Here's how to make a natural deodorant to stop smelling armpits

There is an area of ​​the body that requires very special attention: the armpits. While some can go a whole day without applying deodorant, for most of us, using a natural product is in order.

Sweating – Source: spm

Why do we sweat?

Would you like to stop sweating? You are wrong ! Contrary to popular belief, sweating is far from bad luck! It performs several very important functions. The first is internal heat regulation. Through an exchange of liquids on the surface of the skin, the body will thus be able to evacuate excess heat. In order to intelligently support this function, it is better to wear clothes that allow air to circulate and that are not too tight in the armpits. Then, know that it is thanks to perspiration that you eliminate waste, the content of which is similar to that of urine (urea, uric acid, lactic acid, etc.). The eccrine sweat glands secrete this clear and relatively odorless liquid, containing water, minerals and waste products. And finally, the third function of perspiration is to produce a sufficiently strong smell, the purpose of which is to give those around you a signal of distress or danger. The apocrine sweat glands are in charge of this function which is brought on by stress. As you may have noticed, times of stress lead to increased sweating!

Bad smell perspiration – Source: spm

And why the hell do we smell bad?

The apocrine glands are located mainly in the armpits and around the genitals. They produce a relatively thick sweat which contains proteins and lipids (sebum) which soften the skin and protect it. This liquid mixture provides the ideal nourishment for certain bacteria found on our skin. It is these bacteria that are responsible for the more or less pleasant odors associated with our perspiration. Indeed, it should be known that any living being that eats inevitably rejects waste. And those rejected by this flora living under our armpits are very fragrant! The less you wash, the more this sweat accumulates, giving bacteria a king's feast. Frequent washing, twice a day, is therefore sometimes necessary to control the development of odors.

Deodorant – Source: spm

The classic strategy, everything not to do!

The classic approach to deodorant is to block the sebaceous glands and prevent them from producing sweat. This is the role of aluminum salts so disputed today and implicated in many health problems. But anyway, with or without aluminum, blocking an elimination function is never recommended. This certainly helps mask odors on the surface, but deep down, waste accumulates and cannot be evacuated.

The natural, smarter solution!

A natural deodorant should aim to reduce and mask odors, controlling the spread of bacteria using natural antibacterial substances, without inhibiting sweat production. The problem is that you don't really have a choice in the market. So why not prepare it yourself? It is true that the realization is not as simple as buying a bottle in a supermarket. And the effectiveness can be variable because we do not all react in the same way to the same product. But all "homemade" deodorants meet the essential specifications: zero toxins, 100% natural. Not so bad, all the same!

Alum stone – Source: spm

Alum stone, a solution?

A few words about this translucent stone so vaunted in recent years. The first commercially available form contains potassium alum, extracted from a rock called alunite. Its molecular size is such that, according to vendors, aluminum cannot penetrate through the skin. The molecules would be eliminated during the shower or by perspiration. The second available form is reconstituted from the remnants of the textile chemical industry. It contains ammonium alum, and is sold under the name of alum stone too. And yet, it's anything but a natural option, which again reminds us that marketing can be very deceiving. Whether we're talking about the first or the second form, let's be clear: the body never needed aluminum to function. There is no such thing as an "aluminum deficiency" state. On the contrary, aluminum is toxic. And, natural or not, these stones contain aluminum. Moreover, no study would confirm the fact that these crystals are indeed too large not to enter our system. So as a precautionary principle: avoid these stones.

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Liquid deodorant

Here is a quick and easy recipe to prepare. The first quality of this deodorant, linked to the tannic acid of certain plants, is its astringency. This means that it can tighten the pores of the skin, literally tanning them. Tannins tone the skin and mucous membranes and give them a certain firmness. They cover our skin with a thin layer that will slow down secretions without eliminating them. It is the witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) which will provide us with its tannins. This plant is often used for external applications, whether to firm up tired legs -result of venous insufficiency-, or to tighten a weeping wound. It is relatively neutral in smell and provides a good base for this deodorant. Buy a witch hazel hydrosol at a health food store. To perfume it, what better than essential oils (see box)? Especially since they are antibacterial and therefore reduce the amount of bacteria responsible for the unpleasant smell of sweat. Place 1 tablespoon of vodka in a spray bottle. Add 30 drops of essential oils of your choice and mix well (alcohol is necessary to dilute the essential oils first, in order to then incorporate them into the hydrosol in a second step). Then add 100 ml of witch hazel hydrosol to the bottle. Mix and your deodorant is ready to use. You can use other hydrosols instead of witch hazel, such as lavender for fragile and inflamed[1] skin, or rose, which will be slightly astringent and very floral. These hydrosols will generally be more aromatic and therefore more pleasant on the nose, but less effective in controlling secretions.

Some mixtures of essential oils (for 100 ml of witch hazel hydrosol)

Lavender essential oil – Source: spm

Mixture 1 for men:

Lemon drops – Source: spm

Mix 2 for men:

Ceylon cinnamon – Source: spm

Blend 1 for women:

Ylang ylang – Source: spm

Mix 2 for women:

Solid deodorant

The solid deodorant is close to the consistency of the famous commercial "stick". It takes a little longer to prepare, but more practical to carry in your bag.

The ingredients described below can be found in natural product stores. Oils and beeswax provide the nourishing base. Arrowroot powder provides a softening effect on the skin and adds extra consistency to the deodorant. Essential oils are the fragrant and antibacterial part.

Shea butter – Source: spm

You will need a small glass jar with a lid to preserve your deodorant

Place the sweet almond oil in a container in a bain-marie. Melt the coconut oil and shea butter in it. Then add the beeswax. Once the wax has melted, add the arrowroot powder. Mix to obtain a homogeneous liquid. Pour into a small glass jar and let cool. When you see the mixture begin to freeze on the walls of the jar (you will see an opaque ring appear), add the essential oils, mix one last time to incorporate the oils, then place the lid without waiting.

The quest for the perfect deodorant

Coming up with the perfect natural deodorant is more of an art than a science. It's an iterative process that requires curiosity and a few unsuccessful tries. In addition, the appeal of the final product depends on personal taste, some will prefer a different consistency or flavors than those offered. But the quest is worth it, the application of chemical cosmetics on the skin is a huge source of stress for some of our organs like the liver.

When you experiment with homemade deodorants, do the first tests at home with clothes that fear nothing. A little adaptation time may indeed be necessary, especially if you are used to conventional antiperspirant deodorants on the market. After experimenting with our leads, you can embark on your own experiments by choosing the perfumes that suit you best. The place is yours!

Turmeric – Source: spm

Turmeric, news a safe and effective alternative for osteoarthritis!

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints that frequently hinders our movements. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the main drug remedy for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis with numerous side effects. Curcuminoids are polyphenol phytochemicals identified in turmeric with established anti-inflammatory properties with protective effects on our cartilage cells, chondrocytes. Two groups of knee osteoarthritis patients received in one study either 1500 mg of curcuminoids in three divided doses or a placebo for six weeks. The results showed significant improvements in joint pain and function for the turmeric group…and with no adverse effects noted.

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