An alarming report published and released by the government recently suggests that chemicals in food, cosmetics and cleaning products may be ‘feminising’ unborn boys and increasing their risk of cancer and infertility in later life.

It appears that so called ‘gender bending’ chemicals – which block the action of the male hormone testosterone, or mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen, and which are found in everyday substances – may be linked to increasing rates of birth defects and testicular cancer and to falling sperm counts. These chemicals may be harmless on their own, but their cumulative effect could have devastating consequences for a developing foetus and women trying for a child are urged to avoid them.

 

Research is preliminary and ongoing, but ‘gender bending’ chemicals that all pregnant women are urged to avoid include:

 

–          Parabens found in cosmetics, creams, lotions and deodorants.

–          Phthalates found in shower curtains, solvents, vinyl flooring, PVC and plastics.

–          Tricloslan found in soap, toothpaste and chopping boards.

–          Bispehnol A found in clear plastic baby bottles, tin cans and mobile phone castings.

–          PCBs found in electrical circuits, paints and brake linings.

–          Linuron/diuron found in herbicides used to control weeds on roads and farms and forests.

–          Vinclozolin, a fungicide found on imported fruit and vegetables.

–          Prochloraz, a fungicide used on fruits and vegetables.

–          Procymidone, a fungicide found in beans and breakfast cereals.

 

Until more is known about the effects of these chemicals my advice to all pregnant women is to keep cosmetic use to a minimum, choose unscented products, stop using perfume and avoid colouring hair, gardening and DIY. You can go to www.naturalhealthpractice.com Natural Lifestyle Products or call 9845 8800915 to get a brochure showing which cosmetics, toiletries and household products are available that do not contain these ‘gender bending’ substances.

Cleaning your house weekly could be enough to give you asthma, according to the latest research. Exposure to cleaning products could be responsible for triggering as many as 15 per cent of adult asthma cases, the study found. Spray air fresheners, furniture polish and glass cleaners carried the highest risk. Anyone concerned about asthma should speak to their doctor and in the meantime give your health and the environment a boost by switching to natural cleaning products instead. Use aromatherapy candles for a natural air freshener or cut lemons or simmer some cinnamon and cloves in the kitchen. For furniture use a few drops of lemon juice with olive oil and apply with a soft rag and for glass or window cleaner use vinegar, lemon juice and water, keep in a spray bottle and use like ordinary window cleaner.

• Essential oils: A few drops of essential oil in your bath are a cheap non-chemical alternative to bubble baths that is chemical free and won’t dry out your skin. As an added bonus, different oils have different properties to match your mood – lavender is calming and relaxing, lemon stimulating and invigorating.
• Thyme Bath Bags: A refreshing herbal bath to soothe the skin and relax aching muscles. Place dried thyme in an 8-inch square of cheesecloth, add a little raw oats to soften the water. Tie with string and either hang from the tap as bath runs or let it float in the water.
• Steaming: This is the most thorough, deep-cleansing method of cleansing your skin and is beneficial to all skin types. Once a week normally, less often if skin very dry, daily if very greasy lean over a bowl of boiling water, cover your head with a towel and make a tent around the bowl. Stay one to two feet away from the water surface and add herbs or essential oil to the water for even more benefit. Use lavender, thyme and rosemary for a stimulating cleanse. 
• Muslin face soak: Soak a muslin cloth in warm water laced with several drops of essential oil such as rose or lavender. Wring out and press to your face, inhaling the calming properties. The heat oxygenates and the cloth loosens dead skin cells.
• Oatmeal skin scrub: Take 1 tsp of finely ground oatmeal (available from health food shops) in the palm of your hand, mix with a little water and wash your face with the paste.  
• Avocado Mask: Mash and sieve an avocado and add a few drops of lemon juice to stop it discolouring. Add 1tsp liquid honey, mix together and apply to skin, leaving on as long as possible. It counteracts the drying effects of the sun, softens, moisturises and nourishes the skin. 
• Skin smoothing spritz: Boil dried chamomile flowers with mineral water. When cool, add a drop of lavender oil and decant into a spray bottle and use as a skin smoothing spritz.
• Lemon Hair Rinse: Use diluted lemon juice in your final rinse when washing fair hair to increase shine. (1 part lemon juice to 8 parts water).
• Hands: Never throw a squeezed lemon away without first using it to rub over yours hands and elbows. It softens, cleans and bleaches them. Rinse fingernails and hands daily in a lemon rinse. 
• Camomile Eye Freshener: After a cup of camomile tea, don’t throw the bag away – squeeze out excess water and put over your eyes for ten minutes. Reduces puffiness and refreshes tired eyes. Thin slices of cucumber placed over closed eyes are also refreshing and soothing and can relieve eyestrain, pink eyes and sunburn.
• Herb Deodorant: Grind:
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp myrrh
  • 1 tbs coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp cassia
  • 2 tbs lavender flowers
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • With a pestle and mortar. Use under arms as a deodorant. Some skins are sensitive to dried herbs so test a little first.
• Teeth: Rubbing sage leaves across the teeth cleanses them and sweetens the breath. Mix 2 tbs salt with 3 tbs of bicarbonate of soda and use as a toothpaste. Chew cloves to sweeten the breath.