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All-Natural Shampoo

Natural ShampooOur hair is made up of fiber, much like wool that comes from sheep or Kashmir goats. With at least 100,000 hair fibers on our head, it makes sense to treat our hair much like we would a cashmere sweater. Most commercial shampoos contain chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, which strip much-needed moisture and amino acids. Why not switch from the "heavy-duty cycle" to "delicate" and try these natural alternatives?

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Rhassoul Clay

Rhassoul ClayRhassoul clay originates in Morocco. The name rhassoul comes from the Arabic word "rassala," which means "washing."

Rhassoul clay can be used as a soap, a shampoo, and a skin conditioner. Rhassoul contains more trace minerals than other clays. The silica, magnesium, potassium, and calcium work together to detoxify the skin and hair by exchanging themselves for toxic compounds. The toxins are thus replaced with the nourishing trace minerals.

With its rich history in beauty care, rhassoul clay makes a wonderful natural addition to any personal care regimen. Using it for the first time, however, can be a bit daunting. Here are directions and recipes to help you venture into the benefits of rhassoul clay.

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All-Natural Hair Conditioner

Natural Hair ConditionersThe best hair conditioners restore your hair's pH to its optimal level of approximately 5.6, which is on the acidic side of the scale. Chemical conditioners may accomplish this, but at what cost to your scalp and overall health?

Why not try these natural options instead?

  1. Apple cider vinegar. Apply after shampooing, then rinse.
  2. Coffee grounds. Massage into hair to exfoliate. Rinse thoroughly.
  3. Lemon juice. Squeeze fresh lemon into jar, or boil and strain. Apply and rinse.

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Five Ways to Stimulate Hair Growth

Hair loss (alopecia) is common to both men and women. Causes may include hereditary factors, hormonal changes, infection, toxic exposures, cancer treatment, malnourishment, and even hair treatments. According to the Mayo Clinic website:

Overuse or improper use of hair-coloring products, hair straighteners and permanent waves can leave your hair brittle and prone to breaking off at the scalp. Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair too tightly cause traction alopecia.

Hair Loss

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To Dye or Not To Dye

For centuries women have risked their health for the sake of beauty. In the middle ages, Italian women used eye drops from the toxic belladonna plant in order to dilate their pupils. Pupil dilation was thought to be more attractive. Women hoped that "just a little poison" would give them the results they wanted without health implications. We may be doing the very same thing today.

Most hair dyes are made from petroleum sources and contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD). Here are several interesting facts about PPD:

  • PPD, a derivative of coal tar, is also used in fur dyes, dark colored cosmetics, photographic developer, printing inks, greases, and gasoline.
  • PPD was voted Allergen of the Year in 2006 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

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Quotes

"I started finding myself sitting on the floor in rooms of my house and not remembering how I got there, what I was doing before, or how long I had been there."

– Brenda

"The ERMI mold test as well as your helpful articles and Toxic Talk Tuesday programs have helped us avoid a terrible mistake in purchasing a new home."

– Angela

"I've been living in a mold-infested home for 13 months... I was going CRAZY! Finally figured it out... Just a few days of recovering in a mold-free home and I feel AMAZING!!!"

– Lauren

"In my moldy home if I left the wet clothes in the washer they would get musty very quickly and I'd have to re-wash... Sometimes I'd run a load, go to work, and they'd be musty when I returned that evening."

– Anonymous

"Both of my sons went downhill quickly and coughed for months... They both lost their ability to read, had profound vision disturbances, and had phenomenal gastric issues."

– Lee

"My symptoms persisted and eventually turned into lethargy and depression. At the age of 26, I required a nap every evening after work."

– Jennifer

"We all suffered from headaches, hormonal body temperature fluctuations, brain fog, fatigue, difficulty breathing, thrush, rashes, and yeast infections... we vacated our home two weeks ago."

– Anonymous

"We had some water leaks in our home... we never thought we needed to clean out and remove the floor, the ceiling, or the drywall... my two small children and I have remained constantly sick for years in this home."

– Mia

"...at age 35 or 36 I started to become allergic to everything, and I got asthma at age 36... I went to doctor after doctor after doctor and was desperate for help, but nobody could help me."

– Mia

"I'm new at this, but today I cleaned my bathroom with baking soda and vinegar. It's much better not having those strong chemical smells afterwards."

– Anonymous

"We were having a lot of health problems and had been to the doctor countless times... we had large circles of slimy greenish-black mold on the bathroom ceiling, where it had caved in a few months before."

– C.

"The entire time we lived in our (mold-infested) house the kitchen sponge would get musty smelling within 3-4 days. It was so strange. I had to buy a pack of sponges nearly every week."

– Anonymous

"My daughter has had many blood samples taken to test for everything imaginable and her doctor just seems puzzled. Everything comes back normal."

– Anonymous

"My daughter started having digestive problems... heart palpitations... coughing episodes... muscle/joint pain... asthma/allergies... Her doctor finally advised me to check for mold in our home."

– Anonymous

"I had been struggling with headaches, head fog, breathing difficulties (unable to get a full breath), constant scalp tingling, migraines, nausea, feeling spacey/detached, and severe itchy skin."

– Anonymous

"I was skeptical at first that these (natural cleaning) products would work, but they work better than the stuff I buy at the store! We will soon be moving to the personal care products as well!"

– Jennifer

"I have been sick for almost 6 months now and doctors were not able to figure out why. I finally put it all together after going away for vacation for a week and suddenly my symptoms were going away."

– Anonymous

"Our family has been out of our home for 9 months due to mold... I am so scared and weak from all of this. We have lost friends; family members don't understand."

– Anonymous

"I knew it was mold, but doctors kept telling me I had anxiety. I was sitting in my office and could not remember who I was talking to, or what we were talking about."

– Brenda

This site is dedicated to a true friend and mother — Barbara Dell Kessel (1929-2009)