Archive for the 'Health' Category

December 22, 2007 | Health, Essential oils

I have always loved Tea Tree Oil and I’ve seen a few of it’s different uses listed here on Broomhuggers! I was first introduced to it when I got my belly button pierced (Ahh.. the teen years!) and it got slightly infected. The guy that did the piercing for me suggested I try this oil and it helped me heal amazingly fast. Ever since then I’ve been singing the praises of Tea Tree Oil!

I learned one of it’s newest uses this week. A relative of mine called me up to ask me if she could use Tea Tree Oil on a fever blister since she was out of the usual product she used. I told her that it wasn’t going to hurt her and long as she was careful not to actually ingest it and she should give it a shot. Now, if you’ve never had a fever blister (also known as a cold sore) you might not know that they can take weeks to heal. The over the counter products help them heal faster but still a good 4 - 5 days for most people. Well, she called me back the next day saying that the blister was almost gone! The Tea Tree Oil strikes again! There are so many other uses for this handy, easy to find, essential oil. Type Tea Tree Oil into your favorite search engine to see it’s many other helpful uses and then run to your local grocery store (Walmart, Kroger and Target should all carry it) and pick some up!

Usage: dab a bit on, or dilute it with water and use as mouthwash.

Note: Tea Tree Oil is not intended for ingestion. Specifically, limit oral exposure in children, pregnant women, or anyone who would be prone to swallow it.  Tea tree oil can also be an irritant to those with sensitive skin. Try dabbing a small amount on your hand or shoulder, and if your skin doesn’t react than you can use it more liberally. For more information on the safety of tea tree oil, see the National Institute of Health.

December 21, 2007 | Health, Essential oils

A simple addition to your weekly baths – that takes only seconds and costs only pennies – could restore vital magnesium levels in the body, improving health in a number of ways.  Scientific studies have shown that magnesium, the primary component of Epsom Salt, performs more functions in the human body than almost any other mineral. Plus, magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin, which means improving health is as easy as relaxing in the tub.

The National Academy of Sciences reports that the average American female gets just 70% of the magnesium required for good health, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and more.

Magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin, which means bathing in Epsom Salt can help:
• Reduce inflammation
• Relieve sore muscles and aching joints
• Improve heart and circulatory health
• Flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improve the body’s ability to use insulin
• Improve nerve function by regulating electrolytes. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Reduce stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body.

Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

A study by Dr. R.H. Waring at the University of Birmingham reports that bathing in Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) is a safe and easy way to increase magnesium levels in the body. Study participants soaked in Epsom Salt baths for 12 minutes for seven days. Blood and urine samples were recorded at intervals after the baths. All but two subjects showed an increase in magnesium levels in the body, with the two most likely already having optimum levels of magnesium. The study concluded that most people would benefit from two to three weekly baths in 500-600 grams of Epsom Salt, roughly 2.5 cups.

Now, here’s the trick… want a great hostess gift that won’t cost you a bundle? Something elegant but easy on the wallet? Pick up some essential oils at your local natural foods store, and mix a few drops with a couple cups of epsom salts. Put it in a cute container, and voila!

For Christmas: Mix several cups Epsom salt 1 drop each per cup of salt: frankincense  and myrrh.

For headache relief: Mix same proportions above, using eucalyptus, lavender, and mint.

For cough and cold relief: Mix same proportions above, using eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and rosemary essential oil.

The possibilities are endless, and the staff at your health foods store can help you find even more combinations to suit your mood - be it for relaxation, concentration, or sensuality…

December 20, 2007 | Reviews, Broom Hugged, Health, Cleaning products

I was so excited when earlier this month I walked into Target and saw that Method had their new holiday scents out! I use a lot of Method products at my house so already knowing what the company stands stands for I grabbed up my favorite holiday scent, cinnamon bark, and waltzed out with dreams of a beautifully clean and fragrant household. (more…)

December 15, 2007 | Health, Essential oils

I put a lot of effort into keeping my family as natural as possible. Most of our food is natural, most of our personal products are natural and I clean with all natural products. I know there are a lot of others out there that do the same. But, what about our four legged family members (or two legged if you live in Australia and are lucky enough to own a kangaroo… I’m envious)? We would like to get a puppy when we find a place with a big yard so I figured I should start doing some research now.

Fleas tend to be a big problem here in Georgia but before you reach for that flea spray, shampoo, powder or collar maybe we should thoroughly check them out first. Pesticides of ANY kind are designed to kill living things. Even though only a small amount is needed to kill off something as small as a flea, these pesticides can still do damage to our four legged friends. A report done in 2000 by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates that hundreds, if not thousands, of pets have been poisoned by the pesticides in the pet products that were intended to keep them safe. The even bigger issue is the effect these pesticides can have on those of us of the two legged variety (no, not the kangaroo, the HUMAN). The NRDC report called attention to the poisoning risks faced by pet care workers like veterinary assistants and groomers. One survey found that people who work with pesticides used on pets are two-and-a-half times more likely to have health related problems than other workers. One of the popular flea medications you can get from your vet is applied by putting a liquid in between your animals shoulder blades. Once that liquid is applied you cannot let your kids touch the animal for 24 hours. The way this medication works is it doesn’t kill the fleas but it damages their reproductive organs so they cannot reproduce. That just isn’t something I want to have in my house!

So, what can we do about those pesky fleas? Here are a few ideas: Most people treat for fleas year round. Instead of subjecting your pets to year round treatments find out when flea season is in your area and start preventative measures right before it starts or at the first sight of a flea. For dogs: Slice up a lemon (skin and all) and pour one pint of nearly boiling water over it. Let sit overnight. Strain the liquid and pour into a spray bottle. Spritz your dog generously and rub it in. Citrus oil kills and repels fleas. You can use this solution on pet bedding, too. For cats: Since they don’t like citrus scent or being sprayed, try this recipe: mix one ounce pennyroyal oil with 18 ounces of water and sponge it onto your cat, massaging it in. You can use this mixture on dogs as well. (NOTE: Pennyroyal can be toxic to animals in high concentrations, so be sure to always dilute it. Pregnant women should NOT use pennyroyal.) Cedar filled bedding is also a great flea repellant but the scent does fade after a while so renew the scent with cedar oil drops. Cedar blocks can also be placed throughout the house to help with fleas indoors. They also dislike the scent of lavender, mint, rosemary, and sweet woodruff, so you can use sachets of these herbs in furniture, too. For some more information on this topic and some great products check out Nature’s Pet. Don’t forget, not only will these tips keep your pets safe and healthy but it will keep the kids that love them safe and healthy too!

December 12, 2007 | Food & drink, Health, Pregnancy

Being an Emergency Medical Technician I could give you the medical explanation of why we need iron and what it does for us . I will spare you the medical jargon and just tell you that we need iron because it is an important component in our blood, which we all know we desperately need, and it helps us maintain a healthy immune system. The recommended daily amount varies by web site and is quite controversial but here is an idea of what I have found:

~ 10 mg a day for children, men over 18 and women over 50
~ 15 mg a day for females and lactating women
~ 30 mg a day for pregnant women

Iron is not secreted from the body except for very small amounts through hair, nails and skin so the amount of iron we consume builds up over time. The other obvious way we reduce the iron in our bodies is through blood loss. Having too much iron in your diet (HEMOCHROMATOSIS) can be cause for concern. Most Americans get enough iron in their diet, some get too much, others can be deficient. Those who are most likely deficient are children, pregnant women and those with tested and diagnosed iron deficiencies. The easiest way to find out how much iron is in your blood is by a simple blood test that can be preformed by your doctor. The other ways you can make sure your iron level isn’t too high is to avoid taking iron supplements (unless instructed by your doctor) and by donating blood. Sure, it may involve a little pain, but donating blood serves the dual purpose of ridding your body of excess iron and potentially saving lives.
To keep your iron levels in check, follow a healthy and varied diet! You can find out about iron-rich foods here. If you are into checking labels than see how much iron is in the processed foods you eat. The recommended daily value of iron on labels is 18 mg which unless you are pregnant is more than most adults need (The daily value percentage has not been updated since the 1960’s). So, if the daily value of iron on the label is 10% it really contains closer to 20% of your daily quota. Just double the number to get a closer result.

The skinny on iron? It helps maintain overall blood health and energy levels, but there is such a thing as too much. Your doctor can help you decide what works best for you and whether or not you need supplements.

December 11, 2007 | Outdoors, Health, Organics, Pregnancy

The December issue of Environmental Health Perspectives has an interesting article that links childhood cancers - Acute Leukemia and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma - to the mother’s use of or exposure to pesticides and insecticides during pregnancy.

It’s based on a study done in France that looked at non-agricultural families. This is the first study to test the effects of pesticides and insecticides used in domestic situations, and it found startling results. Even moms who only used pesticides or insecticides once during their pregnancy have children with increased rates of leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. In fact, the rate increases two-fold. That’s right, children whose mothers used insecticides inside or outside the home during pregnancy were twice as likely to develop hematopoietic cancers.

What qualifies as pesticides or insecticides? Any chemical-based application of insecticide to rid the home, pets, or garden of crawling or flying pests, any herbicidal ‘weed-killer,’ or any fungicide to get rid of mold. The conclusion therein is that pregnant mommies avoid such products both during the pregnancy and preferably while nursing an infant as well. We might draw similar conclusions that if those chemicals are harmful to the developing fetus, they might also cause due harm on anyone with a suppressed immune system - the elderly, children, or the infirm.

Just another reason to take steps toward the organic side of life.

Note: When I googled hematopoietic cancers, I also came across studies linking these specific cancers to pregnant mommies’ use of chemical hair dyes, consumption of aspartame sweetener, and exposure to ethylene oxide (a sterilizing agent).

December 1, 2007 | Food & drink, Health, Pregnancy

A new study by the Johns Hopkins Blomberg School of Public Health links non-stick cookware to low birthweight in babies. Additionally, a 2004 study they conducted found PFOA (a carcinogen released when the non-stick cookware is heated) in the umblilical chords of 99% of the 300 babies they tested. (Scary, no?) This could be one contributing factor to the sky-rocketing cancer rates in young children.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have suggested that manufacturers remove PFOA from their products by 2015. In the meantime, we should all take steps to avoid PFOA cookware, and pregnant mommies should be extra careful.

If you have cookware that uses PFOA (Teflon, Calphalon, Scanpan, and All Clad), you can avoid some of the dangers by using your cookware at low to moderate heat, and by replacing it every 2 years. The Green Guide has some good suggestions for alternatives in their recent article, Outfitting the Green Kitchen. Another diamond in the rough is Green Pan cookware, as reviewed by Sprig.

November 8, 2007 | Food & drink, Health

Garlic. And lots of it. And raw.  Studies have shown that garlic reduces cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, neutralizes carcinogens, and fights infection.

It isn’t as potent after it’s cooked, so eat it raw if you can stand it. I wouldn’t recommend biting into it like an apple (though I know people who do). But here are a couple ways to try it:

• Crush a clove into olive oil with a bit of lemon juice and use as a salad dressing.
• Crush a couple cloves, mix with a cup of cheese, and add enough mayo to make it stick together. Then stuff a tomato with it, or spread it on a slice of crusty warm bread.

Health, Shopping

A popular, award-winning toy, Aqua Dots, are coated with a chemical that turns into the date-rape drug when ingested. And with the size of these little dots, it’s no wonder that tons of kids have digested them.

Was lead poisoning in toys not enough?  Give me a break. Now a chemical that the human body turns into the ‘date rape’ drug? Parents with children the right age for Aqua Dots (ages 4-8) wouldn’t expect to worry about that for another 10 years. What are they going to find next? Does anyone test any of the toys being imported from China? You can find the fully story at CNN here.

An Israeli news source states that “the toys were supposed to use 1,5-pentanediol, a nontoxic compound found in glue, but instead contained the harmful 1,4-butanediol, which is widely used in cleaners and plastics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1999 declared the chemical a Class I Health Hazard, meaning it can cause life-threatening harm.” And so I reiterate - is there no one who tests toys being imported? Especially, these days, from China?

November 7, 2007 | Health, Pregnancy, News

Vogue magazine published an article in their August 2007 issue titled “Infertile Ground” that delves into the potential chemical causes for the alarming rise in infertility rates. In fact, the National Infertility Association quotes that one in eight couples are now infertile, with the rates rising annually. Scary stuff. And for the ladies and gents out there who are trying to have a baby, stats like that are pretty discouraging.

The article looks at environmental factors that contribute to infertility, including - but not limited to - pesticides, plasticizers (bisphenol A and phthalates), surfectants (alkylphenols), artificial fragrances, and flame retardants (PBDEs). Some of these can stir up trouble at 2,000 times less than the EPA regulated amounts. An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 new chemicals enter product lines each year in this country, many of which without adequate testing and without being listed as active ingredients.

The cumulative effect is unknown, but rising rates of certain cancers and rising rates of infertility (which has known ties to some of the chemicals names above) can certainly be blamed partly on the reliance we have on inadequately tested and inadequately controlled chemical substances in our plastics, fabrics, food sources, cleaning products and personal care products - to name a few.

Unfortunately, these chemicals don’t just affect us, they have a devastatingly long term effect on our children. In utero, these chemicals affect the growing baby and cause life-long problems like low sperm count, reproductive failure, and even some mutagenic effects. It’s not pleasant.

The natural question is what each of us can do to protect our families.  Here are some simple steps you can take:

• Check out the SkinDeep cosmetic safety database when it’s time to replace your cosmetics, baby care products, and personal care products.
• Go for the safer plastics when you’re purchasing plastic products - especially when those products will contain food or drink.  Look for the number inside the triangle on the bottom of the container - you want 1, 2, 4, or 5. Avoid 3, 6, and 7.
• Opt for low-VOC paint when possible, and don’t buy flame-retardant fabrics.
• By all means, start replacing your household cleaners with natural alternatives. If you don’t trust diluted vinegar (which really will clean up most messes quite well), try Barefoot Home Essentials, Shaklee, Method, Seventh Generation, or Ecover.