We need to do our homework on nearly everything these days to avoid being hoodwinked or ripped off.  For instance, take a look at anti-bacterial soaps and body washes. We’ve been led to believe by the advertising industry that anti-bacterial soaps are necessary to kill and prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Upon doing a bit of research, there seems to be more to the issue than meets the eye…

“Anti-bacterial soap is any cleaning product to which active antibacterial ingredients have been added. These chemicals kill bacteria and microbes, but are no more effective  at deactivating viruses than any other kind of soap or detergent, and they also kill nonpathogenic ( non-disease causing ) bacteria.” …you know, the good stuff our body needs.

“Most liquid hand and body soaps contain antibacterial chemicals. Tricolosan is a common ingredient.  Since there is a great variety of bacteria, effectiveness against any given type of bacterium does not ensure that it is effective against unrelated types. These are generally only contained at preservative levels unless the product is marked antibacterial, antiseptic, or germicidal.  Triclosan, Triclocarban/Triclorcarbamide and PCMX/Chloroxylenol are commonly used for antibacterial and deodorant effect in consumer products.”

“… Some studies have concluded that simply washing throughly with plain soap is sufficient to reduce bacteria and, further, is effective against viruses.  Other studies  have found that soaps containing antimicrobial active ingredients remove more bacteria  than simply washing with plain soap and water.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published reports that questions the use of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers saying that it found no medical studies that showed a link between a specific consumer antibacterial product and a decline in infection rates.”  Oh, woe is me… what on earth to do?

You know where I’m going with this, don’t you? That’s right… J.R.LIGGETT’S claim to not using any “unpronounceable chemicals” in any of his products. This includes Triclosan or any variation thereof.  Only healthy, earth-friendly, people-friendly ingredients. I’m always amazed at how J.R.LIGGETT’S  is constantly ahead of the pack when it comes to common sense choices for our bodies, our family, our world.  Cool, huh? But that’s not all, read on…

Big, Bad, Triclosan?   “It’s also unclear how the chemicals in the anti-bacterial soap affect the environment.  Triclocarban, a commonly used antibacterial agent, has been shown to persist through wastewater treatments.  Research conducted by Johns Hopkins showed that 75 percent of the ingredient that was washed down household drains persisted. Since municipal sludge is commonly used to fertilize crops, accumulation of the chemical may occur.   In addition, studies at the University of Michigan have shown that in the laboratory Triclosan, another of the most popular used antibacterial ingredients, can cause antibiotic resistance in some bacteria.”

I do not claim to be a scientist nor physician, but I believe we can surmise that perhaps Triclosan as used in anti-bacterial soaps may not be the panacea for all that ills us in the world of germs. It also appears that it may also be harmful as run-off into our water supply.  This chemical may prove be a threat to human health, and it may possibly accelerate the breeding of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 

But not to fret, as I suggest instead a natural, organic, non-harmful approach to sanitizing our hands and bodies:  J.R.LIGGETT’S Shampoo Bars that contain jojoba and tea tree oil are an excellent and safe alternative to harsh, drying, potentially dangerous Triclosan.  Jojoba  has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is effective on athletes foot, eczema, and moisturizes at the same time–the high content of drying alcohol in antibacterial soaps  and hand sanitizers cannot compete. The (yummo–my fave) Jojoba & Peppermint Shampoo Bar, and the Ultrabalanced bar would be excellent choices.   Tea  Tree oil helps fight off infections, cleans surface wounds without damage to skin tissues,  has a low potential for skin irritation, good skin penetration abilities, treats fungal diseases, is a general disinfectant that fights bacteria (see?), and helps skin heal by encouraging the formation of new scar tissue. For tea tree heaven, I suggest J.R.’s Tea Tree & Hemp Oil bar.  J.R. adds:  “All of our shampoos are by nature anti-bacterial because of the way they are made and the ingredients used in them. They are also self cleaning as when in use you are always accessing a new part of the bar with each use.  The sodium hydroxide that the bars are made with takes care of what ever bacteria would present itself ”.   No attempts to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes here! (P.S. don’t forget  those liquid antibacterial soaps are encased in—horrors!— plastic!)  And remember, there is no hard and fast rule that the bars are only for hair! Au contraire!  Do I hear the word, ‘multi-tasking’?  And J.R.’s patented open-air bar shelf fits in perfectly right next to the kitchen or bathroom wash area and keeps the bar dry and conviently accessible– Ban The Bottle, Use The Bar! 

Okay, are we in agreement on this? No more Lemming behavior?  No more buying into hype without doing your research?   No more accepting at face value? Excellent!

Joy

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibacterial_soap , http://www.greeningfamilies.com/families/two-reasons-to-quit-antibacterial-soaps/,   http://www.naturalnews.com/021703.html#ixzzlmfFCouVL