Why Do So Many People Seem To Have Allergies?

Allergies and asthma arise from loss of the body's natural resistance to allergens, often beginning with early exposure to secondary smoke, industrial chemicals and asbestos, and the incredibly intensive chemical farming and industrial treatment, of the foods we eat, and fabrics we wear and sleep on.

Our ancestors did not suffer these maladies as pervasively as we do, because modern industry since WWII has chemically saturated everything: our homes, fabrics, foods, and air. For centuries, even as late as the 19th and early 20th centuries, organic cotton and natural woolens were taken for granted. What we now must label organic bedding, organic cotton and organic wool, were then simply called "blankets, sheets, cottons and woolens."

Chemicals:

Petrochemical based foams often contain VOC's (volatile organic compounds), which emit, or "off gas" over time into the air. Formaldehyde, a probable carcinogenic VOC, identified by the US EPA as a dangerous indoor pollutant, is found in most furniture (foam, fabric), pressed-wood products (plywood, chipboard), carpet glues and fabrics, including conventional, non organic bedding.

Thus, your conventional mattress and sheets may be part of the problem. Replace them with a set of untreated organic cotton sheets (also called Green Cotton, or Brown Cotton). Now your body will at least rest on something bit a cleaner. Eventually, you should consider virgin wool-fill pillows, comforters and a mattress systems that use no petrochemicals. Replace foams and synthetics with organic wool, organic cotton or hemp. These natural fibers breathe better, and so do their owners.

Dust Mite Wars:

Doctors and organizations such as the United States EPA, and the American Lung Association, have identified dust mite allergens as the cause of asthma, coughing, congestion and other health problems, especially among children.

"...environmental control may be the single most important step to prevent the onset of acute asthma attacks.", writes Michael LeNoir, MD an Oakland California Adult Allergy Specialist.

Many synthetic materials, and chemically processed down, feathers, polyfills and foams, provide marvelous nesting opportunities for dust mites. Wool fill organic bedding, on the other hand, actually repels dust mites, but may not be as cheap to produce.

The stuffing in pillows and comforters can harbor dust mites, especially feathers and other supposed natural fillers. These materials tend to adsorb the moisture from your breath as you sleep, providing the perfect dust-mite habitat. Did you know you exhale around one pint of warm water vapor each night as you sleep? The perfect environment for dust mites!

Dust-mites are actually tiny spiders that live in bedrooms, mattresses, carpets, furniture and bedding. Invisible to the human eye, they often live on shed skin, which comprises approx. 80% of common house dust. Dust mites need shed skin, moisture and warmth to survive. Dust mites leave microscopic droppings, which when airborne and inhaled, cause allergic reactions in many people.

Until you can sensibly replace bedding with virgin wool-fill organic bedding and organic cotton fabrics, begin by washing your bedding in warm or hot water once or twice a week. (And watch out for phosphates in detergents!) You can also get serious, and place "barrier cloth" covers over your mattress and pillows, which do not allow mites into these items. Try to stay away from synthetics.

What's up with wool? Is it an allergen? Everybody thinks they are allergic to wool. Some are allergic to Lanolin, but most are not, and are reacting instead to the harsh chemicals usually applied to wool clothing and bedding.

The natural lanolin in wool repels dust-mites. Virgin wool is also a naturally resistant to water and odor. Most people find organic wool totally non-allergenic and softer than conventional wool, making it an ideal filler for bedding and pillows. Wool in organic bedding and pillows also breathes extremely well, keeping you cool in summer, warm in winter but never too hot!

Remember too, happy organically raised sheep are a sustainable natural resource, as long as we care for them.

Susan Fullen-Yurek is a freelance author and earth-friendly products entrepreneur with an e-commerce site, http://www.kushtush.com, featuring organic bedding with organically raised wool-fills, and organic cotton products. Information for portions of this article generously shared by David Sparrow, http://www.ahappyplanet.com. The link between health and environmental awareness marks a return to natural common sense, and a more healthful future.

---

What are Some Benefits For Quitting Smoking?

There are immediate benefits for quitting smoking. Within eight hours... Read More

Reversing Macular Degeneration: Without Drugs Or Surgery

I would like to report some anecdotal research findings that... Read More

Fixing it with Hypnosis

There are many fears and misunderstandings about the use of... Read More

Natures Way To Relieve Arthritis Pain

PINEAPPLE AND PAPAYASMedical authorities say that pineapples and papayas can... Read More

A Better Hope for Alcohol & Drug Problems

People with alcohol and drug problems have been done a... Read More

The Mechanics & Effects of Smoking

So exactly what does happen when you smoke?Every puff on... Read More

How to Protect Your Family Against the Coming Pandemic

Most dictionaries define pandemic as "an epidemic that is geographically... Read More

Colloidal Silver - Time For a Comeback?

I'm sure you know what it's like to be sick.... Read More

Buyer Beware: Is That Ergonomic Chair Really Ergonomic?

Not everybody knows exactly what ergonomic means, but it's getting... Read More

What are the Best Roles for Western and Alternative Medicine?

I think it's very confusing for patients to decide what... Read More

Do You Have Difficulty in Waking Up On Dark Winter Mornings?

Our daily internal body clocks or circadian rhythms synchronise the... Read More

Understanding Aromatherapy

In the 1920's, a French cosmetic chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse,... Read More

Bird Flu : A Disease You Can?t Ignore

AS BIRD flu, or Avian Influenza, raged through Asia, countries... Read More

Reflexology

Reflexology, an ancient art practiced by early Egyptians. Reflexology is... Read More

Eucalyptus Oil for Colds and Flu

Recently I came down with a cold, flu, and some... Read More

CPT Codes; What are you Getting Billed for?

All of us visit some sort of medical office from... Read More

That Popeye Knew a Thing or Two!

For a few weeks the lumps in my throat were... Read More

Not Now, I Have A Headache

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More

Holistic Medicine

Holistic Medicine involves natural treatment options like holistic nutrition, herbology,... Read More

The Safety of Natural Therapies

Just because something is labeled or deemed "natural' does not... Read More

Alternative Health Practitioner, How to Pick the Perfect Help for You

Therapists, physicians, acupuncturists, massage therapists, body workers and energy workers... Read More

Food Combining for Indigestion

I'd like to share with you some basic food combining... Read More

Bodily Attributes!

The revolution is indeed underway. Money married to desire, imagination... Read More

So What is Organic?

With allergies on the increase and sensitivities to synthetics becoming... Read More

1st Textbook on Sleep Psychiatry

An informative textbook confirming a newly established field: Sleep PsychiatryBook... Read More

Emu Oil: Wonder Cure or Snake Oil?

In my search for at-home spa treatments and home herbal... Read More

What is Hypnosis?

Before anyone experiences hypnosis and starts using it to make... Read More

Ayurveda, Indias Science of Life, Health and Longevity

Ayurveda is India's ancient science life, health, and longevity. It... Read More

The Macrobiotic Approach To Health And Wellness

It may be an ordinary dance studio during the week,... Read More

Natural Medicine--Finding a Qualified Naturopath

Naturopathic medicine is currently the fastest growing segment of the... Read More

Kyolic Clears Constipation and Strengthens Your Colon

Garlic is another wonder herb. It has action in all... Read More

Discover 5 Scents That Will Turbo Charge Your Energy, Mood, Brain Power, and More

Control AppetiteIn studies of 105 subjects, it was found that... Read More

Aromatherapy at Home: Beating the Cold Bug

It seems that nearly everyone I know has been either... Read More