Are fragrances leaving you breathless?

Laundry products have become ten times stronger in scent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHY?

Hello Julie, You had a question long ago about soap nuts. I wanted to let you know I used it for my weekly column in the Metro News. Here’s your answer: http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/comment/article/710761—cut-your-laundry-costs-with-soap-nuts

Lindsay Coulter, David Suzuki’s Queen of Green

I have a huge sensitivity to perfume and fragrances. I’ve cut it completely out of my household, but unfortunately, most people don’t follow the ‘scent-free’ rules of some of the public buildings, or transportation. I went to a comedy show at the NAC in Ottawa and had to leave due to the amount of perfume people were wearing- the air was so thick with it, I went into a horrible coughing fit and couldn’t breathe, and broke out in rashes.

We do not need fragrances — there are natural alternatives. At home if I want to freshen the house with scent I put a pot of water on the stove w/ orange peel and a cinnamon stick and let that boil until it steams and then turn it off. For my cats litter, it’s all natural clay, and I put baking soda in it to help with any smell (i clean it frequently, so there is no smell).

And if one can not give up fragrance, please just mist and walk through, and not soak in it. Some people get used to the fragrance they wear and do not realize that over time, they have to keep spraying more and more in order to smell it. That certainly is not good for your health!

Hey Lindsay!

What’s the deal with soap nuts? I love that I can avoid plastic packaging by using them, but what are they actually made of? Are they natural and biodegradable? Or are they just condensed detergent?

Thanks! You Rock :D

Julie

I have been Chemically Sensitive for 30+ years of my almost 60 year life (a part of other widespread chronic health deterioration). Despite my background in Western Medicine, Western Medicine has been very little help and mostly a hinderance — except for a few much appreciated acute medical situations for myself and my family when Natural Medical Approaches were not at hand or not a firts choice. I was reacting to Cosmetics, Fragarances, Cleaning, Petroleum, Paint Products, Pollens and many others

I have listed things I have found that help address Chemical Sensitivities and the other widespread chronic health problems. All of these thing in concert are best — but I have listed them in descending order of effectiveness:

#1 BALANCED HEALTHY RAW ONMIVOROUS DIET (Primal Diet)
Has made more difference in the Chronic Health Problems and Chemical Sensitivities than any of dozens of other approaches in the past 35 years. Since starting a Primal Diet 2 years ago I have had 10 X the rate of recovery and am off most supplements. Natural Approaches are now 3 X as effective. I have added back — sources of Vit D, variety of EFA’s, Liver Support and Immune Support. Supplements are replaced by food sources when possible. Whenever I tried this with other Health/Diet approaches success was limited.

#2 ELIMINATE AS MUCH EXPOSURE TO TOXINS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AS POSSIBLE I placed this second because in spite eliminating many sources of toxins for the past 15+ years — recovery was limited.
I found Debra Lyyn-Dadd very helpful with identifying sources of chemicals in the Home and Office — and how to eliminate them. Frightening how much we are exposed to compared to my childhood — let alone my parents and grandparents.
- I use Water, Vinegar, Baking Soda, Citrus Cleaners for over 90% of household cleaning in that order.
- use environmentally friendly products for over 90% of Dishes and Laundry. Soap Berries is an experiment in progress, but I am uncomfortable with the Carbon Foot Print to get them here from India.
- use Aubrey Shampoo/Conditioners — they are the most stringent and forthright on Natural, Non-Toxic Ingredients. It took me over 10 years to take the financial plunge on these products — Wish I had done it sooner.
- do with out Cosmetics 99% of the time. Am cautiously looking at Toxin Free Product Lines — or will forgo the luxury and expense.
- use low/no toxin personal care products where ever possible, or use natural substitutes, or make my own
- use good brands of essential oils to make some personal products
- use over 90% Organic ? Freerange foods. Prefer Local. Avoid processed foods containing ingredients that Grandma did not use.
- use a Nikken Water Filter (In-line) in the kitchen and some filters on the Shower/Bath — to decrease toxins in tap water.
- there are lots of good recipes out there for household and personal care products. Books, Media, Online, Health Stores, Literature.
- advocate any way possible for Natural, Organic, Non-toxic alternatives in all spheres of life and the world around me.

#3 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY — to tolerance — including Flexibility, Posture, Balance, Strength, Endurance, Aerobic.

#4 DETOXIFY & HEAL YOUR MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL LIFE — internally produced toxins are just as unhealthy.

#5 HEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIPS — STARTING WITH YOURSELF

#6 NATURAL / HOLISTIC HEALTH APPROACHES — to assist detoxification and healing initiated by Primal Diet (or other Diet that suits your needs) — I find these work best if I do all the above as well. - Far Infra Red — Hot Baths — Sweats
-TCM /Ayurvedic
-Acupunture, Acupressure — or other equivalent Holistic Health Practices
-Herbology
-Naturopathy, Homeopathy
-Vitamins — which I now use as sparingly and cautiously as a cautious person might use strong Pharmaceuticals.
-Supplements and neutraceuticals as prescribed by a well trained health practioner — or after extensive reading/consultations.