Nasty Toxins

Posted on Jun 24, 2014 | 0 comments

Kick Out Those Nasty Toxins!

Unfortunately, toxins are everywhere today. Harsh cleaning products, pesticides, chemicals, beauty products, even the furniture all are guilty of spreading toxins right into your body! The good news? There are things we can do about it!

Easy ways to reduce toxins right in your own home today:

Change your household cleaners to all natural cleaners. There are so many wonderful options out there it is almost ridiculous not to switch.
Switch your personal hair and skin care products to safe and natural ones. Make up too. Again the market offers many options so why are you still buying the toxic chemicals?!
Get your sweat on! Sweating is one way our body releases stored up toxins. So go exercise, take a steam shower or sauna and sweat it out!
Look into your water filtration. Water is so much more important than we realize, and what is coming out of your tap is most likely NOT good for you. Please have your water tested. We love the Berkley system – it does not require any batteries or electricity and gives such delicious, fresh water.
Start to incorporate a detoxing tea into your everyday routine – preferably in the late morning.
Try a safe detox program that agrees with you, be sure to check with your physician first. There are so many safe and natural detox diets that are super easy and effective.

* Make Sure Your Air is Pure! *

This is a biggie for kicking out those nasty toxins. In addition to all of the above, your air will still need to be filtered. So many studies have shown that the best way to do this is with house plants. Thankfully, you do not need a green thumb for most of them – they are really sturdy plants! Here are my suggestions (all except the ivy are child friendly):

Aloe Vera (great for burns and filtering the air) – Easy to grow and looks cool!
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – Easy to grow, hard to kill! This tall, thin plant filters benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries.
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’) – Also called “Mother in Law’s Tongue” – This plant goes after the formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. It loves shade so it is easy to keep anywhere!
Golden Pothos (Scindapsus aures) – I keep this in a pot with a spider plant in my husband’s office. It is a great natural air filter – targeting formaldehyde and stays green no matter what!
Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata) – This little beauty brings a nice pop of color (and can grow up to your ceiling!) whilst filtering away the xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.
English Ivy (Hedera helix) – Classic and simple, yet a little high maintenance to grow. When I read that a study found that the plant reduces airborne fecal-matter particles, I bought some and put it in a pot with the Red-Edged Dracaena. It can be poisonous so best not to have around young kids (or kids that don’t listen!!). I keep it really trimmed also.
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) – I just love the name! And all of the things this little plant cleans for us. A must have in all houses! I even kept one in my college dorm – though I will admit I had no idea of its uses as an air filter then…
Bromeliads – Another must have! Almost impossible to kill, safe for kids and pets, brightly colored and beautiful AND ready for the best part? They can help provide around-the-clock indoor air purification, unlike others that only cycle during the day!
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii) – A smaller palm that thrives in shady indoor spaces. Best for ﬁltering out both benzene and trichloroethylene. Fairly easy to grow.
I just recently read about this Moso Natural 200gm Air Purifying Bag, Green, 4-Pack
.

“Moso air purifying bags, made of linen and ﬁlled with bamboo charcoal, absorb unpleasant odors and dehumidify the air. The porous structure of the high density bamboo charcoal helps remove bacteria, harmful pollutants and allergens from the air and absorbs moisture, preventing mold and mildew by trapping the impurities inside each pore. The Moso air purifying bag has been scientiﬁcally proven to reduce the amount of formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, and chloroform gases emitted from everyday items such as paint, carpeting, furniture, air fresheners, chemical cleaners, rubber, and plastics. Toxin free, the bags are safe to use around pets and children. The bamboo charcoal rejuvenates when the bags are placed in sunlight once a month. You can reuse the bags for two years, after which the charcoal can be poured into the soil around plants to fertilize and help retain moisture.” (source)

I find it very helpful in clearing nasty toxins. I keep one in every room and in our cars.

One last tip to kick out those nasty toxins

Begin to take a monthly detox bath. Here is my favorite recipe for an easy, homemade detox bath using all ingredients you should have in your cupboard:
Salt Detox Bath
¼ cup of Sea Salt or Himalayan Sea Salt
¼ cup Epsom Salts (you may not have this one, but it is carried at all pharmacies and most grocery stores)
¼ cup of Baking Soda
1/3 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
10+ drops of your favorite essential oil

Directions: Boil some water. Completely dissolve both salts and the baking soda. Let cool and put in a quart size jar, set aside. Fill the tub with warm water (the warmer the water, the more effect the detox will have – don’t go too hot though, you want it to be comfortable for you to sit in for 30 minutes) and add the vinegar. Add the salt mixture in and the oils if using.

Note: These baths can sometimes make you lightheaded or tired, so if trying for the first time, make sure someone is home and aware of what you are doing. Also make sure your schedule is clear so you can relax afterwards. And please always check with your physician before trying any new health things. I am not a doctor so please be sure what works for me can work for you too! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different oils, let us know what combinations you have found helpful! Together we can kick those nasty toxins to the past.

By slowly implementing these changes into your daily routine, you will start to see big improvements to your quality of life. You will see changes in the way you breathe, changes in the way you feel, changes in the choices you make, changes in your sleep – all for the better. Knowledge is power. So now that you know, take the next step and GO DO!

Cheers and Healthy Living!
Malibu Mama Loves Xx