The members of the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada learned recently that there are 45,000 toxins in the air we breathe everyday. Barbara Spiegel, M.A. guest speaker at the Wednesday luncheon meeting of the club held at Van de Kamp Hall at Descanso Gardens, revealed some frightening statistics about toxins in our environment.

“You must read labels,” warned Spiegel, “and you must be educated.”     She noted that toothpaste commonly used contains sodium chloride sulfate and that the label warns that it should not be swallowed.

“There are 515 chemicals women put on their faces everyday,” she continued, noting further that classrooms where children routinely spend their time, contain no fewer than 420 toxins.

“Seventy-five percent of cancers are caused by environmental toxins,” she told the audience, adding that 90% of cancers can be attributed to diet and the environment.

Spiegel offered hope in proposing that there are many ways of avoiding toxins and noted that the use of essential oils is one way to dispel toxins. She said that therapeutic essential oils used in aromatherapy are an excellent way to overcome toxins and that these oils are “nature’s living energy.” She explained how lavender helps subdue headaches, heals burns, is calming and helps people sleep, and is also a mood lifter. Peppermint oil is helpful for motion sickness, reduction of fever, weight loss and enhanced concentration.

The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada meets weekly at noon at Descanso Gardens on Wednesdays and welcomes new members. Weekly luncheons typically provide for interesting and informative speakers. The major thrust of the work of Kiwanis clubs around the world is focused on helping children.

  kiwanis, SPIEGEL