Tea Tree Oil

Who hasn’t heard of tea tree oil?  Lot’s of products even those manufactured artificially contain this essential oil in order to help remedy a number of ailments including pimples, dandruff, lice, boils, eczema, psoriasis and even yeast infections.  It is a common ingredient in creams, shampoos, lotions and soaps.  But how much do you really know about tea tree oil?

Tea Tree oil is distilled through steam from a plant called Melaleuca alternifolia which is native to Australia.  It was originally used as a substitute for tea, hence the name.  The medicinal part of the plant is its leaves which contain antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties.

The Australian Aborigines used Tea Tree oil to cure burns, skin cuts and infection by grinding the leaves and applying the crushed leaves directly onto the infected area.

Today tea tree oil is used in a wide array of personal care cosmetics.  One of the most well known applications is to help minimize and remedy acne or pimples.   Researchers in Australia noted during a study that people who experience mild to moderate acne found a significant improvement after application.

People who suffered from dandruff also benefit from tea tree oil.  The same study also extended the research to dandruff sufferers and found that dandruff was controlled after 4 weeks of continuous use.

Tea tree oil has been around for centuries and researchers are finding more ways to utilize this product.  This oil is used in diluted form as allergic reactions can be experienced when used in its full strength.

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Healing Acne With Natural Remedies In Your Pantry or Fridge

Acne is considered as a disaster that strikes at the most important times of your life. We’ve heard teenagers ranting about them on their prom nights and even brides on their wedding day. While acne won’t certainly kill you, it’s very unsightly to sport them hence the need to keep them at bay, at all times, at all costs!

Due to our unrelenting desire to finally win the battle against acne, we indulge in expensive creams and whatnot that promises to instantly solve your acne problems. What we, consumers, don’t know is that half of the price we paid for these acne creams goes straight to the brand’s adverts which convinced us to buy the product in the first place. Moreover, what these brands won’t say is that most of the ingredients they use can also be found in your pantry or fridge—minus the harmful chemicals they add to prolong the product’s shelf life.

Acne is caused by your own hormones as well as your personal hygiene. With that said, if you are the type of person who’s prone to having acne then there’s not much you can do about it but keep your face clean at all times and pinpoint what triggers your acne attacks. Natural acne healers like garlic and orange peel can help clear away acne in no time.  Here are some more natural acne healers you can find inside your own home:

·    Crushed peppermint leaves or mint juice. Both, of course, have menthol, the plant’s most active ingredient. When crushed, you can rub them directly on the affected area, leave for 5 minutes and rinse. The juice on the other hand can be used for washing the face at night.
·    Garlic. Peel and halve a seed of garlic then rub on affected area during the day. Do this until the acne clears up.
·    Cooked oatmeal with honey. Let it cool then apply to face. Leave it for 10 minutes and rinse. Oatmeal absorbs oil from the skin.
·    Lemon juice with rose water. When combined, it makes a powerful antibacterial acne healer. Use as toner for your skin.

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The Truth Behind Natural hair Dyes

Since reports of hair dyes being a cause of cancer in human body have come out, there has been a clamor over safer alternatives hair-dye-crazy people can use. This is to be expected since hair is considered as one’s crowning glory and seeing it go from beautiful, lustrous colored hair to salt-and-pepper gray must be hard to accept. Most people associate hair to one’s age and gray strands are truly a standout among your age group hence the need to cover up regularly. It seems that the fight against graying hair signifies the long-standing battle of human and aging.

Chemical based hair dyes are known to damage hair and not only that, the chemical in it somehow manages to enter your system through the scalp’s pores which will eventually cause cancer. This analogy certainly makes sense but what about those commercially sold hair dyes which boast of being organic and natural? Can they also make some damage or are they safe enough to be used?

The rule of thumb is always check the label, anything in there that you find hard to pronounce should be dumped at once! Steer clear of it also if it mentions coal tar as the substance was found to be a carcinogen too. The most popular among natural hair dyes are henna and those vegetable-based ones.

Unfortunately, natural hair dyes have their own share of mishaps. Henna is also known for its unpredictability even when used regularly. It has one thousand and one color spectrums that you’ll never really know until your hair dries up. For vegetable based hair dyes, it usually takes longer to prepare than the dye actually sticking on your hair.

Personally, I would rather go natural i.e salt-and-pepper gray if nature has it, than gamble with the unknown.

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Sweet Poison, Anyone?

Several years ago, lifestyle diseases became so popular that it actually gave birth to “healthier alternatives”, only these things are not so healthy afterall! One of the most popular inventions to ever hit mankind is the artificial sweeteners. Even today, you can see them even at the smallest of stores and they are being offered along with your coffee every morning. Except for strictly organic stores, artificial sweeteners are almost given out to customers for free.

Artificial sweeteners are primarily made for diabetics to help manage their sugar levels and for people suffering from obesity to help in their weight-loss management. Now, I wonder why these artificial sweeteners are made available to the public if they were meant to alleviate medical conditions. Maybe because there are people who would rather consume chemicals than feel guilty about their excess food consumption. Furthermore, it was suspected that the slew of supply is due to the fact that artificial sweeteners cut almost 50% of the production cost for manufacturers, making it a very ideal money-making venture.

Those artificial sweeteners you see in little packets are pure chemical, no natural-anything in there. The very first artificial sweetener cyclamate was even banned by the FDA because of its addictive components that are considered harmful by the authorities. Today, aspartame is considered as the most dangerous form of artificial sweetener which was found to have a strong connection with cancer.

There are many natural sweeteners you can use instead of artificial sweeteners. Granted, they are not to be used in excess or else, you risk getting fat again and it may be harder to wean yourself out of the artificial ones, not to mention the weird taste that most artificial sweetener addicts complain of, but in the long run, you’ll thank yourself for taking the initiative for better, healthier life.

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The Cancer That Is In Your Home Right Now

More aptly, the killer that is in your home right now and you might have used it this morning, dousing your family’s bodies with carcinogens without you even knowing it! If you haven’t had the chance to examine your skincare products closely—perhaps doing a little research about all those scientific terms that only the manufacturers could understand– then you might be a victim of consumer misinformation. Don’t fret though, since you are not alone.

When it comes to our families, we should know that safety should always come first before anything else. The problem is, due to the kind of life we are living now where stopping to smell the flowers is already considered a crime, we rely on the things we hear and see through media. More often than not, media tends to be a manipulating tool. Whenever there is manipulation, expect deceit to be in close proximity as well.

We have seen its effects, not only to our bodies but to the environment as well. To humans, if we are lucky, we get as little as a rash but to a compromised, vulnerable body, you get cancer—the most deadly condition to date. As we go suffering from these so-called “skincare products”, the environment has its own set of problems to contend with due to the usage of these chemical laden products. For one, most of these chemicals are nonbiodegradable which means their composition wouldn’t normally breakdown. Although they won’t clog your sewage system as they are miniscule in size, just imagine what it can do to our underwater friends. It’s like putting poisonous gas in the air you breathe. Here’s a list of commonly used skincare products at home:

·    Alcohol
·    Mineral makeups
·    Mineral oil
·    Synthetic colors and fragrances
·    Talc
·    Triclosan

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Nanotechnology Being Used In Products Despite Toxicity To Humans And Environment

When the nano technology was first introduced in the early 1980s, most of the people were amazed by this spectacular idea. Share holders invested a lot of money in nano based industries because they knew the next growing business is nano technology.
‘Nano’ means extremely small or mathematically it means one billionth (10-9) of a meter, so Nanotechnology is that knowledge and ability that can construct potent devices by engineering a single atoms until they are molecularly sized.
After only three decades the industries working on this technology is so much enhanced that we are fascinated at how technology is advancing and how efficient we can use the resources around us to make life easier. Nanotechnology is being used every day to develop new electronics and cosmetic products. However, are we really being environmentally friendly by producing and using these products?
The more the particles become small, the more it is a threat to human defense system. Today many leading multi-national cosmetic companies are manufacturing these nano-particle contained products that can be toxic to humans and their environment. Some bizarre facts about the harmful effects of nano particles are listed below:-
1.    In 1997, an Oxford scientist discovered that nano-particles found in sunscreen created free radicals that had damaged DNA.

2.    In 2004, British scientist Vyvyan Howard published initial findings that had indicated gold nanoparticles might travel through a mother’s placenta to the fetus.

3.    In early 2002, the University of California in San Diego revealed that cadmium selenide nanoparticles, also known as quantum dots, may cause cadmium poisoning in humans.

4.    In 2002, CBEN (Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology) indicated that nanoparticles accumulated in the bodies of lab animals and fullerene could easily travel through soil and be absorbed by earthworms. This is a potential link up in the food chain to humans.

Nanotechnology may appeal as the wave of the future and advancement in skincare with the allure of warding off signs of aging but consumers must understand the damage these nano particles can do to the human body.

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Be an Eco-Chic Today!

When you hear the word eco-chic, you know that it has something to do with the environment and trendiness. The term indeed is for the environment but we hope it will last forever since trend, by definition, is a fad—bound to come and go.

Environmentalists still believe that environmental consciousness should be embedded deep within us. Everyone should make an effort to adjust their lifestyles according to what is right for the environment since it’s already showing signs of distress, and we are the ones to suffer if things get out of hand. Because of the overwhelming response to the environmental call, the concept of eco-chic was born.

Eco chic is not all about clothing and cosmetics, it encompasses all aspects of one’s life, even to the way you eat. From as simple as eco bags to as grand as designer furniture, eco chic must have it all just as long as it’s green and very environment-friendly. The idea behind this is to instill savviness in eco practices and hopefully encourage others to do the same. It is meant to bring out the beauty in saving the world and add a little spice into it. Trendsetters call it “being green without sacrificing style”. Basically, being an eco-chic involves a whole lot of lifestyle changes.

However, there’s a downside to this eco-chic practices, one of which is the tendency of people buying eco-chic stuff just to be “in” when in fact, it defeats the purpose of sustainable living. One should remember that embracing ecofriendly practices means consuming less and to consume less means to buy less too.

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Placenta: Is It Really Good for Your Skin?

Placenta usage for your skincare needs is still a debatable issue and an ongoing one. Manufacturers claim that they are as natural as it can get while critics stand firm in their belief that the product is not only unethical but poses a real health risk as well. Unfortunately, placenta creams are virtually flying off the rack these days as more and more users come out to attest to the product’s effectivity. Apparently, it also made a rift in green communities worldwide.

The main ingredient in placenta creams is of course, placenta, particularly the ones coming from cows and humans. It undergoes purification process and then extracted to be formed in creams, lotions and soaps. They are so effective they earned high praises from its loyal users. Placenta, by the way, is the lining of the womb that comes out along with your child when giving birth. In a nutshell, the placenta acts as the nutrient supplier to your developing child inside the womb. Naturally, a placenta is expected to be rich in nutrients by the time it comes out but do take note that it also acts as toxin reliever for the fetus inside since he or she is still unable to do this on his own.

Placenta is indeed natural since it is not man made but what shakes critics the most is that manufacturers claim their products to be natural when in fact, it is already processed and mixed with chemicals to stabilize the product and make it more attractive to use. Also, studies have found that placenta-based skin care products can be heavily laden with hormones triggering hormonal surge to humans making it very unsuitable for children’s use.

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Keep Your Skin Safe This Summer!

Summers are synonymous to the sun and, of course, the beach. What’s a summer without a trip to the beach anyway? For many, you mark a great summer by going to the beach as many times as you possibly can and get that awesome tan before the season is over. Unfortunately, it is not wise to expose your skin to the harsh sun especially with the ozone’s current state.

Your fun summer need not suffer with the threat the sun may hold since there are things you can do to make your summer as fun as it can be but at the same time, stay safe against too much sun exposure:
·    Avoid sun during those times when it’s intense usually at around 10AM-4PM. Basically, you can go out when the sun is not too “prickly” for your skin and avoid it when it stings.
·    If going out around these times is unavoidable, try wearing protective gears to ward off the sun. Sporting an umbrella never killed anyone before, so use them when necessary or if it’s too strenuous for you then try a wide brimmed hat. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes too.
·    Most swimsuit manufacturers came up with designs that are sun-protective. While they may cost higher than your regular bathing suit. It lessens the sun’s impact tremendously.
·    Be a shade-hugger. Staying out of the harsh sun will do you good, always remember that. If there’s none then bring your own beach umbrella to the beach.
·    Apply sunscreen before you step out of the house and reapply as per brand’s instruction. Lather up especially if you intend to lounge in the beach for a while. There are natural sunscreens that are free of all harmful chemicals. Do check them out.

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Home Recipes for Organic Bubble Bath

Bubble baths are fun and very relaxing.  Soaking the warm water after a long day in the office is an ideal way to wind down and reflect.  Concocting a home made bubble bath is not only fun it can also help save money and even the environment especially if one uses environment friendly products.  Here are a few simple and earth friendly recipes for some home made bubble bath.

For a basic bubble bath, get 2 cups of almond oil, 2 cups of distilled water, 1 cup of grated soap or soap flakes, and 2 tablespoons of Witch Hazel.  Boil the distilled water and melt the soap in it. In another container, mix the witch hazel and almond oil together and shake well. If you have a blender, then use it for this step.   Then slowly add the soap mixture to the witch hazel and oil blend and again, shake or blend well. These amounts will make a large quantity of basic bubble bath mixture to which you can add the essential oils of your choice.  For example if you want a calming bubble bath, then add lavender as the essential oil or if you want to be reinvigorated then peppermint would be very good or if you want to feel refreshed then orange or strawberry are very good examples.

Another recipe also very good for relaxing is a mint bubble bath.  Mix together 1 cup fresh mint or ¼ cup dried mint leaves, 1 cup of finely chopped fresh bay leaves, a teaspoon of coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of almond extract.  Once ingredients are combined, put it in a mesh bag or cheese cloth.  Tie the cloth or bag to hot running water and enjoy.  For best results, chop your fresh mint finely to maximize on the effect.

These organic bubble baths are not only cheaper than the commercial kind, they are also safer on the environment because they are made of natural ingredients as opposed to chemical and synthetic ones.

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