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During the cold and flu season, people are always talking about washing your hands and getting rid of those germs This is easy to do when you are at home and can use the products that you choose, but out in public all that can be found is the exact stuff we are trying to avoid in our homes. It's enough to make you go crazy, always trying to avoid all of these hidden ingredients.
Avoiding Triclosan can be difficult when everyone uses it
Used in most antibacterial hand soaps, triclosan is registered by the EPA as a pesticide that is considered hazardous to human health, as well as the environment. Triclosan, a chemical found in the majority of antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizing gels, is classified as "suspected to be cancer-causing in humans". Also known to be a hormone disruptor as well as a neurotoxin, Triclosan is a huge problem for the future of antibiotics. Antibiotics are a key defense against certain infections, and when we find antibiotics in our food, bath, and beauty products, our bodies begin to develop illnesses that are resistant to the antibiotics that exist on the market, leaving us with no defense when it really matters. With the over-consumption of products containing these ingredients, we are starting to see a new generation of antibiotic-resistant infections, and doctors are saying that at this point, there is nothing we can do to combat this resultant problem.
To wash or not to wash...that is the question
I found myself debating on my options, when out in public with Syfy. We would go to the restroom and he would ask me "what about washing my hands, mama?" I would truly hesitate because the question to me is, which is worse? Knowing that sanitation is key to protecting against the spread of germs and disease, I decided that I needed to find an alternative answer to our problem. After I went on a search, I was able to find small 50 ml foaming pump soap bottles that are perfect to be carried in a purse or bag, on-the-go. After combining some water with a little bit of liquid castile soap and a few drops of my Medicine Woman Jr. essential oil blend in these foaming soap bottles, my problem was solved!
Many essential oils are naturally anti-infectious
Nearly all essential oils show some sort of anti-infectious activities (antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, fungicidal), though some show more activity than others in each category. Studies have also shown that where one essential oil might be effective, the combination of two or more can create a synergistic effect that makes them more effective together than alone. I typically like to start creating a blend with 3 essential oils and go from there based off of my needs. Though most essential oils contain some form of antibacterial actions these are the 15 most commonly used anti-infectious essential oils:
- Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) - antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, fungicidal
- Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) - antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, fungicidal
- Cinnamon leaf/bark (Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum - bark is best for diffusion while leaf is best for topical applications) - antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) - antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic. antiviral
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare) - antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, fungicidal
- Lemon (Citrus limon) - antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic
- Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) - antiseptic, bactericidal, fungicidal
- Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) - antibacterial, antiseptic
- Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) -antifungal, antiseptic
- Clove (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia aromatica, E. caryophyllata) - antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral
- Thyme (Thymus zygis) - antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal
- Sage (Salvia officinalis) - antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic
- Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) - antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic
- Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis or Chamaemelum nobile) - antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, bactericidal
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - antibacterial, antiseptic, fungicidal
Please be sure to browse through my essential oil articles; Introduction to Essential Oil Safety and Safe Essential Oil Use With Babies & Children, to get a better understanding of which essential oils are right for you and your family (and for what ages) and how to use them safely for the benefit of everyone!
DIY Medicine Woman Jr Hand Sanitizing Gel
You can take this hand gel on-the-go, in your purse or bag. When I am not out and about, I like to keep this in the fridge just to keep the aloe vera for longer. Plant Therapy's aloe vera jelly is the perfect medium for this because it softens and soothes skin but also dries and sinks in almost as quickly as alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
INGREDIENTS (ADULTS & CHILDREN AGES 12+ YEARS)
- 1 oz. aloe vera jelly
- 25 drops Medicine Woman Jr. anti-germ essential oil blend (you could substitute 25 drops Plant Therapy's Kid-Safe Germ Destroyer Essential Oil Blend)
- 1 oz. bottle (30 ml)
INGREDIENTS (CHILDREN AGES 2+ YEARS)
- 1 oz. aloe vera jelly
- 6 drops Medicine Woman Jr. anti-germ essential oil blend (you could substitute 6 drops Plant Therapy's Kid-Safe Germ Destroyer Essential Oil Blend)
- 1 oz. bottle (30 ml)
DIRECTIONS
- Combine ingredients in a 1 oz. bottle and shake to combine. Use on hands whenever disinfection is needed! To keep longer, store in the fridge when at home.
DIY Medicine Woman Jr Travel Foaming Hand Soap
I purchased several of these foaming bottles and made my mom and I both travel foaming hand soaps to keep in our purses. Syfy has become so accustomed to me having my own soap on hand, that he doesn't ask to use the public soap any longer. He just expects me to pull mine out of my purse. I am in LOVE with carrying my own soap with me like this! It is so easy and convenient and has turned out to even be a blessing in disguise to others, every time we are in a restroom that has run out of soap! I always end up doling out the soap to all the ladies around us at the time.
INGREDIENTS (ADULTS & CHILDREN AGES 12+ YEARS)
- 50 ml foaming soap bottle
- 25 drops Medicine Woman Jr. anti-germ essential oil blend (you could substitute 25 drops Plant Therapy's Kid-Safe Germ Destroyer Essential Oil Blend)
- 1 tsp. liquid castile soap
- 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin (optional - substitute with olive oil, hemp seed oil, or another carrier oil to keep your hands moisturized)
- filtered water, to fill
INGREDIENTS (CHILDREN AGES 2+ YEARS)
- 50 ml foaming soap bottle
- 6 drops Medicine Woman Jr. anti-germ essential oil blend (you could substitute 6 drops Plant Therapy's Kid-Safe Germ Destroyer Essential Oil Blend)
- 1 tsp. liquid castile soap
- 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin (optional - substitute with olive oil, hemp seed oil, or another carrier oil to keep your hands moisturized)
- filtered water, to fill
DIRECTIONS
- Combine ingredients in a bottle and fill with water. Seal with the lid and gently shake to combine. Keep in your purse or bag when you go out and use instead of the soap that is available in public restrooms.
