"10 Plants That'll Gobble Up the Toxic Air

You probably spend 90% of your time indoors, with pollutant levels 25-100 times higher than the air outside and containing over 1500 substances. But a NASA discovery says if you get 15 to 18 of these type of plants, they'll gobble up 87% of these "bad guys" in 24 hours...

Indoor air quality is a very big concern of mine. The following numbers pretty much speak for themselves, and can be both surprising and quite alarming at the same time…

• Americans spend over 90% of their time indoors… some estimates go as high as 97%
• Many homes and offices have airborne pollutant levels 25-100 times higher than the air outside
• Over 1500 substances may be found in the typical North American home… some of which can emit toxic fumes

These numbers and statistics are not meant to frighten you… but simply to give you a wake-up call to what many folks unknowingly assume is okay… and that's indoor air quality.
Since I last examined this, I believe the average time folks spend indoors may have even increased.
Why?
Because very challenging winters in the cold climates of the US coupled with more work-at-home opportunities (and economy-driven employment issues) add up to people spending more time at home and indoors.
The good news is there are some very positive steps you can take to enhance the indoor air you breathe… and I'm here to help you do just that.

Why the Indoor Air in Your Home and Office is So Important
Have you ever spent time in an environment that invigorated you, and inspired you to think clearly and creatively?

Chances are this environment was somewhere outside in nature.
So what causes the air inside your home or office to not come close to having the same effect… or worse, to even reach high pollution levels?
First of all, the EPA tells us that the air outside your home establishes the baseline for your indoor air.
This seems to make perfect sense. It also means if you already live in an area with high levels of outside pollutants, your indoor air probably started out 'bad' before anything inside your house had a chance to impact it even further.
"Ever wonder why spending time in a natural pollution-free environment can be so invigorating?"
But once inside your home or office, the air you breathe can get worse and loads of other pollutants may be added from materials and faulty processes inside your home such as…

What's the First Thing You Can Do to Improve Air Quality in
Your Home or Office?
Bringing a bit of nature indoors with houseplants is an excellent idea and can help make you feel a bit more cheery
Living closer to nature may actually even help increase your quality of life.
"Household plants like this African violet can help to enhance your indoor air quality"
It was NASA, along with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA), that conducted a classic study on the benefits of plants on indoor air.
NASA reported that houseplants were able to reduce up to 87 percent of air toxins in 24 hours. They recommended using 15 to 18 'good-sized' houseplants in 6 to 8-inch diameter containers for an 1800 square-foot house.
And not just any house plants will do… here's a list of the top 10 anti-pollutant plants rated best by The New Ecologist.com…

1. The Feston Rose plant
2. Devil's Ivy
3. Phalaenopsis
4. English Ivy
5. Parlor Ivy
6. African Violets
7. Christmas Cactus
8. Yellow Goddess
9. Garlic Vine
10. Peace Lily

NASA, at the Stennis Space Center, also constructed what they called a BioHome, which incorporated bioregenerative technology with the ultimate goal of providing a life support system for permanent human habitation in space.
And inside the BioHome structure are common houseplants, which NASA says act as living air purifiers to absorb as much chemical pollutants as possible from synthetic materials in the living area.
If houseplants are capable of cleansing the air in the BioHome, imagine what they could do in your home!

Mold Is a Common Issue in Many Homes
One of the major motivating factors for me to seek to identify the highest quality home filter is that my home had a leak in the basement due to a crack in the foundation and the end result was mold.
Unfortunately this is all too common. Many homes are contaminated with mold as a result of flooding, water leaks from indoor plumbing, leaky roofs or leaky basement foundations.
You can use the search engine on this site to find recent detailed articles I have written that comprehensively addresses this, but I want to share a key principle that I learned that will save you loads of grief and potentially many thousands or tens of thousands of repair bills.
Please understand that no air filter in the world will eliminate mold problems. You must find the source of the water leakage and stop water intrusion into your home and make sure you control the humidity. The other key is to jump on this problem the moment you find it, do not delay as the longer you wait the more expensive the repairs will likely be.
Once you have been able to get the mold under control then you can introduce an air purification system based on the discussion below.


More....this link

http://airpurifier.mercola.com/

A History of Colognes

“My perfume brings to mind a fine spring morning after the rain; a composition of orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot,  flowers and fruits of my homeland…”-Giovanni Maria Farina

The investigation into the roots of any family of perfumes is a fascinating one. It is equally intriguing to see how at a particular moment in time a particular fragrance captures the imagination of the people of that time and becomes immensely popular as happened with Eau de Cologne, its popularization in Germany and its eventual spread to all parts of the world.

Previous to the commercialization of Eau de Cologne which took place in 1709 in the city of Köln, Germany the most popular alcohol based perfume was Hungary Water. It is considered, by many the first modern perfume that had a multinational clientele. Indeed many local variations of the formula arose in the European countries that circulated it.

"Hungary water (sometimes called "the Queen of Hungary's Water") historically was the first alcohol perfume formulated in Europe at the command of Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary. The exact date of when the first batch of Hungary water was made is lost to history. It is equally unclear even who in particular created it. Some sources say it that a monk-recluse who first gave it to Elizabeth, though most likely it was made by court alchemist (who could also have been a monk, thus reconciling the two traditions). In its first version, it was distilled rosemary and thyme with an infusion of spirits, while later recipes contain lavender, mint, sage, marjoram, costus, orange blossom and lemon.

Hungary water first appeared outside of Hungary in 1370 when the French Charles V le Sage, who was famous for his love of fragrances, received some. Hungary water was known across Europe for many centuries and until eau de Cologne appeared in the 18th century, it was the number one fragrance and remedy applied in the world. Similar to other herb and flower-based products, Hungary water was not only a fragrance, but also a valuable remedy as it used to be in the Middle Ages. The most valuable description of its attributes was in 1683 in the "Pharmacopeia Londoniensis" by Nicholas Culpeper:

"The water (containing an infusion of spirits) is admirable cure-all remedy of all kinds of cold and humidity-induced head ailments, apoplexies, epilepsies, dizziness, lethargy, crippleness, nerves diseases, rheumatism, flaws, spasms, loss of memory, coma, drowsiness, deafness, ear buzzing, derangement of vision, blood coagulation, mood-induced headaches headaches. Relieves toothache, useful for stomach cramps, pleuritis, lack of appetite, indigestion, obstruction of the liver, obstruction of the spleen, intestinal obstruction and contraction of the uterus. It receives and preserves natural heat, restores body functions and capabilities even at late age (saying has it). There are not many remedies producing that many good effects. Use internally in wine or vodka, rinse temples, breath in with your nose."

Sometime in the late 1600's there lived in Italy a man by the name of Gian Paolo Feminis who was a barber by trade. It is thought that he was obtained a copy of Hungary Water produced in the Santa Maria Monastery, Florence for several centuries. Naturally the recipe had been adapted to the aromatics available in Italy at that time. He in turn modified the recipe according to his own tastes and created the prototype of Eau de Cologne in 1695 and gave it the name of Eau Admirabilis.

Then with his recipe in hand he came to Germany to seek his fortune and settled in the city of Köln. There, in 1709 he began selling his aromatic creation which was composed of citrus oils such as bergamot, neroli, orange and lemon and various herbs blended into pure grape alcohol. The simple, fresh, exhilarating beauty of his perfume immediately became popular in this major commercial center and as the demand for the product increased he required more help to produce and market it. He then requested his nephew Giovanni Maria Farina to come and assist him with his work.

Giovanni had a natural business bent-of-mind as well as a perfumers heart and he quickly advanced the name the delightful product even further and in 1714 gave it the name of Eau de Cologne which was locally known as Kölnisch Wasser or "Water of Köln". He furthermore began to promote it as a cure-all for both internal consumption and external application. Since Köln was a major center of international commerce of the time, traders from other countries began to take back this local product to their own countries. At that time French was the language of commerce so Giovanni converted the German name of the perfume "Kölnisch Wasser" to the French "Eau de Cologne". In 1731 he took over the business and with each passing year under his competent management the business grew. Many rich and famous people of the time became his customers including Charles VI of Austria, Maria Theresa of Austria, Clemens August I of Bavaria, and Frederick William I of Prussia. Through his work Köln established itself as a major perfume city. Seeing his success many other companies endeavored to copy him and by the end of 1860 there were over 40 shops advertising Eau de Cologne under the name of Farina.

In 1756 the 7 year war broke out (1756-1763) which involved most of the European countries and many of their colonies. Farina supplied the French troops with Eau de Cologne because of its purported medicinal value as well as for its fragrance. Through the French it was circulated to its allies in Austria, Russia, Sweden and beyond and its fame grew ever more.

Eau de cologne, a refreshing perfumed toilet water which was to become the world's most famous cosmetic item of all time, was originally used for medicinal purposes. Made from a formula which included essences of rosemary, orange flower, bergamot and lemon, drops of cologne were taken on sugar or in wine for disorders of the digestive system. In addition, due to its antiseptic properties, it was used as a mouth wash, for cleansing wounds, and for massage as relief for muscle and joint pains.

The fragrance became so popular in France that Farina decided to open a shop in Paris but appears that very soon after many copy-cat shops arose selling Eau de Cologne as it had in Köln so Farina sold the formula to Leonos Collas, a Frenchman who in turn sold it to the established Robert et Gallet perfume house who continued to successfully market the Parisian version of Eau de Cologne while descendants of Giovanii who remained in Köln continued to market the product in Germany.

When Napoleon came to power in 1799, he further championed the reputation of Eau de Cologne as he was a lavish user of the essence and it is reported that he used several liters of it per month. In 1810 he made a decree that every product that was reputed to have curative properties would need to openly reveal its ingredients. Those holding the secret formula decided at that point to declare Eau de Cologne to be a simply a toilet water and not a cure all as it previously advertised to be. By slow degrees people forgot this part of its history.

The late 1700's and early 1800's marked the ascent of France as the perfume capitol of the world and with passage of time many of the established perfume houses created their own versions of Eau de Cologne. Today the word cologne simply refers to a dilution of 3-6% perfume concentrate in alcohol and there are numerous perfume houses producing a great diversity of products which bear little resemblance to the simple citrus/herbal cologne of the house of Farina in Germany.

Two of the old perfumeries which are reported to have the original formula continue to offer a cologne that is in many ways related to the original: Roger and Gallet Farina House (which also has a museum and is at the original location of the first Eau de Cologne factory)

False Advertising; What's in a name?

This is one of RainOnTheLand suppliers and I can say with honesty the same…You don’t need to worry with my products as I maintain a transparency “clara como el agua”, but  yes please do be aware that it is a common practice, and I like to add, beyond the cosmetic  world,  to our food industry and more! The best practice… is to make your own products as you make your own food! God Bless

This is the article…


By EssentialU
Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 5:12PM

A few weeks ago I was getting my petrol pumped by a rather bored and talkative attendant. We somehow got onto the subject of superstition. I mentioned how I found it so odd that the USA was so superstitious that we had no floor #13 choice in elevators. He was alarmed. He couldn’t believe our buildings didn’t have a 13th floor.  “Well of course they do.” I said,” they’re just not labeled as a 13th floor in the elevator”. We then had a spritely discussion on how a 13th floor exists, yet it’s not known as a 13th floor, but instead becomes known as the 14th floor. This appeared to be quite a conundrum for the young man, he seemed disillusioned. It was a strange reaction. It got me to thinking, how often do we call something by a name which it is not?
In the natural products industry we come across this constantly. “Geraniums” are almost never geraniums, but rather Pelargoniums. “Cedars” are far more likely to be Arborvitaes or Junipers than true Cedars. “Chamomiles” are more often Daisies.  Long ago someone looked at the Sunflower known to botanists as Matricaria recutita, decided it looked like a Chamomile, and we have been referring to it  incorrectly ever since.  Once a word has been chronically misused for long enough it becomes correct. I remember when “prioritize” finally made its way into the dictionary and my disgusted English teacher had to accept that the word could legitimately be used in a paper.  She retired the following year.  If enough people repeatedly refer to a fruit as a “nut”, it eventually becomes a nut. At least it does in casual conversation if not in scientific classification. This can get a little confusing, and I’m sure botanists find it immensely aggravating, but it is no big deal. It is a little odd that the worst nut allergy is caused by a peanut, which is a legume, not a nut.
Not long ago I got a sample of Sodium Citrate which was nothing like what we expected to receive. That’s because it was Sodium citrate with about five other ingredients thrown in there as well. It was all listed in the spec sheet. There was no attempt at deception, but the initial advertising wasn’t quite as clear as it could have been. A buyer has to be very careful they get exactly what is needed, nothing more and nothing less.  Unfortunately, deception does come in to play a little too often in this industry. Product descriptions are incomplete or plain misrepresented. Most often I find this manifests in the form of flow agents, preservatives and emulsifiers being left out of ingredient decks. You don’t need to worry about that happening at Essential Wholesale as we maintain maximum transparency, but please do be aware that it is common practice in the cosmetic personal care world. Buyer beware!

Acid and Alkaline

This is the chart link
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3CqePDmp7nFMDdiMWE0NjMtNjU1Yy00ODI0LWJmMGUtODc0YzYyYTNiYjdh/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1

Why it is important to understand what Acid and Alkaline will do for you?

When they are metabolized, carbohydrates, proteins and fats produce inorganic and organic acids. These acids are all poisonous. We have to eliminate them from our bodies as quickly as possible. However, if these acids substances were eliminated through the kidneys and large intestines those organs would suffer damage from the acid.  The good part is that God created our bodies with the capacity to neutralize those acids by mineral compounds. Together, the mineral compounds and acids produce substances which are not longer poisonous to us and which can be safely eliminated.
The family of mineral compounds, which neutralizes acids, is carbonic salts. When carbonic salts meet strong acids such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid (from Proteins), acetic acid and lactic acid, (from Carbohydrates and fats) the alkaline minerals making up the carbonic salt leave the salt and combine with the acids to make new salts.
In short, the acids which are the end product of metabolism can be eliminated only after they are changed to neutral salts. Then they are not longer harmful to the kidney and to the wall of the intestine.
The result of this change from acid to neutral salt reduces the concentration of alkaline elements in the blood and then in the extracellular fluid. It is this lowered concentration of alkaline elements that is referred to as the acidic condition of the body fluid.
Since in order for us to be healthy our body fluid must be kept at an alkaline level (PH 7.4), we must re-supply the lost alkaline elements through the foods we eat.
One of the important causes of cancer and other degenerative diseases is the cumulative effect of the acidic condition of body fluid.  I believe we can prevent almost all sicknesses, including cancer, if diets are changed considering the acid and alkaline effects of food in our bodies.
Cancer develops in the following stages:
1. Ingestion of many acid forming foods, fatty foods, protein rich foods, refined foods,  carcinogenic substances such as nitrites, and chemically treated foods in general. X-ray scans contribute even at this stage.
2. Increased constipation.
3. Increase acidity in the blood.  This causes an increase of white cells and a decrease of red cells, which is the beginning of leukemia.
4. Increase of acidity in the extracellular fluids.
5. Increase of acidity in the intracellular fluids.
6. Birth of malignant cells. This is the stage of cancer initiation.
7. The further consumption of many acid forming foods. Receiving high levels of radiation, chemical, and drug treatment. This is the stage of cancer called promotion.

Green Tea

Scientific names: Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. Family: Theaceae
Common names: Green tea also is known as tea, black tea, oolong tea, Veregen.
Efficacy-safety rating:
ÒÒ...Ethno or other evidence of efficacy.
Safety rating:
●...Little exposure or very minor concerns.

What is Green Tea?

Black, oolong, and green tea are produced from the leaves of C. sinensis, which is native to eastern Asia but also grown in other areas. This evergreen shrub or tree grows to over 9 m in height and is pruned from 60 cm to 1.5 m for cultivation. Its dark green, serrated-edged leaves are alternate and oval, while its white and fragrant blossoms appear singly or in clusters. Green tea consists of dried leaves, while black tea is produced by a complex wilting and fermentation process. Oolong tea is produced by a process intermediate to that of green and black tea.

What is Green Tea used for?

Traditional and ethnobotanical uses
The dried, cured leaves of C. sinensis have been used medicinally for more than 5,000 years. Traditional Chinese medicine has recommended drinking green tea for the prevention of ill health, which in Asia is still regarded as a healthy practice.
General uses
Tea is traditionally consumed as a beverage. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that green tea plays a role in metabolic syndrome because it may have an impact on body weight, glucose homeostasis, and other cardiovascular risk factors. It has yet to be determined whether green tea can help prevent cancer; however, a role in the prevention of stroke has been suggested. Topical applications have been studied for protection from ultraviolet damage, and a commercial preparation has been approved for use in the treatment of anogenital warts.

What is the dosage of Green Tea?

A daily intake of 3 to 5 cups/day (1,200 mL) of green tea will provide at least 250 mg/day of catechins. Green tea extract should not be taken on an empty stomach due to the potential for liver toxicity from excessive levels of epigallocatechin gallate. Anogenital warts: topical application of sinecatechins 3 times a day for a maximum of 6 weeks. Cardiovascular effect: 400 to 716 mg/day of catechins have been used in trials in divided dosages. Diabetes: Dosages of epigallocatechin gallate range from 84 to 386 mg/day in trials evaluating glucose homeostasis. Obesity: Dosage ranges used in trials include 270 to 800 mg/day of epigallocatechin gallate, or 125 to 625 mg/day of catechins.

Is Green Tea safe?

Contraindications
Contraindications have not been identified; however, use caution when liver failure is present.
Pregnancy/nursing
The US Food and Drug Administration advises those who are or may become pregnant to avoid caffeine.
Interactions
Vitamin K present in green tea may affect the blood thinning effects of warfarin. Green tea consumption reduces the bioavailability of folic acid and may interfere with the absorption of iron.
Side Effects
There are no reports of clinical toxicity from daily tea consumption as a beverage. Adverse events include headache, dizziness, and GI symptoms. Liver toxicity, including 1 fatality, has been associated with high plasma levels of epigallocatechin gallate or its metabolites.
Toxicities
Multidose studies suggest that a daily dose of 800 mg/day of epigallocatechin gallate capsules for up to 4 weeks is safe and well tolerated. High-dose oral green tea extract and catechins were toxic to rat livers.
References

1. Green Tea. Review of Natural Products. Facts & Comparison Online. May 2010. Accessed April 20, 2010.

Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health

Big Pork And Their Big Fat Lies

Beyond Organic Insider
Thursday, March 29, 2012

I saw this video today on the Organic Consumers Associations website, and as they pointed out─it’s ridiculous
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbdB9WOICyo&feature=player_embedded

I guess with all of the negative press that factory farms and CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) have received lately, they have to resort to disingenuous PR schemes in an attempt to save face.
Let’s examine a few of the flawed statements in this video, but before we do, let me say that I do not consume or recommend pork from conventional or organic operations.  I don’t believe that pork is something that God intended for His people to consume, and I don’t believe that it’s healthy.
So, why bother to examine the video? Simple. These farming practices have become rampant in the beef, dairy and poultry industries as well.
Here’s what the video would lead you to believe…
1) Keeping animals confined to a “modern barn” is “the right thing to do.”
Wouldn’t the right (humane) thing to do be to allow animals to live outdoors in their natural habitat and consume their natural diet?
2) They do it to “protect the animals.”
In reality, they do it to increase profits!
3) They are being “good neighbors” by “protecting the environment and preserving the land for future generations”
The fact is that allowing animals to roam freely in their natural habitat and consume their natural diet is what actually improves the environment.  I’ve seen this first hand, as we’ve raised cattle on our Beyond Organic ranches and allowed them to roam freely as God intended.  After all, it’s part of the Circle of Life (I couldn’t resist the animated video theme, plus this is one of my favorite Disney movies).

http://rainontheland.mybeyondorganic.com/Web/us/en/index.dhtml

Fight Crohn’s with CLA. Article form Beyond Organic Insider

http://www.beyondorganicinsider.com/2012/03/fight-crohns-with-cla.html