Beauty...
Be your own
kind of beautiful
Be your own
kind of beautiful
By Mollysims.com
PJ Harlow is a Holistic Health Practitioner committed to advancing the mold industry and fostering safe living environments. Drawing from her personal experiences with mold exposure and the difficulties she encountered with medical professionals, PJ is dedicated to equipping others with the knowledge and resources needed to address mold-related issues effectively. Viewing herself as a steward to the people, she employs a root-cause philosophy focused on nurturing a balanced indoor microbiome to support long-term immunity and overall well-being. In today’s episode, we explore how to manage your home’s health, including identifying molds and other toxins, and the steps to take once you find them.
“The most important thing to remember about mold is that it’s a byproduct of moisture. So in your home, wherever you have moisture—wherever you have plumbing—those are going to be the most common places: toilets, showers, washers, under your sinks, etc. Even in areas you don’t check as often, like bath toys or your toothbrush, we find mold. Basements are also common areas. When mold is sudden and accidental, such as if a washing machine overflows, you’re usually going to need immediate help. But if there’s a slow leak under the sink, for example, and you don’t see it for a while, you may not even know the growth is there.”
“Fatigue would probably be number one. In kids, eczema is one of the more significant issues we see. Other symptoms include nosebleeds, headaches, brain fog, and weight gain. There are also many hormonal issues, and symptoms may be similar to those of perimenopause, such as hot flashes. It affects the way your body creates your aromatase pathway. We also see a lot of gastrointestinal issues and gut problems, including the onset of celiac disease. Immune suppression is another major concern, so if you’re getting sick frequently, with ear infections, strep throat, etc., it could be related.”
“The biggest thing to remember about cleaning is that we’re not trying to kill. We all grew up thinking that to deal with mold, we should grab bleach and use it everywhere, but that’s totally wrong. It takes a lot of intention to move away from the ‘kill’ concept. Mold is not the same as bacteria. In situations where mold is dangerous and could create byproducts like mycotoxins, which can make you sick, you need to develop good habits. Mold needs to be removed, not just killed. Even if we kill mold, it doesn’t solve the problem because dead mold can still be toxic. To remove mold, you need a surfactant, such as soap or detergent. I recommend Branch Basics, but dish soap and water work as well. Remember, you have to clean before using a disinfectant for it to be effective. Most bottles indicate this anyway. It’s like cleaning in layers. Your home has its own microbiome, so in cleaning, you don’t want to overdo it. You should aim to keep a balance and avoid killing all the beneficial microbes that help keep everything in check. We’re not meant to live in sterility.”
