Study- Synthetic Fragrance Linked to Cancer, Brain & Kidney Damage, Asthma, Headaches & More

What is Fragrance?

Fragrance also called a perfume is a key ingredient in perfumes and colognes. It is also called “the new second-hand smoke.” Like cigarettes, fragrance is harmful to the health of users and bystanders, its toxic effect lingering for hours after initial use. The late 70s and early 80s perfumes used to be made from natural ingredients like flowers and herbs. Today, they are approximately 95-100% synthetic (man-made).

Do you know your shampoo, perfumes, air fresheners, candles, and dryer sheets are killing you slowly? The term “fragrance” on a cosmetic ingredients list usually represents a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, there are over 5,000 chemical fragrances being used in some combination by today’s consumers. (1) (2)

Fragrances are Synthetic and Artificial

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that more than 95 percent of the chemicals in synthetic fragrances are derived from petrochemicals. These chemicals include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, phthalates, and a few of other known toxins that are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, nervous-system disorders and allergies. A survey of asthmatics found that perfume and colognes triggered attacks in nearly three out of four individuals.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) researchers found more than 75 percent of products listing the ingredient “fragrance” contained phthalates (THAL-ates) which have been shown to disrupt hormone activity, reduce sperm counts, and cause reproductive malformation, and have been linked to liver and breast cancer, diabetes, and obesity. There is also evidence suggesting that exposure to perfume can exacerbate asthma, and perhaps even contribute to its development in children. (3) (4) (5)

Homemade Herbal Perfume Recipe

Ingredients:

Approximately 12-20 drops of Essential Oils like: Cedarwood, Vanilla, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, etc
1 tsp of vanilla extract (optional)
25-30 drops of middle tone oil like Rose, Lavender, Chamomile or Geranium
12-15 drops of top note oil like Bergamot, Wild Orange or Neroli
4 ounces of alcohol to preserve and meld scents

Directions:

Mix all oils together in an opaque bottle to get a scent you like.
Let this mixture stay in the bottle alone for a few days to let scents meld.
Add the alcohol and cap tightly.
Shake and put in a cool, dark place for at least a month (preferably).
This is optional but helps the alcohol scent fade and the scents of the oils intensify.

Additional Sources:

–http://wellnessmama.com/26194/diy-herbal-perfume-recipe/

–http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/five-mustknows-on-the-dan_b_4737654.html

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Study- Synthetic Fragrance Linked to Cancer, Brain & Kidney Damage, Asthma, Headaches & More