1. I am personally an advocate of eating “organically produced” foods and I do believe that herbal medicines can be beneficial if used properly.
2. Organic foods are produced to specific standards which limit the type of pesticides and fertilizers used as opposed to those which are inorganically derived. In many countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.
3. The term “organic” food production is legally regulated through specific standards.
4. The use of the terms “organic” or “herbal” on personal care products and cosmetics is not regulated through specific standards.
5. The terms “organic” and “herbal” are appearing on many product labels. These terms are added to imply that the product does not include harmful chemicals as is a “natural” and “safe” product.
6. In addition, many product contain a long list of herbs and make it seem that these are “magic” solutions to your health and beauty needs. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!
7. I have reviewed the ingredients lists of over 220 “organic” or “herbal” products and I have found multiple dangerous chemicals present in each and every one so far. Some of the common chemicals found in shampoos and soaps include:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate, the main ingredient in this product a surfactant, is the sodium salt of sulfated ethoxylated lauryl alcohol. It is considered a moderate hazard for organ toxicity and may be contaminated by ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE whose health effects are more serious.
Cocamide DEA, a surfactant, foam booster; and viscosity increasing agent is a major ingredient in this product and considered a moderately high risk for cancer, allergies, immunotoxicity, and non reproductive organ toxicity. It is a mixture of ethanolamides of Coconut Acid derived from Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (q.v.). It is natural but is a significant risk ingredient.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an antistatic and hair conditioning agent which a moderate risk of causing allergies and immunotoxicity and is also derived from coconut oil.
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans health effects have not been studied at all as far as I could find so ewe do not know the safety of this material.
PEG-5M, a binder and emulsion stabilizer and viscosity increasing agent offers a moderate hazard for organ system toxicity and should not be applied to broken or damaged skin according to the FDA.
Phenoxyethanol, a fragrance and preservative, is a moderate hazard for cancer, allergies, immunotoxicity, skin, eye and lung irritation, organ system toxicity and potential neurotoxicity.
Fragrance is the ingredient that scares me most because it could be many different things many of which pose severe health hazards.
8. HERBS ARE POWERFUL MEDICINES. THEY ARE NATURE’S DRUGS WHICH CAN BE VERY BENEFICIAL IF USED WISELY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A TRAINED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL BUT CAN POSE SEVERE HEALTH RISKS IF TAKEN IMPROPERLY.
9. Herbs have side effects just like prescription and over the counter medications.
10. Herbs DO interact with each other and with prescription and over the counter medicines and must be used with care.
11. READ THE LABELS OF THE “SO CALLED” ORGANIC AND HERBAL PRODUCTS BEFORE YOU BELIEVE THE MARKETING HYPE. THEY ARE LIKELY TO CONTAIN THE SAME POISONS FOUND IN OTHER SIMILAR PRODUCTS NOT LABELED AS “ORGANIC” OR “HERBAL”.
12. We are actively sourcing some personal care and cosmetic products which do not include dangerous chemicals or needless herbs. For more information or to subscribe to a Healthy Choice Products newsletter and read some of our other blogs and upcoming blogs:
- Quick Reality Check – The scary stuff in shampoo
- Over 14,000 health products contain at least 1 carcinogen
- Body Wash dries skin and expensive moisturizer is the antidote!
