addition, consider installing a de-chlorinating water filter on your shower to remove potentially irritating chemicals that can dry and irritate your skin. After showering, always apply an effective moisturizer immediately to lock in moisture.

Finally, you will need to deal with the symptoms. Avoid lotions and moisturizers with fragrance, alcohol or other irritating chemical ingredients. Natural treatments are just as effective or more so than steroids to treat the itch and promote healing, without the unwanted side effects. Beneficial ingredients to look for are oatmeal, shea butter, cocoa butter and carrot seed oil. Additional extracts and oils that have been shown to be effective are sunflower, Cardiospermum halibacum, neem, rose hip, calendula and cranberry seed.

Pursue the course of prevention and natural treatment to enjoy healthier skin, naturally!

Switch to Natural Products - the Smart Way

The task of switching your tried and true personal care products or cosmetics to healthier, safer, natural alternatives can be daunting, not to mention expensive. The easiest way to make the switch is to take things gradually--it is less traumatic for you (and your family), not to mention easier on the pocketbook.

One strategy is to wait until you use up a particular personal care product or household product and replace it with a natural one. While this seems to make a great deal of sense, it may not necessarily be the best for your health or the health of your family, particularly when it comes to household cleaning products.

Conventional household cleaning products, air fresheners and insecticides are extremely toxic and harmful to your health and that of your family. When sprayed, tiny droplets of these harmful substances are suspended in air and enter your lungs, where they are absorbed readily and do the most damage. The toxic residue left on surfaces end up your body as well--just by touching. In contrast to many natural personal care products, natural cleaning and other household products are very affordable. All the more reason to switch over your household cleaning products immediately!

With personal care products, it all comes down to personal choice. If you are extremely concerned about the health effects of conventional products, you may want to choose a strategy other than "use it up, replace it".

When deciding what to replace first, you need to keep in mind the amount of time a product is left on the skin, and the surface area involved. For example, you should replace your moisturizers and lotions first, since they not only stay on your skin indefinitely, but they involve the most surface area. Deodorant is also another product you want to replace early on, due to the extremely toxic nature of aluminum and other conventional ingredients, and the amount of time the product remains on your skin.

Among the last products to replace can be those that remain on your body a short period of time, such as soaps, shampoo and toothpaste. However, don't be lulled into thinking that they aren't important to replace. The harmful ingredients in these products have an additive effect--you are exposed to them numerous times a day and the exposures add up to affect your health.

When choosing your new personal products, trying out sample or travel sizes are an ideal way to see if a product works for you without spending a bundle. Also check out our product reviews--they will clue you in on what product is right for you.

The bottom line is, the choices you make today in your personal care, cosmetics and household products will have a direct effect on your health down the line. Make the switch--for yourself, your children and your future!