Did you know Green River, WY is the “Trona Capital”of the world? It’s where all of America’s baking soda comes from and it supplies 15% of the global need for baking soda!!! Who knew? I didn’t!!!!!
Trona is a sodium carbonate compound that is processed into baking soda ash or bicarbonate of soda.
Now, I promised I wouldn’t do another article on what harmful things are in our everyday products. I promised I would talk about why we should deviate from what we have been brain washed into thinking as our only choices are for hygiene.
I began to wonder why ancient history had not mentioned anything about deodorant. Apparently baking soda was used in Egyptian times dating as far back as 3500 B.C. They used it as part of the mummification process. As time progressed, baking soda use is noted through out history with multiple applications from glass making to cleaning, even medicine.
In the 1900’s baking soda was proven to save lives during the flu epidemic. If a patient could be alkalized with enough baking soda quickly chances of survival increased profoundly. When infection runs rampant in a body without antibiotics to kill the germ; the chemistry of the body is thrown off balance due to lactic acid. As the acid levels rise due to end products of germ growth, the body systems begin to shut down and ultimately die. Tell me God wasn’t at work when man figured out that chestnut !!!!
So why wasn’t deodorant been mentioned until the past 150 years??? Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is likely to have viewed the first microscopic life form in 1674. As study of bacteria evolved, brilliant scientific minds continued to learn. Finally, the year is 1833. Czech physiologist Johannes Purkinje (1787-1869) discovers sweat glands. Eventually, two and two were put together; and the world finally understood why arm pits stink. However, humans would have to wait until 1888 for the first commercially produced deodorant called Mum. This deodorant used zinc oxide to kill the bacteria that proliferated in pits everywhere!!!
Until as recently as the last 10-30 years of the 20th century, the antibacterial properties of baking soda had not been investigated. So I guess I can stop wondering why deodorant hasn’t been around since the beginning of recorded time and why we as a culture would put stuff on us that is toxic. WE DIDN’T KNOW BETTER!!!! Living is better with science, but not all things science has to offer is always best. Hence, the classics are around for a reason and natural goodness available to us all.
So now there is coconut oil, Baking soda, cornstarch or arrow root powder and shea butter in the most basic recipes of natural deodorant. I did try it, however once again the baking soda dried my underarms leaving them red and sore. IF you don’t have sensitive skin, you can use this recipe.
3 TBSP Shea Butter, 3 TBSP Arrow Root Powder, 2 TBSP Baking Soda, and 2 TBSP Coconut Oil.
1) Melt the Shea Butter and Coconut oil in a covered microwaveable bowl for 10-20 seconds at a time until melted. Use mitts or potholders to remove the bowl from the microwave to prevent being burned. Of course!
2) Place the bowl on a heat safe surface and mix the Baking Soda and Arrow Root Powder into the melted oil. Add whatever essential oils you might like or none at all, your choice.
3) IF you don’t have or want Shea Butter you can use nothing but Coconut Oil, but I am afraid that it would be greasy and stain clothes. Shea butter adds a solidifying component to the recipe. I also recommend Arrow Root Powder over Corn Starch simply because I read somewhere ONCE that its use can lead to yeast infections. I prefer Arrow Root Powder because Europeans have been using it as baby powder for eons. I conclude that because its been used for so long, side effects if any would be noted by now. I submit that Arrow Root Powder is another tried and true classic.
SOMETHING TO NOTE! A clay detox mask for the underarm is recommended to remove impurities, cleanse and remove built up bacteria. Commercial chemical laden deodorants block the bodies natural ability to sweat. There will be a natural deodorant adjustment period so the clay will speed this process along quickly and extend the potency of natural deodorant while you are detoxing. While you’re at it, slather some of it on you face and reap the rewards. The armpit detox mask is extremely refreshing. My underarms felt very clean every night that I used it. There are several recipes to choose from but this is the one I chose and had great success with it.
Arm Pit Detox Mask, the Stinky Pit Remedy
1) 1 TBSP Bentonite Clay
2) 1 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar. I used Rose Water first, but vinegar is easier to find and I found I liked it just as much if not more than using Rose Water in this detox mask.
3) 1-2 Tsp of non-alcoholic Witch Hazel. Mine was alcoholic. I never knew. I will have to try non-alcoholic next time. I liked my alcoholic Witch Hazel just fine. I would welcome any commentary on noted differences.
4) 2 drops of Rosemary. I felt super stinky so I added quite a bit!! LOL. I also love the smell of rosemary.
5) 2 drops Helichrysum Oil. I only added what the recipe called for because Helichrysum Oil can be expensive.
Apply this mixture to your pungent pits every night for 10-20 minutes for 2-3 weeks. I did mine for a week and a half. I am stink free. It is recommended that this be done every six months.
Ruben and I have been using natural deodorant for two years. He never needed an armpit detox, but my lack of activity, diet and age my have made it more of a necessity for me. After I did do a detox, my satisfaction with natural deodorant has been undeniable. We have tried several different recipes. We finally feel we have found one we both like and would share with our families.
In my next article I will share a more complex recipe that is readily poured into reused or new deodorant stick containers. We love it and have saved money while being good to ourselves and the mother of us all.
Strong Mountain Woman 