The pits about Deodorant (recipes inside!)

Jan 7

Jan 7 The pits about Deodorant (recipes inside!)

I started reading labels more carefully a few years ago. When I looked more closely at a warning on my deodorant, I was baffled...

Fraicheur the vert antiperspirant and deodorant roll-on back label.jpg

Why is it not a good idea for those with Kidney disease? Well, kidneys are filter organs and when they aren't working properly, it puts people at higher risk for complications when they are putting TOXIC chemicals and heavy metals on/ in their body for renal failure. How had I not seen this before?

With the rise in Breast Cancer and Alzheimers (read this!) it makes one pause. I knew from my education that Breast cancers occur most frequently in upper outer quadrant of the breast. This is just adjacent to the Axilla (or arm pit)... where we start applying aluminum laden toxic deodorants on that very area where lymph nodes and blood vessels are filtering and communicating with the Breast.

We learned that toxic chemicals are crossing the barrier from Mom to baby's placenta in pregnancy (read this!) so when I became pregnant, I became more aware of the places potential harm may be hiding and my conventional deodorant was definitely one likely place!

So folks... it's time to embrace the fact that... it is not Natural to NOT sweat. It's also NOT natural to use heavy metals to clog pores to impede that normal bodily function of sweating. What did we think the consequence was going to be?

I'm here to say, take courage! You can do this! Here are some easy steps to make the transition and my votes for DIY non-toxic deodorants:

1. Prepare for the transition - your pores have been clogged with this toxic sludge for how long!? Your body needs to detox.

Create a bentonite Clay mask with a Tablespoon of bentonite clay, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 5 drops Rosemary essential oil, and a teaspoon of water. Allow the mask to dry on your arm pits (about 15-20 minutes) before you wash off with warm water and a washcloth. It may cause some redness which is perfectly normal.
strip your wash. Deodorant residue has been building up in the arm pit area of your clothing without you realizing it. Its time to soak and strip that nastiness from your clothes to prevent odor when you perspire in your "clean clothes". I love to use Thieves household cleaner with a touch of vinegar to spray liberally on the arm pits of my clothing prior to washing with a cap of that same Thieves household cleaner in the wash.
prepare to have a few days of smelling not so fresh as your body purges these toxins from the arm pit area. If you find yourself smelling less than fresh, use a cotton pad with witch hazel to gently but effectively clean the area if soap and water aren't a possibility.

2. Be consistent. After all of your work to ditch the toxic deodorant, stay strong through your transition. Your body will thank you!

3. Mind your diet! Unfortunately, we know that sugar and copious carbs (that turn into more sugar) aren't good for us.... but, did you know that the cleanliness of your diet directly affects the cleanliness of the odor coming from your arm pits. The cleaner you eat (aka no process food and sugar), the happier that area will be and the less your body will have to purge and stink!

4. Make yourself an easy DIY natural deodorant! Your "solid" deodorant is going to be more like a paste if you use a recipe that doesn't include Beeswax - so smooth it on like a lotion.

Combine and melt the following in a double boiler adding essential oils at the end before solidification (I use a 4 Cup glass measuring cup in a pot of water and the mixture fits into a 3 oz. container).

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 T unrefined coconut oil
2 1/2 T unrefined shea butter
1/4 cup arrowroot starch/flour
2 T baking soda
6 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops grapefruit essential oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil

Another option is this super simple Spray on recipe!

Combine the following in a 2oz glass spray bottle:

1/4 C Witch Hazel or Ethanol Alcohol (the higher the proof the stronger the odor protection and ethanol is not known to be a skin irritant like Isopropyl Alcohol can be)
2 teaspoons white vinegar
15 drop Essential Oil of your choosing - (Lavender, grapefruit, geranium, bergamot, tea tree are all good options by themselves or combined various ways)
shake and spray liberally!

BUT... if I'm truly confessing here...

One of my ABSOLUTE favorite deodorants is actually my TOOTHPASTE! I use the Thieves Aromabright toothpaste which combines the power of baking soda, coconut oil and essential oils like Cinnamon, Clove, Lemon, and Peppermint. It is instantly cooling to the skin, non irritating and has held up really well on the HUMID hot southern summer days. It is seriously amazing stuff and it makes my day that when I'm staying at the hospital between my shifts, I only have to pack one tube of toothpaste to be used to clean my teeth and prevent arm pit odor! I love a good multi-tasker!

So, let me know... which recipes have worked best for you? What was your transition experience?: Keep at it ladies and gents. This is a really important ditch and switch to make for a happy, healthy future!