The international forecaster

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

What are people really concerned about when it comes to health? Depending on whom you ask you will get a smattering of answers. For some it is diabetes or cancer and for others it could be anti-wrinkle cream. Whatever the health concern is, always look at the cause. Let’s take a look at some of the cosmetic products, which can give us cause for concern, and note the ingredients that are listed in them and the ones that are not

SMELL THE ROSES

In 2010, The Safe Cosmetics and Environmental Working Group (EWG) studied some of the most popular fragrances on the market and published a report. Splashing on a little perfume or cologne doesn’t seem so threatening to our health – or is it? Most consumers don’t think that their new floral fragrance or musky body wash has any hidden ingredients that could be toxic and harmful. Apparently the cosmetic industry has over 3,100 stock chemical agents they use in blending their products, which usually are left off the product ingredient list. Many of these products are a mixture of natural and synthetic chemicals. In the EWG’s report, they analyzed products to find 38 secret chemicals in 17 brand-name fragrances. Here is the list of products and the number of undisclosed chemicals that was in them:

American Eagle-Seventy Seven - 24 undisclosed chemicals

Coco Mademoiselle Chanel - 18 undisclosed chemicals

Britney Spears Curious - 17 undisclosed chemicals

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio - 17 undisclosed chemicals

Old Spice After Hours Body Spray for men - 16 undisclosed chemicals

Quicksilver for men - 16 undisclosed chemicals

Calvin Klein Eternity for men - 15 undisclosed chemicals

Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom - 14 undisclosed chemicals

Calvin Klein Eternity for women - 14 undisclosed chemicals

Halle by Halle Berry - 13 undisclosed chemicals

Hannah Montana Secret Celebrity - 13 undisclosed chemicals

Victoria’s Secret Dream Angles Heavenly - 13 undisclosed chemicals

Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce for men - 11 undisclosed chemicals

Jennifer Lopez J. Lo Glow - 11 undisclosed chemicals

AXE Body Spray for men -10 undisclosed chemicals

Clinique Happy Perfume Spray - 9 undisclosed chemicals

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue - 7 undisclosed chemicals

CHEMICAL HAZARD

We tend to focus on the more complex threats to our health such as x-rays, heavy metals, pesticides, vaccines etc. We seldom think about the products we uses every day and which make us smell and look good as being hazardous to our health. The chemicals the cosmetic industry use in their products is absorbed into our body and depending on the mixture of chemicals it can present a variety of health problems. These chemicals have been known to create hormone disruption and allergic reactions. According to a 2008 study by S. H. Swan, the musk ketone synthetic fragrance can be stored in the fat tissue and even in breast milk creating an accumulative effect. In 2004 M.J. Silva stated that the chemical called diethyl phthalate is found in the bodies of 97% of Americans and is linked to sperm damage. Over 66% of the fragrances on the market, which have secret chemical ingredients, have not been tested for safety. The 19% of the cosmetic products in this study, which have listed chemical ingredients, have not been tested for safety.

WONDER WHY?

If you are wondering why the cosmetic industry is allowed to keep the ingredients in their products from consumer knowledge it is due to a piece of legislation (Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973)., which allows for the exemption of fragrance chemicals. Cosmetic manufacturers take advantage of the loop hole in this law to hide the chemicals listing them as a fragrance when in fact they are not. However, in Europe cosmetic manufacturers must list all ingredients and also disclose common allergens. So, non-food products overseas have more regulations, which the US may adopt. The Safe Cosmetics and Environmental Working Group found in their research that the fragrances, which they tested, contained nearly equal numbers of hidden chemicals as well as the listed ingredients on the label. What is really interesting is that in their assessment of the hidden chemicals (34%) were really food additives (most likely to extend shelf life). Many of the secret chemicals they tested were sensitizers, which can trigger allergic reactions, and each cosmetic product contains an average of ten sensitizers. The other chemicals were hormone disruptors, UV absorbers, other chemical preservatives and dyes. Many of these chemicals have not been tested for safety. The industry likes to lump the undisclosed ingredients into what they call the “trade secrets” category. It should be noted that some of the cologne had as many as seven different hormone disruptor chemical agents in them. These agents can mimic estrogen hormones and affect the thyroid and reproduction system. More people today are sensitive to fragrance and some practically have an asthma attack walking down the soap and detergent isle at the grocery store. Therefore, fragrance-free products are becoming more popular. In 2007 The American Dermatitis Society named “fragrance” the “Allergen of the Year.” “Fragrance induced” or “contact dermatitis” became more evident in the 1930’s and most often appears on hands, face and underarms where cosmetic products are heavily used. Over 5.7 million Americans are sent to the doctor’s office for rashes or eczema, which is the most common allergic response and accounts for missed workdays and expensive medical treatments. A majority of those sensitive to cosmetic chemicals are white (87.8%) and of that figure 67% are women. The allopathic medicine treatment is either a topical or injected corticosteroid.

OTHER EFFECTS

Other than a rash what reaction can these chemicals cause? Depending on the mix of chemicals you can have headaches, chest tightness and wheezing, diarrhea and vomiting, mucosal irritations, difficulty breathing, asthma, sinus infections, throat irritation and irritated internal organs.

“FDA’s legal authority over cosmetics is different from other products regulated by the agency, such as drugs, biologics and medical devices. Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives.” www.fda.gov 09/2012

MORE STUDIES

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found a 2008 study done by B. Van der Burg, where the cosmetic chemicals were found in some very disturbing places. A few chemicals used by the cosmetic industry (Galaxolide and Tonalide – also known as synthetic musk) were found in the umbilical cord blood in 7 out of 10 newborn babies. Obviously these chemicals have effects on the human endocrine system. So, what does this mean? Anything containing synthetic chemical fragrances such as your shampoo, lotion and bath products all contain chemicals that will offer toxic effects on the human endocrine system (pancreas, reproductive system, ovaries, testicles or prostate gland). Since the cosmetic industry uses more than 3,000 fragrances the EWG focused on the chemical analysis of volatile, semi-volatile compounds and synthetic compounds. Their testing was in no way comprehensive of all the chemical risks in cosmetics and other products containing “fragrance” You’ll find more in their report including which cosmetic companies disclose all ingredients in their products here http://safecosmetics.org/downloads/NotSoSexy_report_May2010.pdf.

COMMON PRODUCTS

Here is an incomplete list of common products that will contain “fragrance” and most likely will not list all the chemical ingredients on the label. You could look for product labels which claim “natural fragrance” or “pure fragrance” or “organic fragrance” but there is no guarantee that there are no synthetic fragrances. You could purchase unscented or fragrance-free products but some will still contain “masking fragrance”:

Shampoo

Lotion including baby lotion

Bath products

Deodorants/antiperspirants

Soap

Cleaning sprays

Air fresheners

Laundry detergent & fabric softener

Dish detergent

Cosmetics – makeup, perfume, cologne

Candles & non-organic essential oils

Scratch n’ sniff products – greeting cards & other scented products

As more consumers become aware of the daily chemical bombardment they are exposed to, they read more labels and make healthier buying decisions. Therefore some companies are making changes to their product lines to eliminate the synthetic chemical agents and are disclosing all ingredients. The FDA does not permit the sale of misbranded or adulterated or what the FDA considers contaminated ingredients, such as lead, in cosmetic products.

THE POWER HERBS

I wrote about the secret dangers of cosmetics in my book The Power Herbs and offered some natural solutions. A discovery I made over twenty years ago was when the body is clean on the inside it does not stink. The need for perfume and cologne isn’t necessary. Depending on how clean you are and what you eat will determine body odor and what your sweat smells like. People who do routine organ cleansing and eat healthy require no conventional deodorants and when they perspire, it does not stink. The cosmetic industry hopes you don’t realize this truth. This is just one example why you need a copy of The Power Herbs e-book and you can purchase your copy for just $14.99 at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

NATURAL IS BETTER

It is very easy to make some lifestyle changes and reduce or eliminate your exposure to toxic chemicals. I switched to using mineral salt crystals for a natural deodorant. My glands are allowed to sweat to remove toxins but I don’t stink. I also do my organ cleansing as well and watch what I eat. For soap I use the all natural oatmeal & honey soap. You will find your Organ Cleanses, Oatmeal & Honey Soap, Crystalux Mineral Salt Deodorant Sticks & Sprays and The Power Herbs e-book at http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless. You can call Apothecary Herbs to order 866-229-3663, 704-885-0277. NOTE: Their toll-free number has been out of service since 9/14/12 due to phone company error. The phone company is working to restore service. Please use the local/International number 704-885-0277. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

NEW COLD & FLU SECTION

Apothecary Herbs has added a special Cold & Flu section to their website to assist you in finding herbal products designed to boost immunity and shorten duration of illness during the cold and flu season. You have the option to pick the formulas you want or purchase the Cold & Flu Package (Standard or Deluxe) to cover a wide range of pathogens. You will save 20% on the Deluxe Cold & Flu Package. Visit Apothecary Herbs http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call 866-229-3663, 704-885-0277 to get prepared for winter flu season and SAVE.

COMING UP ON HERB TALK LIVE

Herbalist Wendy Wilson will talk with John Monroe from www.drbanker.com on natural solutions to vision problems on Tuesday 9/2/12 at 7 pm EST on AVR and on Saturday 9/6/12 7 am EST on GCN. Wendy will talk with Dr. Rebecca Carley on Sat. 9/13/12 7 am EST on GCN and Tuesday 9/16/12 at 7 pm on AVR. Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com Herb Talk Live & Radio Archive area for network link access and past shows to download and share. For Android users you can download a FREE app for Herb Talk Live on GCN. See the download link under radio archives at top of page at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

PANDEMIC NEWS

Do you have your Pandemic Kit yet? Here is what folks are saying about the 100% organic Pandemic Kit made by Apothecary Herbs. "I have this kit and recommend everyone have at least one on hand (or more depending on family size) for a pandemic." Rebecca Carley, MD, Hickory, NC and “I have one and glad I do; just in case. I like the long shelf life.” Melody Cedarstrom, Port Matilda, PA (more customer freedback at http://www.thepowerherbs.com) or call 866-229-3663 to order your kit today.

PURE ENERGY

Pure energy is organic and instantly absorbed – transporting nutrition to every cell in your body. It is a super food for the body to repair, build and fortify itself. Where do you get it? It’s called Body Foundation Food Mix and is at Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com. This pure energy food source is so efficient; you won’t feel hungry between meals and can safely lose weight.

THE POWER HERBS e-BOOK

By popular demand The Power Herbs e-book is available with symptom/herb reference guide, information on organ cleansing and how to make your own herbal tinctures plus a whole lot more. Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com and click on The Power Herb book cover on the right side of the home page to order. You must have email to order and receive the e-book download version of The Power Herb book for just $14.99. At this time, we do not offer this title in hard copy.

TWO NEW PRODUCTS

Apothecary Herbs has released a new product called Liver Detox Tea. You can layer this tea with Milk Thistle Tincture for a gentle yet effective liver cleanse. This is a nice option if you can’t do the Liver/Gall Bladder Flush using olive oil. You will find this new product under Herbal Teas at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Also New is the Liver & Gall Bladder Tincture with dandelion root for more anticancer protection. This formula is available in 1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz sizes. You will find this item under Organ Body Cleanses at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. You can layer this tincture with the Liver Detox Tea and be well!

BE PREPARED

Being prepared is never a waste of time. Get your own organic garden growing and stock as much healthy foodstuffs as you can. You’ll also need backup medicine but the over-the-counter and prescription medicines have a limited shelf life of two years or less. However, your organic medicines have a ten year shelf life without side effects. Call the folks at Apothecary Herbs for their Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package or make sure you get one of their many herb kits for boosting immune system and protecting you from viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. Call Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 online http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless.

ALLERGY RELIEF

If you suffer from allergies (sneezing, itchy watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, sinus pressure or sinus infections) try the Echinacea Deluxe formula and Herbal Eyewash both around $20.00 from Apothecary Herbs. Call now toll free 866-229-3663 http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

APOTHECARY HERBS VITAMIN VAULT – STOCK UP AND SAVE!

You already know that you can save on the half and full case discounts in the Vitamin Vault area at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Apothecary Herbs has added a new item called the Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package. This package is designed for those preparing for their medical future and contains immune boosting, pain & inflammation, organ cleanses, vitamin, mineral, amino acid and protein products plus a Pandemic Kit and it comes with a savings of $150.00. Visit http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call toll free to order your Starter Stock-up Package 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277. Mail in your check or money order for this package and save an additional 15% ($242.00) before shipping.

MALE & FEMALE ORGAN CLEANSES KITS – Don’t give disease a foothold. You will have the power to cleanse the bowel, urinary, liver, gall bladder and blood system with this cleanse package. For added cleansing, ask about how you can upgrade your order to include the prostate cleanse for men or the Kidney/Bladder cleanse for females. Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call their 24-hour live customer service line 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.

MALE HORMONE FORMULA (use with the Prostate Kit)

Apothecary Herbs brand new formula to help balance male hormones – Male Hormone Formula. Call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com

MORE PROTECTION from EMF, RADIATION

The folks at admitters are correct that every modern house has EMF hotspots, which are sometimes caused by appliances, electronics, bad grounding just to name a few. You will want to make sure your bed or your children’s beds are not in direct line of these hotspots. How do you find out? You purchase an affordable and accurate meter from Admitters. Radmeters has a direct link http://www.radmeters.com/tph or you can click their link under “links” at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. I wouldn’t recommend them if I didn’t have one of their meters myself – Herbalist Wendy Wilson.

PROSTATE KIT THAT WORKS! Go to Apothecary Herbs http://www.thepowerherbs.com and type in “Prostate” in the search box or for more information or call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277. Layer this kit with their Male Hormone formula.

ONE-YEAR SUPPLY OF HERBAL MEDICNE (shelf life 10 to 15 years)

See Apothecary Herbs One Year Supply of Herbal Medicine at http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call 866-229-3663, 704-885-0277. Call for a customized year supply or to set up installment payment for this package.

From a Subscriber:

Michael Berry is the host of a daily radio talk show in Houston.  He is an attorney and former City Council member for the City of Houston.  He is not normally on a rant but something set him off about the recent NAACP meeting in Houston.  He says, on the air, what a lot of people would like to say.

http://michaelberry.iheart.com/pages/NAACP.html

From a Subscriber:

Season's Greetings

 

T'was the night before elections, And all thru' the town, Tempers were flaring Emotions ran up and down. I, in my bathrobe With a cat in my lap, Had shut off the TV, tired of political crap. When all of a sudden, There arose such a noise,  I peered out my window,  Saw Obama and his boys  They had come for my wallet, They wanted my pay  To hand out to others Who had not worked a day! He snatched up my money,  And quick as a wink,  Jumped back on his bandwagon  As I gagged from the stink.  He then rallied his henchmen  Who were pulling his cart.  I could tell they were out  To tear my country apart!  'On Fannie, on Freddie, On Biden and Ayers!  On Acorn, on Pelosi'  He screamed at the pairs!  They took off for his cause, And as they flew out of sight,  I heard him laugh at a nation  Who wouldn't stand up and fight! So I leave you to think on this one final note... IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM  - GET OUT AND VOTE!   GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR ONLY HOPE.....   WAVE OUR FLAG HIGH!!!

From a Subscriber:

Dear Friend,

The self-righteous indignation that the punditry directed at Mitt Romney this week shows that he touched a nerve in his statements on the events in Egypt. You can sense the frustration. The elites are vaguely aware that their ‘enlightened’ posture toward the threat of Islamism is out of step with the views of the American people. Hence the outrage with Romney, totally out of proportion to the real world, as he said what most Americans were thinking.

With an angry mob at the gates of the U.S. embassy in Cairo on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks—ostensibly inflamed by an obscure, anti-Islamic film, the embassy released a groveling statement apologizing for “continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.” The “protesters” proceeded to breach the embassy walls, tear down the American flag, and raise an Al Qaeda banner. The embassy then reiterated its earlier statement, all before anything was known about the Libyan consulate. The White House and the State Department later condemned the attacks but also tripped over themselves to denounce the obscure, stupid film they had nothing to do with and of which no one had ever heard.

Two American embassies are attacked on September 11 – and, we later learned, the four Americans killed – and the immediate reaction of our leaders and the press is to cast blame on a ridiculous film for inciting the violence.

Thus while condemning the violence, they give legitimacy to the grievance.

As I wrote in an op-ed at Politico yesterday, our elites are determined to analyze each outbreak of Islamist aggression in isolation – as though they’re inexplicable acts of random violence.

The fact is, if it wasn’t the film, it would have been something else.

That’s because it is not “senseless violence,” as President Obama and Secretary Clinton described in their statements. They are attacks in a war that our enemies openly confess to waging. And as accounts of the assault on the Benghazi consulate make clear, they are sophisticated and highly coordinated.

Eleven years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, it’s a tragedy that our leaders refuse to treat seriously our enemies’ motives.

This is nothing new.

Attributing the attacks in Libya and Egypt to a proximate excuse (such as this hateful film) rather than confronting the true nature of our enemies is nothing new for the Obama administration.

Major Nidal Hassan was the Army psychiatrist who shot dozens of people at Fort Hood in 2009 while screaming “Allahu Akbar,” handed out business cards describing himself as a “soldier of Allah,” and sent emails to Anwar al-Awlaki, the American later killed by a drone attack in Yemen as an Al Qaeda member. President Obama after the shooting warning Americans against “jumping to conclusions until we have all the facts.”

Following the attempted Times Square car bombing, the administration jumped to the conclusion that the would-be bomber acted alone. Press reports speculated that the young man had simply cracked under financial pressures. Mayor Michael Bloomberg even suggested the bomber could be an American upset with Obamacare. The administration later admitted that the Pakistani Taliban was responsible for the attack.

In his first statement after the attempted Christmas Day bombing in 2009, President Obama jumped to the conclusion that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was an “isolated extremist” – only to find later that the attack was organized by Al Qaeda in Yemen.

This intellectual dishonesty is par for the course for an administration that upon entering the White House declared that the “War on Terror” would now be called an “overseas contingency operation,” and whose Secretary of Homeland Security made a point to refer to acts of terrorism as “man-caused disasters.”

This is the mindset, the lead from the top down throughout this administration, that causes an American embassy in Egypt to issue a statement apologizing for the free speech of an irrelevant, unknown filmmaker as a mob outside prepares to breach the walls and hoist an Al Qaeda flag. Mitt Romney was right: it is disgraceful.

Your friend

From a Subscriber:

I know some of you own GUNS but this is something to think about...---

If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. Did you know this? I didn't. I never really thought of it before. I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.

Wasp Spray- A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School. For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades.

It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray. "That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out." Maybe even save life.

Did you also know that wasp spray will kill a snake? And a mouse! It will! Good to know, huh? It will also kill a wasp.

From a Subscriber:

Documentary blows the lid off illegal immigration

In the "Personal Story" segment tonight, a new documentary is making waves but not everyone is happy with it. "They Come to America" takes the viewer on an uncomfortable journey, from the rough Mexican border to the mean streets of New York and its leafy suburbs where illegal immigrants take jobs from American workers.

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/oreilly/2012/08/22/documentary-blows-lid-illegal-immigration?intcmp=obnetwork


From a Subscriber: