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Do Natural Thymol Cleaning Products Disinfect as Well as Bleach?

AHA Publisher — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 07:00:28 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – What’s the best household cleaning product to use? Household cleaning products can be hazardous, landing hundreds of thousands of children in U.S. emergency rooms. The product most commonly associated with injury is bleach, which can be toxic, even if used as directed. We know that those with asthma who work with cleaning products day in and day out can experience adverse respiratory effects, worsening of symptoms, decline in lung function, and inflamed airways, but even cleaning workers without asthma can be affected. Indeed, even below so-called acceptable exposure levels, cleaners with or without reactive airways can suffer “a substantial decrease” in lung function. “Although it is recognized that occupational use of bleach may have adverse respiratory health effects, it is unknown whether common domestic use of bleach may be a risk factor for asthma”—rather, it was unknown…until now. Bleach use was significantly associated with nearly five times the odds of non-allergic adult-onset asthma, as well as ongoing lower respiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough. Bleach works as such a strong pro-oxidant that the thought is it can lead to leaky lungs, allowing allergens to penetrate. The phenomenon of cleaning product–induced asthma has been known for decades. More than three quarters of the dozens of population studies investigating this issue have found an increased risk of asthma or nasal inflammation. “Ideally, good cleaning products that are safer for the respiratory system should be available.” Unfortunately, this body of evidence has been largely ignored by the manufacturers and commercial cleaning companies. Most of the workers put at risk are women. In fact, that may help explain some of the gender differences in asthma. “The relatively high frequency of bleach use for home-cleaning by women all around the world, together with the strong association between bleach use and non-allergic asthma…emphasize the need for (re)-considering the use of bleach for cleaning as a potential concern for public health.” There are natural, environmentally friendly cleaning products that may offer a safer alternative. Safer, perhaps, but are they as effective? That’s the topic of my video Flashback Friday: Do Natural and DIY Tea Tree Oil Cleaning Products Disinfect as Well as Bleach? “The effectiveness of three home products in cleaning and disinfection of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli on home environmental surfaces” was the title of “the first report of performance of purportedly safer alternatives for both cleaning and disinfection” of the bacteria that cause staph infections as well as E. coli “for use in home health care.” “In the home setting, some individuals select conventional products such as bleach due to familiarity. It has been shown that some people associate the smell of bleach with cleanliness…Others are seeking less hazardous and environmentally preferable disinfectants…claim[ing] to be ‘green,’ ‘organic’ or ‘natural,’” which you can buy or make yourself with so-called do-it-yourself (DIY) recipes that typically involve ingredients such as vinegar, club soda, and plant essential oils, such as tea tree oil, which is prized for its antimicrobial qualities. Researchers pitted three solutions head-to-head: Clorox bleach, a natural disinfectant based on thymol, which is from thyme essential oil, and a DIY cleaner recipe consisting of half club soda, half white vinegar, and a few drops of tea tree oil. You could probably buy the bleach for around $3 and the natural disinfectant for more like $7, and make the DIY mix for less than a dollar. Quite the bargain, but does it work? On the bottle of Clorox, it says bleach “kills 99.9% of common household germs,” which is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard for the disinfection of surfaces that don’t come into contact with food, such as the bathroom sink. When put to the test, though, the bleach actually killed 99.9999 percent of germs. As you can see at 3:48 in my video, the Clorox completely wiped out the E. coli and Staph germs and even exceeded the EPA standard for food contact surfaces, such as the kitchen counter. The more expensive natural disinfectant worked just as well as bleach, though. What about the DIY solution? The club soda, vinegar, and tea tree oil concoction flopped, allowing as many as a few percent of the Staph bugs to thrive. The researchers might not have used enough of the tea tree oil, though, only adding about a drop per cup, but, from a performance perspective, the environmentally preferable product based on thymol from the thyme essential oil is “an effective alternative” to conventional bleach. I would say it’s even better because bleach is “well known as a respiratory irritant” and is corrosive, too, so it may end up damaging surfaces. I would find it interesting to test how effective a cheap DIY thyme oil solution would be. KEY TAKEAWAYS Among hazardous household cleaning products, bleach, which can be toxic, is most commonly associated with injury. Regular occupational use of cleaning products can have adverse effects, such as impaired lung function, even for those without asthma and when used below so-called acceptable exposure levels. Bleach use is associated with nearly five times the odds of ongoing lower respiratory symptoms and non-allergic adult-onset asthma, and more than 75 percent of population studies on cleaning product-induced asthma have found increased risk of nasal inflammation or asthma. When researchers conducted a head-to-head challenge of Clorox bleach, a natural disinfectant based on thymol (from thyme essential oil), and a DIY cleaner (equal parts club soda and white vinegar with a few drops of tea tree oil), the thymol disinfectant worked as well as bleach, completely eliminating coli and Steph germs, but the DIY tea tree cleaner allowed as many as a few percent of Staph bugs to live. The researchers only added about one drop of tea tree oil per cup in making the DIY solution, so more may have made it a more effective cleaner, but it is clear that the natural and environmentally friendlier thymol-based solution is “an effective alternative” to bleach. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.

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Secret Detox Drink Recipe (A Natural Detox Drink Recipe)

AHA Publisher — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:00:08 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – If you are feeling weighed down and sluggish, it may be time for my secret detox drink, which can help cleanse your body and make you feel rejuvenated. For many years, I’ve added detox drinks to my health regime because as toxins leave my body, I feel clear-headed and energized. Plus, recipes like this one don’t require a blender or juicer, so they are simple and easily accessible. This is a simple beverage recipe that takes only minutes to prepare and includes key ingredients for natural detoxification, including lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. It’s both refreshing and energizing, so give it a try today for the little boost we all need from time to time. Why Drink the Secret Detox Drink? Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to avoid the everyday chemicals that threaten your health, especially when they’re hidden in our clothing, furniture, soaps and shampoos. On top of that, we are constantly exposed to environmental pollutants, and dangerous chemicals in our foods like heavy metals, pesticides and preservatives. In order to avoid toxic overload that will leave you feeling fatigued, moody, bloated and achey, it’s a great idea to use detox drinks to help cleanse and purify your body. Key Ingredients My secret detox drink contains some of the best ingredients for detoxification. Apple cider vinegar has shown to improve your metabolism and digestive function, while working to cleanse your liver and lymphatic system. Lemon juice has an alkaline effect on your body and helps to regulate your pH levels. Drinking lemon water, or adding it to your drinks and juices, can help to boost your energy levels, detoxify your body, keep skin glowing (thanks to vitamin C) and improve immune function. Cinnamon, cayenne pepper and ginger contain therapeutic compounds that help to reduce inflammation, aid digestion and boost your metabolism, which is a helpful step toward weight loss. That’s why drinking ginger tea, for example, is so popular. It contains valuable compounds that boost your health and promote detoxification. An optional ingredient for your detox drink is raw honey. I like to add raw honey to many of my health drinks and detox smoothie recipes because it’s a nutrient-dense natural sweetener. It adds a little sweetness to this drink while nourishing the body with antioxidants. Nutrition Facts One glass of my secret detox drink made using this recipe (with the honey) contains roughly the following: 48 calories 0.5 grams protein 0.4 grams fat 11 grams carbohydrates 1.2 grams fiber 6 grams sugar 0.8 milligrams manganese (47 percent DV) 753 IUs vitamin A (32 percent DV) 13.3 milligrams vitamin C (18 percent DV) 0.07 milligrams vitamin B6 (6 percent DV) 0.6 milligrams vitamin E (4 percent DV) 0.6 milligrams iron (4 percent DV) 0.3 milligrams vitamin B3 (3 percent DV) 10 milligrams magnesium (3 percent DV) 120 milligrams potassium (3 percent DV) 0.02 milligrams copper (3 percent DV) How to Make the Secret Detox Drink The first step in making my secret detox drink is to warm 12 to 16 ounces of water. Now all you have to do is add your ingredients. Start by adding 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your warm water. Then stir in ½ to 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper. The last two ingredients are 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of raw, local honey, which is optional, but will add a little sweetness to your drink. Stir it all together, and your detox drink is ready to enjoy. I like to have it when it’s still warm, but you can drink it at any temperature. For more intense detoxification, I recommend drinking this detox drink three times daily about 20 minutes before meals for two weeks to flush out toxins. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to cleanse your body and boost your energy, have this drink once a day before breakfast or lunch. Secret Detox Drink Recipe DESCRIPTION This is a simple beverage recipe that takes only minutes to prepare and includes key ingredients for natural detoxification, including lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. INGREDIENTS 16 ounces of warm or hot water 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons lemon juice ½ teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 1 dash cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon raw, local honey (optional) INSTRUCTIONS Warm the water. Mix all ingredients together. Best served warm but drink at desired temperature. To read the original article click here. Fore more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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