1. Nonstick Cookware- When heated, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the nonstick coating, releases toxic gases that have been linked to cancer, organ failure, reproductive damage and other dangers. Try anodized aluminum, stainless steel or cast-iron pans instead.
2. Chemical Insecticides or Hebicides- The active ingredient in Roundup is known to cause kidney damage and reproductive harm to mice, and cypermethrin, an active ingredient in Raid, is a known eye, skin and respiratory irritant and damages the central nervous system.
3. Conventional Cleaning Supplies- All-purpose cleaners often contain ammonia, a strong irritant that has been linked to liver and kidney damage. Bleach can burn the skin and eyes. Oven cleaners can cause chemical burns and emit toxic fumes. Choose natural cleaners or mix up your own using vinegar and baking soda.
4. Flame Retardants- Foam items (mattresses, mattress pads, couches, easy chairs, pillows, carpet padding) purchased before 2005 are likely to contain polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), a chemical linked to liver, thyroid and neuro-develomental toxicity. If you’re in the market for a mattress or sofa, look for products that don’t use brominated fire retardants. To make your existing mattress safer, cover it with an organic wool topper.
5. Antibacterial Products- Widespread antibacterial use helps create new strains of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” Antibacterials may also interfere with immune system development in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Make it your goal to be clean, not germ-free. Regular soap and water will clean most things.
6. Air Fresheners- These are incredibly toxic and can aggravate respiratory problems like asthma.
7. Chemical Fertilizers- If you have a lawn, choose organic fertilizers, not dangerous chemicals.
We hope this list will help you an your family live a little healthier in your home.
Reprinted courtesy of www.sustainlane.com
Lists of toxic ingredients to avoid for life:
www.ewg.org
www.safecosmetics.org
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
Simple Herbal Remedies
Ailment | Herb |
Acne | Calendula, aloe, tea tree |
Alcoholism | Evening primrose, kudzu |
Allergy | Chamomile |
Alzheimer’s disease | Ginkgo, rosemary |
Angina | Hawthorn, garlic, willow, green tea |
Anxiety and stress | Hops, kava, passionflower, valerian, chamomile, lavender |
Arteriosclerosis | Garlic |
Arthritis | Capsicum, ginger, turmeric, willow, cat’s claw, devil’s claw |
Asthma | Coffee, ephedra, tea |
Athlete’s foot | Topical tea tree oil |
Attention-deficit disorder | Evening primrose oil |
Bad breath | Parsley |
Boils | Tea tree oil, topical garlic, echinacea, eleutherococcus, ginseng, rhodiola |
Bronchitis | Echinacea, pelargonium |
Burns | Aloe |
Cancer | Bilberry, blackberry, cocoa (dark chocolate), green tea, garlic, ginseng, maitake mushroom, pomegranate, raspberry, reishi mushroom |
Cankers | Goldenseal |
Colds | Echinacea, andrographis, ginseng, coffee, licorice root (sore throat), tea (nasal and chest congestion) |
Congestive heart failure | Hawthorn |
Constipation | Apple, psyllium seed, senna |
Cough | Eucalyptus |
Depression | St. John’s wort |
Diabetes, Type 2 | Garlic, beans (navy, pinto, black, etc.), cinnamon, eleutherococcus, flaxseed, green tea |
Diabetic ulcers | Comfrey |
Diarrhea | Bilberry, raspberry |
Diverticulitis | Peppermint |
Dizziness | Ginger, ginkgo |
Earache | Echinacea |
Eczema | Chamomile, topical borage seed oil, evening primrose oil |
Fatigue | Cocoa (dark chocolate), coffee, eleutheroccocus, ginseng, rhodiola, tea |
Flu | Echinacea, elderberry syrup (also see “Colds”) |
Gas | Fennel, dill |
Giardia | Goldenseal |
Gingivitis | Goldenseal, green tea |
Hay fever | Stinging nettle, butterbur |
Herpes | Topical lemon balm, topical comfrey, echinacea, garlic, ginseng |
High blood pressure | Garlic, beans, cocoa (dark chocolate), hawthorn |
High blood sugar | Fenugreek |
High cholesterol | Apple, cinnamon, cocoa (dark chocolate), evening primrose oil, flaxseed, soy foods, green tea |
Hot flashes | Red clover, soy, black cohosh |
Impotence | Yohimbe |
Indigestion | Chamomile, ginger, peppermint |
Infection | Topical tea tree oil, astragalus, echinacea, eleutherococcus, garlic, ginseng, rhodiola |
Insomnia | Kava, evening primrose, hops, lemon balm, valerian |
Irregular heartbeat | Hawthorn |
Irregularity | Senna, psyllium seed |
Irritable bowel syndrome | Chamomile, peppermint |
Lower back pain | Thymol, carvacrol, white willow bark |
Menstrual cramps | Kava, raspberry, chasteberry |
Migraine | Feverfew, butterbur |
Morning sickness | Ginger |
Muscle pain | Capsicum, wintergreen |
Nausea | Ginger |
Premenstrual syndrome | Chasteberry, evening primrose |
Ringing in the ears | Ginkgo |
Seasonal affective disorder | St. John’s wort |
Shingles | Capsicum |
Sore throat | Licorice, marshmallow, mullein |
Stuffy nose | Echinacea |
Tonsillitis | Goldenseal, astragalus, echinacea |
Toothache | Willow, clove oil |
Ulcers | Aloe, licorice |
Varicosities | Bilberry, horse chestnut |
Yeast infection | Garlic, goldenseal, Pau D’arco |
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