Homemade products for a healthier body, mind and bank balance - Part 1

The Pits. 

If you are like me, you may be getting a little frustrated over seeing products with words like ‘natural’, ‘organic’, ‘botanic’ or even ‘no chemicals’ written on them, only to find when you look at the ingredients on the back, there’s still a whole lot of stuff which should maybe stay in the lab instead of applied to the body, face or hair. 

What’s worse, as I get older, it’s becoming much harder for me to even read the back of these products. Intentional? Possibly. 

I’m over it. 

I’m on a journey to find some homemade recipes and remedies so I know exactly what’s in everything I use. Hopefully it will help me save some cash too. Very exciting! 

Let’s start with something I’ve been trying (half arsed) for about 25 years, chemical free deodorant or antiperspirant. 

So why swap your supermarket bought deodorant to a chemical free deodorant? Most of the store bought products contain heaps of carcinogens, hormone disruptors and toxins including: Silica (bad for skin and could cause cancer), Parabens (linked to breast cancer), Aluminium (blocks sweat ducts which prevents sweating … which isn’t a good thing because the body sweats for a reason … AND linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s), Triclosan (skin irritant - actually a pesticide!), Propylene Glycol (linked to kidney and liver damage) … and seriously the list goes on! 

I have many questions. Why haven’t these products been banned? Are we ignoring this research due to the fear of having body odour? Why have I waited so long to do this? To be honest, I’ve never tried making it myself but just tried randoms from the health shop, which didn’t work because I probably didn’t give them a chance. This time though, I’m committed. 

Who better to turn to for advice than Melbourne based yoga teacher, holistic health coach (and friend), Sasha Layton. This lady is a pro at all things natural. She makes heaps of her own products and swears on this deodorant. 

Sasha's homemade Deodorant. 

Ingredients:

½ cup organic Extra Virgin coconut oil
 (ideally room temperature so it’s soft)
¼ cup (or less if sensitive to it) of aluminium free Bicarb Soda
3 Tablespoons arrowroot flour
3 Tablespoons Cornflour
5 drops of pure therapy grade essential oil, like Young Living or Doterra (I use 2 3 drops Lavender and 2 drops Lemon)

Directions:

**Make sure coconut oil is soft or slightly melted, mix in a bowl with dry ingredients, add essential oil/s at the end & mix well. Transfer into a mason style jar. If the mixture is runny, you may want to stick the jar in the fridge for 20mins or so. To use just take about a 5 cent piece amount on your fingers & rub into your armpits!!

I’ve made a batch, I’ve starting wearing it, so far so good. I’m sweating (it’s Adelaide summer), and I just sniffed my pits and surprisingly they don’t smell at all. 

The good news about this also is now you've bought the products, they last for ages. This recipe requires just a few drops of the oil, and you can use them for many of our recipes to come. So although you feel like this isn't going to save you money at the start, it will certainly save you heaps of cash in the long run. 

Sasha is a Melbourne based holistic health coach and you can find her on her website here: http://sashayogalife.com.au and facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SashaYogaLife/

I must also mention the amazing family owned store, The Honey Shop, in Adelaide’s Central Market. This is where I have purchased my therapy grade essential oils and where I choose to purchase whatever I can. http://www.thehoneyshoppe.com.au/index.php and facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/The-Honey-Shoppe-and-Soap-Box-1006232089434352/

Give it a go, and feel free to comment with your own suggestions or results.

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