Thursday, November 11, 2010

Homemade deodorant

Commercial deodorant unfortunately use aluminum as the primary ingredient. Aluminum found in the human body has been linked to serious healthy problems--from Alzheimers to cancer to auto immune diseases. Needless to say, it is something that should be avoided rather than being used on a daily basis on the surface of the skin, blocking proper lymphatic drainage. When one uses commercial deodorant and/or anti-perspirant, he/she is effectively halting the body's natural elimination process. With lymph nodes under the armpit, the body's natural process is to drain and release toxins through sweat out of the skin. By blocking this with a harmful element, i.e. aluminum we may smell better temporarily, but at what cost?
Having switched to all natural deodorants (various brands including Tom's, Crystals, Jason's and more) and having made spray deodorants in the past, I have never found one that didn't require repeat applications throughout the day...until recently. My new cousin-in-law lent it to me.
The following recipe can be tweaked, but the basic recipe calls for:
1/4 C ~Baking Soda
1/4 C ~Arrow Root or Tapioca Starch (you can substitute corn starch, but i would stay away
from GMO, non-organic brands)
3 Tbs ~Coconut oil (preferably unrefined, cold pressed, organic)
Your favourite essential oils for scent and theraputic properties, you can't go wrong with tea
tree oil, but for a more feminine scent, I have found Rose and Jasmine to be lovely.
Mix with a fork and applied. Makes a smooth paste that can be chilled to harden, applied with ease and works all day.
Cocoa butter and/or Shea butter can be used instead of coconut oil producing a naturally harder consistency.
**Please note, Coconut oil can permeate clothing, for best results apply at night before bedtime, or allow time to dry before putting clothes on.

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