What Attracts Mosquitos and How to Repel Them

Avoid the use of Chemical Repellants, especially ones containing DEET

DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is used in hundreds of products, in concentrations of up to an astounding 100 percent. DEET is a chemical that melts plastic or fishing line, so how can it be safe to apply it to your skin!  Children are particularly at risk for subtle neurological changes because their skin more readily absorbs chemicals in the environment, and chemicals exert more potent effects on their developing nervous systems. Based on 30 years of clinical studies, DEET exposure can potentially cause the following adverse health effects: Memory Loss, Headaches, Muscle weakness, muscle & joint pain, impaired brain cell function, neurotoxicity, tremors, seizures, skin irritation, hives, blistering, nausea & vomiting, hypotension (low blood pressure), bradycardia (slow heartbeat), shortness of breath, pain, irritation and watering of the eyes.  

Another potentially harmful chemical found in many bug sprays is permethrin.  This chemical is a member of the synthetic pyrethroid family, which is known to be neurotoxic. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also deemed permethrin carcinogenic—capable of causing lung tumors, liver tumors, immune system problems, and chromosomal abnormalities.  Pyrethroids have also recently been linked to behavior problems in children.  Permethrin is very toxic to the environment—especially to bees and aquatic life—and is extremely toxic to cats.  Even a few drops can be lethal to your cat.  It is used as an ingredient in some topical flea products, so when you see "for dogs only" on the label, it likely contains permethrin.

Mosquitoes are attracted to a number of chemical compounds that they can detect from an impressive 50 yards away. The males are not interested in your blood, but the females are a different story, thirsting after the protein and iron in your blood to produce their eggs.

We know that mosquitoes are attracted to the following:

•Bacteria: One trillion microbes live on your skin and create your body odor. Humans have only about 10 percent of these microbes in common—the rest vary between individuals. Some of us have a collection of microbes that are particularly irresistible to mosquitoes.

•Chemical compounds: When they are sniffing us out, mosquitoes hone in on a wide variety of chemicals—277 were isolated as potential mosquito attractants from human hand odors in one 2000 study.

Some of their favorites are lactic acid, carboxylic acid, ammonia, , and octenol (present in human breath and sweat). Mosquitoes are especially drawn to carbon dioxide.

The more carbon dioxide you emit, the more attractive you are to them. Larger people naturally emit more carbon dioxide than smaller people, which is one of the reasons adults seem to be bitten more often than children.

•Movement and heat: Mosquitoes are drawn to both movement and heat. So if you're exercising outside on a warm summer evening, you're the perfect target—especially if you're short of breath!  

JES Organics Natural Organic Bug Away Insect Deterrent is perfect for the summer-time swarms.  Available in 1 oz, 2 oz, 4 oz. spray bottle& 8 oz. Refill Bottle.   Contains highly effective natural ingredients that really work. 

Key Ingredients:

Catnip: Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET — the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.

Cedarwood: antiseptic, relieves skin inflammation, bug bites

Cinnamon Leaf: shows promise as a great-smelling, environmentally friendly pesticide, with the ability to kill mosquito larvae, according to a new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society. The researchers also expect that cinnamon oil could be a good mosquito repellant, though they have not yet tested it against adult mosquitoes.

Citronella: Insect deterrent, keeps away mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other pesky insects.

Eucalyptus: insect bites and rashes, antiseptic

Lemongrass: Lemongrass oil, which is closely related to citronella, repels a greater variety of pests than most natural "one-scented" oil mixtures.

Listsea Cubeba: Insect deterrent

Patchouli: repels bugs, and relieves insect bites.

Tea Tree: Rashes and insect bites.

 

Exciting Changes & New Products

I have been testing out some new skin and body care products and absolutely love the way they smell and feel on my skin.  I am already getting even more compliments on my skin after just using a few new products for the past week.  This is amazing to me!

We are adding in new items over time.  Keep checking back on the web-site to see new items being added. 
 

We have a great NEW Natural Organic Infused Smoothing Retinol Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and  Glycolic Acid. This is a proprietary brightening complex combined with carefully chosen fruit and plant acids work synergistically to facilitate younger looking skin. With powerful humectants and profound concentrations of bio-available and chirally correct vitamins A and E this serum helps retain moisture and prevent damage caused by dryness. The end result is firmer, plumper, healthier looking skin for a radiant complexion. 1% Retinol. 

We have also replaced the Ageless Moisturizer with a wonderful new Vitamin C Moisturizer in a 6 oz. bottle now instead of the previous 4 oz. size.  For up to 8-fold antioxidant protection, this rich moisturizer with multi-fruit acids and botanical ingredient blend revitalizes, moisturizes and tones the skin.  Contains 15% Vitamin C.

Fabulous New Body Cream with Aloe Vera & Argan Oil.  You will love how great this feels on your skin.  Silky, absorbs easily and no greasy or sticky feel.  Available in a range of sizes. 

We have been doing a face lift on the product labels and upgrading some of the 4 oz. sizes to 6 oz. sizes as we sell out of the 4 oz. inventory.  Check out our SALES on some of the items to move out the 4 oz. sizes. 

We have a new airless pump for the eye crème with a smaller size hole to dispense less product with each pump.    

We have a new exfoliant with papaya and glycolic acid.  The same great feel of the previous exfoilant with more anti-aging properties.  Great for ALL skin types. 

We have re-formulated the 100% Natural organic deodorant.   So far it seems to be effective for us and our customers.  Everyone's body chemistry is different so we offer a small tester size to try first before buying the regular size. 

New organic soap scents in stock: Key-Lime, Evergreen Lavender, Peppermint Tea Tree & Ginger Lime.

New Body products - sugar scrubs and body butters coming soon. 

Coming Soon - Stick Make-up for foundation.  In foundation, we have liquid foundations, creamy foundations and loose mineral powders. 

Stay tuned for more excitement!

Aloe Vera Toner with Fruit Extracts on Sale

Natural Organic Toner Organically Preserved without chemicals. Refreshing mint with fruit extracts. Paraben Free, Non-Toxic. 4.5 oz. on sale.  Retail Price $15.00, on sale for $9.95 for a limited time while supplies last.
Aloe Juice (Organic) Often called “The Miracle Plant”, promotes new skin growth, moisturizes, protects and counters the effects of aging, soothing, emollient, anti-bacterial, heals skin irritations, burns and wounds. Aloe Vera improves hydration and is soothing and healing to all skin types. The effectiveness of Aloe Vera gel as a cosmetic skin care and pharmaceutical product is indisputable. It has also been shown to have an invigorating effect on skin when applied on a regular basis. Chemical analysis has shown the presence of mucopolysacharides, a natural moisturizing factor. Aloe Vera is composed of water, the enzymes catalase and cellulose, minerals, calcium, aluminum, iron, zinc, magnesium, sodium, 20 amino acids and carbohydrates. Aloe Vera also contains the "youth mineral" potassium.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (Bilberry Extract, Sugar Cane Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Lemon Extract, Cranberry Extract)skin-conditioning agents, help promote younger looking skin and help to minimize the effect of aging. Help to exfoliate the skin of dead cells; they also have a moisturizing effect on the skin, by increasing the moisture content of the upper skin and so smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, as well as reducing dryness and combating flakiness. Long-term use of low concentration AHA's can also increase collagen and elastin synthesis, and also boost protein regeneration in the skin.

Willowbark
Anti-inflammatory, Willowbark has antiseptic, astringent properties and has been shown to possess potent anti-microbial properties. Willow bark extract has several benefits in skin care but can help to stimulate the skin and cell growth and also has excellent astringent qualities

The FDA Takes Baby Steps to Eliminate Antibacterial Soap

Danica Collins

On the heels of its recent admission that antibacterial soaps don’t do the job any better than conventional soaps and water…and may actually carry health risks…the FDA has issued a deadline. Manufacturers must prove that antibacterial soaps are not only safe, but also more effective at eliminating germs and the risk of infection than non-antibacterial products. If they can’t prove that antibacterial soaps are health promoting, then expect to see your go-to antibacterial soap pulled from the shelves.

The Dangers of Triclosan
Antibacterial soap owes its health risks to a chemical called triclosan, which was originally used as a sterilizing agent in hospitals. It made its debut in commercial products in the 1990s and went on to spur a $1 billion industry. It’s the active ingredient in approximately 75% of liquid hand soaps and 30% of antibacterial bars…not to mention it’s lingering in your hand wipes, sanitzer gels, mattress pads…any number of home goods!

What’s the impetus? Triclosan is an effective weapon against bacteria, and we scooped it up eagerly in our obsession with ridding our environment of all things bacterial. Unfortunately, and as the FDA has noted, our use of triclosan comes with a high price and seemingly no benefit.

• Four decades of research have yet to prove triclosan reduces the risk of infection.
• Triclosan breeds antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a health hazard the World Health Organization has deemed a “threat to global health security.”
• Animal studies point to triclosan as a dangerous endocrine disruptor that could potentially promote infertility, early onset puberty, cancer, and obesity.
• Children exposed to triclosan have a higher risk of developing allergies.
• One study indicated that triclosan interferes with muscle contractions in human cells.

Hand soap can do all that? Indeed! A 2008 study proved that triclosan has the ability to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin and enter your bloodstream. Seventy five percent of subjects tested had triclosan in their urine!

Where Has the FDA Been All This Time?
In 1972, the FDA was charged with the task of determining the safety risks of triclosan and issuing a set of regulations as to the use of the chemical in home products. They didn’t get around to a final draft until this past December 2013. Forty-two years later and the FDA has finally declared that the benefits of antibacterial soaps are nil, and the consequences significant…but the organization is giving manufacturers a few more years to prove this verdict wrong.

When it comes to the FDA, a few years can turn into decades, so in the meantime take your health into your own hands and wash up with tried and true conventional soap and water. Remember, exposure to germs is not entirely bad. Reduced exposure to bacteria interferes with immune function and development. So go ahead…get dirty once and a while. There’s always soap and water to wash away the germs!

What is the Answer? 

Your first line of defense is good, old-fashioned soap and water. Use it to wash your surfaces, your body and your clothes.
Natural Disinfectants – The Safer Alternative

• Spray hydrogen peroxide – which whitens like bleach but much more safely – followed by spraying vinegar on surfaces.
• Simmering cloves and cinnamon on the stove is an effective air freshener and baking soda absorbs odors in carpets, trash cans and inside your fridge and freezer. The best air freshener is to find the problem, fix it and open the windows for fresh air.

• Baking soda mixed with apple cider vinegar does a better job – and is far less toxic – than other bathroom scrubbing powders. Perfect for toilets and tubs.

• Vinegar used alone is safe and effective on counters, floors and windows. One cup of vinegar to three cups of water is strong enough to clean even the grimy outsides of your windows.

• Baking soda added to your rinse cycle is an effective fabric softener.

• Club soda in a spray bottle also works well on windows and mirrors.

• Lavender and tea tree oils are antiseptic and naturally antibacterial – in much lower doses – and leave behind a pleasant smell when added to baking soda or hydrogen peroxide.

Small steps that slowly replace the antibacterial products in your home with natural disinfectants cleansers will allow your immune system to catch up and fortify itself. Of course you want your home clean and smelling fresh.

If there is already illness in the home and you need to use bleach – dilute one teaspoon of bleach in a gallon of water and wipe down all surfaces. Leave slightly damp and allow to air dry.
Natural disinfectants may require a bit more creativity and elbow grease, but developing a stronger defense against illness and disease is an immune boosting trade-off.

Organic Liquid Foundation with DMAE, Carrot Oil & MSM !

Check out our NEW Organic Liquid Foundation.  Make Up that is actually good for your skin with Organic Aloe Juice, Jojoba, Carrot Oil, DMAE & MSM.  89% Organic Content.  Full spectrum sun protection.

Don't see the color you like?  If you love the color of one of our loose mineral foundations or don't see the color you like in our powders or liquids, we can custom formulate a color for you.  Are you using a foundation that you love that has chemicals and want to make the switch to natural and organic?  Get your favorite color custom formulated in a natural organic version!

Just send us a sample of the color you like in powder or liquid make-up and we can custom make a liquid foundation color for you!  Please contact us by e-mail or phone 208-629-0444 for details on custom formulation. 

Beautiful Organically Infused Make-up !

We continue to add beautiful colors and more options to our organically infused make-up.  We now have organically infused full spectrum sunscreen liquid foundation in 5 colors for fair to medium complexions in cool, neutral and warm undertones! 

Coming Soon - New beautiful eye & lip pencil colors!   We have a new line of moisturizing lipsticks!

New concealers in neutral skin tone, yellow, & pink/peach. 

Pink/Peach Concealer is used to normalize yellow-colored imperfections such as sallow complexions and yellow bruises. It can also help conceal dark spots on bronze and olive skin tones.  COMING SOON!

Yellow Concealer is perfect for hiding those dark areas around the eye prior to applying your new mineral make-up.  Used to conceal bluish bruises, under-eye circles and mild red tones on the face.

Neutral Flesh Toned Concealer covers that slight imperfections without having to wear foundation by simply dabbing this skin toned concealer on with a camouflage brush or a clean fingertip and feather the edges.  Also used to cover areas of hyperpigmentation prior to applying foundation. 

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals 2012

State of the science of endocrine disrupting chemicals 2012 / edited by Åke Bergman, Jerrold J. Heindel, Susan Jobling, Karen A. Kidd and R. Thomas Zoeller.

Three strands of evidence fuel concerns over endocrine disruptors:

1.     The high incidence and the increasing trends of many endocrine-related disorders in humans

2.     Observations of endocrine-related effects in wildlife populations

3.      The identification of chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties linked to disease outcomes in laboratory studies.

Many endocrine-related diseases and disorders are on the rise.  Large proportions (up to 40%) of young men in some countries have low semen quality, which reduces their ability to father children.

The incidence of genital malformations, such as non-descending testes (cryptorchidisms) and penile

malformations (hypospadias), in baby boys has increased over time or levelled off at unfavourably  high rates.

The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight, has increased in many countries.

Neurobehavioural disorders associated with thyroid disruption affect a high proportion of children in some countries and have increased over past decades.

Global rates of endocrine-related cancers (breast, endometrial, ovarian, prostate, testicular and thyroid) have been increasing over the past 40–50 years.
 

There is a trend towards earlier onset of breast development in young girls in all countries where this has been studied. This is a risk factor for breast cancer. 

The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes has dramatically increased worldwide over the last 40

years. WHO estimates that 1.5 billion adults worldwide are overweight or obese and that the number with type 2 diabetes increased from 153 million to 347 million between 1980 and 2008.

Close to 800 chemicals are known or suspected to be capable of interfering with hormone receptors, hormone synthesis or hormone conversion. However, only a small fraction of these chemicals have been investigated in tests capable of identifying overt endocrine effects in intact organisms.

The vast majority of chemicals in current commercial use have not been tested at all.  This lack of data introduces significant uncertainties about the true extent of risks from chemicals that potentially could disrupt the endocrine system.

Human and wildlife populations all over the world are exposed to EDCs.

There is global transport of many known and potential EDCs through natural processes as well as through commerce, leading to worldwide exposure.  Unlike 10 years ago, we now know that humans and wildlife are exposed to far more EDCs than just those that are persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Levels of some newer POPs in humans and wildlife are still increasing, and there is also exposure to less persistent and less bioaccumulative, but ubiquitous, chemicals.  

 

New sources of human exposure to EDCs and potential EDCs, in addition to food and drinking water,

have been identified.

Children can have higher exposures to chemicals compared with adults—for example, through their hand-to-mouth activity and higher metabolic rate.  The speed with which the increases in disease incidence have occurred in recent decades rules out genetic factors as the sole plausible explanation. Environmental and other non-genetic factors, including nutrition, age of mother, viral diseases and chemical exposures, are also at play, but are difficult to identify. Despite these difficulties, some associations have become apparent: 

Non-descended testes in young boys are linked with exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) and

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and with occupational pesticide exposure during pregnancy. Recent evidence also shows links with the painkiller paracetamol. However, there is little to suggest that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are associated with cryptorchidism. 

 

High exposures to polychlorinated dioxins and certain PCBs (in women who lack some detoxifying enzymes) are risk factors in breast cancer. Although exposure to natural and synthetic estrogens is

associated with breast cancer, similar evidence linking estrogenic environmental chemicals with the disease is not available.  

 

Prostate cancer risks are related to occupational exposures to pesticides (of an unidentified nature), to some PCBs and to arsenic. Cadmium exposure has been linked with prostate cancer in some, but not all, epidemiological studies, although the associations are weak.

 

Comment from JES Organics: It is so important to be an educated consumer, read labels, use trusted natural products, avoid endocrine disrupting chemicals as much as possible.  Protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of toxic chemicals.