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the dangers of sunscreens...

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Given that the sun is out and summer is on its way, we are seeing the

media inundate us with the same old propaganda of " slopping " on some

sunscreen to avoid skin cancer. I see one new product on the market

is hyping its new sun-screen ingredient called " helioplex " , which is

actually just a " new " proprietary combination of ingredients that

have been around for decades including oxybenzone. When my eldest

son was in day care for a short time (this is going back about 12

years), the workers insisted that he wear sunscreen, so I did my due

diligence and looked at the research. What I found shocked me - the

active ingredient in most if not all sunscreens are light-activated

carcinogens! From the American Journal of Public Health, 1992:

 

" Worldwide, the countries where chemical sunscreens have been

recommended and adopted have experienced the greatest rise in

cutaneous malignant melanoma, with a contemporaneous rise in death

rates. In the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Scandinavian

countries, melanoma rates have risen steeply in recent decades, with

the greatest increase occurring after the introduction of sunscreens.

13-17 Death rates in the United States from melanoma doubled in women

and tripled in men between the 1950s and the 1990s.18 The rise in

melanoma has been unusually steep in Queensland, Australia, where

sunscreens were earliest and most strongly promoted by the medical

community.19 Queensland now has the highest incidence rate of

melanoma in the world.20 In contrast, the rise in melanoma rates was

notably delayed elsewhere in Australia,20 where sunscreens were not

promoted until more recently. " (http://www.ajph.org/cgi/reprint/

82/4/614)

 

Given that this information has been available for more than 20 years

now, its hard to imagine anything other than a conspiracy (of

corporate greed) that is fueling our collective ignorance.

Fortunately, some people are still trying to get the message across:

 

EWG campaign highlights study on sunscreen ingredient

By Simon Pitman

 

26-Mar-2008 - The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is highlighting a

study conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) alleging

risks associated with the sunsceen ingredient oxybenzone.

 

The organisation estimates that 97 percent of Americans it tested for

the study were contaminated by the ingredient, which has been linked

to allergies such as hormone disruption and cell damage.

 

The organisation also says that a companion study published just a

few days earlier also links the chemical to low birth weight in baby

girls, whose mothers are exposed to the chemical during pregnancy.

 

Oxybenzone is an organic compound derived from benzophenone and is

used in a wide spectrum of sunscreen products as a means of absorbing

potentially dangerous UVA rays.

 

Dosage is regulated by the EU

 

However, concerns brought about by earlier scientific studies have

led authorities in the EU to regulate that any sunscreen product

containing a more than 5 percent dose of the ingredient should be

labelled accordingly.

 

This is because studies have shown that the oxybenzone can penetrate

the skin's dermal layer, where it can increase production of free

radicals, leading to the production of photocarinogen.

 

Currently there are no such regulations in place in the United States.

 

Currently 588 sunscreen products use the chemical in the US

 

According to the EWG there are currently 588 sunscreen products on

sale in the US that contain the chemical, alongside a number of other

personal care products such as facial moisturizers, lip balm,

conditioners and anti-aging creams as well as sunscreens.

 

The group actually names key sunscreen brands, including Hawaiin

Tropical, Coopertone and Banana Boat, which all contain the chemical.

 

" The Food and Drug Administration has failed miserably in its duty to

protect the public from toxic chemicals like oxybenzone in personal

care products, " the EWG said in a statement.

 

The statement also accused the FDA of delaying final sunscreen safety

standards for nearly thirty years because of the interests of

industry lobbyists.

 

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/news/ng.asp?id=84232

 

Caldecott, Dip. Cl.H, RH(AHG)

Ayurvedic practitioner, Medical Herbalist

203 - 1750 East 10th Ave

Vancouver, BC V5N 5K4 CANADA

web: http//:www.toddcaldecott.com

email: todd

tel: (1)778.896.8894

fax: (1)866.703.2792

 

 

 

 

 

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So what can I do to protect my dauther and myself from the sun, aside

from wearing a burka? ;) We are so fair skinned that even casual,

unprotected sun exposure causes freckles and sunburn. We wear hats

in the summer, but even so, that does not prevent tanning from

reflected rays. Going outside for any length of time without some

sort of sunscreen guarantees a burn.

 

Is the sunblock zinc oxide all right? What can we do?

 

Thank you!

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I am also very fair-skinned and will burn quite easily if I over-

expose. So, the key is to slowly build up a tan, which itself is

protective. Expose your whole body to the sun for no more than 20-30

minutes a day, just until the skin pinks up, but then otherwise cover

up - light Indian cotton is the best. In Ayurveda, exposure to the

sun of summer aggravates pitta, so on hot days it is best to be

active outside in the morning and late afternoon, and stay in the

shade or indoors during mid-day. In addition, you can nourish the

skin with fats like coconut oil and shea butter, before and after the

sun, and/or apply aloe gel afterwards. Also, consider increasing

your antioxidant consumption, ideally in foods, of nutrients such as

beta carotene which is a pigment stored in the skin, which not only

helps to block UV but also has a local antioxidant effect. While

chronic trauma from burning is associated with squamous and basal

cell carcinoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer called malignant

melanoma is not associated with the sun, but rather, exposure to

sunscreens. Zinc oxide is much better than conventional sunscreens,

but the base components are still derived from petrochemicals, and so

should be used sparingly.

Caldecott, Dip. Cl.H, RH(AHG)

Ayurvedic practitioner, Medical Herbalist

203 - 1750 East 10th Ave

Vancouver, BC V5N 5K4 CANADA

web: http//:www.toddcaldecott.com

email: todd

tel: (1)778.896.8894

fax: (1)866.703.2792

__________________________

So what can I do to protect my dauther and myself from the sun, aside

from wearing a burka? ;) We are so fair skinned that even casual,

unprotected sun exposure causes freckles and sunburn.

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Would coconut oil act as a sunscreen? It certainly works well on a sunburn.?

Katy

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I read that the new clothes made by bamboo (yes, bamboo) is UV

protective. It is also incredibly soft and so cool to the skin,

feels much better than even linen clothes, which is much more cool

during summer than cotton.

 

No natural sunscreens given in the ayurvedic texts?

 

Good internal sunscreens include color pigments from carrots

(carotenes) or blue green algae like spirulina, AFA or astaxanthin.

Glisodin SOD was tested to have a factor 7 in very fairskinned

individuals. I am currently testing it for the same reasons.

 

____________

> So what can I do to protect my dauther and myself from the sun,

aside from wearing a burka? ;) We are so fair skinned that even casual,

> unprotected sun exposure causes freckles and sunburn.

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Yes, I have read that it is 50-60% effective at blocking out rays (sorry no

reference at the moment but am looking for it!) and have used it for my

family including my baby! I found that it worked well at 30 latitude in

high summer (baby did not get burned) but I did not use during the hours of

11 -2 when the sun is that high in the sky. I believe in getting some sun

for vitamin D so I have never used sunscreens other than coconut and sesame

oil is a good one too!

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-hello,

in ayurveda KUMKUMADI TAILAM can be used as a sunscreen lotion .As

Kumkumadi Tailam is an ancient recipe consisting of 16 precious

Ayurvedic ingredients as detailed in the ancient texts of beauty

secrets. Kumkumadi thailam is the high quality saffron oil.

 

.. It contains Jasadbhasma, an Ayurvedic sunscreen, known to protect

the skin from the sun's darkening and damaging UV rays.

.. Saffron saturates the skin to give it a natural golden glow.

Lotus, sandalwood, and vetiver plump the skin, diminishing the

appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while extracts of Indian

Madder and Banyan tree lighten the appearance of brown spots caused

by acne scarring, the sun or aging. Licorice, known for its

antiseptic and microbial properties helps to protect blemish-prone

skin from bacteria and other impurities.

 

one should keep in mind that it can be applied only at night. Having applied, it

protects skin everytime; so

don't think that how can it effect in morning.

it is so effective that it protects skin everytime.

as we know sunscreen lotions have so many side effects and it is

purely herbal with no side effects.

______________

 

No natural sunscreens given in the ayurvedic texts?

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Thank you very much for this information. Is this tailam appropriate

to use for WHITE westeners without giving the skin a golden color?

 

Have there been any modern scientific testing of this tailam as a

sunscreen? What is Jasad bhasma made of?

 

Thanks.

 

-----------------------

 

in ayurveda KUMKUMADI TAILAM can be used as a sunscreen lotion

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OK, I did a search for the name KUMKUMADI TAILAM. The descriptions

seem to indicate this oil is used to LIGHTEN skin color. I havent

been able to find any reference of it being a sunscreen lotion.

 

ayurveda , " nitikasachdeva "

<nitikasachdeva wrote:

>

> -hello,

> in ayurveda KUMKUMADI TAILAM can be used as a sunscreen lotion .As

> Kumkumadi Tailam is an ancient recipe consisting of 16 precious

> Ayurvedic ingredients as detailed in the ancient texts of beauty

> secrets. Kumkumadi thailam is the high quality saffron oil.

>

> . It contains Jasadbhasma, an Ayurvedic sunscreen, known to protect

> the skin from the sun's darkening and damaging UV rays.

> . Saffron saturates the skin to give it a natural golden glow.

> Lotus, sandalwood, and vetiver plump the skin, diminishing the

> appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while extracts of Indian

> Madder and Banyan tree lighten the appearance of brown spots caused

> by acne scarring, the sun or aging. Licorice, known for its

> antiseptic and microbial properties helps to protect blemish-prone

> skin from bacteria and other impurities.

>

> one should keep in mind that it can be applied only at night.

Having applied, it protects skin everytime; so

> don't think that how can it effect in morning.

> it is so effective that it protects skin everytime.

> as we know sunscreen lotions have so many side effects and it is

> purely herbal with no side effects.

> ______________

>

> No natural sunscreens given in the ayurvedic texts?

>

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Till now, nobody seems to have considered the basics of Ayurveda in this

sunscreen issue.

In the topic of Dincharya, Ayurveda advises the use of 'Chhatra' (umbrella) to

protect oneself from unwanted sun-rays. No lotions or external applications with

a specific use as protection from sun-rays is mentioned.

In the definition of Healthy person, one of the criterias is 'Sheeta-Vata-Aatapa

Sansaha' ie one who can tolerate the cold, wind and sun. So according to

Ayurveda, a absolutely healthy person should not be affected by the cold

atmosphere,windy weather and sun.

This seems to be applicable for all regions covering the ancient India

(Bharat-varsha) extending from Afghanistan to far-east, and from Himalayas to

the southern most states of India upto Kanyakumari. This region represents

almost every climate modality in the existing world, be it monsoon, be it winter

or be it summer. So the findings of Ayurveda are supposed to be applicable to

all these climatic variations.

Skin contains Bhrajaka Pitta, one of the five main types of bodily Pitta dosha,

which responds to stimuli of external heat, including sun-rays. Countering this

Pitta-dosha component is ideally done by use of Twachya(beneficial to skin) and

Sheeta -veerya(having cold properties) herbs.Exploring this channel can offer

better options for this discussion.

Jasad bhasma means calcynated Zinc Oxide.

 

Dr.D.B.Muzumdar

M.D.Ayurveda-Medicine(Mumbai-India)

< dahpc >

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No scientific testing of kumkumadi tailam, or in fact of any other tailam has

been done till now and no adverse effects of these tailams have been reported.

As mentioned in my earlier reply, Jasad bhasma means calcynated Zinc Oxide.

Dr.D.B.Muzumdar

_______________

 

Have there been any modern scientific testing of this tailam as a

sunscreen? What is Jasad bhasma made of?

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It would be very interesting to study how these ayurvedic principles

work on people " out of context " . I am an American whose ancestors

were all Eastern European. Their extreme paleness enabled them to

derive vitamin D from the very low intensity sunlight. Now that my

family is in the United States, where the sun is considerably more

intense, our pale skin burns. So I wonder if it is the state of our

health, or simply our genetics that causes us to burn.

 

In any case, I am willing to try an ayurvedic way of reducing

sunburn. (Ayurveda worked brilliantly for my allergies, why not

this?) Are there any herbs available in the US that I should

consider?

 

Thank you so much for your help.

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This is very interesting. Zinc oxide is commonly used in modern

sunscreens. I wonder about the modern origin of this use or if it was

derived from the past. However, there is some legitimate health

concern about nano particle size of mineral oxides as sunblockers,

that they can be absorbed into the body, see this link for further info

http://www.tga.health.gov.au/npmeds/sunscreen-zotd.htm

 

I wonder what particle size ayurvedic zinc oxide has, I believe it is

nano particle size.

 

______________________

> As mentioned in my earlier reply, Jasad bhasma means calcynated Zinc

Oxide.

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Well, yes, I did allude to the basic issue of covering up in summer,

as per Ayurveda:

 

" In Ayurveda, exposure to the sun of summer aggravates pitta, so on

hot days it is best to be active outside in the morning and late

afternoon, and stay in the shade or indoors during mid-day "

 

I also talked about clothing etc., but to be honest, walking around

with an umbrella outside in summer in Canada is hardly a necessity.

The number of days we get in which the sun reaches the kind of

intensity as in India is comparatively rare. Some days it might be a

good idea. I also didn't mention coconut or shea as a sunscreen but

to nourish and protect the skin. You have to understand that for

much of the year in places like Canada and North Europe people have a

net sun deficiency, and so the natural tendency when the sun does

come out is try and soak up as much as you can. So people tend to

over do it.

 

As for the comment about Bharat containing all the world's climates,

this isn't entirely true. Take a look at a climate map: http://

www.mapsofworld.com/world-maps/world-climate-map.html. Including

Afghanistan and the Himalayas, this region encompasses only a few of

the major climate zones. Certainly the place that I live, i.e.

coastal temperate, isn't represented anywhere on the subcontinent.

There are also different peoples populating different parts of the

world, who have unique and different relationships with the sun that

might not be accounted for. Thus one must intelligently adapt this

knowledge to time, place and circumstance.

Caldecott

todd

www.toddcaldecott.com

 

____________

 

Till now, nobody seems to have considered the basics of Ayurveda in

this sunscreen issue.

In the topic of Dincharya, Ayurveda advises the use of

'Chhatra' (umbrella) to protect oneself from unwanted sun-rays. No

lotions or external applications with a specific use as protection

from sun-rays is mentioned.

....

This seems to be applicable for all regions covering the ancient

India (Bharat-varsha) extending from Afghanistan to far-east, and

from Himalayas to the southern most states of India upto

Kanyakumari. This region represents almost every climate modality

in the existing world, be it monsoon, be it winter or be it summer.

So the findings of Ayurveda are supposed to be applicable to all

these climatic variations.

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Kunkumadi is used in conditions including mukha roga, varna vikara,

nilika, yauvana pitika and vyanga. Nothing mentioned as a

sunscreen. Btw, the recipe I have for Kunkumadi from the

Yogaratnakara mentions nothing about jasad bhasma. It does contain

gorochana (cow gall bladder stone) and laksha (an insect secretion,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lac) however which should probably be

disclosed to our vegetarian friends. It also contains red ochre

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_ochre), used by many traditional

peoples to beautify the skin, as well as beeswax.

Caldecott

todd

www.toddcaldecott.com

___________________________

OK, I did a search for the name KUMKUMADI TAILAM. The descriptions

seem to indicate this oil is used to LIGHTEN skin color. I havent

been able to find any reference of it being a sunscreen lotion.

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> in ayurveda KUMKUMADI TAILAM can be used as a sunscreen

lotion .As

> Kumkumadi Tailam is an ancient recipe consisting of 16 precious

> Ayurvedic ingredients as detailed in the ancient texts of beauty

> secrets. Kumkumadi thailam is the high quality saffron oil.

>

> . It contains Jasadbhasma, an Ayurvedic sunscreen, known to

protect

> the skin from the sun's darkening and damaging UV rays.

 

 

 

Hi Nikita!

could you please give the reference regarding jashad bhasm being

added 2 the kumkumadi tail

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i have not come across yashad bhasm added to the tail in yogaratnakar or ashtang

hrudaya or bhaishajya ratnavali. thats why asked you the reference

________

It contains Jasadbhasma, an Ayurvedic sunscreen, known to

protect

the skin from the sun's darkening and damaging UV rays.

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I wanted to continue this thread from last year, I am still looking for an

ayurvedic sunscreen product, I became even more sensitive since developing

adrenal fatigue. I decided to use UV protective clothing and cap/hat as the

basis when otside and parasol, but need a non-toxic sunscreen. I found a product

with ayurvedic ingredients from Himalaya Herbal Healthcare which is called

Protective Sunscreen Lotion. It uses four herbal ingredients of which two are

claimed as being UV protective;

Hedychium spicatum (Spiked Ginger Lily, Gandhapalashi) protects the skin from UV

rays.

Alpinia galanga (Greater Galangal, Mahabharivacha) has skin protectent action,

protectent against UV rays, boosts the activity of conventional sunscreens.

Himalaya has a clinical trial report at

 

http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/pdf_files/sun_screen_lotion001.pdf

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Hi,

The best is to use ALOE VERA GEL -

 

regards,

bhol

___________

 

I am still looking for an

ayurvedic sunscreen product, I became even more sensitive since developing

adrenal fatigue.

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Aloe Vera gel is some of the best sunburns, it is very cooling with skin

regenerating properties, but it has not got any UV protective abillities.

 

I am still wondering if (what) vaidyas in the old days had any non-toxic

ingredients they would recommend to use on the skin so people with

light-sensitive skin (albinos etc) could stay out in the sun. Perhaps they have

in african folk medicine.

 

____________

The best is to use ALOE VERA GEL -

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dr vasant lad taught us that you can use alow gel mixed with coconut oil for

sunscreen. neem oil can work as well, although it can be very drying to the skin

with prolonged usage. good luck.

 

____________

 

I am still looking for an

ayurvedic sunscreen product

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i find coconut oil works great (it evidently does have a sun

protective factor)- but important to apply a lot and not stay in the

sun at high noon. i find aloe works better for post sun exposure.

_________

 

I am still looking for an

ayurvedic sunscreen product

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I think the vaidyas of old would have recommended carrying an umbrella always to

eliminate solar damage to the skin.

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