Natural Deodorant Alternatives

Since I learned about aluminum in normal antiperspirant, I have been searching for the best non-toxic deodorant alternatives. For whatever reason, most “natural” deodorants don’t work for me – they don’t deodorize my underarms (how unladylike!) or if they do work, it's only for a limited time and then I have to switch again.

You can try the recipe below or you can try the natural crystal deodorants, which I find also work well and can be found in may drugstores or natural health food stores. The only issue that many people experience with crystal deodorants is that you will sweat, which is actually very natural and healthy. Our pores shouldn't be clogged, because this the way our bodies cool down when we are over-heated, but if you prefer little to no seating, experiment with a combination of natural alternatives to find something that works for you.

Instructions

1. In a reusable and resealable container, mix 1 part baking soda with 6 parts cornstarch.  
2. Close the container and shake vigorously for about a minute, to thoroughly mix the two powders.  
3. Then dab a small amount to the skin of your armpits with a soft cotton cloth, cotton ball, or cosmetic applicator.  Apply as if you were lightly applying baby powder or cosmetic powder.

Notes:

• The application should last at least a day – for me it lasts at least 2 days!  
• This method hasn’t left any stains or residues on my white or black clothing.  It seems to do better than normal deodorant in that regard! (Still, of course use caution with expensive and/or hard-to-clean items, as you would with any deodorant.)
• A nice way to store your deodorant powder is in an antique cosmetic jar (above), which you can pick up at a garage sale or thrift store.

More Information

1. Aluminum is a neurotoxin, and is found in most antiperspirants.  It has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease, respiratory illnesses, reduced renal function, and DNA damage. Find out more here, here and here.  You should be able to find aluminum-free baking soda (aka sodium bicarbonate) in your local health food store. Note at 7pm:  After receiving a few notes from readers, I’ve done some extensive research, and found that aluminum is used to make baking powder, but not baking soda. … So it looks like any old baking soda will do!
2. The parabens in many antiperspirants may be linked to breast cancer, and there are possible complications associated with SLS in deodorants.
3. Curious how conventional antiperspirants work?  Find out here.
4. If you decide that straight baking soda isn’t right for you, you might try “The Rock” or use one of the recipes here or here for homemade deodorant.

Alum: Treating Infection & Gangrene

I recently found out about a little known use for alum in treating infection and gangrene.


My cousin's mother used alum to clear up a nasty case of gangrene in his brother following his return from WWII. He arrived home with fever, a debilitating knee injury and a severe case of gangrene in the knee wound. Although it appeared he would lose the leg and possibly his life, his mother was determined he would not only live, but keep the leg, too. While walking with a slight limp for the remainder of his life, he did, in fact, keep the leg.


She began by immediately cleaning the wound with soap and hot water. She followed this by packing the wound with powdered alum and bandaging it comfortably, but snuggly. She changed the bandage twice a day, thoroughly cleaning the wound each time she would unwrap the bandages and removing the powdered alum from the wound. She would then repack it once again and rewrap it. Mom would continue this action until the wound appeared to be healing nicely, with no redness, inflammation or soreness around the wound, but a nice healthy pink appeared and was only tender to the touch.


It is important to know that cleaning the infection multiple times a day is an absolute must. Alum, while wonderful at drawing infection out, will also dry out the whole entire area where it's applied. If left untended to over even a short period of time, it will cause the wound to be unable to heal at all. Please keep this in mind when using alum to help draw out infection and clean and reapply and re-bandage wounds frequently.