by Felicia Marie Tomasko, RN, E-RYT, of TheHolisticOption.com
In general, hand-washing and hand sanitation using hand sanitizers are shown through a number of studies to reduce transmission of colds and flus, stomach upsets and GI issues. While good old-fashioned hand washing with soap, water and especially friction caused by rubbing the hands together is important, people may not actually practice it enough, especially young children. Sanitizers based on alcohol depend on the antibacterial effects of the alcohol itself but they can also dry out and irritate the skin, and can even be toxic if used too frequently or if someone is sensitive. Alcohol-free instant hand sanitizers have been shown to be as effective—and even more effective if they’re actually used—than handwashing in reducing school absenteeism in young children in a study published in the journal Family Medicine in 2000 [Family Medicine, 2000, 32(9):633-8, by Dr. Dyer, et al at Woodward Laboratories]. What makes products effective is not necessarily the product itself, but if the hands are being washed or sanitized.
When considering soaps, parents may want to be careful of triclosan, a popular ingredient in antibacterial soaps which can be toxic. Soap does not have to be labeled antibacterial soap to be effective, it is the process of washing the hands, utilizing friction and rubbing the hands together with soap which are all effective.
CleanWell (www.cleanwelltoday) is an alcohol-free hand sanitizer product whose product base includes antimicrobial essential oils, including oil of thyme, which has antibacterial properties. Clean George (www.cleangeorge.com) is a product I’ve used personally with good effect. It contains tea tree oil and manuka oil, and it actually has a moisturizing rather than a drying effect. Many essential oils are natural antiseptics, including tea tree, lavender, rosemary, thyme, jasmine, tuberose, basil and oregano. Parents should not necessarily use pure essential oils for this purpose as they may be too strong, but could look for soaps, hand sanitizers or other products containing these essential oils. A kid-friendly hand wash containing essential oils and other oils is For My Kids All-Natural Hand Wash (www.formykidsonline.com). Debra Lynn Dadd’s book Home Safe Home (page 110) gives recipes for a make-your-own hand sanitizer with aloe vera gel and essential oils.
