Guest guest Posted May 27, 2008 Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2008 Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Would coconut oil act as a sunscreen? It certainly works well on a sunburn.? Katy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 -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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 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? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 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 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 I think the vaidyas of old would have recommended carrying an umbrella always to eliminate solar damage to the skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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