soap

Wash your hands with yogurt rather than antibacterial soap

The C. difficile Dilemma: A Place for Probiotics?
by Jason Sebeslav
Source: Health Action, Spring 2012

Should doctors and other hospital staff be washing their hands with yogurt rather than antibacterial soap? This odd-sounding suggestion was part of a recent discussion paper by Professor Mark Spigelman of the UCL Centre for Infectious Diseases and International Health. In the paper, Spigelman questioned the current practice of ­using broad-spectrum antibacterial agents on hospital staff’s hands and patients’ wounds, often stripping them of beneficial bacteria only to lay a welcome mat for potentially deadly superbugs.

“Any student who has grown bacteria in a lab will know that they generally do not grow on top of one another,” he pointed out. “So when we wash our hands, we could actually be killing off harmless [normal] bacteria to the extent that we leave space for other bacteria, such as MRSA [Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus known as superbugs] strains, to settle.”

Dry Skin Brushing

Dry Skin Brushing

This method of detoxification is very simple and it feels really good, especially on tired legs and feet after a long day of standing. The stimulation of the skin opens the pores and gets the blood circulating. Dry skin brushing has been around for centuries in many cultures. The loofah was traditio ...

Uses of Soapnuts

Uses of Soapnuts

I've been using soapnuts for just about everything lately. They are especially handy for doing laundry. All you have to do is tie up 5 berries in a muslin or net bag and toss it in with your laundry. I like to add a few drops of musk oil, and a bit of hydrogen peroxide to remind me of the perf ...