Jackie Ritz

Let’s tackle a subject no one wants to talk about—sweaty armpits, and what to do about it. It’s my guess that this is one of the most difficult transitions to a more natural lifestyle. After all, no one wants to compromise on the topic of body odor. It’s pretty obvious that we all need a good deodorant and it’s the reason I’ve included three homemade deodorant recipes in my brand new book, The Home Apothecary: Home Crafted Recipes Using Herbs & Essential Oils. More and more people are learning the dangers of conventional, store-bought deodorant and they are wondering how to switch to natural deodorant (without stinking). The more we sweat, the more we stink. But lacking confidence in natural deodorant products and/or the overriding fear of showing up at an important occasion with sweaty armpits keeps many from taking the plunge to au natural deodorants.

Let’s look at both sides of this issue in this post:

• What’s wrong with conventional deodorants and antiperspirants?
• What’s right about using natural deodorants?

What’s Wrong with Conventional Deodorants and Antiperspirants?

Every day many people spray or slather on deodorant products under their arms—in a sensitive spot where many lymph nodes lie just under the surface of the skin. These products may stop the sweat—but a more important consideration is what effect their ingredients have on our bodies.

Let’s start with what is different between deodorants and antiperspirants. Sweating is the way our bodies cool down. Sweat has no odor, it’s the bacteria that lives on our skin that causes body odor. Deodorants neutralize the odor and kill the bacteria that produces it. Some deodorants contain harmful ingredients, but some have only safe natural ingredients. We will take a look at these natural deodorants in just a bit. Antiperspirants prevent sweating by blocking the pores using aluminum. No sweat—no body odor. It’s antiperspirants containing aluminum (among other harmful chemicals) that I want us to take a closer look at in this blog.

The dangers of aluminum

Aluminum salts—in the form of aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium, aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum hydroxybromide—prevent you from sweating when aluminum ions are drawn into the cells that line the sweat ducts, causing the cells to swell and squeezing the ducts closed so sweat cannot get out.

Aluminum has been associated with several health issues, including:

1. Breast cancer—most breast cancers develop in the upper outer part of the breast, the area closest to the armpit. The chemicals in antiperspirants are absorbed in the skin, particularly when the skin is nicked during shaving. These chemicals interact with DNA and led to cancerous changes in cells.
2. Alzheimer’s Disease—research has shown that Alzheimer’s patients often have abnormally high aluminum levels in the brain. Data gained through research indicates that aluminum can contribute to all types of Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Bone disorders—Aluminum is easily absorbed by your intestines and is quickly transported to your bones. When Aluminum reaches the bone area it interferes with the mineralization process and affects the growth of your bone cells. As a toxic metal, when Aluminum remains in your bone for a long time it can lead to additional bone related conditions such as renal osteodystrophy.
4. Kidney problems—According to some clinical studies, kidneys eliminate lots of aluminum from our bodies; however, when kidney function is impaired seriously (usually less than 30% of original kidney function is left), they fails to discharge excess aluminum effectively and timely, which can lead to increase of aluminum level in blood. Under such a condition, if kidney failure patients take antiperspirants, further increase of aluminum level in blood will be caused. 

Other dangerous chemicals in antiperspirants

The most common chemical ingredients found in deodorants and antiperspirants besides aluminum are:

1. Parabens—these can interfere with the body’s hormone production, and have been suspected in breast cancer
2. Triclosan—this is a pesticide that reduces or prevents bacterial contamination. When combined with water, it can creat the carcinogenic gas chloroform.
3. Phthalates—these are plasticizers that have been linked to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity, autism, altered reproductive development, and fertility issues.

In addition to these common chemicals, many antiperspirants and some deodorants also contain toxins like steareths, triethanolamine, diethanolamine, and artificial colors. It makes good healthy sense to avoid these chemicals, especially under the arms where there are many sensitive lymph nodes. At the very least, be sure you are reading the ingredients of any deodorant or antiperspirant product you are considering using—even the labels of so-called natural deodorants. If you need more information about these toxins and their dangers, see Dr. Mercola’s Infographic on Personal Care Products or the Environmental Working Groups “Skin Deep Database.”

What’s Right About Using Natural Deodorants?

Making the choice to quit using toxin-heavy antiperspirants is a healthy first step. The transition to a natural deodorant is also a good choice, which I’ll highlight below, but first let’s talk about how to make this transition in the best way.

First, start by not using any product under your arms for at least three days. That will give your body the time to get rid of the lingering chemicals. During this time, wash daily with a pure soap and water, and exfoliate the skin under your arms with gentle scrubbing.

You can also use a homemade “Detox + De-funk Spray, using Witch Hazel, tea tree oil, therapeutic grade lavender or thyme essential oil, and coconut oil. You can find the recipe here.

There are many healthy benefits to using a genuine natural deodorant instead of a synthetic one. Perhaps the most important benefit is the fact that you will be reducing the probability of suffering from diseases caused by toxic chemicals. Your skin will also benefit and have less chance of being irritated and inflamed. And—important to most of us—our white shirts will stay white!

But remember that not all natural deodorants are created equal! Be sure you choose a natural deodorant free of dangerous toxins. Here are some ingredients in natural deodorants that are beneficial and safe:

• Baking Soda—Neutralizes odor, absorbs sweat
• Witch Hazel—Natural non-irritating astringent (shrinks pores), evaporates sweat, soothes razor burn
• Essential Oils (such as rosemary, lichen, sage, lemongrass, and tea tree oil)—Derived from plants, antibacterial properties, prevents odor and growth of sweat-digesting skin bacteria
• Mineral Salts (potassium aluminum (alum) sulfate and ammonium alum)—Work by forming a temporary layer on the skin instead of being absorbed into the skin and clogging pores, prevents odor and growth of sweat-digesting skin bacteria, non-irritant

How to choose your natural deodorant

I want to give you some tips for choosing a genuinely healthy natural deodorant. There are several things you want to watch for, including:

• Look for 100 percent naturally-derived ingredients
• Choose aluminum-free
• Avoid any other known and commonly used synthetic chemicals
• Look for beneficial active ingredients, like shea butter and aloe

Do some research to compare available natural deodorants.

You can find valuable online information about natural deodorants. Good Housekeeping has a published list of 10 natural deodorants that may be ones you want to consider. The important thing is keep trying until you find the one that is best suited for your needs.

Try making your own natural deodorant

If you have followed my The Paleo Mama posts then you know that I love making my own homemade really natural and really beneficial lotions and beauty products. In my book, The Home Apothecary: Home Crafted Recipe Using Herbs & Essential Oils, I have included three homemade recipes that truly work: Basic Deodorant Recipes, Deodorant for Sensitive Skin, and Probiotic Deodorant.  I highly recommend that you experiment with making your own natural deodorant.

There are many recipes online for good natural deodorants. Experiment with these until you find the one that best works for you. YOUR ARMPITS WILL LOVE YOU FOR THIS TRANSITION TO A HEALTHIER WAY TO TREAT THEM.

Sources

1. https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/natural-beauty/natural-deodorant-zmez14jazpit.
2. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/antiperspirant-facts-safety#1.
3. http://womenslifestyle.com/antiperspirant-pit-falls-reasons-to-change-to-natural-deodorant/.

Back in the day, if you wanted to exfoliate in the shower or bath, our great-grandparents, simply, whipped up a batch of some homemade concoction. If their child had a stuffy nose, they may have given them a steam bath or some homemade tea. 

If you needed something, you got to work and you made it. There was no “organic” label and you didn’t have to worry too much about the ingredients of the product. Most things were already natural. 

There’s a lot of good that has come from being able to quickly order the products that we need. It has definitely made our life easier. But are we healthier? 

On my podcast this past week, I discussed how ten years ago I was a new pregnant woman who now had someone in my body that I had to care for. This caused me to question some of the ingredients in my body care products that I was using. I discovered that some of the ingredients were known hormone disruptors, carcinogens, and harmful to my unborn baby. 

I’m extreme in every sense of the way, so what did I do? I tossed them all in the trash and haven’t looked back. Not only have I become healthier making some of the expensive, organic, herbal remedies and beauty products that I used to buy at the store, but I have saved a ton of money! 

The Problem Today 

The problem today is that we think it’s hard to transition to a more healthier lifestyle. We think it’s difficult to make our own body creams. We think it’s easier to just go to the grocery store and buy some cough syrup. And in some cases, I won’t lie, it is. However, I’m not willing to sacrifice my health for a simple and fast solution that doesn’t reach to the root of my issue, and only treats the symptoms. 

That’s why I have written my latest e-book: The Home Apothecary: Home Crafted Recipes Using Herbs and Essential Oils!!! My new book is on sale for an introductory price of 25% off for just a few days. 

Detox Your Home, Health, & Lifestyle 

This 82-page e-book is written for you if you are starting to recognize the danger of body products, cleaning products and, ultimately, conventional remedies. It’s also for you if you need a way to start transitioning their family over to more unconventional wellness alternatives. 

Not only will you get back your health, you’ll discover some core ways to incorporate herbs and essential oils into your everyday life; through cooking, cleaning, first aid remedies, and beauty recipes. 

If you have a desire to live a natural, toxic-free, simplified life — and to reclaim your health on your terms — then The Home Apothecary is the guidebook to help you. 

This book is written for you if you…

• Are fed up with their healthcare options and need to take their health into their own hands (but aren’t sure how to do that). 
• Can’t easily find the solutions that you are looking for online. You are confused by all the information on herbs and essential oils. 
• Have little time to tackle big recipes that are too difficult to make and have too many ingredients. 
• Feel embarrassed by some of the products that you use. 
• Would like to change your priorities and learn to step away from some conventional, over-the-counter remedies you are currently using. 
• Tired of wasting so much money on “organic” or “natural” products. 
• Simply desire a more natural, simplified lifestyle. 

Unlike physical dirt that you can see, toxins lurk behind-the-scenes. You know it’s there in the shadows, and you know it’s in some of the ingredients you are using on your family. You forget about it because it’s not hurting you now. 

All this “natural” talk is so overwhelming and you’ve just quit before you even got started. That’s why I’ve created a “bite-size” guidebook that will help you clear the conventional clutter and give you ideas and recipes to craft some simple and homemade products for your home. 

Please don’t allow natural living to overwhelm you or make your life more complicated and stressed. It’s really easier thank you think to tackle this problem and reclaim your health, time, energy, and sanity. With just one recipe a week (or a day), you’ll have control over your health in just a few weeks. Take action today and make it happen! 

Purchase The Home Apothecary TODAY for 25% off! 

I’m on a mission to help other women see how simple and easy it is to make more natural swaps in their health and their home, especially when it comes to supporting their hormones naturally. 

As women, we are faced with countless endocrine (hormone-disruptors) disruptors on a day-to-day basis. Endocrine disruptors are human-made chemicals in the environment that interfere with the development and function of all body systems in animals and humans. These endocrine disruptors bind to our hormone receptor sites, triggering a body-wide hormonal influence. Some of them inhibit our natural hormones, thyroid hormones and progesterone. In addition, these chemicals can affect the production , elimination and metabolism of our internal (endogenous) hormones. 

Here are some of the most common endocrine disruptors that we face today: 

• Home and garden insecticides 
• Heavy metals 
• BPA found in plastic bottles and food storage containers 
• Chemical and pesticide residue in the food we eat 
• The water we drink and bathe in 
• The air we breath 
• Conventional body and cleaning products 

Here’s the good news. We do have some control over reducing exposure to these toxins.

Here are some simple strategies for avoiding endocrine disruptors: 

• Avoid plastic water bottles and use glass and stainless steel instead.
• Use natural cookware like stainless steel, glass and cast iron. Avoid nonstick cookware. 
• Use natural cleaning and body care products. 
• Buy or grow food organically. If finances are an issues, focus on organic meat and dairy and the dirty dozen produce list. 

How can we support the elimination of endocrine disruptors? 

1. For most women, fasting or doing a cleanse is a great place to start (especially if you are considering motherhood). You will have to do some personal research on what cleanse you want to do. Choose one that is whole food based and one that doesn’t limit your intake of healthy fats and unprocessed (un-juiced) vegetables. 
2. You can call on herbs and essential oils to support your hormones naturally and, also, to encourage the elimination of endocrine disruptors.

Some of my favorite herbs and oils that I use to keep my hormones in check are: 

• Adaptogens herbs like tulsi “holy basil” and astragalus (to help body resist stressors of all kind)
• Red Raspberry Leaf tea (a nutritive uterine tonic both in pregnancy or outside)
• Lavender (for hormone stress and sleep issues) 
• Peppermint (for hot flashes and fatigue) 
• Frankincense (for increasing natural progesterone and helping with focus) 
• Lemon (to control toxicity and assist with detoxification 
• Passion blend (to aid with fatigue and libido) 
• Whisper blend (to decrease adrenaline, reduce stress, and boost libido) 

So, in honor of the Essential Oil Hormone Summit, which takes place this month on October 22-26 (it’s free to register), I’m going to give away every, single one of these products that you can use to support your hormones AND a pre-release copy of “The Essential Oil Hormone Solution: Reset Your Hormones in 14 Days with the Power of Essential Oils” by Dr. Mariza Snyder!

Giveaway runs through 11:59pm EST on October 28, 2018 and is only open to US & Canadian residents. Winner will be announced on this blog post on October 28th and an upcoming newsletter. 

Enter to Win by Filling Out the Rafflecopter Below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: The content on this website is for educational purposes only. Although I try my best to provide useful and accurate information, you are responsible to research and verify information before relying on it. I am a trained herbalist and not a licensed or registered healthcare provider. I cannot diagnose health conditions. The information on this website is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbal medicine, especially if you have a healthcare concern or are pregnant or nursing. 

The more women I talk to, the more I realize what an epidemic we have with adrenal fatigue. This issue reads havoc on so many other parts of our body including our immune system, our ability to maintain a healthy weight, our digestive system, our ability to get restful sleep, and stress. 

There are some simple changes we can make to fix our adrenals. Our adrenals produce cortisol which are responsible for our flight or fight response. Too often, when suffering from adrenal fatigue, we live in a state of “fight or flight”. This response in good in situations where we need it, but to live in a constant state causes incredible stress on our bodies. 

Some of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue are: 

• constant cravings for sugar or carbs
• inability to get through your day without a stimulant like coffee or sugar 
• unable to get a restful night sleep 
• craving for salty foods 
• low energy 
• low libido 
• weight gain 

In today’s video, I share a holistic protocol from recovering from adrenal fatigue. I, highly, recommend a Paleo-Primal based diet. Nutrition is foundational to supporting your body and if you need help in this area, then check out these meal plans which can help take the stress out of planning what to eat. Steer clear of sugar and gluten when you are suffering from adrenal fatigue…they only make you feel worse. 

In the video below I mention using essential oils, magnesium, methylated vitamin B, adaptogenic herbs like ashwaganda and maca, and using blue blocker glasses if you watch TV or surf the internet at night. 

I, also, mention a free Essential Oil Hormone Summit that is coming up on October 22-26, 2018. Make sure you register for this online summit to get access to over 25 experts who will share their tips for combating issues with your hormones and adrenals. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. 

You can watch the complete holistic adrenal fatigue protocol below: