Is anything safe?

[Workingman]

We have been told down the years to avoid aerosols of all types, especially air fresheners, deodorants and hair spray because they can bring on breathing problems such as asthma and COPD, especially in the young. We have eschewed medicines for alternative therapies because big pharma is not making us better, just making money. And many of us gave up on tap water when we learned what the water companies were putting in it to keep us safe - chlorine, fluoride.

So a few recently published reports must come as a shock. One study has found plastic micro particles in our unbelievably popular bottled water. The researchers can not pin down the source so are not sure if the particles are from the bottles, the caps or the water itself. However, another report carried out on a number of rivers and streams in the UK found plastic particles in the silt of every single river bed tested.

When it comes to the air we breathe and all the lotions and potions we use it looks like we are snookered. As I said earlier many of us gave up on some medicines and sprays in order to use alternatives to cut down on the health risks they create. We went over to using essential oils in our oil burners and potpourri and scented candles. We also use them to avoid steroid or cortizoid creams, but here's the thing. A study has found the natural chemicals that give each oil its unique properties interfere with the body's endocrine system by increasing oestrogen and decreasing testosterone. Two of the most popular oils, lavenders and tea tree, were found to have most effect, but of 65 oils tested every single one had some level of toxicity.

It looks like tap water, unscented soap and flowers in a vase from now on.

[TheOstrich]

I have a half used bottle of tea tree oil going begging if anyone wants it .....

I think it's all a question of managed risk. The trouble is there are so many talking heads out there that you don't know who or what to believe.

[Kaz]

Allegedly you'd have to ingest large quantities of the essential oils for that effect?

[AliasAggers]

I think the answer is - moderation in all things.

If you took notice of all the health warning that abound, you would be left with a very poor and boring diet.

[Kaz]

Absolutely right Aggers!

[Workingman]

I think that the wrong end of the stick might have been grasped.

There should not be plastic in drinking water - it should just not be there, be it bottle or tap. The problem is that nobody knows its long term effrects. Does it pass through or are the chemicals leached out.

When it comes to essential oils, they are not ingested, they are not in the food chain. The damage they are causing is from non-oral applications such as creams where they are absorbed through the skin or from heating / burning where the chemicals are inhaled.

Their affects are known:

SYMPTOMS OF HIGH ESTROGEN IN WOMEN
When your body’s estrogen and testosterone levels aren’t balanced, you may begin developing certain symptoms. In women, potential symptoms include:

bloating
swelling and tenderness in your breasts
fibrocystic lumps in your breasts
decreased sex drive
irregular menstrual periods
increased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
mood swings
headaches
anxiety and panic attacks
weight gain
hair loss
cold hands or feet
trouble sleeping
sleepiness or fatigue
memory problems

SYMPTOMS IN MEN
Symptoms of high estrogen in men

Although it’s called the female hormone, a man’s body also makes estrogen. A healthy balance of estrogen and testosterone is important for sexual growth and development. When these hormones become imbalanced, your sexual development and function may be affected.

Symptoms of high estrogen in men include:

Infertility. Estrogen is partly responsible for creating healthy sperm. When estrogen levels are high, sperm levels may fall and lead to fertility issues.
Gynecomastia. Estrogen may stimulate breast tissue growth. Men with too much estrogen may develop gynecomastia, a condition which leads to larger breasts.
Erectile dysfunction (ED). Men with high levels of estrogen may have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.

All of these things might not (now or be too late to) affect those of us of a certain age, but what of our children and grandchildren?

[Kaz]

Frank, this business with essential oils, have you got any links? All I can find is a 2007 study, which is heavily disputed

[AliasAggers]

Essential oils .....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_oil

(This makes interesting reading).

[Workingman]

Kaz, it was on the BBC site, but the best I can now find is this:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/boy- ... 60326.html

The BBC had the full report, but unfortunately it has gone.

[Kaz]

Thanks Aggers. Essential oils have been used in aromatherapy for many years, and can be very beneficial, if used carefully.