Why All Natural?
Why All Natural Ingredients are Better
There are many advantages to using all-natural products. Take, for example, our hand-crafted, cold-process soap. Our soap contains skin conditioning ingredients that "feed" the skin with nourishing vegetable oils, emollients, herbs and essential oils. The oils used in our soap assist in keeping the internal moisture within the skin from evaporating too quickly while still allowing the skin to release waste and absorb a fresh supply of external moisture. The moisture retaining process is further enhanced by the existence of the naturally occurring humectant glycerin. The definition of a "humectant" is "a substance which absorbs water from the air", and the task of the humectant glycerin, is to keep skin moist.
Our soaps also contain the ingredient olive oil. Olive oil has been recognized since ancient times as a beneficial beauty aid rich in both vitamins A and vitamin E. Vitamin A promotes healthy hair and skin while vitamin E protects against cell damage and slows the effects of aging.
Commercially made soaps routinely use tallow and lard, inexpensive byproducts of the meat industry. Tallow is highly saturated fat and thought to clog pores resulting in blackheads. Tallow is also said to cause eczema in individuals with sensitive skin. Tallow and lard can also clog up the skin's breathing system.
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Why Healthy Skin is Important
Let us discuss our skin and its role in the overall health of your body. Skin is actually an organ; the largest organ of the entire human body. It serves several very important functions. Among those functions are the following: - Filters and protects the body from physical, chemical, biological, thermal and electrical damage.
- Helps the body maintain a steady temperature
- Acts as a moisture regulator by preventing excess evaporation or absorption
- Prevents excessive mineral loss
- Converts ultraviolet rays from sunshine into part of the vitamin D complex , which helps maintain strong bones , in other words, skin synthesizes vitamin D for the body
- Assists in excretion of toxins and various waste materials through the sebaceous glands and via sweating
- Metabolizes and stores fat
- Expels sebum, a waxy substance that our bodies use as a protectant
The general health of skin is directly related to how much moisture it is able to retain. Unfortunately our skins ability to retain moisture is greatly affected by the harsh effects of several variables that we encounter in everyday life. Pollution, smoke, heat, cold, poor diets, and synthetic chemicals found in cosmetics and toiletries all have a negative impact on skins ability to retain moisture. Fortunately, the ingredients used in our natural skin care products help to balance the absorption and loss of moisture, while also nourishing the body and creating a breathable barrier that attracts in a fresh supply of moisture, and prevents the evaporation of internal moisture.
It is believed that up to 60% of all topical substances applied to the skin are then absorbed into the body. For example, this is the premise behind pain and nicotine patches that are applied to the skin to target pain and help people quit smoking. If those products are absorbed into the body to achieve a desired effect, then it is realistic to conclude that the synthetic chemicals in dyes, foaming and lathering agents, and synthetic fragrance oils, which are common ingredients in commercial soap and body care products, are continuously being absorbed into your body through your skin as well. The question is, do we want these substances in our bodies, and what effects are they causing?
Synthetically produced fragrance oils are primarily made from petrochemicals. A 1986 report by the National Academy of Sciences reports that 95% of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and contain toxins and synthesizers capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Another substance called " Parabens" are known estrogen mimickers and chemical preservatives which are found in almost all body care products. In fact some topical parabens have even been detected in human breast tumors, and additionally, paraben allergic sensitivity is not uncommon. Other preservatives can release trace amounts of formaldehyde into the skin, leading to joint discomfort and contact dermatitis.
Another group of chemicals called "Phthalates" is a family of industrial chemicals that are used as plastic softeners or solvents in many household products and find their way into fragrance recipes but are rarely disclosed. These chemicals have been shown to damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system. The FDA does not require fragrance manufacturers to disclose the ingredients because formulas are regarded as proprietary. Even though they may contain known carcinogens they are protected under FDA's "trade secret" law.
Our natural hand crafted soaps and body care products are non toxic to people and pets. Carefully created with ingredients from nature, they are actually beneficial to health. Each and every batch is given personal attention to guarantee consistent quality. The colors and textures, exfoliants and emollients are from trees, plants, herbs and minerals straight from the world of nature. The scents come from pure essential oils.
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Aromatherapy
Essential oils are concentrated, plant-derived oils which are extracted from flowers, fruits, sap, seeds or skins of plants as well as bark, leaves, roots, resins or the wood of certain trees. These oils are often referred to as the "life-force" of plants and contain many beneficial and therapeutic properties. They are obtained through highly labor intensive extraction processes which account for their being rather costly. The study of essential oils is called Aromatherapy.
"Aromatherapy" can be misleading because the word suggests that it is healing that works exclusively through the process of inhalation. However, each essential oil has an individual combination of constituents that interacts with the body's chemistry in a direct manner, which then in turn affects certain organs or systems as a whole. When the oils are used externally as in a massage, they are easily absorbed through the skin and transported throughout the body. Different essential oils are absorbed at varying rates and they have three distinct modes of action with regard to how they interrelate with the body.
The first way in which an essential oil affects the body is physiologically. For example, spice oils particularly affect digestion, while Eucalyptus is well known for helping to alleviate muscle aches and pains, and circulation. Some oils are antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, while others are fungicidal, bactericidal and anti- viral agents.
Another way in which essential oils interrelate with the body is on an emotional level. Once inhaled, the fragrance of essential oils can have deep effects on an individual's emotional plane and can actually influence specific moods. Clary sage, for example, contains plant hormones that mimic the corresponding human hormones and help to balance them. Other oils are known to influence the levels of hormone secretions of certain glands, such as the adrenal medulla, which deals with stress reactions.
Finally, another way in which essential oils affect us is on the spiritual plane. Throughout history aromatic oils have been used for their power to influence the emotions and states of mind. This is the basis for their use as incense for religious and ritualistic purposes. The olfactory nerves, (concerned with sense of smell), connect to the limbic system of the brain, the part which effects memory and motion. This means that scents can evoke an immediate and powerful response. This response is, of course, dependent upon the temperament of each individual within a given context. Some essential oils have a very centering and opening effect on the psyche. They help create a sense of connectedness, community and elevation, and they inspire the sacred in us. -- Back To Top --
Historical Significance
Throughout history, aromatic substances have been used for many reasons including ritualistic purposes, medicines, cosmetics and food flavorings to name just a few. Many ancient civilizations considered fragrances as a link between humans and the gods, and in many traditional cultures, which handed down customs from one generation to the next, fragrances were viewed as actual "gifts" from the gods. Priests and shamans of the old used aromatic substances to carry sacred offerings to the realm of the gods; practice is still in evidence today as frankincense is used during both the Roman Catholic mass and Buddhist worshipping ceremonies. Modern day Hindu and Islamic ceremonies also still involve the use of incense and scented oils. Both Native Americans and Tibetans burn herbs as a form of purification while smoke is used extensively in Aboriginal rituals. These cultures had a spiritual and philosophical outlook, in which humanity is seen as a part of nature and the handling of herbs is viewed as a sacred task.
An emphasis on the use of herbs for ritualistic and/or medicinal value is further evidenced by a number of historical civilizations. Ancient Egyptians were experts in cosmetology and renowned for their herbal preparations and ointments. Manuscripts dating back to around 2800 BC record the use of medicinal herbs as customary among the Egyptian people. Aromatic oils such as cedar and myrrh, for example, were actually used in the embalming process. The Chinese also have an ancient herbal tradition that accompanies the practice of acupuncture. The earliest records of this date back from before 2000 BC. The Vedic literature of India (also dating from around 2000 BC) lists over 700 substances including cinnamon, ginger and sandalwood as being used for therapeutic and ritual purposes. An archeological expedition to Pakistan found a perfectly preserved distillation apparatus made from terracotta and the presence of perfume containers used for the preparation of aromatic oils from about 3000 BC. The perfumes of Arabia were famous throughout Europe by the thirteenth century.
Natural aromatics and perfume materials were highly prized and one of the earliest trade items of the ancient world. The Greeks learned a great deal from the Egyptians, and Hippocrates, who was born in Greece about 460 BC, is probably the most famous of physicians while being universally revered as the "father of medicine". Hippocrates routinely prescribed perfumed fumigations and herbal liquids as part of his medical treatments. The Romans were lavish in their use of perfumes and aromatic oils to fragrance their hair, baths, beds, clothes and for massage after bathing. The Europeans, however lacked the gum-yielding trees of the Orient and gradually began to experiment with their own native herbs such as lavender, rosemary and sage. By the sixteenth century, their essential oils could be purchased from the apothecary.
What all of these ancient traditions seemed to understand is what we are beginning to remember today. That many of the essential oils were more effective in their totality, then their synthetic substitutes, which isolate the active ingredients. In other words, using the oils in their "whole" form treats the "whole" person. The various levels of action of essential oils are NOT exclusive from one another. When used for skin or body care treatments in particular, there will not only be physical effects and effects on the skin, but also effects on the energy level and on the emotional level. Each level of action works synergistically with the others to enhance the overall effect. This capacity to affect people on these many different levels is really what makes aromatherapy so special. What a wonderfully unique and versatile healing art, which when studied and mastered has such broadness of action. -- Back To Top --
Environmental Impact
The poisoning of our waterways, the decline in certain species, the disappearing of our natural wilderness, and the exploitative special interests are all destructive present day trends contributing to the decline and decimation of our planet. These problems facing our global environment directly stem from human activities, so who else but the human family can be responsible to turn the tides and protect our planet? People CAN turn things around by making small choices to "green" their lives on a daily basis. How we use water, dispose of used products, clean ourselves and our homes and get around, all have an impact.
Earth friendly products are not hard to find and the natural and sustainable products industry is growing by 20 to 30 percent annually. There are thought to be roughly 13,000 retailers devoted to selling "green" products, and many conventional retailers, not wanting to lose their customers, have begun introducing safer, natural and sustainable alternatives as well. Green purchasing decisions means choosing products that cause the least environmental harm. People CAN turn things around by making small choices to "green" their lives on a daily basis. How we use water, dispose of used products, clean ourselves and our homes and get around, all have an impact. The environmental impacts arising from a product's many life cycle stages actually begin prior to manufacturing. The harvesting, extracting and processing of raw materials and the manufacturing of goods which support the following goals are the ones to choose.
- Preserving natural resources and wildlife habitat
- Protecting air, water and soil quality
- Producing less toxic pollution and waste
- Protecting animal welfare
- Maintaining land integrity
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One Global Community
In addition to the ecological ramifications and the relationship we have to the planet, there are social and economic reasons to support a more natural, greener way of life. Purchasing "green" means you are supporting local and global community initiatives that engage in fair trade and fair wages. Green business seeks to create mutually beneficial relationships through fair and ethical business practices. When we use our resources in this way everybody wins. We are contributing toward the betterment of living standards for people and animals on the earth and practicing environmental stewardship for the planet and for future generations.
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