We have all been told that burning gas and oil for heating and hot water is bad for the environment but now the scientist, behind the big push to stop us using oil and gas, have come up with another problem; WOOD.

Since 1990, scientists have been calculating the damage done by the passive inhalation of wood smoke particles based on finding for tobacco smoke and vehicle emissions. Forget diesel and petrol vehicle emissions, it appears that wood smoke is high up there when it comes to premature deaths in Europe.

The EU scientists claim that in the UK alone more than 32,000 people die silent premature deaths from passive wood smoke inhalation. For the whole of Europe that figure rises to well over 600,000, with many from newly joined members. If these figures are to be believed, and I have yet to find any reasons why not, then this is a serious problem to all of us. Encouraged to replace gas and oil burners with wood burners, as advised by scientist and environmentalists, because wood burners are carbon neutral to help slow global warming, we are increasing the number of premature deaths in the country.

One study threw up the following figures, which make for disturbing reading. One gas furnace produces 0.002 gr/hr of particulate pollution and a none certified wood burning stove would emit 10 gr/hr. So if 30 houses with wood burners ran for an hour they will produce as much particulate pollution as 30,000 houses burning gas to the same temperature for one hour.

Even wood pellet boilers, the new eco kid on the block, produce 1gr/hr so not as clean as claimed. On the upside, they are nine times lower in emissions than wood burners.

This is not an old problem for when the lungs of Egyptian mummies were checked during autopsy found high levels of wood smoke damage, no doubt from the many fire inside buildings.

Therefore, what steps can be taken to minimise the problem? One is to make sure if you have a wood burner, it is checked and running well as this will reduce the emissions and fuel consumption. Two, use only seasoned, dry wood on the burner. Three, if you want to continue with wood consider a change to wood chip or wood pellet boilers. Finally, in the garden compost rather than burn as this too has a massive effect on the neighbourhood and the family.

With the wind the United Kingdom has been having lately my mind turned to my great hero, Ebenezer Scrooge, who invested in heavy curtains to keep out the draughts and the ghosts. Why my mind went there I have no idea, but it did prompt me to look at using curtains to cut down on heat loss through draughty doors and windows.

For years the material used has been made from heavy cottons that are responsible for a third of the worlds use of harmful chemicals and man made fertilisers, bad not only for the environment, the farmers and workers but for the consumer. The cotton, treated with chemicals to whiten the fabric, breaks down over time giving off harmful vapours into our homes and workplaces.

However, there are a number of companies who now produce organic cotton material with stabilised natural colour prints. These really do make a difference from the organic cottons of just five years ago when the shades available were off white or oat meal. Have a look at www.householdandgardenaddresses.co.uk for some ideas or the established designer Emily Todhunter who has branched out into organic hemp for a thicker, soft alternative. www.todhunterearle.com Another lead is the company that produces luxurious fabrics in a non-toxic, ethical and sustainable way by the community businesses they support, Ecotextiles. www.ecotextiles.com

Not wanting to buy new then there are a number of agencies who have a curtain exchange service so you can go on line or visit the shop and pick up good quality, second hand curtains. www.thecurtainexchange.co.uk And for those in search of something different there is also the vintage curtains flooding in from Eastern Europe to be found on ebay (just make sure you know what you are buying so there are no surprises) or www.countryhouseantiquetextiles.co.uk

What ever you choose, by stopping heat loss at dusk through uncovered doors and windows you will bring heating costs down, thus helping reduce your carbon footprint whilst keeping the family cosy too.

Being the time of colds and congestion, thoughts turn to mass produced medicines but why not try out plants from the garden.  A small window box planted up and placed in a sunny window will suffice is no garden space is available.  Collecting from trees or visiting the local herb shop will also provide the parts of the mix needed to produce healthy, cold busting steams and poultices.

Chamomile, sage, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, Melissa, peppermint mint, rosemary, and thyme are all easy to grow herbs and a walk in the woods or down the high street will provide basil, cedar wood, eucalyptus leaves, geranium leaves (scented), hop flowers, orange peel, pine tree sap, and rose petals to make up a wonderful collection to experiment with.

A mix of boiling water, a pinch of thyme, eucalyptus leaves, geranium leaves and rosemary will provide a great decongestant and room freshener.  The use of pine, lavender and hop flowers will get anyone moving if soaked in hot water, drained and placed in a cotton bag to hang near a bed or around the neck.  Just make sure the contents have cooled down first.  After a few hours the contents can be burnt on a home fire or put into the compost bin whilst the bag can be reused later.

Cedar wood is great for keeping moths at bay and helpful for congestion if a piece is kept under or to the side of the bed. Experiment with the above natural products to make a scent you like but remember these are for external use only.   Go to a trained and qualified herbalist near you for drinks and potions.  Go to
www.nimh.org.uk for a herbalist near you in the UK or look up international herbalist on the WWW.