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Fragrances - The Impact On The Environment and The Animals

Since the Industrial Revolution thousands of chemicals have been manufactured and released into the environment for vanity, personal hygiene, and industry. With all these chemicals millions of people have become the proverbial “canaries in the coal mine”. There is hope…learn how you to can become a natural living person with simplicity.

Although I am not in denial over the fact that people who are addicted to chemicals surround me, I am incredulous. With ample information via the Internet and alternative magazines, there is no reason for ignorance.

Several years ago, I was introduced to the natural living lifestyle. Although painful and tedious, I’m much better for it. I learned things that you won’t read in a mainstream magazine or hear on the 6 o’clock evening news. I learned these things by participating in events that health-conscious people attend. I remember the first time I heard the concept “natural vs. synthetic or petro-chemical”. Being brought up with a mindset that only cared about fat-free and SPF 30 made that sound like a foreign language, but that didn’t stop me from educating myself. It didn’t stop me from sharing this wisdom with those who were receptive and cared enough to listen. Of course, I came up against a lot of resistance, but that, I learned, is to be expected when delving into a subject that is new and controversial. It didn’t make my journey less painful, only more stressful.

Initially, I was intrigued and had an insatiable hunger for learning the truth. This led me to several vegetarian whole food potlucks and hours each week reading books on proper nutrition and chemical awareness. Then, I was stymied and angry. For weeks, I lost myself in books and magazine articles, explaining the benefits of herbs and essential oils and the detriments of petro-chemicals. Then, the most painful truth slapped me in the face and nearly paralyzed me. From the time I was very little until my early 20’s, I was bathed and moisturized in, had my face made up, and my hair washed in petro-chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic! The so-called moisturizer my dear mother had used on her face and mine had mineral oil and fragrance. We’d been putting gasoline on our skin! I couldn’t take the truth, but I continued my search.

A few years later, I was introduced to organic essential oils and then learned about adulterated products. The information that upset me the most was, (if my personal pain wasn’t enough) the obvious detriments on the environment, and of course, the animals! With so many products from bathroom supplies and laundry detergent to sink whitening bleach, the environment really takes a hard hit. Another very important factor to consider when buying cosmetics and foodstuffs is the animals we love so much and who are reliant on us for care, not-to-mention the animals we don’t know who live near us or are feral. People never stop to think about the animals and how they feel. If they could talk, I don’t think they’d be happy or kind. I mean can we honestly believe that our beloved cat, dog, or bird or other animal isn’t being affected by what we’re using? It’s very unrealistic and ignorant to believe that animals are just machines and lacking feelings. Trust me, when I see my sweet cat lunging backwards and choking, I know something’s wrong. Chances are, someone smokes around her, wears perfume or uses deodorizer around her. Choking isn’t natural for people or animals.

I read a wonderful beautiful article in Best Friends about this man who has 2 cats, mother and daughter, and he was a chain smoker. The mother kept sneezing and wheezing around him and he was clueless as to the cause. Then, after going to the vet, it was understood. His smoking was making her ill. He had to decide which he loved more his nasty habit or his beloved animal. Well, let’s just say his true feelings came out when the mother stopped sneezing and then to his surprise the daughter came out from hiding. Apparently, she was being affected too and couldn’t be in the same room with him! It makes me very angry the attitudes people in general have toward their furry friends and those who they don’t know. It’s very disturbing to know that with all the information abound about the ill effects of smoking and many carcinogenic fragrances and chemicals, that people still think they and their pet are immune and won’t be effected.

I’ve done a lot of research on this subject and have found some scary and disturbing information. For one thing there are thousands, possibly millions, of people in the world who are suffering from MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) and are “in the closet”. I say this because no precedence has been set to show the damaging effects of petrochemical fragrances. If anything, people are continuously ridiculed when they complain and when the subject is brought to the table. Whenever my husband and I go out we always take cloth hospital masks with us to cover our faces. There are always those who take a second look at us and think we’re weird, but we use it as an opportunity to educate and create a great controversial conversation piece. There are people all over the world trying to cope with this “illness” and many of these people live in natural living “safehouses”. They’ve made their homes completely environmentally friendly and won’t allow any toxins to enter and they won’t allow anyone with toxins on them to enter.

A lot of people like to use the word fanatic to describe these people, but the truth of the matter is that this is the way people should live. It’s amazing how much time and energy people put into improving their appearances. Half of one’s paycheck goes to buying cosmetics and personal hygiene products. If people went with the natural look or solely bought natural products and essential oils, they’d save a significant amount of money and their health would improve dramatically! I know that we’ve saved a tremendous amount of money and we feel so much better. This partly contributes to my youthfulness and vibrant appearance. One reason people have skin problems and wrinkles is because the chemicals and fragrances in the cosmetics are irritating to the skin.

I really think that people need to turn off their televisions and their radios and educate and empower themselves to the “real truths” in the world. Had I awakened earlier in my life to the detriments of mind-numbing television, I believe a light would have gone on in my head making me realize that I needed to question “so-called” truths a lot more! People often tell me that I’m fanatic or extreme, that I focus way too much energy on the environment and health issues. If we don’t, the animals and the earth will suffer tremendously. It’s a gamble I’m not willing to take. For more information on the detriments of chemicals on the environment and our animals, there are plenty of books and magazine articles on the subject. Your local library has plenty of them. My husband and I use 100% organic natural unadulterated essential oils and love to share them with the world! visit Natural Living Solutions for more information. May all be well and live in peace, love, joy, and harmony!