15 March 2019, Berlin: A man buys organic fruit in a Berlin Lidl supermarket in the Schöneberg district. Previously, the German Development Minister had taken a tour with Fairtrade Germany to find out about the possibilities of fair purchasing. Photo: Wolfgang Kumm/dpa. Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 15 Mar 2019. Wolfgang Kumm/picture-alliance
Find out the key benefits of switching to an organic lifestyle this Organic Beauty & Wellbeing Week.
Every year, Organic September returns to raise awareness of the many benefits that organic products, food, and farming can bring.
With more and more people seeking solutions to help restore nature, health, and a safe climate, becoming part of the organic movement can make a world of difference.
As the campaign, run by the Soil Association, returns this month, alongside Organic Beauty & Wellbeing Week this week, find out the four key benefits of shifting to an organic lifestyle from the experts at soap company Dr. Bronner’s.
Better for Skin
The skin is the largest organ of the body and absorbs much of what comes into contact with it. When a product is put on the skin, synthetic chemicals enter into the bloodstream and can build up in the body over time. It is important to read and understand the ingredients label as awareness of the harmful ingredients found in non-organic skin care products is the best way to avoid them. Synthetic chemicals should be avoided as they have the potential to impact hormone health and may be carcinogenic.
Dr. Bronner’s uses plant-based, certified organic ingredients in its products, such as its Tea Tree Pure-Castile Liquid Soap. Green People is another all-natural brand.
Minimize Environmental Impact
Choosing organic products helps minimize the overall environmental impact of consumption. The footprint of organic products is drastically reduced compared to products made with ingredients from conventional agriculture or synthetic chemicals, which uses more fossil fuels to produce.
Water is Life
Unsurprisingly, chemical pesticides don’t break down in the environment, remaining in the water system for many years and building up in the body, made up of 60 percent water, through drinking, cooking, and bathing. This can cause many detrimental health conditions, especially in farming communities contaminated by these agricultural chemicals, such as low birth weight, congenital disabilities, neurological and behaviour problems, and cancer.
Organic production prohibits using such chemicals and instead uses alternative methods to control pests that are safer. Pesticides harmful to human health are prohibited for use on certified organic farms, limiting the threat of water contamination and leading to cleaner and safer water.
Protect the Earth’s Ecosystems
Organic processes can help nurture crop varieties, resulting in a healthier harvest, enhanced soil life, natural soil fertility, and water quality. As soil degradation is a serious issue that releases carbon into the atmosphere contributing to climate change, its preservation is essential for food security and a sustainable future. In order to continue the success of their crops, organic farmers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil to grow a variety of crops.
Farming organically is significantly less damaging to the environment than conventional agriculture and can also positively impact wildlife. By nourishing the soil within organic farms, this also promotes the wellness of bees, other pollinators, and various wildlife to contribute to a thriving holistic ecosystem that produces a healthy crop.
—Reuters
