Importance of Hand Washing
Hand washing today is now considered probably the most important element in personal hygiene. In fact it has become such a mechanical part of our lives that we think people have been washing their hands for uncounted millennia. Sadly, this is not true. Even though many religions have been practicing ritual hand washing with water there was no link between germs and hand washing until the year 1846, a mere 150 years ago!
It was then that a Hungarian doctor, Ignaz Semmelweis, working in Vienna General Hospital, noticed that women giving birth in the doctor-run maternity ward were much more likely to develop a fever and die compared to the women giving birth in the nearby midwife-run birthing center. Upon investigation of the differences between the two settings he noticed that doctors were frequently visiting the ward immediately after performing an autopsy while the midwives had not. Still not aware of the unseen dangers of germs and bacteria, Semmelweis claimed the doctors were carrying “cadaverous particles” on their hands and demanded all doctors wash their hands with either soap or ash before entering the maternity ward. Response was fierce from a medical community not used to being blamed for transmitting fevers but the majority complied and rates of fever were reduced dramatically. It was just a few years later when, during the Crimean War, a true champion of hand washing named Florence Nightingale demanded that all medical personnel wash their hands to limit the spread of infections.
Many things we touch with our hands are hotbeds of germ activity. To cite one example human or animal feces is an important source of Salmonella and E. Coli. Using the toilet, changing a diaper or even handling raw meat, which can harbor small amounts of animal feces, all can be crowded with bacteria and germs. Just one gram of feces, which weighs as much as a paper clip, can contain one trillion germs!
Hand washing can prevent infections and diseases because:
People’s hands frequently touch their face, eyes, nose and ears, which are easy entry points for infections and disease
Germs from unwashed hands can get into food and drink while people prepare them. Germs can actually multiply in certain foods and drinks.
Touching inanimate objects, like handrails, tabletops, toys and supermarket shopping carts, can facilitate germ transfer causing the next person to touch the object to pick up the germs.
Toxin Free Body & Personal Care Products | Gifts of Nature Organics
For these reasons, our staff at Gifts of Nature Organics have developed a powerful, all natural, and organic hand soap with a handy pump top to facilitate frequent hand washing. Containing a castile soap base, aloe vera and 10 different essential oils this is a perfect way to rid your hands of germs without using any harmful chemicals or toxins. Put this soap in your bathroom and when you go out throw our natural and organic hand sanitizer in your pocket! Just a quick spritz with this handy 2 oz. bottle will keep germs at bay while you’re on the go. Our products will assist you with a holistic approach to health and wellness, as well as help keep you safe until COVID-19 is under control.
As always, all of our cold & flu, skincare, body, and hair care products are all natural, organic, and toxin free!