The MOSHy effect

Henry Lindlahr, one of the pioneers of naturopathy, proclaims that violation of the laws of nature is the prime cause of diseases. According to him, violation of nature’s laws can be in thinking, eating, drinking, dressing, bathing, resting, in moral aspects in social and sexual conduct. Thus, carrying on with the thread of Return to nature, let us see an aspect of dressing- make- up.

As I wrote on ‘dressing’, man has an inherent need to look good. For this he engages in many activities to beautify himself. The notion of a muscular man and graceful woman further emphasizes the gender specific concepts of beauty and aesthetics. And so men involve themselves in body building, weights, gymming and things like that. Women, on the other hand, use cosmetics to even the skin tone, colour the lips and enhance the eyes using eye shadows, kohl, mascara, and so on. This has been there since time immemorial. Cleopatra, the epitome of Egyptian beauty used to bathe in milk with rose petals. The ‘haldi rasam’, ceremony of applying turmeric powder to the bride and bride groom also stems from the same concept.

With advances in science and technology, we have easier and faster access to techniques and stuffs for beautification. We have n number of choices and almost anything can be done. The make-up artist’s brush is like a magic wand, a whirl in the air and you can change the ugliest hag into an attractive diva. You have an array of ‘magical potions’, which can work wonders. And everyone is so conscious, me included of how they look. I bet 90% of women, in cities especially, will not go outdoors without a lotion or cream with minimum of SPF 15 on them. Most of us will carry a lip balm or chap stick to apply in case our lips get chaffed.

But do we know the downside of this trend. We happily load ourselves with loads and loads of these lip balms, lipsticks, sunscreen lotions, fairness creams, foundations, concealers, eye shadows, kohls, mascaras, eye liners, specific creams for each part of the body- foot creams, hand creams, face creams, hair creams. Not to forget, the time specific products, day cream, night cream and what not. I am sure many of us are unaware what happens when we use all this stuff for a long time. You may get cancer.

There is something called MOSH- Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons. The body can take certain amount of these petroleum products which form the base for most of these products and expel it from the body. But with advancing age, the body will not be able to throw out these toxic materials from the body. It further leads to toxicity of liver and it is not news that coal tar products are carcinogenic (causing cancer).

Other products that we happily use to beautify ourselves will be shampoos, face wash gel, bathing soap, gels, hair conditioners, setting gels, perfumes, colognes, and a lot more. Haven’t you come across people who would say, ‘you know, I’m not much into make-up and stuff, I like being simple and ‘Natural’, I just want my hair and body clean and smelling good.’ Do you really think if you keep apple in that lotion of yours, it will remain fresh and smell like apple after being stored at the manufacturer’s, shops and your home. It is not apple there. It is a chemical which gives apple-ish smell. Same goes for all smells that the ad says is ‘pure apricot, pure aloe’, and many others. It has been found that certain colognes and perfumes were containing chemicals which are toxic and carcinogenic, which by the way will not be labelled on the container.

So? What now? Like I always say moderation is the motto. Use sparingly and of course substitution can be done for most of these stuffs with natural stuffs. Here you go with today’s mantra for healthful beauty:

Use natural shampoo like henna, shikakai, fenugreek or gooseberry powders.

Use ground gram or green gram for washing face. Even plain mud is a good cleanser.

Use aloe gel for hair conditioning. It can be mixed with curd.

Apply turmeric with sandal powder and a teaspoon of curd on the face at night.

Green gram paste or bengal gram paste can be used for bathing.

Apply pulp of fresh fruits and vegetables like papaya, plum, apricot, cucumber, tomato. Wash off and feel the freshness and skin tightness.

Eat plenty of fruits and fresh vegetables for skin and hair health.

Drink ample amount of water to keep your system clean.

Of course, you can use your soaps, shampoos, perfume but use it sparingly. Preferably, abstain from using excessively.

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah (may all be blessed)

Love and regards,

Roshni