Chemical fertilizers have been used to increase yields for many years in the U.S. and around the world. But more and more controversy has been raised in recent years.

Chemical fertilizers feed plants directly, bypassing and weakening the soil’s digestive system (worms, bacteria, etc). Eventually, the soil loses its ability to digest nutrition and becomes sterile.

Excessive chemical fertilizers applied can get into water systems and pollute our environment.

There is a significant amount of waste and energy expenditure associated with the production and transportation of chemical fertilizers.

On the other hand, organic fertilizers preserve and enrich the soil. They are slightly less effective in the short term since they need to be broken down by micro-organisms and earthworms before plants can utilize them. In the long run, however, they improve the overall health of the farmland or garden soil.

Organic fertilizers also save the energy that we now use to produce chemical fertilizers by allowing the soil’s digestive system to do its work.

There are about 10,000 chemicals and compounds in shampoos, soaps, lotions and cosmetics that we use everyday. Most of them have never been tested for safety.

Those that have been tested often contain unsafe ingredients to human health, such as those linked to cancer or disrupted hormones.

When these chemicals are washed down the drain , they eventually make to the water system and contaminate fish and other wildlife.

Many people are willing to spend more money on natural and organic shampoos and soaps. However, because of the lack of label regulation on personal care products, many “natural” or “organic” products are no different from the chemical ones.

You have to look hard to find a true organic product and understand where your body-care products come from.

Below are a few companies that are striving to provide true natural and organic products. Check them out.

1. Terressentials (www.terressentials.com).

2. Dr. Bronner’s soaps (www.DrBronner.com).

3. RidgeCrest Herbals (www.RidgecrestHerbals.com).