35 Things You Could Do With Coconut Oil – From Body Care to Health to Household
It wasn’t that long ago when we were told saturated fats were bad for us, that they clogged the arteries. Well, new studies have shown that was a myth; coconut oil is good for your health. Common sense should have told us this a long time ago. After all, societies that eat a lot of coconut are populated with some of the healthiest people on the planet.
Now that we are no longer afraid to include it in our diet, we have found we can eat the meat, drink the water, turn it into milk, and squeeze out the oil. Every part is a great source of nutrition. But that’s not the only benefit.
Coconut oil is also antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. It has a world of uses. Here are a few:
Coconut Oil and Body Care
Oil pulling. Swish a tablespoon or so of coconut oil through your mouth for 15-20 minutes the first thing in the morning. This is a great practice for oral health and many claim other health benefits as well (oral health recipes).
Brush your teeth with it. Use it plain, add a few drops of essential oil (peppermint, cinnamon, tea tree, oregano), or make your own DIY toothpaste.
Use as a carrier oil. Most of the essential oils are too strong to use full strength. They should be diluted with a carrier oil and coconut oil works very well for this purpose. Just add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice to a tablespoon of coconut oil and rub it on your skin (essential oils for infections).
Use as a moisturizer. Plain coconut oil is great for the skin. It is said to lighten dark spots and help prevent stretch marks.
Make-up remover. Removes all make-up, including eye make-up.
Diaper cream. Use on baby’s butt!
Hair conditioner. Rub it into dry hair and leave it in for a few hours (shampoo conspiracy).
Note: For dogs, one teaspoon per 10 lbs. of weight (or one tablespoon per 30 lbs.). Start with ¼ of the amount and work up to the full amount over a 3-4 week period. Mix it into food.
Household Uses for Coconut Oil
Season cast iron pots and pans.
Polish metals.
Polish furniture.
Use on scuffed leather.
There are many more health benefits from eating coconut oil. But remember to always choose organic virgin coconut oil.
It’s great for cooking and it takes very little to sauté a stir-fry. But you can add coconut oil to smoothies, use it instead of butter or margarine, replace other oils in recipes, or just eat a spoonful. Yes, it’s that good for you!
Plastic Microbeads – They’re In Face Wash, Body Scrubs, Toothpaste, and Our Food
Microbeads were introduced into products like face washes and toothpaste as an extra scrubbing agent. These tiny pieces of plastic were originally added to personal care products as a cheaper replacement for natural exfoliators like walnut husks and diatomaceous earth.
What Are They?
Microbeads are usually made with polyethylene or polypropylene, two of the more commonly used plastics. A single tube of face wash can contain more than 300,000 beads. In a 7oz bottle of face cleanser, roughly three-quarters of an ounce is microbeads. Each of these beads is smaller than 1mm, which is 5 times smaller than the traditional definition of microplastic. Deliberately designed to be rinsed down the drain, their tiny size allows them to slip past water filtration services. This is how they end up in bodies of water, fish stomachs, and our own bodies.
Environmental and Health Issues Caused by Microbeads
Much of the data regarding microbeads and their effect on the environment comes from the Great Lakes. The New York state attorney general released a report on microbeads that stated, they found as much as 19 tons of microbeads are discharged into NY waters. In Lake Ontario, the most contaminated of the Great Lakes, 1.1 million microbeads per square kilometer were found in the lake bed. It is believed that wildlife mistake the tiny plastic particles for fish eggs and get them lodged in their digestive tracts. Not only do these beads cause damage as they end up in the environment, but the damage is magnified by the plastic’s ability to absorb pollutants like industrial chemicals, phthalates, PCBs, and estrogen-disruptors. These toxins are then passed on to the animals that consume them – seagulls, turtles, fish, and humans.
The initial push for legislation against microbeads came from the dental industry after professionals began finding bits of blue plastic stuck in patients’ mouths. Microbeads leave the mouth at greater risk of infections like gingivitis and periodontal disease due to their ability to absorb industrial chemicals and bacteria. Microbeads also may be hormone disruptors, which makes it even more upsetting to have them lodged between your teeth and gums. The American Dental Association cites a lack of clinical evidence supporting the health risks of the microbeads, conveniently mirroring the stance of major retailers.
The FDA maintains that microbeads are safe and they are even approved for uses in food (Think about it; the FDA is totally cool with you eating bits of plastic). The good news is, many companies are noticing the public and state pressure concerning the safety of microbeads and are removing them from their products. Many of them are still in the process of removing them, though, and knowing how to read your ingredients can help you avoid microbeads right now. Polyethylene is the most important ingredient to look for. Other ingredients that indicate the presence of micro beads are polypropylene, poly-e-terephthalate, and polymethyl methacrylate. Some of the major brands using microbeads in their face wash, body scrubs, and toothpastes include:
Proctor and Gamble (this includes Crest and Olay)
Johnson & Johnson (this includes Neutrogena and Aveeno)
L’Oreal (this includes Garnier and the Body Shop)
Proactiv
Nivea
Estee Lauder (this include Clinique)
Discount lines from Walgreens, CVS, and other retailers
Obviously not every product has them, which makes it even more important to check out the ingredients of personal care products you use. Using wildcrafted or organic personal care products from a trusted business also eliminates the health and environment pollution of microbeads.
Legislation Regarding Microbeads
Illinois is the first state to have legal action in place concerning non biodegradable microbeads. Starting in 2017, microbeads will be phased out of all products until the total ban of them in 2019. Colorado, Maine, and New Jersey have laws resembling Illinois’. Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Wisconsin are close behind with similar bills having been presented to their legislation. One issue with these bills is the fact that they leave the possibility open for companies to claim that their microbeads are actually “biodegradable.” California is addressing that issue by approving a bill that will ban microbeads in all forms. If that bill makes it into law, it could be the end for microbeads because of the prohibitive cost of making microbead-free products for only one state. The businesses that don’t see anything wrong with microbeads despite growing evidence otherwise are only going to stop using them when it becomes too costly to use them in their manufactured products.
Internationally, non-government organizations have been quicker to sound the microbead alarm. In 2011, a Dutch NGO, the North Sea Foundation, began asking major businesses to remove microbeads from their products due to their negative environmental impact. Companies responded to initial entreaties with vague, unsubstantiated claims about the safety of their products. In 2012, the North Sea Foundation joined with the Plastic Soup Foundation to create Beat the Microbead, a campaign to end the use of microbeads. This campaign has met success worldwide, with the biggest coup coming when international corporate giant Unilever agreed to stop using microbeads in its global portfolio with 2015 as its target year. This campaign is a great example of how grassroots activism can make a difference using consumer pressure to have a positive impact on harmful business practices.
Microbeads might seem like a tiny thing to be worried about, but the ripple effects from them can have a big impact. The wildlife in the Great Lakes is already feeling it, as every time they mistake a microbead for dinner they ingest a piece of plastic that will add to their demise. In the human health arena, maintaining your oral health is important to your overall health. Digestion starts in the mouth, and wedging teeny tiny pieces of plastic along your gumline is a horrible way to treat yourself. States are slowly coming around to the idea that these microbeads are not only dangerous, but unnecessary. There are alternates to these products, and who doesn’t want to feel good about the personal care products they use?
It’s a no-brainer that one of the prerequisites to a healthy and smooth pregnancy is a wholesome diet. To contribute to the holistic development of the little one in your womb, you must ensure that your food choices are rich in essential nutrients. A poor diet during pregnancy can lead to fatal issues such as abnormal brain development, increased risk for obesity, heart diseases, and diabetes, among many other health problems in your baby. In the midst of battling your food cravings and aversions, it is also important that certain health-boosting superfoods find a permanent place in your daily diet. These nutrient-rich powerhouses don’t just help enhance your overall wellbeing, they also support your baby’s growth. Here are six superfoods that must form a part of your pregnancy diet chart:
Broccoli –Preparing a nutritious salad for supper? Don’t forget to add broccoli to it! This delightful vegetable is one of the best pregnancy superfoods that houses numerous nutrients like folic acid, calcium, iron and vitamin C – all of which contribute to a healthy pregnancy. Foods rich in folic acid are essential for all expectant mothers as they reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus. Calcium contributes to the development of the baby’s healthy bones while iron ensures proper oxygen supply to the fetus. Vitamin C helps lower the risk of pre-eclampsia reports a study conducted by BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Avocado –Looking for the perfect sandwich spread that offers a blend of great taste and good health?Guacamole is just what you need! Avocados contain heart-healthy omega-3 fats that aid the development of the fetal brain. They are also high in fiber, folic acid, vitamins K, C, B6, and potassium. During pregnancy as your gastrointestinal tract slows down, you face an increased risk of developing indigestion and hemorrhoids. Fiber helps prevent these problems. Vitamin K helps in healthy blood clotting and your baby’s bone development. Vitamin B6 provides relief from the symptoms of pregnancy nausea and vomiting.
Salmon –If you are a fish lover, salmon is the variety you should be indulging in! A study conducted by the American Journal of Nutrition found that pregnant women who eat oily fish like salmon twice a week increase the status of EPA and DHA in their fetus. This helps reduce the risk of poor visual and neural development in the baby. It is important to remember, however, that some fish such as lobster, oyster, prawns, shrimps, mussels, and crabs may contain harmful bacteria. If not cooked well, they can lead to food poisoning and even miscarriage.
Berries –These antioxidant-packed fruits add a lot more than delightful flavor to your morning cereal! They also make it a lot more nutritive. Berries are rich in potassium that aids blood pressure control, lowering the risk of pre-eclampsia that can lead to life-threatening complications concerning the brain, kidney, and liver. The antioxidants contained in berries help improve immunity and fight infections. Berries also contain vitamin C, calcium, folate, and fiber.
Chia Seeds –Sprinkling chia seeds on your daily salad and smoothie can remarkably amp up their salutary benefits. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fats that help reduce the symptoms of pregnancy depression. They also help lower sugar absorption, thus preventing blood sugar spikes. They are good sources of energy-giving carbs, too.
Eggs –You must sure know that eggs are a great source of protein – the building blocks of body cells, both for you and your baby. It also contains a micronutrient called choline that contributes to the fetus’ brain and cell development. Eggs are even rich in iron and omega-3 fats that are both beneficial to you and your baby.
You must note that your healthy food choices during pregnancy will also determine your baby’s food preferences in future, apart from contributing to his good health. Along with enriching your pregnancy diet with these delightful and healthy foods, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep yourself well hydrated and to boost your energy levels. Take good care of yourself and the soon-to-arrive angel.
Pharmaceutical companies are one of the biggest, if not the biggest, advertisers supporting mainstream news. Due to this reality, objective reporting can be hard to find. After all, no one wants to bite the hand that feeds them.
So when you hear about a celebrity being anti-vaccine or a celebrity speaking out against forced vaccines, they are often vilified. Like the rest of the population, their stand on the issue may not be black or white. Many who are labeled as anti-vaccine just want to see vaccines get cleaned up; they don’t believe mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde or any other toxic ingredients should be included in vaccines. Many are alarmed by the number of vaccines given to children, the practice of giving multiple vaccines at once, and the industry’s lack of liability.
Celebrities who publically question the safety or effectiveness of vaccines open themselves up to media attacks. They are often portrayed as stupid, anti-science, or dangerous to the public. And, since the public has become so polarized on this issue, any celebrity who openly criticizes the safety or efficacy of a single vaccine or vaccine ingredient risks alienating much of their fan base.
You might be surprised to learn what these celebrities have actually said or written about vaccines. Many “anti-vaccine” celebrities are actually better vaccinated than many of their critics. There are probably many more “anti-vaccine” celebrities, but these are the ones with the courage to speak out and deal with the backlash and the mainstream media spin.
Robert Deniro & Vaxxed Documentary:
Grace and I have a child with autism and we believe it is critical that all of the issues surrounding the causes of autism be openly discussed and examined. In the 15 years since the Tribeca Film Festival was founded, I have never asked for a film to be screened or gotten involved in the programming. However this is very personal to me and my family and I want there to be a discussion, which is why we will be screening VAXXED. I am not personally endorsing the film, nor am I anti-vaccination; I am only providing the opportunity for a conversation around the issue.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdCU2DfMBpU
Is Jenny McCarthy Anti-Vaccine?
Jenny McCarthy is arguably the most famous critic of vaccines. What’s not commonly known is that she isn’t all that opposed to them, but that isn’t how she is portrayed by mainstream media. Wikipedia even calls her an anti-vaccine activist. The truth is, her views aren’t black and white on the subject. She dares to question vaccine safety and the recommended vaccine schedule. She says, “We need to get rid of the toxins, the mercury—which I am so tired of everyone saying it’s been removed. It has not been removed from the shots.”
Jenny McCarthy has called for vaccine companies to develop less toxic vaccines with a safer schedule. She believes that a re-emergence of certain diseases will be the wake-up call we need in order to demand that vaccine companies make safer vaccines.
I am not anti-vaccine. …I’m in this gray zone of, I think everyone should be aware and educate yourself and ask questions. And if your kid is having a problem, ask your doctor for an alternative way of doing the shots.”
Jenny McCarthy has pointed out how people paint her as anti-vaccine when in fact, she believes that vaccines are a good thing. She believes that people should do their own research and ask their doctors questions. Parents should look for alternatives to the current vaccines and a different schedule.
The ironic thing is my position has always remained the same. People just never listened to it. Literally, throughout the years, I have said the same thing over and over again. But people will only read headlines instead of looking back and seeing what I’ve been saying.”
Jenny McCarthy has stuck to her position of making vaccines safer through the years, despite the attempts by mainstream media to paint her as a crazy anti-vaxxer.
I believe in the importance of a vaccine program and I believe parents have the right to choose one poke per visit. I’ve never told anyone to not vaccinate. Should a child with the flu receive six vaccines in one doctor visit? Should a child with a compromised immune system be treated the same way as a robust, healthy child? Shouldn’t a child with a family history of vaccine reactions have a different plan? Or at least the right to ask questions?”
Even though she has always stuck to her position of making vaccines safer and parents exercising their right to choose an alternate vaccination schedule, people have continued to attack her and try to portray her as being anti-vaccine.
Aidan Quinn Says His Child is Vaccine Damaged
“She was a normal child,” Aidan Quinn says. “Way above normal, in fact. And then she received a vaccination. She got a 106 degree fever, she turned blue, and she woke up the next day a completely damaged child after that.” His daughter, Ava, was so severely damaged that she lives in a special care facility and comes home on weekends, where she has to be watched every second.
For more on Aidan Quinn’s anti-vaccine views:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRB2TLFvc3s
Kristin Cavalari Will Not Vaccinate Her Children
Kristin admitted on Fox News while she was pregnant with her second child that she does not plan to ever vaccinate them due to autism fears.
You know what, I’ve read too many books about autism, and the studies…There is a pediatric group called ‘Homestead’…or…shoot—‘Homestead’ or ‘Home First.’ Now I’m pregnancy brain, I gotta confuse them…but they’ve never vaccinated any of their children and they’ve never had one case of autism. And now, one in 88 boys is autistic which is a really scary statistic.”
Here’s the thing: At the end of the day, I’m just a mom. I’m trying to make the best decision for my kid. There are very scary statistics out there regarding what is in vaccines and what they cause — asthma, allergies, ear infections, all kinds of things. And we feel like we’re making the best decision for our kids.”
Alicia Silverstone is Adamantly Anti-vaccine
Alicia Silverstone took her views about vaccinations and boldly laid them out in her book, The Kind Mama. Silverstone gave extensive parenting advice including suggesting that parents reconsider getting their children vaccinated. She tells parents that proper nutrition can block the diseases that vaccinations protect children from. She also said she has witnessed a child become autistic immediately after a vaccination.
While there has not been a conclusive study of the negative effects of such a rigorous one-size-fits-all, shoot-’em-up schedule, there is increasing anecdotal evidence from doctors who have gotten distressed phone calls from parents claiming their child was ‘never the same’ after receiving a vaccine,” Silverstone writes in The Kind Mama. “And I personally have friends whose babies were drastically affected in this way.”
Billy Corgan is an “Anti-Vaxxer”
I say ‘propaganda’ because, in my heart, there is something mighty suspicious about declaring an emergency for something that has yet to show itself to be a grand pandemic,” Corgan writes on his new blog. “Our American President Obama has declared a national emergency about this virus, which he in his own words said was, at this point, a preventative measure. So, why declare an emergency if there isn’t one?”
“I do not trust those who make the vaccines, or the apperatus [sic] behind it all to push it on us thru fear. This is not judgment; it is a personal decision based on research, intuition, conversations with my doctor and my ‘family’. If the virus comes to take me Home, that is between me and the Lord.”
Corgan is obviously anti-vaccine, and he also criticizes a mandatory vaccination law in Massachusetts, stating: “Soon, you won’t even have the choice to live OR die as you wish!”
Charlie Sheen Appears to be 100% Anti-Vaccine
Dr. Peter Waldstein, a Bev Hills pediatrician, treated Charlie and Denise’s two kids. Charlie was pissed that the doc was immunizing his kids because he holds a strict anti-vaccine stance. He considers vaccines to be poison. Charlie sent Waldstein a letter demanding he no longer treat the children. The doctor fired his own letter back saying he would treat them if need be, no matter what. After failing to stop his children’s vaccinations by legal means, Charlie showed his disdain for vaccines by paying the outstanding $380 bill via a messenger with a big box filled with 7,600 nickels.
Donald Trump is Not Anti-Vaccine, Though He is Critical
I’m all for vaccinations, but I think when you add all of these vaccinations together and then two months later the baby is so different then lots of different things have happened. I really — I’ve known cases.” Donald Trump said. “I’ve seen people where they have a perfectly healthy child, and they go for the vaccinations and a month later the child is no longer healthy.”
Rob Schneider is Outspoken For Freedom of Choice and Vaccine Dangers
This policy of one size fits all Vaccine schedule for every child is as absurd as giving the same eye prescription glasses to every child. The fact is EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT and there is currently NO SYSTEM or thought to which child could be more susceptible to adverse reactions including permanent injury and death from any Vaccine or Vaccine ingredients.”
We couldn’t find any proof that Rob Schneider is 100% anti-vaccine. He has made it clear that he’s against mandated vaccines, that vaccines can do harm, and that the CDC has covered up evidence that vaccines cause autism. He is also outspoken against current, conventional vaccine practices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxYtPD3eIUw
https://youtu.be/xv_IaLHwgAQ
Mayim Bialik Wants Us To Choose Our Vaccines Carefully
Mayim Bialik, with a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, is the most formally educated out of all of the celebrities mentioned in this article. Mayim Bialik, or Dr. Bialik, if your prefer, is known to be “anti-vaccine,” but her views are a bit more conventional, and not nearly as “radical” as she may be portrayed.
The number of vaccines that you and I received when we were kids is a third or a fourth less than what kids get now. So my feeling is you can really do whatever you want, just like I get to do whatever I want, but I don’t inherently think that no one should get the flu, for example. And that’s my personal opinion.”
Jim Carrey is Not 100% Anti-Vaccine
Jim Carrey is not anymore anti-vaccine than Jenny McCarthy or Andrew Wakefield. He is clearly against vaccines including certain toxic ingredients that have been shown to be harmful and he is against mandatory vaccinations, the MMR vaccine, and the sheer number of vaccines recommended on the vaccine schedule.
“The truth is that no one without a vested interest in the profitability of vaccines has studied all 36 of them in depth. There are more than 100 vaccines in development, and no tests for cumulative effect or vaccine interaction of all 36 vaccines in the current schedule have ever been done. If I’m mistaken, I challenge those who are making such grand pronouncements about vaccine safety to produce those studies.
“If we are to believe that the ruling of the ‘vaccine court’ in these cases mean that all vaccines are safe, then we must also consider the rulings of that same court in the Hannah Polling and Bailey Banks cases, which ruled vaccines were the cause of autism and therefore assume that all vaccines are unsafe. Clearly both are irresponsible assumptions, and neither option is prudent.”
“In this growing crisis, we cannot afford to blindly trumpet the agenda of the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or vaccine makers. Now more than ever, we must resist the urge to close this book before it’s been written. The anecdotal evidence of millions of parents who’ve seen their totally normal kids regress into sickness and mental isolation after a trip to the pediatrician’s office must be seriously considered. The legitimate concern they and many in the scientific community have that environmental toxins, including those found in vaccines, may be causing autism and other disorders (Aspergers, ADD, ADHD), cannot be dissuaded by a show of sympathy and a friendly invitation to look for the ‘real’ cause of autism anywhere but within the lucrative vaccine program.”
“With vaccines being the fastest growing division of the pharmaceutical industry, isn’t it possible that profits may play a part in the decision-making? That the vaccine program is becoming more of a profit engine than a means of prevention? In a world left reeling from the catastrophic effects of greed, mismanagement and corporate insensitivity, is it so absurd for us to wonder why American children are being given twice as many vaccines on average, compared to the top 30 first world countries?”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Adamantly Anti-Mercury
Kennedy is an environmental attorney who has been tirelessly working to remove pollutants like mercury from our rivers and streams and now our vaccines. He has presented an impressive body of scientific evidence before Senator Barbara Mikulski, who brushed him off. She suggested that Kennedy bring his evidence to Sen. Bernie Sanders who “cares about brain health.” Mikulski made it readily apparent that the argument that mercury causes harm doesn’t interest her. It has consumed Kennedy for decades.
Kennedy has argued that if mercury was dangerous enough to remove from some vaccines, why isn’t it dangerous enough to remove from all vaccines? He also accuses the federal government of knowing and ignoring the dangers of mercury in vaccines. He openly accuses the CDC of blatant corruption. When the CDC says vaccines are safe, Kennedy argues that we can’t trust them.
They get the shot, that night they have a fever of a hundred and three, they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone,” Kennedy said. “This is a holocaust, what this is doing to our country.”
His comparison of vaccine damage to the holocaust offended many people. There was a public outcry over his poor choice of words. Kennedy stated,
I want to apologize to all whom I offended by my use of the word holocaust to describe the autism epidemic. I employed the term during an impromptu speech as I struggled to find an expression to convey the catastrophic tragedy of autism which has now destroyed the lives of over 20 million children and shattered their families.”
Bill Maher is Anti-Flu Shot and “Pro-Common Sense”
Maher has clearly spoken out against the flu shot, but states that he is not an anti-vaxxer, thoough he does question the current vaccine schedule.
I’m not an anti-vaxxer; I never have been.I’m an anti-flu shot guy. I think that’s bullsh*t and I think the fact that it was 23 percent effective this week bears that out. But if Ebola was airborne, I’d get the vaccine tomorrow.”
Robert Rodriguez Says Meeting Dr. Andrew Wakefield Changed Our Lives
We are forever grateful. His wise and measured advice about vaccinations helped us dodge a bullet . . . Our fourth son [had] multiple allergies and repeated infections . . . We now fully realize [he] would have been a victim of immune overload had we followed the regular vaccine schedule . . . [He] is [now] bright and healthy . . . This book provides a terrifying insight into what has been happening behind the scenes as efforts redouble to silence Dr. Wakefield . . . It is a wake-up call to those who think [he] is anything other than a modern day hero fighting for all of our children.”
Conclusion
Most of the celebrities mentioned in this article are not anti-vaccine, but rather pro-safety. Objections to the number of vaccines, or toxic ingredients are more common than objections to the practice of vaccination. Check out How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children.
Five DIY Organic Shampoo Recipes for Beautiful Hair
Shampoo is the most common hair care product we buy, but the harsh chemical compounds present in commercial shampoos cause too much harm to our tresses and make them dull, dry, and unhealthy. Going organic can save your hair from this turmoil and DIY recipes can be easy on your wallet. So, here are 5 simple DIY organic shampoo recipes that can give you beautiful, attractive hair:
Organic Coconut and Lemon Shampoo Recipe
This simple, easy and inexpensive shampoo can nourish both your hair and scalp to give you gorgeous locks.
Ingredients:
Liquid castile soap – 1 cup
Organic coconut oil – 1 tablespoon
Lemongrass essential oil – 20 drops
Directions:
Pour liquid castile soap into a mixing bowl.
Add organic coconut oil and stir well.
Add lemongrass essential oil to the opaque mixture.
Mix everything once again.
Organic Shea Butter Shampoo Recipe
If your hair is extremely dry and severely damaged, this shampoo can restore its natural moisture and put it into good health.
Ingredients:
Liquid castile soap – 200 ml.
Organic shea butter – 15 ml.
Lavender essential oil – 8 to 10 drops
Sodium bicarbonate – 1(1/2) teaspoons
Distilled water – 50 ml.
Directions:
Melt solid shea butter by placing it over boiling water. Let it cool to room temperature.
Mix water with sodium bicarbonate to make a solution.
Pour this solution into liquid castile soap. Stir for a few seconds. Avoid forming too much foam.
Add melted shea butter.
Add lavender essential oil to the bowl.
Blend everything together.
Organic Chamomile Shampoo Recipe
You can opt for this organic chamomile shampoo to turn your curly, frizzy and dry locks into soft, smooth and manageable ones.
Ingredients:
Solid castile soap – 2 tablespoons
Organic chamomile tea – 1 cup
Chamomile essential oil – 4 to 5 drops
Pure glycerin – 1 tablespoon
Directions:
Grate a solid bar of castile soap from one side.
Brew a cup of strong chamomile tea and pour it into the grated castile soap.
Add glycerin.
Add chamomile essential oil.
Blend everything well.
Organic Vegetable Oil and ACV Shampoo Recipe
Say ‘bye bye’ to dandruff and improve the overall appearance of your hair significantly with this super effective organic shampoo.
Ingredients:
Liquid castile soap – 4 tablespoons
Organic vegetable oil – 2 teaspoons
Organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) – 4 tablespoons
Coconut flakes – 4 tablespoons
Fresh thyme – 4 tablespoons
Fresh rosemary – 4 tablespoons
Distilled water – 2 cups
Directions:
Bring distilled water to a boil.
Add coconut flakes, fresh thyme and fresh rosemary to it. Stir well and boil for 30 more minutes.
Strain the mixture and add liquid castile soap to it.
Pour vegetable oil and ACV into it.
Mix everything well.
Organic Green Tea Shampoo Recipe
The antioxidant properties of green tea can make your tresses look healthy and beautiful by preventing grey hair and reducing hair fall.
Ingredients:
Liquid castile soap – 1 cup
Organic green tea leaves – a handful
Organic olive oil – 1 tablespoon
Organic raw honey – 1 teaspoon
Distilled water – 1 cup
Directions:
Boil fresh green tea leaves in distilled water and brew for 30 minutes.
We all know pollutants, dust, and allergens have a severely negative impact on people’s health. Yet, while most of us are worried about the rising pollution levels outdoors, we tend to forget that most of our time is spent indoors. As a result, we end up breathing in a lot of unwanted substances every time we draw a breath!
Improving Indoor Air Quality
Improving the quality of air inside your home or office is much easier than you might think. There are basically four simple steps that can help you improve Indoor Air Quality:
Control Pollutant Sources
Remove or relocate sources of pollutants or taking steps to reduce emissions can significantly improve air quality in any indoor space.
Improve Ventilation
Concentrations of indoor air pollutants can be reduced by increasing the flow of outdoor air, which allows fresh air to replace the stale air that has accumulated indoors.
Remove or Clean Pollutants
Air filters and mechanical cleaners can be used to filter pollutants and mold from indoor air while improving circulation, too.
Control Humidity
This doesn’t always mean reducing humidity. When the weather is dry or if you use air conditioners indoors all the time, you may need to increase humidity. Overly dry air can irritate sinuses, cause congestion, and increase the risk of colds, flu, and other infections.
Basic Solutions and DIYs
There are a number of methods that can be employed to improve the indoor air quality in homes and office buildings. Some of the best methods are extremely easy to employ and inexpensive, if not free.
Here are some basic changes you could make to improve indoor air quality without the investment of extensive effort or time:
Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Many commercially-available conventional cleaning products contain powerful chemicals that can be as harsh on your health as they are on stains.
Get Rid of Polluting Household Chemicals and Products
Household products like paints, solvents, and pesticides contain poisonous chemicals and pollutants like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
Avoid Conventional Dry-Cleaning
Perchloroethylene (PERC) and Mineral Turpentine Oil (MTO) are commonly used in the dry cleaning industry. Both are known to cause serious health issues, and PERC is a known carcinogen.
Use Natural Ventilation
You can increase ventilation in cooler months by opening the top and bottom of double-hung windows or opening windows on opposite sides to permit cross-ventilation. Aside from reducing pollutant concentrations, you could save a lot on energy and the cost of forced-air cooling devices.
Use an Exhaust Fan or Hob-Chimney
Cooking on a gas range produces carbon dioxide and even more harmful gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Install hood fans above gas ranges to push exhausts outdoors.
Keep the Indoors Dry
Mold loves damp places, so fix any leaks or drips and clean up spills as soon as possible. Standing water and puddles are a haven for disease-causing microbes and mosquitos. Check for them regularly and deal with them immediately.
Replace Air Filters on Time
Filters on furnaces and air-conditioners can become clogged and ineffective. Additionally, they can be a breeding ground for microbes if they haven’t been used in a while. Clean them regularly and replace them as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Don’t Smoke or Let Others Smoke Indoors
While this seems obvious, most people tend to neglect it. Cigarette smoke isn’t just a health hazard for smokers. Second hand smoke is just as dangerous for others.
Design for Better Air Quality
While the tips listed above can be followed as a regular practice, some design cues can also help improve the indoor air quality in your home or office.
Plan your Remodel
Remodeling means building materials, and that means dust. Toxins and pollutants get suspended in the air easily. Plan to renovate and remodel in cooler months, when you can maximize ventilation from outdoors.
Use “Greener” Materials
Air quality can be improved throughout the year if you use products and materials that have lower emissions of pollutants, like zero-VOC paint or formaldehyde-free insulation. Look for materials certified by Greenguard, Greenfield, and similar organizations.
Reduce and Maintain Carpeting
Carpets absorb moisture and trap contaminants. Never use them in areas where they are likely to be exposed to water or dirt. They should be vacuumed regularly, preferably using a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtering system.
Increase Ventilation Through Forced-Air Conditioning
Add external ducts to heating and cooling systems that use heat-exchanging or forced-air heating or cooling. This allows a portion of fresh air from outside to be mixed in.
Keep Your Garage Air Separate
Vehicles’ exhausts are basically just pollutants and nothing more. Design the garage so the amount of air exchanged between it and the conditioned space is minimized, if not eliminated. If you’re keen on monitoring the levels, consider a carbon-monoxide detector or automatic garage door opener.
Mechanical Air-Cleaning and Conditioning
In addition to the other options, there is a wide range of products and equipment that is specifically designed to improve indoor air quality. These products are particularly useful for people who live in high-pollution cities and those who have respiratory issues as well as for commercial establishments like schools, offices, hospitals, and the like.
Common devices used to improve indoor air quality
Energy Recovery Ventilators
These systems connect to existing heating/cooling systems to exchange stale indoor air with fresh air from the outside.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Apart from being up to 50% cheaper to run, the amount of ventilation provided by these systems is matched to the level of human occupancy and water consumption, which provides excellent moisture control.
Radiant Hydronic Heating Systems
As opposed to forced-air heating systems, these use hot-water flow for indoor heating. The advantage is a reduction of dust and allergens stirred up by blowing hot air. Also, since floors are warmed directly, condensation and water pooling are reduced.
UV Biocide Chambers
One of the most effective ways of dealing with microbes is with ultra-violet light. Biocide chambers use a UV lamp below and above the cooling coils to kill germs, pathogens, and allergens at an enhanced rate.
Polarized Filters
These are electric air cleaners that use a polarized charge to capture and remove airborne particles. They have zero ozone emissions remove upwards of 95% of particles that aggravate allergies.
HEPA Air Filters
HEPA filters are considered by many as the ultimate in air filtration systems available today. They can filter out 99.97% of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns, as well as 90% of bioaerosols and microorganisms as small as 0.01 micron.
Air Humidifiers
Dry air can cause just as many problems as moisture, and studies have linked it to increased nasal congestion, especially when it’s cold. Another worrying study found that flu viruses survive much longer in dry air, so humidifiers are essential for places that have very low humidity.
Conclusion
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted and can even contain carcinogens like Radon. Now there’s a fact that could literally take your breath away!
It’s mosquito season again here in North America. All too often, this is the time when many people rely on pesticides for their yards or they use synthetic insect repellents. Many of us are under the false impression that this is the heavy-duty approach, and everything else is “not hardcore enough.”
There are numerous downsides to outdoor pesticide treatments and synthetic insect repellents. Pesticides create insecticide resistant bugs. The active ingredient in most commercial bug repellents is DEET, a dangerous chemical. DEET has been linked to neurological damage, cancer, and environmental damage. Chemicals are also less effective than natural methods. In addition, natural methods are cheaper and pose little to no health risk.
A Wealth of Options
There are many natural methods for mosquito control. You can grow the right kind of plants in your yard, and mosquitoes will leave you alone. You can make some changes to your diet to make yourself far less appealing to mosquitoes. Another tried and proven tactic is to create bird, bat, or frog habitats, which work well to keep mosquitoes and other bug populations down. Finally, you can use essential oils, the ultimate non-toxic, all-natural mosquito repellent to keep the dastardly bloodsuckers away.
Take Away The Mosquito Habitats
You also don’t want to make it easy for mosquitoes to reproduce. Remove anything that collects and pools stagnant water- that’s where they lay their eggs. Tires, buckets, pet bowls, birdbaths, gutters, and the like are potential breeding pools for mosquitoes. Eliminating these breeding spots is an essential step if you wish to be taken off the menu.
The easiest solution, and my favorite, is to use your green thumb against mosquitoes. All you need to do is grow the right plants. There are several dozen tested and proven plants that repel mosquitoes, and many are beautiful and easy to grow. You can use flowers such as marigolds (see further reading below), and ageratums (also known as floss flowers). Or you could use plants such as catnip, lavender, mint, or citronella. There are so many plants that repel mosquitoes.
There are many essential oils that repel mosquitoes and other biting insects. To avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and other pests including ticks, biting flies, and midges, you’ll need a combination of essential oils for complete protection. The following essential oils repel mosquitoes:
Remember to try a little essential oil on your skin to test for an allergic reaction before you apply the oil more generously. Don’t use essential oils straight out of the bottle. You need to either dilute them with water, or better yet, you can mix a few drops of essential oils with coconut oil as a carrier, which also doubles as a sunblock. Coconut oil is also good for the skin.
It’s the Female Mosquitoes You Need To Look Out For
We call it biting, but being bitten by a mosquito more closely resembles a miniature needle jab. The bloodsucking tube of the female mosquito looks rigid; however, it is actually a very complex flexible organ that bends at right angles in order to find a good source of blood.
A mosquito’s needle-like hollow probe tapers to a point. The labrum is the flat strip that collapses as the mosquito pushes into the skin. This well-evolved feeding tube is finer than a human hair. From inside the tube, four tiny cutting filaments, known as mandibles maxillae, dig their way into the skin. The mosquito pushes in with these four filaments to drive the other mouthparts deeper.
These biting parts are only found on female mosquitoes. While, both the male and the female mosquito feed on plant nectar, only the female feeds on blood. The rich amounts of protein and iron in blood aids them in producing their eggs.
A Short Lifespan
All mosquitoes live a short life, but the females live quite a bit longer than the males with a typical lifespan could be 6 to 8 weeks. The male’s main purpose in life is to find the females and mate with them. Longevity is not needed for this endeavor. Once they have grown to an adult, males rarely last more than 2 weeks.
Some female mosquitoes can lay up to 300 eggs at a time, some lay less than a hundred. Most lay their eggs in water or very close to the water. The eggs quickly mature in water.
Mosquito eggs grow in stages, the four stages that are typical of many insect species: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. Larvae and pupae mosquitoes need water in order to survive.
They Come in Many Sizes
Mosquitoes vary in size from 1.6 mm to 12.5 mm (up to 1/2 an inch). Half an inch doesn’t sound very big, but the big ones are 20 times the size of normal mosquitoes. The super-sized mosquitoes are known as gallinippers. Gallinippers can bite through clothing.
And in Many Different Species, Too
There are more than 3,500 different species of mosquitoes in the world, and about 200 of them are in North America. Many mosquitoes bite whenever the opportunity presents itself, but some are more choosey about their targets.
Some mosquitoes are very specialized – humans are not the meal they choose. Others, of course, are our biggest fans. Aedes aegypti feed on human blood almost exclusively. As the name implies, aedes aegypti originated in North Africa, but they, like others, have spread across the world. There are only a few safe havens like Iceland and Antarctica.
They Know What They Like
Mosquitoes are attracted to body heat, dark clothing, perfume, cologne, hairsprays, cosmetics, and natural body odors. Our skin can create over 340 different chemical odors, and these smells can be unappealing or appealing to mosquitoes. These are some of the reasons that mosquitoes like some of us more than others, but there are other reasons as well.
We have over a trillion microbes living on our skin. When scientists compare microbes from person to person, there is a great deal of variation. Mosquitoes are attracted to some kinds of bacteria while other kinds mask our scent. As chance would have it, some kinds are downright unappealing to them.
Our diet is the biggest factor influencing our microbial makeup, but there are other factors like how much we sweat, what kind of soap we use, how much we exercise, the last time we bathed, and of course, genetics are a big factor as well.
Predators and parasites both prefer their prey to be in less than optimal health. When we are in optimal health, our bodies are teeming with beneficial bacteria, killer white T-cells, and all of our other natural defenses. Diet plays a huge role in both health and micro-bio diversity.The microbes on our skin reflect the microbes in our gut. Mosquitoes like sugary blood and perfumes. If you are attracting mosquitoes and you aren’t wearing perfumes, you are probably eating too much sugar, and it is time to balance your gut flora. You might find it surprising how much less they’ll like you if you’re eating a truly healthy diet (see further reading below). It’s helpful to know mosquitoes don’t like garlic, onions, leeks, and vinegar. If you eat a healthy diet and enough of these foods, mosquitoes will like you a lot less.
Itchy, Painful Bites are Not the Worst-Case-Scenario
It’s a good idea to avoid mosquitoes and mosquito bites. Mosquitoes inject their prey with an anti-inflammatory and an anti-coagulate to make it easier to suck blood. Usually this bug spit that gets injected in the bite area just causes some mild irritation. In rare cases, people have severe adverse reactions. Symptoms of a mosquito allergy include:
Increased swelling at bite
Fever
Hives
Swollen lymph nodes
Headache
This type of physical reaction is more commonly seen in children and is sometimes referred to as skeeter syndrome. Unfortunately, even this kind of reaction is still not the worst-case scenario for mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes are vectors of numerous diseases:
Chikungunya
West nile virus
Filariasis
Encephalitis
Malaria
Rift valley fever
Yellow fever
Dengue fever
Malaria is the most infamous disease listed. Roughly 200 million people contract malaria every year and the disease kills over a million people a year.
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
The biotech industry has turned to genetically modified mosquitoes as a means to reduce mosquito populations. They release genetically modified males that have been modified to be sterile. They are released in close enough proximity to where mosquitoes are found, so the males can seek out the females. Unsurprisingly, the males are really, really good at finding the females. GMO mosquitoes mate with the females, which denies them the opportunity to mate with fertile males.
GMO mosquitoes have been released in Brazil, Malaysia, and Florida. The male mosquitoes seek out the female mosquitoes and they impregnate them with doomed offspring. In a generation, large numbers of aedes egypti mosquitoes die off.
Of course, this is the ideal circumstance, a best case scenario. Only male genetically modified mosquitoes are supposed to be released. We don’t know what would happen if female GMO mosquitoes were to get free. People could be bitten by GMO mosquitoes, which would leave GMO proteins in their body. What if some of the genetically modified males malfunction and don’t work as they’re supposed to and they somehow produce viable offspring? The changes they could make to the population are impossible to predict. Though the first trials appear to be successful, it is a dire risk to manipulate the genes of any organism and then release it into the environment. We may not understand enough about genetics to be doing these kinds of manipulations to species and then releasing them, just hoping for the best. Many critics of this technology argue this approach is unrealistically optimistic.
Conclusion
Mosquitoes have been with us a long time, even before there was an “us”. Way before human beings or primates evolved, mosquitoes were doing their thing.
Fossil evidence puts mosquitos all the way back to the Jurassic period. Amazingly, the little buggers harassed the dinosaurs, too. Back then mosquitoes came a bit larger, up to 2 inches in size.
We hope you take the extra time to make it more difficult for mosquitoes to make a meal out of you or your friends and family. One of the best end results of repelling mosquitoes is the knowledge that you’re doing your part to reduce their population the natural way, by starving them out of the blood they need to reproduce. Donating blood should be reserved for fellow people in need, not these vile pests.
use, in my heart, there is something mighty suspicious about declaring an emergency for something that has yet to show itself to be a grand pandemic,” Corgan writes on his new blog. “Our American President Obama has declared a national emergency about this virus, which he in his own words said was, at this point, a preventative measure. So, why declare an emergency if there isn’t one?”
