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.

Onions: Eradicating Cold & Flu Viruses & Eliminating Fever

ONIONS ERADICATE BACTERIA AND VIRUS

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.

The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser. She said that several years ago, many of her employees were coming down with the flu, and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.

Now there is a P. S. to this for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:

Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story...but, I do know that I contacted pneumonia, and, needless to say, I was very ill... I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put it into an empty jar, and place the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs...sure enough it happened
just like that...the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

ONIONS AS A MEANS OF ELIMINATING FEVER

Cut and onion in half and place the cut side against the soles of the feet. Place a sock over each foot and rest. The onion should draw the fever out of the body into the onion overnight.

DO NOT REUSE ONIONS OR STORE AFTER CUTTING. THEY ARE POISONOUS BECAUSE THEY ABSORB BACTERIA.

Lots of times when we have stomach problems we don't know what to blame. Maybe it's the onions that are to blame. Onions absorb bacteria is the reason they are so good at preventing us from getting colds and flu and is
the very reason we shouldn't eat an onion that has been sitting for a time after it has been cut open.

Please remember it is dangerous to cut an onion and try to use it to cook the next day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.

ONE ANOTHER NOTE: MAYONNAISE

I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, Makers of mayonnaise. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.

Ed, who was our tour guide, is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe.

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the summer picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table, and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

Ed says that, when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the ONIONS, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion.. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.

It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!). Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

ONIONS ARE POISONOUS TO DOGS, AS THEY CANNOT METABOLIZE THEM.

As a small child, I had pneumonia 6 times. My Great Grandmother took an onion and pealed it, than sliced it and put it in a pan with enough water to cover the onion. She let it boil until the onion was transparent. She added a cup of white sugar and I had to drink it as hot as I could stand it. Than I was made to get into bed and sweat all night. The next day I took a hot shower and than a cool shower to close my pores. This is the only thing that saved my life.