“Your lips drip nectar, my bride; honey and milk are under your tongue; the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.” Song of Solomon 4:11 ESV
This post is based on my personal experience and beliefs. My experiences may not be the same as your own.
Why natural deodorant?
A few months following my health issues a few years ago, I found a tiny bump under my armpit. It scared me greatly and the very first thing I did was vow to never wear antiperspirant ever again.
Y’all, in case you didn’t know, that stuff is toxic! Not only does it stop a God-created bodily function from occurring (in case you didn’t know, sweat is a method our body uses to detox!), but it also puts those toxic chemicals and heavy metals right back into the skin- right on top of our ever-important lymph nodes and, in women, way too close to breast tissue.
Our skin is an organ. Our largest one! Anything we put on it, it literally “eats” about 64% (or more!!) of. So, unless you find the idea of munching on your antiperspirant stick appealing, why would we regularly put it on our skin?
I know, I know. Because of the stank! Right? Well, friends, I had heard of good results with homemade deodorants- I had just never had enough nerve to try any. That was, until I found that bump.
I literally threw my stick in the trash can right then and went to the kitchen. There were certain ingredients I knew helped combat moisture and smell, so I went to work. I was able to make it with things I already had in the house!
My first use
I began using it each day to test it out (I’m a stay-at-home-homeschooling mama so I couldn’t offend too many people if it didn’t work as planned!) and lo and behold, it worked great! The true test was when I had a full day event at our church the following weekend. I would be in a room with a lot of people from breakfast until dinner and to be honest, I was worried. In preparation and expectation of epic failure, I threw another stick I had in my bag.
But I didn’t need it! I literally kept going to the bathroom to privately smell my pits and there wasn’t any odor! WHAT?!?! Amazing! And did I mention I was living in Florida?
The test of time
It’s been years since then, and I’ve never used a stick again. This has been a life-saver. I’ve made it for my older children who are a tween and pre-teen and it works great on them also! This mama feels great knowing I’m not putting anything on them that would harm their young and developing systems. <3
And that bump? GONE. I believe it is thanks to this amazing deodorant with the detoxifying effects of bentonite clay, as well as our improved diet/lifestyle. Simply amazing!
Give this a try and see if it works for you too!
DIY Deodorant:
1/2 c. baking soda
1/2 c. arrowroot powder
1/4 c. melted shea butter (using a double boiler method)
3/4 c. coconut oil
10-20 drops essential oils (lavender is gentle on skin, is a natural antibacterial, and doesn’t have an overpowering smell)
After melting the shea butter (double boiler style), add all ingredients to the same saucepan. Mix well using a fork to break any lumps. Spoon into your desired container and let cool before using.
To apply, use your finger to take a pea-sized amount and rub on your clean armpit. Repeat for the other side.
Reapply as needed.
NOTES:
***Depending on where you live, the climate you live in, and the temperature of your home, you may need to tweak this recipe just a tiny bit. Because of the coconut oil, the temperature will affect the consistency of the mixture. In warmer climates, it will be softer, and easy to use, but in colder climates, it will become hard. You should be able to remedy this by adding a little more shea butter if you’re in a cold climate. BUT, no matter where you live and what the consistency, it still WORKS! If it’s hard, you may just have to use your fingers to warm it up before applying.
***Remember, this does not (and should not) STOP the natural process of perspiration. This means, if you are working up a sweat, you will feel moisture. This doesn’t happen often for me in social settings, but I keep a small jar of plain ol’ bentonite clay powder in my purse and dab it on if I need to dry out a bit. But I find that if I’m not keeping my arms tightly down at my sides at all times, thereby blocking air flow, this is rarely an issue.
***Many, myself included, who have gone to a whole-foods plant-based lifestyle by eliminating meat, dairy, eggs, processed foods, etc. have reported having less severe body odor. Looking to get started on a plant-based lifestyle? Start HERE!
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