Do you ever take the time to read the ingredients on your shampoo label? Now would be an excellent time to start! There are so many chemicals, detergents, artificial colors, preservatives, formaldehyde and synthetic foaming agents on the ingredient list that you wonder whether you are embalming your hair or washing it. Just for starters, the researchers at the National Institutes of Health have uncovered the connection between an ingredient found in shampoos and central nervous system damage. The studies were performed with the brain cells of rats and they demonstrate that contact with an ingredient called methylisothiazoline (MIT), causes neurological damage.
The huge majority of shampoos contain toxic chemical compounds like MIT that are a factor in cancer, liver disorders, and neurological diseases. It may astound you to know that manufacturers of shampoos and personal care products in general can put virtually any chemical they wish into your shampoo, even if it is a hazardous chemical listed in the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) database of toxicity and even if it is deemed a toxic chemical by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The function of shampoo is for cleansing the hair. It is to eliminate excess oil, dirt and debris from the hair known as sebum. An ideal shampoo will execute this function while leaving the hair manageable, while still maintaining its natural luster. Unfortunately, creating foam is what the industry believes is important to the consumer, who without factual information about the functions of a surfactant, takes for granted the shampoo is working and is good for you.
The only solution is to shield you and your family by educating yourself about the shampoo and personal care products that you are using. Read every ingredient on every personal care product label and be wary of every chemical ingredient. Ask yourself if you would ingest that ingredient, because when you rub products into your hair and skin, 60% of the product could end up absorbed in your body.
Remember that TRUE organic products NEVER include potentially harmful chemical ingredients. They are manufactured from truly holistic and natural ingredients without the use of synthetic chemicals, and will ultimately leave your hair clean and balanced.
Judy Phillips is the founder of Jash Botanicals Herbal Formulas, a manufacturer of physicians grade herbal extracts and medicinals. A naturopath and herbalist with over 25 years of experience, her passion for producing herbal formulas of exceptional purity and strength grew from a dissatisfaction with mainstream herbal products. She is an author of various natural health topics, from detoxification to dietary modification, and works to assist the expansion of knowledge to individuals in search of natural treatments. JashBotanicals.com offers a wide range of informative articles, including a monthly newsletter and a natural health blog.