There is a lot of controversy about what really gets absorbed through the skin and how far that absorption actually goes. Our skin has many layers, so yes, it’s a long path into the bloodstream. But when talking about delicate areas like the underarms, that are in super close proximity to lymph nodes and breast tissue, the path gets shorter. Here are three reasons why you should ditch your antiperspirant or commercial deodorant and trade it in for a natural alternative.
- Your body knows best. Let it do it’s job.
The human body is an incredible machine. That being said, it is equipped with countless means of ridding toxins from the body. One of those means: sweating. The function of an antiperspirant is to block the sweat glands. So if we’re not allowing the toxins to be released via sweating, where are they going? Back into the lymph system. And when we’re applying these products on the daily, regardless of the level of absorption taking place, toxic build-up is inevitable.The other concern with antiperspirants in particular is the active compound that blocks the sweat glands, aluminum. A 2011 research study in the Journal of Applied Toxicology showed that not only is aluminum actually absorbed into the body, but it actually gets stored in breast tissue. No thank you.
- You don’t need toxic chemical fragrances.
Plant based and pure essential oils are a much better alternative to the artificial fragrances found in many commercial deodorants. And many fragrances are really just synthetic copy-cats of natural botanical scents. So why not just skip the trip to the lab and use the scents in their purest form? Not to mention, synthetic fragrances are known to contain dangerous neurotoxins that have a slew of dangerous side effects.
- Natural deodorants have added perks.
Commercial deodorants and antiperspirants have one function and that is to avoid odor and/or sweating. There really aren’t any added perks. Natural deodorants often contain plant-based ingredients that have some great benefits built right in. More thought and care tends to go into products that are more conscious of the impact on both health and the environment. The ingredients in our deodorant are hand-picked to both do the job that a deodorant is supposed to do while also acting as a nourishing tonic for the skin. Here’s a list of the ingredients and why we use each of them.
Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil: A proven antiseptic and antifungal. It naturally limits the amount of microbes on the skin. Not to mention, it’s chock full of good fats that are essential for skin health.
100% Pure Beeswax: forms a protective barrier on the surface of the skin, keeping irritants away, but still allowing the skin to breathe.
Baking Soda: Absorbs perspiration and neutralizes odors. Need we say more?
Organic Arrowroot Powder: Acts as a binder for all of the ingredients
Sheng Di Huang (Rhemannie Radix): One of the #1 herbs in the Chinese Medical Pharmacoepia for clearing heat and nourishing.
Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma): Clears heat and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.
Lavender: Also a natural antiseptic, it clears bacteria from the skin. Lavender is also known for it’s restorative and skin healing properties. And it smells amazing.
Tea Tree: Contains terpenes, which is a type of volatile oil, that have been shown to destroy bacteria. The tea tree and lavender together are very complimentary of each other.
The philosophy behind Chinese Medicine is to return the body back to homeostasis, or it’s natural state of balance. This can be achieved through acupuncture, diet, herbal medicine, and countless other modalities. Another practice that can be incorporated into attaining balance is being mindful about what you’re putting onto your body. Everyday products like deodorant are a great place to start.
About the Authors
Kaylie and Raechel are graduate students at Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine and the founders of Heavenly Roots, Herbal Elixers. The inspiration behind creating Heavenly Roots came from witnessing the benefits of herbal medicine when used internally. Which made them ask, if these herbs are so effective as internal medicine, what other potential benefits could they garner when used externally? Their products consist of medicinal plants, organic cold-pressed oils, pure essential oils, raw and unrefined shea butter, pure beeswax, and raw honey. Everything is handmade in small batches and free of preservatives, parabens, and chemical additives. They’re currently selling their products at a few local retailers and via their online shop, heavenlyrootsherbal.com.