The Popularity Of Natural Perfume

Natural perfume, also known as botanical perfume, is the name given to any perfume that contains only natural ingredients. This means that the product does not contain artificial ingredients of any kind. The idea behind this product is that it is kinder to the skin and to the environment.

Modern living and political outlooks have paved the way for the natural perfume to become increasingly popular. However, the idea of it has always been around, and until the 1800s when synthetic materials were created, natural perfume was the only option. The synthetics were a breakthrough in modern science, and offered a valuable commodity for perfume makers. It enabled the product to have a longer shelf life and could also create more effects and blends.

Synthetic perfume is still excellent quality, but there is a modern trend for trying to recapture the essence of all things natural; and this includes with perfume. Botanical perfume is created from raw organics and rare aromatics, with natural extraction processes used. The aromatics are obtained through tincturing, enfleurage, infusion and distillation, and then added to a combination of carrier oil and water or a natural alcohol base. These bases are less severe than their synthetic counterparts and so it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Allergies are a common reason why people are turning to botanical perfume. The high levels of pollution have made many people more sensitive and intolerant to many chemicals that would previously have produced no adverse affect. Natural perfume ingredients are in their purest form, and so the absence of chemicals creates less irritants and skin pollutants.

Another reason for the popularity of natural perfume is that it can be used to create a signature blend. In the modern world where mass production is the norm, many people are turning to the unique and rare to recapture a sense of identity. Natural perfume enables this. Firstly, synthetic perfumes are mass produced, and so it is down to the taste of the buyer as to whether they are purchased, whereas natural perfumes can be made bespoke.

These bespoke perfumes are created in relation to the tastes of the buyer, and are available for that buyer only. Many natural perfumeries are opening across the globe, where clients can go in for a whole experience which includes answering questions about tastes to determine a particular classification such as oriental, citrus, marine or floral. Then different base scents are tested, and those liked are then combined to create a signature fragrance, usually stored on a database for future purchases.

The ingredients are also a key factor. Natural perfumes often contain rare aromatics that would be too expensive to use in mass production. Therefore, it can offer a wider variety of fragrances. Another element to consider is the concentration of the blend. Synthetic perfumes have strict concentrations of perfume per alcohol and water base, which must be adhered to. Natural perfumes can step outside of these conventions, and create a strength that suits your requirements. Certain perfume may be based upon aromatherapy and aromacology theories also, to try and help assist with mood and health.

Of course, natural perfume does have its disadvantages also. For instance, the absence of any chemical fixative in the perfume, similar to the preservatives found in food produce, means that it is evanescent or short lasting. The ingredients in botanical perfume may separate also, as they contain no chemicals that bind, but this can be resolved with a gentle shake, so not too much of a problem but worth remembering. Natural perfumes are generally inexpensive and a pleasant change from the norm. Ultimately, however, they need to suit your requirements and needs; so weight the pros and cons and make an informed choice before purchasing.

About the Author

This article can be accessed in portuguese from the Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/perfume-fragrancia.php
Roberto Sedycias works for www.PoloMercantil.com.br

Source: www.articopia.com

Indoor Air is 2-5 Times More Polluted than Outdoor Air! Is Yours?

It probably is. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the air in our homes and offices is two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution as a high priority public health risk. The World Health Organization and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have also concluded that preventing exposure to environmental allergens and irritants may help prevent asthma. If you're like most people, you spend up to 90% of your time indoors. If you can find a way to reduce airborne pollutants and allergens that you breathe, you may be able to increase your vitality and health and reduce allergies and asthma attacks.

According to the American Lung Association (ALA), air pollution in our homes can be reduced in three different ways, by controlling the source of pollution, by increasing ventilation and by cleaning the air. These are listed in their order of effectiveness, so this means that it is most important to reduce the amount of pollution you are creating or bringing into your home.

We don't always think of the following as sources of air pollution, but depending on the type of product, all of these can be significant sources of pollution and irritation in our homes: paints & varnishes, furniture, insulation and building materials (especially particle board and plywood), carpets, combustion appliances (gas heaters, stoves, etc.), smoking, cleaning and personal care products, pets, dust mites, mold and fine particulate matter from outdoor pollution and forest fires.

In order to control the sources of pollution in your home, you need to do as many of the following suggestions as possible:

Use low emission paints, varnishes, carpets and furniture, including beds, mattresses and bedding items
Use only non-toxic, natural, cleaning and personal care products
Vacuum and clean regularly to keep the level of dust mites down
Maintain low humidity in your home, by using exhaust fans or opening windows after a bath or shower
Replace wall-to-wall synthetic carpeting with tile, hardwood floors or some other natural, non-toxic, hard flooring
Service your combustion appliances regularly so as to decrease combustion emissions such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides
Get rid of combustion appliances if at all possible, especially if your are chemically sensitive
Keep doors and windows shut when outdoor pollution levels are at unhealthy levels from smog and/or forest fires
Banish your pets to the outside or garage if pet dander is troublesome

Although all of the above are excellent suggestions, it is very difficult and very expensive to control all of the sources of pollution in our homes. Building and furnishing "green" homes is definitely a wave of the future, but most people don't have a non-toxic "green" home today and don't have the money to redo their house in a totally "green" way. Also, there are some things like forest fires and smog that we don't have much day-to-day control over.

So the second suggestion to help you reduce indoor air pollution is increasing ventilation. In other words, get more fresh air into your home! Open windows and doors, turn on kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and mechanical ventilation systems, such as the fan on your central heat and air system, if it is vented to the outside.

This biggest problem with this second suggestion is that both the weather and the outdoor pollution do not always make it feasible to bring in outside air.

Cleaning the Air

The third suggestion for reducing the pollution in your home is to use an air purification device to clean the air. Even though air cleaners by themselves are not the best solution to keeping your indoor air clean (source control is the best!), they can definitely be a part of the solution.

According to the American Lung Association, air cleaning is recognized as one of the three strategies to improve indoor air quality. It has become increasingly popular as more and more people are developing asthma, allergies and sinus problems. For example, it is estimated that over 17 million people now have asthma, and the mortality rate due to asthma has almost doubled in the past decade (according to the ALA). Air cleaning has been widely used in industrial settings to control particulates, gases and vapors, and is now increasingly being turned to for use in residential settings. However, there is a big difference in air purifiers, and the inexpensive ones simply do not do a good job of cleaning the air.

In conclusion, most of us are breathing polluted air in our homes and offices for most of the day. You can reduce this indoor air pollution by reducing the sources of pollution, by opening windows and bringing in fresh air, and by using a high quality air purifiers.

About the Author

Karen Pijuan is the owner of several health-related websites and has written numerous articles about healthy living, whole food supplements, natural weight loss and more. Find out more by visiting EcoViva or The Truth About Vitamins

Source: www.articopia.com

Fertility and Cell Phone Radiation

No one can deny that people are having more and more trouble having babies these days. Just look at the explosion in the number of fertility clinics across the United States and Western Europe. What's the cause; environment, diet, pollution? Well, recent research points to electromagnetic radiation as a key factor.

It's known that electromagnetic radiation, in high doses, can serious affect your body. After all, an x-ray can see right through you! So, were always told to avoid exposure to high levels of any kind of radiation. Yet, what about repeated exposure to low levels; what are the long term health risks associated with that? That's where the problem with cell phones comes into play.

Lots of people use them these days, and you can spend hours with one pressed up to her head or strapped to your waist, or even hooked to your ear all the time! As a result, you are getting a constant influx of radiation pumped into your body. You may think that such a minute amount of radiation is nothing, but the next time you're done with a long phone call, run your hand over the side of your head. More than likely, it's going to feel a bit warm. That is due solely to the radiation emanating from your phone!

Think about that; your skin made warm just from that. And, if your skin is warm, what's going on beneath it? The radiation is heating your blood and bones, and the gray matter of your brain. None of that is good for you and your overall health.

So, what does this mean in terms of fertility? Doctors warn that pregnant women should not wear a cell phone unit at their waist as their developing fetus can be at risk for birth defects. Beyond that, the radiation can affect their ovaries and uterus, thus decreasing their chances of even conceiving. For men, the risks are similar. Keeping a cell phone clipping at the waist can adversely affect the testicles and a man's sperm count.

When you consider that undeveloped nations are not having trouble with fertility as evident by their burgeoning populations the fertility problem is something related to our modern high-tech world. Some people will point to the foods we eat, to the chemicals in our water, and so on.

Yet, not everyone is having trouble having babies. More and more data supports the theory that electromagnetic radiation is the chief culprit. Check out the information available through various websites, and you'll come to learn about the steps you can take to reduce the health dangers associated with cell phone use.

About the Author

Educational Cell Phone Digital Book by Paul Fitzgerald, EMF expert, graduated from NJIT in Newark, NJ. He has been studying EMF's for over 15 years. He has done over 100 radio shows in 2006 and released his book CellPhone Lies To learn more go to EMF Radiation News.

Source: www.articopia.com

 

Do You Know These Things About Lung Cancer?

Our lung is one of the main "motors" of our body. Yet, often it is not given due attention and care, and it remains in the background when it comes to issues of the hearth or brain.

The main function of our lung is to exchange the gases between the air we breathe and our blood. It is through our lung that carbon dioxide is emptied from our body and oxygen is transported to our blood vessels. It is not widely known that the two sides of our lung are not identical to each other. The right lung has three lobes, whereas the left lung has two lobes, and an additional portion which is called the lingula which is like the middle lobe.

Lung cancer is the leading type of cancer causing death among men and women of the world. It is only since the 1930s that cases of lung cancer started to increase. This is mainly due to tobacco consumption, and the much disputed pollution and smog around the globe. 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. Recently, governments and states around the globe have raised the price of tobacco dramatically, having some significant effect on societies in cutting down on tobacco smoking.

Some people mistakenly believe that pipe and cigar smoking do not have such a harmful effect on the lungs as cigarettes. Cigar and pipe smokers are at 5% higher risk to die of lung cancer than non-smokers. This ratio is 25% for people smoking cigarettes.

Passive smokers, i.e., smokers who do not smoke themselves but stay in an environment where others smoke, and inhale smoke, are at 24% higher risk of developing cancer (only 1% less than a cigarette smoker.)

Other danger factors in developing cancer are asbestos fibres, radon gas, familial predispositions (genetic), and other lung diseases, along with air pollution.

Lung cancers are categorized into two types. Small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. This distinction is based on the appearance of the cells under microscopic examination and the appearance of tumor cells. The two types of cancers spread and grow in different ways, thus the distinction.

Small cell cancer is the most aggressive and rapidly growing type of cancers, and it makes up 20% of related cancers. It tends to grow first in the larger breathing tubes and grows very fast spreading around a large area. In its initial stage, it is more sensitive to chemotherapy, but it often bears worse prognosis. This type of cancer is mainly related with smoking.

On the other hand, for non-small cell lung cancer, the prognosis is poor. Patients treated with chemotherapy live generally only three months longer than those who do not get treatment. This type is divided into further two types, one starting from the larger breathing tubes but spreading around slower. This means that the size of these tumors varies when diagnosed. 50-60% of non-small cell cancer starts growing around the gas-exchanging surface of the lung. This form is most common for smokers, and along these there are female non-smokers who are mainly affected.

Our lung is a very sensitive organ, it is often the landing place for metastasis (when cancer cells break away from the primary tumor) of cancer originating from other parts of the body. In this case, we name it by the originating part of the body, for example breast cancer.

Cancer is a sly disease. Women can develop ovary cancer from the originating stomach cancer. It strikes the most innocent, the best sportsman, the firmest vegetarian, anyone without mercy. If it takes your lungs, it takes your breath. Do not give it a chance.

About the Author

For more information on cancer try visiting http://www.cancercondition.com - a website that specializes in providing cancer related information and resources including information on lung cancer.

Source: www.articopia.com