Helen Cohen,ND
Through continuous interaction with the world, the human organism has evolved from a collection of simple cells into a complex and sophisticated being. The process of evolution is mutual: both the environment and the biological entity transform themselves and engender change in each other.
The outside world does not affect all our organs equally: the internal organs, protected by inner homeostasis, are not exposed to the environment at all. Other organs—the skin, respiratory system, digestive system, and genitalia—mark the boundary between an organism and its environment. The cells of these tissues are not insulated and protected by homeostasis; on the contrary, they are continuously exposed to harsh external physical conditions as well as pathogenic organisms and harmful substances. The nasal mucosa is in constant contact with numerous microorganisms and airborne particles. If our bodies did not know how to deal with all of these invasions, we would not survive as a species.When a viral particle enters your child’s nose it should be expelled as soon as possible. If enters the body it begins to multiply or produce toxins. This results in increased mucus production, accompanied by cough, vomiting, or diarrhea—the body’s response in its effort to expel as many invading organisms as possible. The entire nasal system becomes engorged with blood that carries white blood cells to the front lines. A healthy body often overreacts in response to an attack by a microscopic enemy and exhibits extreme symptoms. There is no reason to be upset or frightened, however, by the severity of these symptoms since they can easily be alleviated by gentle natural remedies.
In the habitual clamor and haste of modern city life, one should relax for a moment and contemplate the awesome revelation of our organism’s great inner wisdom and vitality. New brakes in your car might give you a powerful jolt, but you would not smooth them so that they functioned like worn-out brakes. Why, then, would you sabotage your child’s body’s natural resistance with an anti-fever medicine in the midst of a head cold or a flu? This will leave him powerless in the face of an enemy—like a soldier without a weapon on a battle field.
Fever is a normal and healthy part of the body’s defensive effort. It produces a hostile environment for invading microorganisms; as most of them cannot live in such hot conditions. Fever also creates a favorable environment for the immune system to mount the defense. Leukocytes, or white blood cells, which destroy foreign particles, multiply much faster in a feverish body. In order to raise the temperature of an infected body, a complex process is executed in a precise and timely fashion, supervised by the central nervous system. The hypothalamus, located in the brain, presides over a complex physicochemical mechanism that operates like a thermostat. During a bout with cold or flu, several mechanisms effectively "reset" the body’s reference temperature to a higher point and the heat production begins. When the central nervous system is intact, fever will never reach dangerous levels; cooling mechanisms are automatically activated once the body temperature reaches 41o C, so it is highly unlikely that it will rise to 42o C (the point at which brain cells begin to die), unless something is terribly wrong (as in a heat stroke, for example).
When your child is chilly and wants to be covered, you know that his cold is just beginning. He might be very hot to the touch, but he, himself, does not feel hot because his inner "thermostat" is been "reset". When he begins to feel hot and starts perspiring, it is an indication that his "thermostat" is being "reset" again, this time back to a normal reference point. The cooling mechanisms are now activated: his fever "brakes"; he is flushed, sweating, and on his way to recovery.
During the few feverish, achy days of a cold, the immune system of the afflicted individual creates antibodies that are lethal for the invading parasite. Meanwhile, dozens of proteins and simpler chemicals become synthesized and travel, via body fluids, to the site of the infection, where they exchange information and attract reinforcements. Some cause additional pain and discomfort to the host’s body; others come and go unnoticed.
These processes are as old as the original organisms, refined by millennia of interactions of one living entity with another and with the outside world. Is it a perfect system? No. Satisfactory? For the most part, yes. Can we improve on it? Can we ease the pain, speed the recovery, guard against potential danger? Of course we can! We owe it to our children. But we must do so cautiously and gently, thoughtfully and intelligently, respecting the realities of life and instinctive wisdom of the body.
Most of the allopathic medicines work to suppress the body’s natural reaction. Antibiotics cannot enhance or improve the response of the immune system. After several courses of these drugs, your child will still be vulnerable to drafts, pollen, and all viruses, because he has not had the opportunity to exercise the power of his immune system. And, even worst, when he really needs antibiotics to treat a dangerous bacterial infection, such as meningitis or pneumonia, they will no longer work for him.
Homeopathic medicine works on an entirely different principle; it doesn’t interfere with natural immune response but works alongside it. It can moderate the body’s reaction to illness, considerably reducing pain and discomfort. But, more importantly, it serves to enhance one’s ability to fight an infection, thus making one more able to effectively destroy a virus. As well, homeopathy can prevent a child from falling victim to post-viral ear infections, allergies, or even asthma. The most recommendable homeopathic remedies for use at the onset of a cold are Belladonna, Aconitum, Chamomilla, Ferrum phos, Gelsemium, Podophyllum (with diarrhea). But if these simple medicines are not enough to make your child feel better (especially if additional symptoms, such as a cough or earache, appear) take him or her to an experienced homeopathic doctor.
HOME TREATMENT OF FEVER
There are a few simple procedures that you can perform at home to alleviate the discomfort of your child during fever. Once you have established that your child has fever, take her clothes off immediately, unless she is chilly and wants to be covered. Touch your child to make sure his entire body is hot, including legs and feet. If feet are as hot as the rest of his body, you can carry out a few easy hydrotherapy procedures. Wet two cotton socks with cold water, wring them out slightly, so they do not drip, and put them on his feet. Put another, dry pair of socks, on top of the wet ones to seal in the cold. Change the wet socks every twenty minutes or so, or as soon as you feel them get warm.
For a bigger child it is better to use a towel, so you can wrap it around his calves. Take four cotton hand towels, wet two of them with cold water, slightly wring them out, and wrap around your child’s legs and feet. Use the second pair as a dry insulating layer. Change as soon as the wet towels become warm. If your child does not vigorously object, you can also place the cold towel on her forehead or the back of her neck at the same time as you cooling her feet.
If socks or towels do not significantly bring the fever down, you may use a sponge bath. There are two ways to do that. With a small infant it is easier to use the following method. Place a large towel on the floor and your baby on the towel. Wet a sponge or a face cloth with lukewarm water from a dish placed nearby. Run the sponge or cloth all over her body to create a sweat substitute; as soon as the skin dries, wet it again. It is often easier to place an older child in a half-filled bathtub and sponge her upper body. It is very important not to cool the child to the point of shivering. If he starts to shiver, that means his temperature began to rise again. Also, never perform hydrotherapy on a chilly child, and never force him, if he objects to being cooled, there must be a good reason for his objection. Likewise, if he feels very hot, he will welcome a relief.
If all these procedures fail to bring you child’s temperature down within two hours, and especially if the temperature is above 39o C (102oF), take him to see a doctor.
TREATMENT OF CHILLS
Sit her on a chair and wrap a warm blanket all around her. If her head feels hot, you can place a cold towel on the back of her neck or her forehead. If she feels cold all over, cover her head with a blanket as well. Dissolve two or three table spoons of mustard powder in a foot bath filled with hot water. Make sure the water is not too hot by placing your elbow in it to test. Take your child’s foot and put her heel in the water asking her how it feels. If she feels that temperature is not too hot, slowly immerse both of her feet in a water, one after another. Assure her that the water will feel much cooler in about a minute or two, once she is used to it. Heat more water in a kettle, but do not bring it to a boil. Every ten minutes add a bit of this very hot water to the foot bath, making sure not to pour it directly over her feet. The aim of this procedure is to gradually raise the temperature of the water to your child’s level of tolerance. Keep on testing the water’s temperature with your elbow. Continue the procedure for about half an hour.
After that, remove her feet from the water, one by one, making sure she does not get chilled again, rinse them from mustard with warm water, and then rub them vigorously with a cold wet towel. Dry her feet and put on a pair of dry socks immediately. By the end of this session your child should start feeling warm and may want to remove the blanket. Put her to bed with hot water bottle if she is still chilly and give her plenty of hot drinks, raspberry tea with honey preferred.
Once the fever is broken and your child starts perspiring, especially if he is very young, it is very important to prevent dehydration, which is what happens when body electrolytes—the chemicals from tissue fluids, such as sodium, chloride, potassium, and others—evaporate with the sweat. If the child also has had a few episodes of diarrhea or vomiting, replacing electrolytes is essential. Plain water can not replace these electrolytes, but you can prepare a drink that has them.
Mix one teaspoon of sugar (glucose is better) with half of teaspoon of table salt in two glasses of boiled and cooled water. Store it in a cool place and let her have a few sips regularly. If the child is extremely thirsty, supplement with plain water, giving her as much as she wants, and at whatever temperature she wants, even if it is cold from a refrigerator. Ginger ale and mineral water, both stirred until they are flat, are also excellent electrolyte replacements.
Bronchial Asthma
Shelly Landau, ND
The homeopathic treatment of childhood asthma affords one of the best examples of the superiority of this wonderful approach. Homeopathically chosen drugs can permanently cure asthma, and properly prescribed medicines, such as Arsenicum album, can abort an asthma attack in a matter of seconds, without the deadly side effects of inhalers. Homeopathy can deal with the symptoms of asthma: more importantly, however, it can prevent those symptoms from the very outset. The homeopathic treatment of certain skin conditions, allergies, and frequent colds in children with asthmatic predispositions will prevent them from ever developing any type of asthma.
Asthma is a complex condition that presents a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms in different people. The diagnosis of asthma in a child is very frightening to a parent, and for good reason, since there is no allopathic cure for this life- threatening condition. In an asthmatic child the state of the airways is almost always altered, and, although this condition is not irreversible, a frightened mind is easily perplexed, and assumes the worst. It is not difficult, however, to imagine what is happening inside the asthmatic child’s bronchi and lungs. The inner lining of the airways, the trachea and bronchi, has exactly the same structures as the inner lining of the nose. This pink, moist surface is called the mucous membrane. Cells that make up part of this membrane normally produce very small amounts of a clear, sticky fluid, which preserves the integrity of the underlying structures and protects the deeper air passages and lungs from pathogenic microorganisms and small particles. The mucous membranes are also rich in blood vessels and nerve endings. When a foreign particle lands on the surface of the nasal mucosa, the flow of mucus increases, the nerve endings become irritated, and the trapped invader is blown out in a powerful sneeze. Similarly, when an irritating substance, trapped in oral secretions, enters the larynx and irritates the vocal cords, it is coughed up by a forceful flow of air from the lungs—a flow that can travel at 1,000 km/hr.
A healthy child only needs to sneeze once or twice to expel a dust particle. With a chronic disease such as asthma, however, the body’s defenses become dangerously overactive. In response to wide variety of stimuli, the inner lining of the airways—the mucous membrane—behaves as if it has trapped large quantities of viruses and dust. The membrane is often inflamed and engorged with blood, the latter rich in the white blood cells and other biochemicals that are usually attracted to the body’s sites of trouble and promote further irritation, inflammation, and swelling. This swelling in itself narrows the airway; to compound the difficulty, the normally watery mucus turns tough and viscous and fills the bronchi, constantly irritating the nerve endings and so producing a cough that does not expel the phlegm. And if all that were not enough, the nervous system of the afflicted child performs just as poorly, triggering spasms of the respiratory muscles that wrap the bronchi. As a result of these events, very little space is left for air to get into and out of the lungs. The inflammation of the mucous membrane and the production of viscid mucus are temporary, each episode being triggered by factors specific to individual child. The constriction of the airways, however, due to the muscle spasm, is present most of the time, even if the child is not having a full-blown attack.
In the state of chronic disease, such as asthma and allergies, then, the body functions in such a way that a mildly pathogenic stimulus produces a response so vigorous that it is actually significantly more dangerous to the organism than the pathogen itself. During chronic illness the suffering person is stuck, like a car spinning its wheels on an icy road: the faster they turn, the more they burn, going nowhere. What makes this otherwise knowledgeable organism behave in such an unreasonable fashion? Why do the well-designed defense mechanisms, instead of protecting, become engaged in "friendly fire"? According to the official estimates, about twenty percent of people have a type of asthma that is provoked by inhaled allergens, such as dust mites’ feces, animal fur, molds, and pollen. This type of asthma, caused by an allergy to external factors, is called "extrinsic." About half of all asthmatics suffer from so-called "intrinsic" asthma: their respiratory problems are not associated with certain types of immune response. These children can have an asthmatic episode following physical exertion, exposure to cold air, humidity, infection, strong smells, crying, or a fright.
Unfortunately, there are no official statistics on how many children develop bronchial asthma following the use of anti-inflammatory creams to eliminate unsightly or itchy dermatitis. In many children the suppression of diaper rash or eczema with external medication can lead to the development of asthma. The medication need not even be a synthetic pharmaceutical; it could be a zinc ointment, or a herbal preparation. It is the suppression of the symptom that has unfortunate effects: when a manifestation of disease in one organ is eliminated, by any means, the illness itself remains untreated, and it will manifest itself again in a more viable organ. This homeopathic principle is echoed in traditional Chinese medicine. In the Chinese medical system, the lung, as an organ, belongs to the skin meridian. Thus the skin (as well as the nose) is a point of entry for External Pathogens. These pathogens follow the route to the lung if not opposed by the body’s Defense Forces.
The long-term use of cortical steroids in the treatment of inflammatory dermatitis, such as eczema, or a diaper rash, in young children is a modern tragedy. Some people actually believe that these creams are not absorbed through the skin—but of course they are, and they affect many other tissues in a child’s body. The first organ to be affected is the skin itself: it may atrophy after prolonged use. All the hormones in our system exist in a state of precise equilibrium, and they self-regulate their minute amounts by a sophisticated feedback mechanism; a huge dose of these steroids violently disrupts this precarious balance. One of the most important hormones to be affected by steroid medication in a growing child is a growth hormone, if steroids are used for a number of years a child’s bones can slow down or stop growing.
Furthermore, there is growing evidence that childhood vaccinations may be at the root of this modern day asthma epidemic. A study published in the medical journal The Lancet ( Vol 347, June 29, ’96) now suggests that people who had not undergone measles infection are at higher risk to develop an allergic disease. Finally, modern science has found evidence of what homeopathic doctors always insisted was true, that childhood diseases have beneficial effects on a developing organism. The same hypothesis is also supported by the findings of German epidemiologists that the risk of Immunoglibulin E-mediated hypersensitivity (allergic disease such as hay fever, eczema, and asthma) is decreasing as the number of siblings a child grows up with is increasing (children from larger families catch infections more often).
If you want to learn more about alternative veiws on vaccination, please visit Other Lands Page and find the links to the appropriate web sites.
Fact Sheet: Safe Substitutes at Home: Non-toxic Household Products
The rates of asthma in children are alarmingly on a rise with more of them becoming unmanageable. And so are allergies in kids and adults. Though evidence definitely points the blame towards vaccinations, interrupted breastfeeding, and aggressive allopathic treatments, many experts believe that kids are now spending increasing amounts of time at home, and homes are unventilated and filled with toxic fumes.
Open your windows, even if the air conditioner is on—*especially* if it’s on! ! ! Turn off TVs and computers. Send them out to play.This material was excerpted from: Safe Substitutes at Home: Non-toxic Household Products
ByGary A. Davis and Em Turner
University of Tennessee - Knoxville Waste Management Institute
Working PaperThe Household Toxics Tour
Toxic chemicals in the home can be eliminated simply by making thoughtful choices in the supermarket after educating oneself about where the hazards are in common consumer products. How can you determine what toxics you have in your home? Take this "toxics tour."
In the Kitchen
All-purpose cleaner, ammonia-based cleaners, bleach, brass or other metal polishes, dishwater detergent, disinfectant, drain cleaner, floor wax or polish, glass cleaner, dishwashing detergent, oven cleaner, and scouring powder contain dangerous chemicals. Some examples are:
¨ sodium hypochlorite (in chlorine bleach): if mixed with ammonia, releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems;
¨ petroleum distillates (in metal polishes): short-term exposure can cause temporary eye clouding; longer exposure can damage the nervous system, skin, kidneys, and eyes; ammonia (in glass cleaner): eye irritant, can cause headaches and lung irritation;
¨ phenol and cresol (in disinfectants): corrosive; can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage;
¨ nitrobenzene (in furniture and floor polishes): can cause skin discoloration, shallow breathing, vomiting, and death; associated with cancer and birth defects;
¨ formaldehyde (a preservative in many products): suspected human carcinogen; strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin, and lungs.In the Utility Closet
A number of products are likely to contain toxic ingredients: carpet cleaner, room deodorizer, laundry softener, laundry detergent, anti-cling sheets, mold and mildew cleaner, mothballs, and spot remover all usually contain irritant or toxic substances. Examples:
· perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents (in spot removers and carpet cleaners): can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested; perchloroethylene is an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen;
· naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (in mothballs): naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen that may damage eyes,
· blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and the central nervous system; paradichlorobenzene can harm the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys;
· hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate in toilet bowl cleaner; either can burn the skin or cause vomiting diarrhea and stomach burns if swallowed; also can cause blindness if inadvertently splashed in the eyes;
· residues from fabric softeners, as well as the fragrances commonly used in them, can be irritating to susceptible people;
· possible ingredients of spray starch (aside from the starch) include formaldehyde, phenol, and pentachlorophenol; in addition, any aerosolized particle, including cornstarch, may irritate the lungs.In the Living Room and Bedroom
Even the furnishings of the typical American home can be harmful. Fabrics that are labeled "wrinkle-resistant" are usually treated with a formaldehyde resin. These include no-iron sheets and bedding, curtains, sleep wear -- any woven fabric, but especially polyester/cotton blends, marketed as "permanent press" or "easy care." More modern furniture is made of pressed wood products which
emit formaldehyde and other chemicals. Carpeting is usually made of synthetic fibers that have been treated with pesticides and fungicide. Many office carpets emit a chemical called 4-henylcyclohexene, an inadvertent additive to the latex backing used in more commercial and home carpets, which is thought to be one of the chemicals responsible for "sick" office buildings.In the Bath
Numerous cosmetics and personal hygiene products contain hazardous substances. Examples:
· cresol, formaldehyde, glycols, nitrates/nitrosamines and sulfur compounds in shampoos;
· butane propellants in hair spray (replacing carcinogenic methylene chloride), as well as formaldehyde resins;
· aerosol propellants, ammonia, formaldehyde, triclosan, aluminum chlorhydrate in antiperspirants and deodorants'
· glycols, phenol, fragrance, and colors in lotions, creams, and moisturizers.In the Studio or Hobby Room
Although legislation controlling many of the dangerous ingredients in hobby materials has recently been passed, exposure to certain art materials remains a health risk. Dangerous chemicals and metals include:
· lead in ceramic glazes, stained-glass materials, and many pigments;
· cadmium in silver solders, pigments, ceramic glazes and fluxes;
· chromium in paint pigments and ceramic colores;
· manganese dioxide in ceramic colors and some brown oil and acrylic paint pigments;
· cobalt in some blue oil and acrylic paint pigments;
· formaldehyde as a preservation in many acrylic paints and photographic products;
· aromatic hydrocarbons in paint and varnish removers, aerosol sprays, permanent markers, etc.;
· chlorinated hydrocarbons (solvents) in ink, varnish, and paint removers, rubber cement, aerosol sprays;
· petroleum distillates (solvents) in paint and rubber cement thinners, spray adhesives, silk-screen inks;
· glycol ethers and acetates in photography products, lacquer thinners, paints, and aerosol sprays.In the Garage
A number of dangerous substances are frequently present, including paint, paint thinner, benzene, kerosene, mineral spirits, turpentine, lubricating/motor oils, and gasoline. Hazards among them include these chemicals:
· chlorinated aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in paint thinner can cause liver and kidney damage;
· petroleum hydrocarbons, an ingredient of gasoline, motor oils, and benzene, are associated with skin and lung cancer;
· mineral spirits in oil-based paint are a skin, eye, nose throat, and lung irritant. High air concentrations can cause nervous system damage, unconsciousness and death;
· ketones in paint thinner may cause respiratory ailments; vary according to specific form of the chemical;
· ketones and toluene in wood putty; toluene in highly toxic, may cause skin, kidney, liver, central nervous system or reproductive system danage.In the Garden Shed
Pesticides, one of the most important single hazards in the home. Around 1,400 pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are ingredients in consumer products. Combined with other toxic substances such as solvents, pesticides are present in more than 34,000 different product formulations.
On the Patio
Charcoal lighter fluid contains petroleum distillates. Besides being flammable and imparting a chemical taste to food, some petroleum distillates contain benzene, a known human carcinogen.
Safe Substitues for Household Toxics
Until World War II and the zenith of the Chemical Age that followed war-related research, householders used a limited number of simple substances to keep most objects in the house clean, order-free, and pest-free. Soap, vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, ammonia, borax, alcohol, cornstarch, and certain food ingredients were used to lift out spots and stains, deodorize, polish wood or metal, disinfect, scrub, repel pests, clean pets, wash and starch clothes, and to perform countless other household tasks. Simple cosmetic preparations kept hair lustrous and skin supplied with the aid of ingredients such as eggs, oil, clay, vinegar, and herbs.
The garden was fertilized and pests were kept down with naturally occurring substances. Weeds were weeded by hand. Even though some natural pesticides, like nicotine and rotenone, were indeed toxic to humans, they were not persistent in the environment. They degrade soon after application. Pyrethrum, a pesticide derived from a variety of chrysanthemum which is nontoxic to mammals, controlled a wide spectrum of pests. Although it is till widely used, it is usually mixed with other chemicals to increase its potency.
Buildings of the past were made with wood, brick, stone, glass, plaster, and cement. Furniture was made of solid wood, oiled to keep it polished. Rugs or carpets were made of wool or cotton. Insulation was built in by making walls thick, and roofing was constructed from wood shingles or tiles of clay or stone. Walls were plastered. Windows were made to be opened, so at least in good weather there was plenty of natural ventilation.
But toxic materials also were present in homes of the past. Not knowing enough about their hazards, housewives used such chemicals as arsenic, lead, and mercury to perform certain household chores. Interior and exterior paints were often made with lead; many American children are still living with the legacy of lead poisoning caused by eating chips of leaded paint. Asbestos, called a miracle mineral when its fire-resistant properties were discovered, is now known to be a carcinogenic that contaminates hundreds of thousands of residences, schools, and other buildings in this country.
We do not need to return to the ways of the past to avoid exposure to house toxins, but we can take some lessons from the past for a better future. How can we do this?
But Safe Substitutes. For example, search for a soap-based garden insecticide (at least one national brand is available) instead of chemically--based ones. Appendix 1 for sources of safe substitutes.
When in Doubt, Leave it Out. In cases where there is no effective safe substitute for a toxic product, reevaluate how important the goal really is. Must you absolutely get rid of all insects in your garden, or can you live with some chewed-up leaves? If the goal is absolutely imperative, such as ensuring that termites do not invade your house, it is important to educate yourself thoroughly. You may have more healthful alternatives than your local pest company tells you.
Safe Substitutes in the Kitchen and Bath
One shelf of simple and relatively safe ingredients can be used to perform most home cleaning chores. All that's needed is a knowledge of how they work and how different ingredients should be combined to get the cleaning power needed for a specific job.
Baking Soda is sodium bicarbonate. It has a number of useful properties. It can neutralize acid, scrub shiny materials without scratching, deodorize, and extinguish grease fires. It can be used as a deodorizer in the refrigerator, on smelly carpets, on upholstery and on vinyl. It can help deodorize drains. It can clean and polish aluminum, chrome, jewelry, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel, and tin. It also softens fabrics and removes certain stains. Baking soda can soften hard water and makes a relaxing bath time soak; it can be used as an underarm deodorant and as a toothpaste, too.
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, soluble in water. It can deodorize, inhibit the growth of mildew and mold, boost the cleaning power of soap or detergent, remove stains, and can be used with attractants such as sugar to kill cockroaches.
Cornstarch, derived from corn, can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs, and starch clothes.
Isopropyl Alcohol is an excellent disinfectant.
Lemon Juice, which contains citric acid, is a deodorant and can be used to clean glass and remove stains from aluminum, clothes, and porcelain. It is a mild lightener or bleach if used with sunlight.
Mineral Oil, derived from seeds, is an ingredient in several furniture polish and floor wax recipes.
Soap (NOT detergent) is made in several ways. Castle soap can beuse d as a shampoo or as a body soap. Olive-oil based soap is gentlest to the skin. An all-purpose liquid soap can be made by simple dissolving the old ends of bar soap (or grated slivers of bar soap) in warm water.
Steel Wool is an abrasive strong enough to remove rust and stubborn food residues and to scour barbeque grills.
TSP is trisodium phosphate, a mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid. TSP is toxic if swallowed, but it can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint, that would normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals, and it does not create any fumes.
Vinegar is made from soured applied juice, grain, or wine. It contains about 5 percent acetic acid, which makes it a mild acid.
Vinegar can dissolve mineral deposits, grease, remove traces of soap, remove mildew or wax buildup, polish some metals, and deodorize. Vinegar can clean brick or stone, and is an ingredient in some natural carpet cleaning recipes. Use vinegar to clean out the metallic taste in coffeepots and to shine windows without streaking. Vinegar is normally used in a solution with water, but it can be used straight.Washing Soda or SAL Soda is a sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. It can cut stubborn grease on grills, broiler pans, and ovens. It can be used with soda instead of laundry detergent, and it softens hard water. These items are available from drug and chemical-supply stores.
For common household tasks, try these nontoxic strategies using the above ingredients:
Freshen air by opening windows and doors for a short period; distribute partially filled dishes of vinegar around the kitchen to combat unpleasant cooking odors; boil cinnamon and cloves in a pan of water to scent the air; sprinkle 1/2 cup borax in the bottom of garbage pails or diaper pails to inhibit mold and bacteria growth that can cause odors; rub vinegar on hands before and after slicing onions to remove the smell; use bowls of potpourri to give inside air a pleasant scent.
All-purpose cleaner can be made from a vinegar-and-salt mixture or from 4 tablespoons baking soda dissolved in 1 quart warm water.
Disinfectant means anything that will reduce the number of harmful bacteria on a surface. Practically no surface treatment will completely eliminate bacteria. Try regular cleaning with soap and hot water. Or mix 1/2 cup borax into 1 gallon of hot water to disinfect and deodorize. Isopropyl alcohol is an excellent disinfectant, but use gloves and keep it away from children.
Drain cleaner. Try a plunger first, though not after using any commercial drain opener. To open clogs, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down drain, add 1/2 cup white vinegar, and cover the drain. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into the soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. Again, do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener--the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes.
Floor cleaner and polish can be as simple as a few drops of vinegar in the cleaning water to remove soap traces. For vinyl or linoleum, add a capful of baby oil to the water to preserve and polish. For wood floors, apply a thin coat of 1:1 oil and vinegar and rub in well. For painted wooden floors, mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon hot water. For brick and stone tiles, use 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon water and rinse with clear water.
Metal cleaners and polishes are different for each metal -- just as in commercial cleaners. Clean aluminum with a solution of cream of tartar and water. Brass may be polished with a soft cloth dipped in lemon-and baking-soda solution, or vinegar- and-salt solution. Polish chrome with baby oil, vinegar, or aluminum foil shiny slide out. Clean tarnished copper by boiling the article in a pot
of water with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup white vinegar, or try differing mixtures of salt, vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and cream of tartar. Clean gold with toothpaste, pewter with a paste of salt, vinegar, and flour. Silver can be polished by boiling it in a pan lined with aluminum foil and filled with water to which a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt have been added. (Simple soap and water always works for me –HC). Stainless steel can be cleaned with undiluted white vinegar.Oven cleaner. Sprinkle baking soda on moist surface and scrub with steel wool. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union.
Scouring powder can be made from baking soda or dry table salt. Or try Bon-Ami Cleaning Powder or Bon-Ami Polishing Cleaner.
Toilet bowl cleaner can be made from straight bleach (do NOT mix with any other substance except water), baking soda and vinegar, or borax and lemon juice.
Tub and tile cleaner can be as easy as rubbing in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinsing, or wiping with vinegar first and following with baking soda as a scouring powder.
Window and glass cleaner is easy with these tips: to avoid streaks, don't wash windows when the sun is shining. Use a vinegar-and-water solution, cornstarch-vinegar-and-water solution, or lemon-juice-and-water. Wipe with newspaper unless you are sensitive to the inks in newsprint.
Safe Substitutes for Laundry Products
Detergent is specially adapted to clean synthetic fabrics, and it has the added advantage of not leaving soil residues even in hard water. However, detergents are generally derived from petrochemicals, and people sensitive to these compounds may find it hard to tolerate detergents or the fragrances they are scented with. In addition, most detergents contain phosphates, which build up in streams and lakes and upset the natural balance in waterways, causing blooms of algae which deplete the dissolved oxygen fish need to live. Some detergent may even contain naphthalene or phenol, both hazardous substances.
An effective alternative to using detergents is to return to soap. Soap is an effective cleaner for natural fabrics, leaving such items as diapers softer than detergent can. For cotton and linen, use soap to soften water. A cup of vinegar added to the wash can help keep colors bright (but DO NOT use vinegar if you are using bleach -- the resulting fumes are hazardous). One-half to three-quarters of a cup of baking soda will leave clothes soft and fresh smelling. Silks and wools may be hand washed with mild soap or a protein shampoo, down or feathers with mild soap or baking soda.
For synthetic fabrics or blends (including most no-iron fabrics), there are biodegradable detergents on the market that do not contain phosphates, fragrances, or harsh chemicals. They are often imported from Europe and are available at health food stores or by mail order.
Safe Substitutes for Personal Hygiene and Cosmetic Products
We use cosmetics and hygiene products for a fairly narrow range of reasons: to keep skin moist and supple; to clean hair without stripping it of natural oils; to eliminate unpleasant body or mouth orders; to prevent skin oiliness and clogged skin pores; and simply for the pleasure of relaxing and pampering ourselves with body-care or facial-care treatments. The following ingredients can help achieve these purposes without the use of toxic additives, synthetic fragrances, or artificial colorings:
Moisturizers and conditioners: egg yolk, milk, yogurt, safflower oil (for light moisturizing), olive oil (for dry skin or hair), water, oatmeal, jojoba oil.
Astringents/after shaves: witch hazel, diluted isopropyl alcohol.
Deodorants: baking soda, white clay, deodorant crystals.
Toothpastes: baking soda, salt.
Soaps cleansing agents: castle soap, olive-oil based soap.
Perfumes: essential oils provide nontoxic fragrances that can be used to scent shampoo, bath soaks, or even, in the case of peppermint, to flavor toothpaste.
Although it's easy to make healthful alternatives to many cosmetic and hygiene products, any natural-foods store has a fairly wide selection of shampoos, moisturizers, toothpastes, after shaves, soaps, and bath products that do not contain the harmful ingredients in many commercial preparations.
Safe Substitutes for Art and Hobby Materials
There are some nontoxic choices that can be made when buying art or craft supplies, but because some techniques require certain materials, minimizing exposure may be the best you can do.
In painting and print making, ready-mixed water-based paints or inks can be used. If you must be exposed to paint dust, use toxic dust respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Ventilate the space thoroughly whenever using any kind of solvents, whether in painting or in lithography, intaglio, or photoetching. Solvents also should be avoided while pregnant.
Enamels are usually lead-based, and can contain other toxic metals such as cadmium and nickel. Use lead-free-enamels whenever possible, and make sure kilns are vented outside.
In pottery as well, outside vented kilns are important, as is a careful choice of materials -- most potters know to avoid lead glazes and lead frits, but many don't know that flint, feldspars, fluorspar, and some compounds containing barium, lithium, manganese, or nickel can also be toxic. Children should avoid the pottery studio, as they are more highly susceptible to the toxics used in pottery
than are adults.Photography presents a number of toxic hazards which are difficult to avoid. Minimize exposure to photo chemical by using gloves, mixing chemicals in a mixing box with holes in the sides for gloved hands, and providing adequate ventilation. The Health and Welfare Office of Canada suggests at least 10 room air changes per hour. Children under 12 should avoid the darkroom.
Safe Substitutes for Pesticides in Home and Garden
Against pests in the home, the best offense is a good defense. The first step is to make the house -- especially the kitchen --
unattractive to insects by cleaning up food spills immediately, keeping hard-to-reach areas reasonably clean, and removing clutter that can hide pests. Store foods attractive to pests, such as flour, in the refrigerator. Water attracts pests, so leaky faucets and pipes should be promptly repaired. Doors and windows should be well screened. Cloths should be regularly cleaned and aired, and properly stored in paper or cardboard boxes sealed against moths.A number of nontoxic substances can be used to repel insects. Generally, they are highly fragrant or volatile herbs or spices.
Powdered red chill pepper, peppermint, bay leaves, cloves, citrus oil, lavender, rosemary, tobacco, peppercorns, and cedar oil can repel various types of insects.Insects can be trapped and killed without resorting to dangerous chemicals: generally a poison nontoxic to humans is mixed with a food that insects find attractive, and spread in the infested area. Examples are oatmeal (attractive) and plaster-of-Paris (poisonous), and cocoa powder and flour (attractive) and borax (poisonous). Old-fashioned flypaper -- not a hanging strip of insecticide -- is an effective trap. For specific house pests, try these solutions:
For ants: sprinkle powdered red chill pepper, paprika, dried peppermint, or borax where the ants are entering. For beetles: Kill manually when you see them. For cockroaches: Mix by stirring and sifting 1 ounce TSP, 6 ounces borax, 4 ounces sugar, and 8 ounces flour. Spread on floor of infested area. Repeat after 4 days and again after 2 weeks.For fleas: Feed pet brewer's yeast in powder mixed with food or by tablets. For moths: Air clothes well in the sun; store in airtight containers, and scatter sachets of lavender, cedar chips, or dried tobacco in with clothing. For rats and mice: Again, prevention may be the best cure. Holes in exterior or interior walls should be closed off and storage spaces kept orderly. Garbage should be kept tightly covered. To catch rodents, the most efficient system is the oldest: a cat. Next best are mouse and rat traps. For termites: Any wooden parts of the house should be at least 18 inches off the ground, as subterranean termites cannot tolerate being exposed to air and light. They have to build easily visible mud tunnels to get at available wood. However, most existing houses have only about an 8-inch clearance between wooden parts and the ground, which makes the wood vulnerable. Metal shields may help discourage termites, but they cannot prevent infestations.To treat existing termite infestations, there are a few nontoxic alternatives: the "Extermax" system, available in California; and the use of a particular species of nematodes to eat them, a system available from N-Viro Products, Ltc.
For gardens: In hardware stores, look for new brands of safer insecticides that use soap-and water solution to get rid of aphids, or pyrethrum for a number of applications. As more and more people understand the hazards of organic chemicals in the home, market pressure will encourage the introduction of safer products.
Several naturally derived pesticides exist which, in some cases, are less toxic to humans than the organophosphates, carbamates, or organochlorines now widely used. Nicotine is the most toxic, poisonous both to humans and to other mammals, as well as to birds and fish. It is not available commercially for home gardeners because of its hazards. Rotenone, moderately toxic to humans, kills a wide range of insects; however, it should never be used near a waterway, as it is very toxic to fish. Ryania kills only a few species, including the European corn borer, codling moth, and cranberry fruit worm. Pyrethrum is relatively nontoxic to humans and only slightly toxic to aquatic life, so it may be the best choice for home gardens. Sabadilla controls lice, leafhoppers, squash bugs, striped cucumber beetles, and chinch bugs. It has low toxicity to wildlife, but it may be toxic to bees.
For lawns: Herbicides are most often used to kill "unsightly" weeds in gardens and yards, and by lawn care companies to maintain the perfect appearance of turf around homes and on lawns and golf courses. Basically, the safe alternative to herbicides is simple: pull weeds by hand. There are no really safe herbicides.
Safe Substitutes for the Patio
A simple and much more effective alternative exists for the charcoal lighter fluid used to start the backyard barbeque. A metal, chimney-pipe cylinder, which holds the charcoal above a burning piece of newspaper and relies on the air flow under the charcoal to quickly bring it to glowing hot, is available at most discount stores. It readies the charcoal for cooking much more quickly without the chemical taste and fire hazard of lighter fluid.
The Safe Home of the 21st Century
Because Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, it is crucial to make the home environment as safe as possible. Indoor pollutants have proliferated in recent years, often either because modern construction techniques and furnishings manufacturers utilize hazardous materials or because consumers do not know enough about the products they buy to make informed choices.
But safe, nontoxic alternatives exist for nearly every real need around the home, and the search for them may help consumers distinguish between what they really do need, and what may be "luxuries" that could compromise their families' health.