Toxic Hygiene

Hygiene Should Be Nourishing

Mother Jai’s creates only truly natural hygiene and skin care products for truly natural health promotion in every aspect of your personal care regimen. Mother Jai’s does this because of the ingredients used in commercial and prescription products. The list below includes a few examples of what may be found in any hygiene product purchased at the local grocery store.

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What’s in your commercially produced toothpaste, mouthwash, and face mask?

Phthalates: Sometimes shown on a label as; i-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ehtylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Commonly found in: Scented body products, perfume and air freshener. Phthalates are a family of chemicals that are used in most artificially scented products on the market today.  They are used to help stabilize the fragrance chemicals. Studies have concluded that phthalates can contribute to early-onset menopause and can also contribute to infertility in women and men. They can have a definite impact on the natural hormones circulating in the body and have shown the ability to reduce circulating sex hormones.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Sometimes shown on label as SLS, SLES. Commonly found in:  Shampoo, Moisturizer and Cosmetics. The sodium lauryl sulfate found in our soaps is exactly the same as you would find in a car wash or even a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines. Perhaps most worryingly, SLS is absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects is to mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where estrogen levels are known to be involved.

Cocoamide (DEA), Diethanolamine (TEA), Triethanolamine, (MEA): Commonly found in:  Shampoo, Moisturizer and Cosmetics. These chemicals can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers.

Propylene Glycol, Propylene Oxide, Polyethylene Glycol (PGE’s): Commonly found in; Paint, Cleansers, Moisturizers and Baby Wipes. According to a study by Karlstad University, the concentrations of PGEs, propylene glycol and glycol ethers in indoor air, particularly bedroom air, has been linked to increased risk of developing numerous respiratory and immune disorders in children, including asthma, hay fever, eczema, and allergies, with increased risk ranging from 50% to 180%.

Triclosan: The popular toothpaste Colgate Total contains an antibacterial chemical called triclosan, which allows the company to tout it as the “only toothpaste approved by the FDA to help fight plaque and gingivitis.” But while triclosan has been shown to help prevent gingivitis, the benefit comes at a steep price. The chemical has been linked to concerns over antibiotic resistance and endocrine disruption. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are a serious concern, as they can promote a wide variety of health problems, including breast, ovarian, prostate, and testicular cancer, preterm and low birth weight babies, precocious puberty in girls, and undescended testicles in boys.

Artificial Sweeteners: Aspartame, xylitol and other artificial sweeteners are often added to commercial toothpastes. Aspartame is primarily made up of aspartic acid and phenylalanine. The phenylalanine has been synthetically modified to carry a methyl group, which provides the majority of the sweetness. That phenylalanine methyl bond, called a methyl ester, is very weak, which allows the methyl group on the phenylalanine to easily break off and form methanol. You may have heard the claim that aspartame is harmless because methanol is also found in fruits and vegetables. However, in fruits and vegetables, the methanol is firmly bonded to pectin, allowing it to be safely passed through your digestive tract. Not so with the methanol created by aspartame; there it’s not bonded to anything that can help eliminate it from your body. In humans, the methyl alcohol travels through your blood vessels into sensitive areas, such as your brain, where the methanol is converted to formaldehyde. And since there’s no catalase present, the formaldehyde is free to cause enormous damage in your tissues. Symptoms from methanol poisoning are many, and include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses, numbness, and shooting pains in the extremities, behavioral disturbances, and neuritis.

Fluoride: the supposed answer to decaying teeth, but it’s been receiving increasing scrutiny in recent years, and for good reason. Fluoride toothpaste is often the largest single source of fluoride intake for young children and is a major risk factor for disfiguring dental fluorosis. This is because children swallow a large amount of the paste that they put in their mouth. In fact, research has shown that it is not uncommon for young children to swallow more fluoride from toothpaste alone than is recommended as an entire day’s ingestion from all sources. Swallowing fluoride, as is the case with fluoridated drinking water, is especially detrimental to your health, as the science clearly demonstrates that fluoride is a toxic chemical that accumulates in your tissues over time, wreaks havoc with enzymes, and produces a number of serious adverse health effects, including neurological and endocrine dysfunction. Children are particularly at risk for adverse effects of overexposure. If you have a young child, therefore, it’s recommended that you use a non-fluoride toothpaste, although I recommend the same for adults as well.

Chlorhexidine: This chemical is believed to be the cause of increased blood pressure associated with mouthwash use. According to a study published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, using mouthwash just twice a day can increase blood pressure and lead to serious heart conditions. Chlorhexidine kills the good bacteria in the body that is responsible for relaxing the blood vessels.

Alcohol: Alcohol dries out the mucous membranes in the mouth and reduces saliva, causing bad breath. It changes the pH of the mouth and throat, and the Dental Journal of Australia found sufficient evidence that alcohol increases the risk of developing oral, head and neck cancers.

Hexetidine (oraldene): Ingesting too much of this chemical can cause clotting in parts of the brain that control sensory and neural functions, and it may cause failure in these parts of the brain over time. Oraldene can also cause unstable heartbeat and allergic reactions, and it’s considered to be carcinogenic.

Methyl Salicylate: Just one tablespoon of this substance is equivalent to over 23 300mg aspirin pills. An overdose can lead to kidney failure, loss of vision, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, convulsions, vomiting and much more.

Benzalkonium Chloride: This is an allergen that can cause irritations in the skin and mucous membranes, leading to allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue.

Cetylpyridinium Chloride: This chemical can actually cause stains to develop on the teeth. It contains high amounts of alcohol and can lead to sensitivity, pain and irritation to the tongue.

Methylparaben: found within breast cancer tissues. It’s widely used in mouthwash and women’s cosmetics such as skin creams and deodorants. Studies suggest that it may increase the risk of breast cancer or accelerate the growth of tumors.

Artificial dyes: Not only can these stain your teeth, they are linked to tumor development and attention disorders. Commonly used mouthwash dyes like FD&C Green No. 3, D&C Yellow No. 10, and FD&C Blue No. 1 can cause liver damage.

Benzoyl Peroxide: Over the last decade, the popularity of pimple-zapping products has skyrocketed. benzoyl peroxide is responsible for this, but you should be wary about using it. That’s because it’s been linked with the promotion of tumor growth. Beyond that, it produces toxic effects in the body simply through inhalation, and is a known skin, eye and respiratory irritant. As if that isn’t bad enough, it’s extremely toxic if you swallow it.

Hydroquinone: As a skin lightener that reduces dark blemishes caused by everything from medical reactions to bruising, hydroquinone sounds too good to be true. Hydroquinone reduces the melanin in your skin to get rid of those unsightly marks, but in doing so, it hurts your skin in many ways. First of all, it’s permanently altering your pigment while also weakening the elastin and collagen in your problem area – the very things that are key to keeping your skin firm and youthful! Some people get unsightly blotches after using hydroquinone, and far more get contact dermatitis or have allergic reactions after regular use. Considering how easily it irritates your skin, it’s a wonder that it’s used at all. Finally, like so many ingredients on this list, there is some suspicion that it’s a carcinogen. The results aren’t worth the harm it causes.

Petroleum: in so many cosmetics products, it’s ridiculous. And in case you’re wondering, yes, it’s the very same substance from which your motor oil is made. It hides behind many names that you should familiarize yourself with. They are: Petrolatum, Xylene, Toluene, Mineral oil, Liquid paraffin, and more.

Microbeads: tiny plastic pellets found in body washes, facial scrubs, toothpaste, and more. The microbeads go down your drain, through the filters at most wastewater treatment plants, and out into the environment. Plastic microbeads absorb toxins from the water and are eaten by a wide variety of marine life and, ultimately, by humans as well. There’s good reason to boycott any toothpaste containing microbeads, even aside from the obvious environmental threat. Last year, a Dallas dental hygienist reported finding the microbeads in patients’ teeth.

Instead of harming your body with hygiene, try natural and nourishing ingredients instead.

Mother Jai’s hand blends all of her simple products from local and responsibly sourced organic ingredients.

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Distilled Water: boiled and condensed water. Leaves behind only pure H2O. Perfect with a few essential oils for a naturally effective mouthwash.

Activated Charcoal: hardwood charcoal oxygenated for toxin adsorption (electrical absorption). Attracts and bonds with toxins and bacteria, safely and effectively carrying them away.

Horsetail Fern: plant stalk powder rich in silica that is absorbed into tooth enamel and hardens and/or strengthens it. Provides building blocks and other nutrients to all tissues and is absorbed in the mouth.

Arrowroot: plant root powder containing natural proteins and fibers. Used for stabilizing the toothpaste and face mask. Provides anti-inflammatory and balancing principles to tissues.

Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate): naturally occurring compound that is an anti-inflammatory and pH balancing. Naturally counteracting the effects of acids in the body.

Essential Oils: organic aromatic compounds extracted from plant material by steam (water) distillation. All essential oils have antimicrobial effects because that is why plants create them, to protect themselves from invaders. They are full of compounds useful by the body for altering and improving health and function.

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Sunflower Oil – is an ideal “carrier” oil for many of these nutrients because it’s easy for your skin to absorb. Once absorbed, the nutrients penetrate deep into the hypodermis to nourish your subcutaneous fat cells (which fuel regeneration and renewal).

Safflower Oil – contains about 75% linoleic acid. This amount is significantly higher than corn, soybean, cottonseed, peanut or olive oils. Linoleic acid, which is high in polyunsaturated acids, can help to decrease cholesterol and the associated heart and circulatory issues. Studies have shown however, that the high levels of omega-9 fatty acids in safflower oil improves the body’s immune system and lowers LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

Vitamin E Oil – a strong, natural antioxidant that helps to prolong the life of the oil blend. Highly healing to tissues and promotes cellular regeneration.

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