Glyphosate: What You’re Not Being Told
Most of us have seen it in hardware stores, in neighbor’s garages, or maybe even in our own sheds — those familiar bottles of herbicide, often labeled as “safe,” “effective,” and “trusted by farmers.” But what if the most common weed killer in America is also one of the most widespread environmental and public health threats of our time?
Let’s talk about glyphosate, the active ingredient in products like Roundup.
Originally patented in the 1960s as a descaling agent (to clean industrial pipes), glyphosate was later re-purposed by Monsanto in the 1970s as a chemical herbicide. With the introduction of genetically modified “Roundup Ready” crops, the chemical was marketed to farmers as a revolutionary solution: spray as much as you want — weeds will die, but your crops won’t.
It was pitched as a shortcut to better yields and fewer weeds. In reality, yields didn’t significantly improve, and the cost to soil, water, animals, and human health has far exceeded expectations.
Most of us have seen it in hardware stores, in neighbor’s garages, or maybe even in our own sheds — those familiar bottles of herbicide, often labeled as “safe,” “effective,” and “trusted by farmers.” But what if the most common weed killer in America is also one of the most widespread environmental and public health threats of our time?
Let’s talk about glyphosate, the active ingredient in products like Roundup.
Originally patented in the 1960s as a descaling agent (to clean industrial pipes), glyphosate was later re-purposed by Monsanto in the 1970s as a chemical herbicide. With the introduction of genetically modified “Roundup Ready” crops, the chemical was marketed to farmers as a revolutionary solution: spray as much as you want — weeds will die, but your crops won’t.
It was pitched as a shortcut to better yields and fewer weeds. In reality, yields didn’t significantly improve, and the cost to soil, water, animals, and human health has far exceeded expectations.
A Chemical That Doesn’t Stay Put
Glyphosate is water-soluble, meaning it moves freely through the environment. It doesn’t stay in the field where it was sprayed — it runs off into rivers, seeps into groundwater, evaporates into clouds, and returns as rainfall.
Over time, it has contaminated everything from drinking water to processed foods, even showing up in breast milk and umbilical cord blood. In pet exposure studies, glyphosate was found in nearly every dog and cat tested.
Along major rivers like the Mississippi, which drain vast agricultural lands, cancer rates have surged. These regions also report high rates of other chronic illnesses — a trend increasingly linked to chemical runoff from industrial farming.
The Human Health Impact
Glyphosate has been linked in scientific literature to:
Disruption of hormone function
Liver and kidney damage
Damage to the gut microbiome
Increased risk of certain cancers, especially non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Thousands of individuals have already taken legal action. After acquiring Monsanto, Bayer faced a wave of lawsuits alleging that Roundup caused cancer. Courts have ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding billions in damages and prompting Bayer to allocate over $10 billion in settlements.
A New Name, Same Story
As public awareness grows, glyphosate is slowly being phased out — but what’s replacing it may be even more dangerous.
Bayer’s newer herbicide, branded as Liberty, contains a different chemical: glufosinate. Though less familiar to the public, glufosinate is now raising similar concerns among researchers. Early studies suggest it may be linked to:
Neurological damage
Reproductive toxicity
Persistent environmental contamination
This chemical, too, is beginning to show up in soil, water, and food systems. Just like its predecessor, it’s being widely used before long-term safety is fully understood.
What You Can Do
This isn’t just a corporate issue or a government problem. It’s a community concern, a public health issue, and a personal responsibility.
Here are a few practical ways to take action:
Stop using glyphosate and glufosinate-based products on your property
Choose natural weed-control alternatives like vinegar, mulch, or hand-pulling
Talk to your neighbors, HOAs, schools, and parks about safer options
Educate yourself and share what you learn with friends and family
Contact your local representatives and demand legislation to ban these chemicals
Many countries around the world — including Germany, France, Austria, India, Vietnam, and Mexico — have already banned or severely restricted glyphosate. The United States has not.
That change won’t come unless we demand it.
Start With Awareness
Chemical exposure is a cumulative issue. The more we know, the more empowered we become to protect ourselves, our families, our pets, and our planet.
If you're looking to begin the process of detoxification, restore your gut health, or transition to a chemical-conscious lifestyle — I invite you to begin that journey. Awareness is the first step. Action is the next.
We do not need to accept this level of exposure as normal. We can grow gardens, raise our voices, and protect what matters most.
– Rose Kalajian
Clinical Herbalist | The Natural Health Hut