TreeHugger is inviting expert correspondents to come write for them! Here are my entries on three different topics of interest:
Green Health/Beauty
The next time you feel the familiar itch of a pimple starting under your skin forget the expensive over the counter chemical zaps and head straight for your pantry. A mixture of powdered cinnamon and lemon juice (aim for a thick paste-like consistency) applied to zits or pre-zits is an effective way of tackling problem skin and eliminating the possibility of scarring. Apply before bedtime, allow to dry and wash off the next morning.
How does it work? When you apply the paste onto the problem spot the lemon juice breaks the oily film on your skin into tiny droplets, which are then absorbed by the cinnamon powder. Once the oily layer is compromised the active ingredients in the cinnamon and the lemon juice can have a go at the actual zit itself. The lemon juice is a powerful antioxidant, grabbing free radicals and preventing them from damaging and ageing your cells (applied to the surface of a cut apple it prevents the discolouration caused by atmospheric oxidation). It also decreases inflammation (which means no more angry swollen red spots, yay!) and has the added benefit of being antibacterial. It tackles the bacteria causing skin irritation and its trace AHA4) content combats sun damage leaving the skin soft and supple and scar-free. And the cinnamon? It’s a known antibacterial with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, documented by patents as early as1881!
This method of zit-zapping is an ancient ayurvedic technique now conveniently explained for your benefit by the wonders of modern science. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and green your face!
References
1) P. F. Cancalon White Paper on Inflammation and Associated Diseases, the Beneficial Role of Citrus, ed. F. D. o. Citrus.
2) J. A. Manthey and N. Guthrie, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 21, 5837-5843 (2002).
3) C. L. A. Mara, O. O. a. Nogreira and E. D. Gombas, Journal of Food Protection, 66, 1637-1641 (2003).
4) E. J. Van Scott, C. M. Ditre and R. J. Yu, Clinics in Dermatology, 14, 217-226 (1996).
5) Smith-Palmer and S. Fyfe, Letters in Applied Microbiology 26, 118-122 (1998)
6) S. Sadeghian, T. R. Neyestani, M. H. Shirazi and P. Ranjbarian, Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 15, 47-55 (2005).
Green Medicine: Marijuana
Almost half the populations of North America and Europe have allergies to one or more common environmental antigens. Which means that on exposure to substances like nuts, bee venom or pollen, their bodies mount an immune response which can range from mild symptoms like rashes, congestion and watery eyes to severe ones like diarrhoea, vomiting and difficulty breathing.
A new study published in Science reveals that skin allergies in mice can be relieved by compounds known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are a group of compounds best known for giving marijuana its ‘mood altering’ qualities. They are also produced (to a lesser extent) in the human body where they are thought to be involved in the central and peripheral nervous systems, the peripheral organs and in the learning process. Previous research has established that such compounds may be beneficial for blood vessels and effective in pain relief. We now know that their effects also include relief from allergies. Mice with skin allergies showed a 50% decrease in inflammation and itchiness when treated with a cannabinoid cream. It may be a while however before having allergies becomes legal recourse for marijuana smokers: researchers strongly advice against self medication until further tests are carried out on humans.
References
1) C. Janeway, A., P. Travers, M. Walport and M. Shlomchik (2001) Allergy and Hypersensitivity, 5 Edition, Garland Publishing, New York.
2) WebMD (2005) Allergies: Allery Sumptoms, vol. 2007.
3) M. Karsak et al., Science, 316, 1494-1497 (2007).
Green Policy: Education
A Review
The Failure of Environmental Education (and How We Can Fix It)1)
Daniel T. Blumstein*, Charlie Saylan
Thirty seven years on from the first earth day on April 22, 1970 the green movement has made massive inroads into public consciousness and is now a political force to reckon with. The authors propose (tentatively) that it is time for the environmental lobby to take a long hard look at itself and the technical and economic feasibility of its goals. The reason: environmental education in its current avatar has little or no actual impact on bettering the environment. This message is underlined by a simple example: although the recycling of waste is now a massive industry worldwide2), few people seem aware of the fact that not creating the waste in the first place would be even better for the environment (http://timesonline.typepad.com/dons_life/2007/06/does_recycling_.html). The authors also bemoan the fact that there are no proper scientific checks in place to monitor the system: does teaching children about recycling actually cause a measurable increase in recycling?
Although inroads have been made concerning sustainable land use, extinction prevention, and the misuse of chemicals such pesticides, additives, cfcs etc personal responsibility doesn’t seem to feature anywhere in picture. Fortunately the authors have a seven step plan for rectifying the situation (no really, they do).
1. Design ways to evaluate environmental education programs: carry out before and after studies (hey, if the shampoo companies can manage it the government definitely can!)
2. Explain the need for conservation of consumable resources. (i.e petrol comes from deep inside the earth and when that runs dry so will every gas pump in the country).
3. Understand the nonlinear nature of ecology. That means hunting tigers doesn’t just cause their extinction it means the deer population explodes causing overgrazing which leads to soil erosion. It also means people aren’t afraid to go into the forests anymore to (illegally) graze their livestock or chop down trees.
4. Have a world view. What you do doesn’t just affect you it affects the polar bears and other (less visually appealing) life forms too.
5. Understand how the government works (often in vile and nefarious ways like lobbying) and use that understanding to work the system from the inside (hey the younger you catch them the better)
6. Accept the inconveniences of saving the planet. If that means walking 10 minutes to the store instead of driving for 2 then fine, work off that muffin you had on the way back.
7. Critical thinking. Use your head (and the internet silly!) to figure out what’s right instead of falling for the stuff spewed by politicians and industries.
References
1) D. T. Blumstein and C. Saylan, PLoS Biology, 5, e120 (2007).
2) D. K. Benjamin (2003) Eight great myths of recycling, PERC The Center for Free Market Environmentalism, pp. PS-28.
Green Health/Beauty
The next time you feel the familiar itch of a pimple starting under your skin forget the expensive over the counter chemical zaps and head straight for your pantry. A mixture of powdered cinnamon and lemon juice (aim for a thick paste-like consistency) applied to zits or pre-zits is an effective way of tackling problem skin and eliminating the possibility of scarring. Apply before bedtime, allow to dry and wash off the next morning.
How does it work? When you apply the paste onto the problem spot the lemon juice breaks the oily film on your skin into tiny droplets, which are then absorbed by the cinnamon powder. Once the oily layer is compromised the active ingredients in the cinnamon and the lemon juice can have a go at the actual zit itself. The lemon juice is a powerful antioxidant, grabbing free radicals and preventing them from damaging and ageing your cells (applied to the surface of a cut apple it prevents the discolouration caused by atmospheric oxidation). It also decreases inflammation (which means no more angry swollen red spots, yay!) and has the added benefit of being antibacterial. It tackles the bacteria causing skin irritation and its trace AHA4) content combats sun damage leaving the skin soft and supple and scar-free. And the cinnamon? It’s a known antibacterial with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, documented by patents as early as1881!
This method of zit-zapping is an ancient ayurvedic technique now conveniently explained for your benefit by the wonders of modern science. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and green your face!
References
1) P. F. Cancalon White Paper on Inflammation and Associated Diseases, the Beneficial Role of Citrus, ed. F. D. o. Citrus.
2) J. A. Manthey and N. Guthrie, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 21, 5837-5843 (2002).
3) C. L. A. Mara, O. O. a. Nogreira and E. D. Gombas, Journal of Food Protection, 66, 1637-1641 (2003).
4) E. J. Van Scott, C. M. Ditre and R. J. Yu, Clinics in Dermatology, 14, 217-226 (1996).
5) Smith-Palmer and S. Fyfe, Letters in Applied Microbiology 26, 118-122 (1998)
6) S. Sadeghian, T. R. Neyestani, M. H. Shirazi and P. Ranjbarian, Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 15, 47-55 (2005).
Green Medicine: Marijuana
Almost half the populations of North America and Europe have allergies to one or more common environmental antigens. Which means that on exposure to substances like nuts, bee venom or pollen, their bodies mount an immune response which can range from mild symptoms like rashes, congestion and watery eyes to severe ones like diarrhoea, vomiting and difficulty breathing.
A new study published in Science reveals that skin allergies in mice can be relieved by compounds known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are a group of compounds best known for giving marijuana its ‘mood altering’ qualities. They are also produced (to a lesser extent) in the human body where they are thought to be involved in the central and peripheral nervous systems, the peripheral organs and in the learning process. Previous research has established that such compounds may be beneficial for blood vessels and effective in pain relief. We now know that their effects also include relief from allergies. Mice with skin allergies showed a 50% decrease in inflammation and itchiness when treated with a cannabinoid cream. It may be a while however before having allergies becomes legal recourse for marijuana smokers: researchers strongly advice against self medication until further tests are carried out on humans.
References
1) C. Janeway, A., P. Travers, M. Walport and M. Shlomchik (2001) Allergy and Hypersensitivity, 5 Edition, Garland Publishing, New York.
2) WebMD (2005) Allergies: Allery Sumptoms, vol. 2007.
3) M. Karsak et al., Science, 316, 1494-1497 (2007).
Green Policy: Education
A Review
The Failure of Environmental Education (and How We Can Fix It)1)
Daniel T. Blumstein*, Charlie Saylan
Thirty seven years on from the first earth day on April 22, 1970 the green movement has made massive inroads into public consciousness and is now a political force to reckon with. The authors propose (tentatively) that it is time for the environmental lobby to take a long hard look at itself and the technical and economic feasibility of its goals. The reason: environmental education in its current avatar has little or no actual impact on bettering the environment. This message is underlined by a simple example: although the recycling of waste is now a massive industry worldwide2), few people seem aware of the fact that not creating the waste in the first place would be even better for the environment (http://timesonline.typepad.com/dons_life/2007/06/does_recycling_.html). The authors also bemoan the fact that there are no proper scientific checks in place to monitor the system: does teaching children about recycling actually cause a measurable increase in recycling?
Although inroads have been made concerning sustainable land use, extinction prevention, and the misuse of chemicals such pesticides, additives, cfcs etc personal responsibility doesn’t seem to feature anywhere in picture. Fortunately the authors have a seven step plan for rectifying the situation (no really, they do).
1. Design ways to evaluate environmental education programs: carry out before and after studies (hey, if the shampoo companies can manage it the government definitely can!)
2. Explain the need for conservation of consumable resources. (i.e petrol comes from deep inside the earth and when that runs dry so will every gas pump in the country).
3. Understand the nonlinear nature of ecology. That means hunting tigers doesn’t just cause their extinction it means the deer population explodes causing overgrazing which leads to soil erosion. It also means people aren’t afraid to go into the forests anymore to (illegally) graze their livestock or chop down trees.
4. Have a world view. What you do doesn’t just affect you it affects the polar bears and other (less visually appealing) life forms too.
5. Understand how the government works (often in vile and nefarious ways like lobbying) and use that understanding to work the system from the inside (hey the younger you catch them the better)
6. Accept the inconveniences of saving the planet. If that means walking 10 minutes to the store instead of driving for 2 then fine, work off that muffin you had on the way back.
7. Critical thinking. Use your head (and the internet silly!) to figure out what’s right instead of falling for the stuff spewed by politicians and industries.
References
1) D. T. Blumstein and C. Saylan, PLoS Biology, 5, e120 (2007).
2) D. K. Benjamin (2003) Eight great myths of recycling, PERC The Center for Free Market Environmentalism, pp. PS-28.
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