Guide to Your New Year’s Bathroom Cabinet Makeover: Part 1

Printer & PDF Friendly Version

(This is the second of three parts, originally published in January 2007, back by popular demand).

Below is a brief summary of what ingredients to avoid or eliminate from the various product categories that live in your bathroom cabinet and the potential health threats they pose along with some of my recommendations for healthful replacements:    

OUT: TOXIC TOOTHPASTES.

Toothpastes, mouthwashes and other oral care products made with Fluoride, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) regardless of the source, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol,FD & C colors, and Parabens of any kind.

HEALTH CONCERN:

Contrary to popular belief, Fluoride is actually a poison!  Fluorides are industrial waste products created in the production of aluminum, phosphoric acid, and phosphate fertilizers, that have been linked to a host of illnesses, including bone problems, diabetes, thyroid  malfunction, and mental impairment. Just read the warning labels on fluoride toothpastes and you’ll see that if children under the age of six swallow as much as “a pea-sized amount” of fluoridated paste, parents should contact the nearest poison control center.  Yikes!

Alcohol, which is commonly used in mouthwashes, is drying, changes the pH of the mouth, and strips away the protective mucous membrane in the mouth and throat. Propylene Glycol is often used as a softener or penetration enhancer. Did you know that is also a key ingredient of anti-freeze? Yes, you read that right: anti-freeze. It keeps products from melting in high heat and freezing when it is cold. Don’t be misled into thinking that products made with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate “derived from coconut” is any different or safer than SLS from any other source –that’s
just a little handy Green-washing!

IN: VITAMINS, HERBS, ESSENTIAL OILS.

Toothpastes made with Sodium Bicarbonate, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Carageenan, and Essential Oils. We like Jason’s line of organic toothpastes –especially Nutrismile, which is made with Vitamin C, parsley extract, peppermint, cinnamon, and orange essential oils. We especially like the way they breakout the ingredients, explaining what role each one plays. We also like a European brand called BioForce, which is made with echinacea (an herbal immune system booster) and/or essential oils of rosemary and thyme. You can make a simple, effective mouthwash yourself by combining 1 part peppermint hydrosol with two parts purified water. For a mixture of 4 fluid ounces add 4-6 drops of essential oil like cinnamon bark, spearmint, clove and/or sweet fennel or try adding 4 drops of our Stay Alert Diffuser Blend with 2-3 drops of liquid Stevia (to sweeten it a little).

OUT: DANGEROUS DEODORANTS

Deodorants and antiperspirants made with Aluminum (especially Sodium Chloride), Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, unidentified “fragrances” or parabens of any kind. Avoid any deodorant that comes in an aerosol form. Stick to roll-ons or solids.

HEALTH CONCERN:

Deodorants and antiperspirants typically contain solvents and preservatives that can cause skin irritation and rashes. Propylene Glycolacknowledged as a neurotoxin by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA). It is known to cause liver and kidney damage, can cause dermatitis and allergies, and may be a carcinogen. Regular use of aerosol sprays (not to be confused with mist spray tops that you pump), means you will be consistently surrounded by a cloud of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to inhale. The recently acknowledged link between Alzheimer’s disease and aluminum has also raised a furious debate over the safety of putting aluminum compounds into deodorants. See Chemical-laden Creams (in Part 2 of this Guide) for important info about the dangers of “Fragrance.”

IN: GLYCERIN, ALOE VERA, MINERAL SALTS.

Deodorants made with Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Kaolin Clay (an adsorbent), and essential oils (especially Cypress, Tea Tree, Lavender, Geranium, or Manuka essential oils). Or try “Crystal” deodorants, which are made from mild mineral salts. These can come in the form of an actual crystal stone, a pop-up, or even a mist spray. We like Nature’s Gate Organics or Avalon Organics brand solid stick or roll-on deodorants.

OUT: HARSH MEDICINE.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) pain killers, cold medicines and cough syrups made with Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), Dextromethorphan,
or Codeine.

HEALTH CONCERNS:

The more than 100,000 over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that you can buy without a prescription all have one thing in common: they are serious medicines that need to be taken with care. Some people are at increased risk for significant –and sometimes serious– drug interactions involving over-the-counter medications. This includes patients with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, and the elderly. The American Academy of Pediatrics has documented the ineffectiveness and potential toxicities of OTC cough and cold medicines in children, and the FDA recently issued an advisory to remove phenylpropanolamine (PPA) —a common constituent of OTC decongestants— from those products because of concern for increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. In addition to side effects of the various ingredients, OTC cough and cold preparations also present potential hazards due to dosing errors. And there are environmental consequences that come with throwing those old expired meds (both prescription and OTC) down the drain or flushing them down the toilet!

IN: NATURAL REMEDIES.

Next time you’re tempted to reach for a Motrin or Nyquil, try an herbal, homeopathic, flower essence, and/or essential oil-based natural remedy instead. These can be remarkably effective at addressing a wide range of symptoms associated with colds and flu, or run-of-the-mill aches and pains without the added burden on your liver and kidneys that can occur from over-use of OTC medications like ibuprofen, or the risk of increased blood pressure from cough and cold medicines.

I abandoned Robitussin several years ago in favor of Planetary Formulas’ Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup for quieting even the most stubborn of coughs. I’ve also found homeopathic remedies for allergies, indigestion, and even insomnia to be very helpful and gentle. Brands I like are Natrol, Hylands, or BHI. Of course with natural remedies there is no “one size fits all” approach so some experimentation is necessary to find the right combination for your particular ailments. For bruises, aches, and pains, try Arnica Gel. For sore muscles and stiff joints, skip the Ben GayBadger’s Sore Muscle Rub. in favor of products made with Ginger, Lavender, Juniper, Sweet Birch, and/or Rosemary essential oils, which are warming and relaxing for muscles and help increase circulation. Stick to balms or rubs made with Olive oil, Jojoba, Beeswax, and/or Shea Butter, which are readily absorbed and won’t dry out your skin with frequent application. We like Badger’s Sore Muscle Rub.

Next time you’re congested, don’t reach for the Vicks Vaporub (and all that petroleum jelly!).  Instead try a couple of drops of Eucalyptus essential oil in a tablespoon of carrier oil (Olive or Canola work fine if that’s all that’s available) and massage it onto your chest, behind your neck and ears (along your Eustacian tube to help drain it), and along your nostrils.  Or try a couple of drops of our BreatheEase Diffuser Blend in a bowl of steaming hot water with a towel over your head. See our Guide to Essential Oil & Diffuser Blends for complete instructions on how you can use this product. If you’re badly congested, place a drop of Peppermint essential oil onto a teaspoon of honey then place onto your tongue and hold it in your mouth, pushing it up against the roof of your mouth before swallowing –that should clear things up fast! See our Blending Guidelines for Essential Oils for dilution ratios and be sure to read our Safety Tips & Precautions too!

If you suffer from mild bouts of anxiety consider forgoing prescription medications and trying the Bach Flower Essence Rescue Remedy instead. And nothing beats the smell of citrus essential oils (Sweet Orange, Tangerine, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Neroli, or Bergamot) for a case of the winter blues! Try any product in our Inspiration blend — you can’t go wrong.

Introduction

Part 2