What’s Natural, What’s Not, and What the Heck’s Organic?
Natural
There is a growing trend for “natural” and “organic” products, and labels can be confusing. “Natural” means that the ingredients used are derived from substances occurring in nature, not from a laboratory.
Some companies describe their products as natural because they contain, for example, lavender or rosemary, which may be simply artificial fragrances, not essential oils. Careful investigation of the label usually reveals the presence of synthetic substances.
Un-Natural
Generally, an un-natural substance is man-made in a laboratory. There are many, but following are some of the most common ones.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a synthetic known to cause rashes and allergic reactions.
Methyl, ethyl, butyl, or propyl parabens inhibit microbial growth but are highly toxic and cause many allergic reactions. Parabens are the most common ingredients in toiletries for humans or animals.
Synthetic colors, which are labeled as D&C and a color and a number,are often carcinogenic. Most are made from coal tars.
Synthetic fragrance is usually labeled simply as “fragrance.” Some of the problems associated with these artificial scents include rashes, headaches, irritation, or even vomiting.
Products containing TEA, DEA, and MEA are ethanolamines and are used as preservatives and in detergents. They are allergenic and can be toxic if absorbed over a long period.
Petrolatums and petroleum derivatives, including petroleum jelly, are made from the same stuff we are drilling for in the Middle East. They are allergenic and interfere with natural moisturizers. Avoid them.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is used in grooming products and also is the stuff used to make plastic containers.
When considering the deficits of synthetics, consider this: Some pet care products are so toxic, they are listed as hazardous waste materials and must be collected at special sites. You don’t want these things on you OR your pets.
Organic
The term “organic” is fairly straightforward in botanicals. It means the substances are grown without pesticides. That means no toxic fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, or fumigants. It means the ingredients are processed without the use of harmful, chemical preservatives, and that they have not been modified genetically or irradiated.
At Parsley Hollow, we use ingredients that are made from organically grown plants. We prefer not to use animal derivatives, not even honey or beeswax, as we think that is kind of exploitive of bees! We do not use synthetics or synthetic preservatives, fragrances, or dyes. We don’t put petrolatum in our formulas.
Certified Organic Soap, made from saponified oil and coconut oils, is the base for our shampoo.
We want only natural, organic, and pure ingredients to touch our animals, and we know that you do, too. Using Parsley Hollow products is a loving way to show your affection for your companion animals.