My friend Jody recently told me that she uses Ylang Ylang and Frankincense Essential Oil instead of regular aluminum-based deodorant. It sounded like an interesting idea. After all, there are some very limited links to Alzheimer’s and aluminum. Though the links aren’t conclusive, if something all natural that I can make myself at home can replace traditional antiperspirant, it sounds like something worth trying. As a bonus, Jody always smells great!
For the first trial, I designed a recipe using traditional lotion bar ingredients (olive oil and beeswax) and some (hopefully!) odor-absorbing powders (Tapioca Starch Powder and Sodium Bicarbonate) and essential oils of Ylang Ylang and Frankincense.
Why those two essential oils? Because Ylang Ylang is a purported aphrodisiac. Putting out pheromones instead of sweat seems like a good idea. Frankincense Essential Oil because it has natural anti bacterial properties and smalls considerably better than Tea Tree essential oil. Both the steam distilled and the CO2 extracted Frankincense essential oil versions were used in this recipe.
Check back this week for updates on making herbal deodorant and the report of the first few days of no antiperspirant.
