Natural Deodorant versus Dove and Secret: What's the big deal?

If you are like me (and possibly millions of consumers) and are secretly terrified of social rejection based on body odor, you may have used Dove or Secret deodorants and anti-perspirants. For the last several years, I have enjoyed forgetting that my armpits even sweat or smell.

As we began to research the ingredients that top brands use, however, we were shocked to learn of potential risks to using these products. For example, common chemicals or substances used in Dove, Old Spice, and Secret products include:

* Aluminum
* Parabens
* Triclosan

The list of ingredients and side effects goes on, but these components are directly or indirectly linked to cancer, whether they themselves are carcinogens or alter your body's hormone production.

Fortunately, there are many alternatives to toxic products. Many bloggers have chronicled their experiences with terrible natural products that do not prevent noticeable body odor issues (and thus increase likelihood of rejection from human society, which the human brain registers as a threat comparable to death), so we were unsure of how this experiment would proceed.

For the last year, we have formulated, tested, and adjusted our recipes.

Ingredients:

* Coconut oil
* Cocoa butter
* Shea butter
* Arrow root powder
* Corn starch
* Pinch of baking soda (only in the regular formulas, not the sensitive skin recipe)
* Essential Oils
* Beeswax

Don't just take our word on it, though. Look at the reviews on our Etsy shop. The benefits beeswax brings to skin are manifold, and several customers have reported increased softness of underarms after consistent deodorant application.

One issue that does come up is that these natural products are not designed as anti-perspirants. Biologically, underarm hair is supposed to wick bacteria out of your body as you sweat.

Researchers have presented somewhat conflicting conclusions as to the risk of cancer connected with underarm shaving and the resultant absorption of toxic ingredients in products, where the body cannot slough the toxins because the sweat glands are artificially plugged and there is no hair to drain sweat and bacteria.

Of course, your body's functions are unique based on gender, age, diet, location, heredity, and ethnicity. Shop around and see what works for you. It helps to expect your experience with natural products to be different, but there is also a beauty in letting your body be itself. We are human and we make a mess wherever we go, but some like to think it's a beautiful mess.

Someone who has lived with chronic pain for years can tell you what it is like to always think of your limitations first when presented with an opportunity; to make sure you have enough pain medication to last through the weekend or holiday; to get caught up in something you love, only to realize that the pain has worsened and you have to stop. It is like living in an ever-shrinking box.

The frustrating fact is that ongoing pain is not always caused by physical problems in the present moment, but rather by the neuronal memory stored by your nerves through your body and in brain pathways. 

To picture this better, imagine that you live in the center of a vast grassland. In every direction, you are surrounded by grass and bushes as high as your waist, and to get to anything else, you have to go through the unmarked fields. At first you may not know where to start or what direction to take because you have never ventured out, but once you get your bearings and find out that Trader Joe’s is to the South, Walmart is to the Northwest, and McDonald’s is to the East, among many other attractions, you will soon find that you choose favorites. These are the paths, then, that get larger and well worn. If you are a Trader Joe’s hippie and hate all things Walmart, your Walmart pathway will disappear as the grass grows back over it and the Trader Joe’s path will become smoother, broader, and more comfortable for travel. In fact, when you have some friends over and they need an outing, you are more likely to take them on the path you know the best. 

In relation to the brain, once you have sustained an injury that caused significant pain and whose healing took time, your nerves become accustomed to sending those pain signals from the original site of injury along the neuronal pathways, through your dorsal horn in your spinal column, and up into your brain. 

Meanwhile, the pleasure pathways have been crowded out by weeds because the pain of that ruptured ligament or smashed cartilage overpowered everything pleasant until all you could feel was pain. This often means that, by the time your body is fully functional again, your nerves have dug such deep pain signals that they almost default to that setting as a general, unprovoked response. 

The added problem is that chronic pain has a spiraling effect. Since the experience of pain produces the stress hormone cortisol, which also allows us to feel the pain more acutely, the two build on each other, breaking down your immune system in the process and making you vulnerable to other problems. 

The problems with NSAIDS and opiates and narcotics are numerous. Anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen can damage your liver and eat through your stomach lining if you take them without food or take them too often, in general. Opiates and narcotics, of course, are many addicts’ drug of choice. They are all designed for damage control, not healing. In the long run, our bodies build up a tolerance to man-made drugs, which means that gradually you need to take more and more to get the same level of relief. 

Herbs, on the other hand, do not come with the usual host of tolerance and toxicity. As someone who was raised in Western culture, I believed that herbal remedies were a soft option that acted more as a placebo. I’ll make my conversion story short: I am now a believer. 

No matter what kind of pain you are in, there is an herb that is designed to help. Designed by the inventor of symbiotic ecosystems and the planets, I might add. 

The “pain relief” heading neglects the subtlety of the herbalist’s understanding. Arnica, comfrey, and Devil’s Claw are all meant to treat pain, but while Arnica is great for bruises, swelling, recovery from childbirth, sprains, dislocations, and general trauma injuries, Devil’s Claw is better suited to back pain, arthritis, tendonitis, and joint pain. Devil’s Claw, as a side note, is also a mainstay herb for people trying to lessen their dependence on pain medications.

In treating my chronic pain, I needed something I could safely use everyday that would not harm me in the long term. The key to coping with chronic pain is to keep it at a low level consistently. If you keep your pain steady at a 3 instead of letting it spike to an 8 and then trying anything you can swallow to numb out, you have more options. You are not held hostage by your condition. Consistency in pain management also means you are giving your neuronal pathways a chance to experience something other than pain — the chance to re-learn and feel pleasure again. 

http://www.blessedmaineherbs.com/chpare.html

Natural Tooth Whitening Alternatives, Plus Remineralization!

I think it is fascinating that we spend some much time caring for our teeth. Think about it, Americans love having beautiful, white teeth! I can't think of another culture where teeth are so well cared for, can you?

I care for my teeth too, although I am more about function and health than looks and presentation.  I have never worn braces to fix the gap in my upper front teeth, and probably never will.  I love coffee so I don't worry about keeping them gleaming white either. 

And to be honest, most of today's commercial tooth whitening products contain many ingredients that actually cause your teeth and gums to deteriorate quicker, not to mention are a literal pain in the mouth.
The number one ingredient in tooth whitening gels is carbamide peroxide (which is what most people use to remove ear wax also) - a chemical which almost always causes severe allergic reactions in it's users. Check out this article at Prevention. 

I know that people say they want beauty at any cost, but when you have to experience physical pain and get hives from ONE product, I think it might be time to change your approach. I have been working on tweaking my remineralizing toothpaste recipe. First off, I decided I would try making a tooth powder that would do two things - remineralize and whiten teeth. So far, I am happy with the results, and my testers are too! It's all natural, of course, and I have added Organic Sage leaf powder to help promote teeth whitening.

There are other natural herbs and fruits that can whiten teeth - strawberries!
Turmeric is also another herb that can help get your pearly whites nice and bright.  I've also heard of guava leaf, lemon juice and olive oil can also get the job done, naturally and with far less to no side affects. 

Mo'Teeth Remineralizing and Whitening Tooth Powder
available at BalmLady.Etsy.com

My tooth powder is available for you to try if you are interested in both whitening  and remineralizing your teeth. 

Natural Skin Care

It seems like my face produces more oil in the Summer than any other time of year. I have always had dry skin, so this experience of having an oily face is new for me. Largely hereditary, oily skin runs in the family - my sister has always had oily skin, too.
Besides genetics, oily skin is also caused by heightened hormones, that is why many teenagers and some pregnant women may have temporary bouts with acne and oily skin. They also say that people with oily skin have less wrinkles, which is good news!

Since genetics and hormones have likely dealt me this oily skin card, I am looking for ways to help my skin with things like black heads, clogged pores, softening, clearing, etc. After trying a few different types of healing herbal masks, I have decided I like a simple one best. It is made with clay, apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil. I apply it and leave it on for about 45 minutes. I find it is very refreshing, especially on a hot day. Once the mask dries, I rinse my face with cool water and then mist with a soothing floral toner. This helps me greatly, because on days when I don't do this, I feel even oilier than I normally am. I have also seen that my pores are dramatically smaller that they normally are!

The only real draw back (if you see it this way) is that you have to have these ingredients on hand to make these items. Unfortunately, I don't regularly find Bentonite Clay at my local drug store, and finding some of the essential oils may take some shopping around to find a good quality source that is a good price as well.




Here is my recipe for the super-simple clay mask:

4 Tbsp Bentonite Clay
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
5 - 8 drops Tea Tree Oil

In a glass bowl, mix all of the ingredients (you may need to add more vinegar to form a paste). Some people may like to add a little purified water if they find the ACV is too strong. If you are not a fan of tea tree oil, try another healing oil like eucalyptus, lavender, or something floral, like rose.

Once you are happy with the consistency, apply to your face, and leave it on for up to 45 minutes. Rinse off with cool water, and pat dry. You can try a rosewater toner or witch hazel to maintain a fresh feeling and to help oil control. Remember that both the Bentonite Clay and Apple Cider Vinegar are detoxing and will draw out impurities in your skin, so if you have a little break out, don't worry, it's natural!

If you have more mask mixture, you can easily store it in a glass jar, and keep in in the fridge until you are ready to use it again. If mixing up clay masks just is not your thing, you can find it in my etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/247470019/detoxing-mask-and-clarifying-facial

Thanks for stopping by!

Helpful Healing Herbals - Vol 1 - Ashwagandha

For a number of months now, I have been looking for an herb that could help with the daily stress and anxiety I feel.  I was also looking for something to help me get more rest, since off and on, I have trouble sleeping at night - either falling asleep is the problem, or staying asleep. I have tried a number of different approaches - using lavender oil before bed, using it in a diffuser, which is wonderfully beneficial, however the diffuser kept me us with it's tiny green light. After doing some research, I found an Indian Ayurvedic herb called Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). 

 
It is indigenous to India, and has been used for thousands of years and has a number of health benefits. Here is a partial list of all of the great things Ashwagandha can do for you:
- lessen anxiety
- reduce insomnia
- curb arthritis
- increase virility
- increase energy
- reduce inflammation
- eliminate backache
- stabilizes blood sugar
- asthma support
- decrease swelling
- reduce stress (how your body reacts)
- degenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)
- Antioxidant
- protects from brain loss

Personally, I began taking it nightly with my other vitamins, and noticed within a few days, I slept better than I had in months - and, as someone who loves taking an afternoon nap, I did not need one! Also, reading more about it, I have learned that Ashwagandha has a number of powerful protective effects on the nervous system. 

"For example, in validated models of anxiety and depression, ashwagandha has been demonstrated to be as effective as some tranquilizers and antidepressant drugs. Specifically, oral administration of ashwagandha for five days suggested anxiety-relieving effects similar to those achieved by the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam (Ativan®), and antidepressant effects similar to those of the prescription antidepressant drug imipramine (Tofranil®)."

 What a great and powerful gift from Mother Nature - "Indian Ginseng" as it is often called (it is not related botanically to ginseng), has been quite a blessing for our family, I am sure it can help yours too!  
I purchased my Ashwagandha online at Amazon. Here is the one I purchased. 

As always, check with your doctor before taking any supplements or herbal remedies.

 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

   This site and the information referenced and herein does not constitute an attempt to practice medicine.

- Use of the site does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

- Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for medical advice and answers to personal health questions.

- While the site attempts to be as accurate as possible, it should not be relied upon as being comprehensive or error-free.

 

The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your personal physician’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Discuss this information with your own physician or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you.  All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice.

 

Herbal Healing Business

Starting an herbal business is challenging.

When I decided I wanted to work on building my healing practice full-time and focus on creating healing herbal compounds for people, I did not know what it would be like or how much work I would be doing.
Now that the holiday rush is over, I want to think more strategically about how to market my products, how to build my clientele and, quite honestly, how to make a living.

I set up a GOFUND me account that would help with the costs of running a business, things like insurance, packaging, advertising, supplies and other business expenses.
There are so many little (and big) costs when you begin any business, I think at some point, anyone would ask "why do it?" For me, the answer is always this - helping others find healing is worth it, and helping someone feel less pain is worth it.

There might be some struggles along the way, but knowing that I am able to help my grandma move around more because she doesn't feel the sting of her arthritis when she gets up, my struggles are small in comparison.

What's cooking now:
I am working on a new Winter Care Puppy Salve - because our four-legged friends need skin care too!
It's got avocado, coconut and olive oils infused with nettles, rosemary and plantain leaf.  This will be great for people too :)

Update on Devil's Claw - I now have a nice rub, which I made using Organic ginger, organic cinnamon, peppermint, wild-crafted chaparral, sage and cinnamon and cajeput organic essential oils, grapeseed oil, and beeswax.

It works pretty well, test it out here.

Devil's Claw - Harpagophytum Procumbens

Devil's Claw - Harpagophytum Procumbens

Devil's Claw, which is also called "grapple plant" or "wood spider" is a genus of plants in the sesame family, native to southern Africa. It owes its common name Devil's Claw to the unusual appearance of its hooked fruit. The plant's large tuberous roots are used medicinally to reduce pain and fever, and to stimulate digestion. 

I like to know how cultures have learned about the medicinal use of different herbs, I was pleased to read that a German soldier stationed in Africa brought devil's claw back to his home where it was used to treat arthritis.

I will be starting do work with the roots of this plant, to make a topical rub for lower back pain. From what I have read, Devil's Claw is great for pain sufferers who have grown dependent on pain killers for relief: recently published double blind studies have shown that Devil's Claw can relieve pain from arthritis in as little as ten days of use, lower back, knee and hip pain was also included in the study. It is also used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis, tendinitis and soft tissue pain (muscle aches).

I am excited to try out some recipes and see how effective it is for my own lower back pain and inflammation, which seems to become worse in cold / damp weather. I am hopeful that this will help!  

I purchased the root online on Amazon, since my local herb shop did not carry it. I'll make sure to report what my findings are and how it works.