Natural Help For B.O.

[love2all]

Well, we are a very 'crunchy' family- ie dh and I do not shave or use deodarant 0 I do not wear make-up or do much styling to my hair-we just keep it kind of simple and natural around here- etc.... BUT our dd is 11 and is free to make her own choices about these things. Despite her whole foods-organic diet she is starting to have BO which other people can smell and I think someone commented on it to her and this really started something ( I personally like the natural smell but 11 yos and their peers have different feelings on this)
So what can she use? Anyone have a recipe for a natural spray of something?? I really do not want to go the route of deodarant- even the health food store stuff..
TIA-

[LittleRockstar]

Baking soda is the best. Either sprinkle it on or make a paste and rub it on. Then she can wipe most of it away and it should work anyway. I've seen many recipes with citrus involved, but in my experience those always discolor clothing. If she really wants a store deodorant, a few companies make baking soda based deodorants without scary ingredients. (The brands escape me as I haven't purchased any in at least 3 years). Proper hydration and the foods she eats can have an effect too.

[Deece in MN]

I use either a crystal deodorant stone or essential oils as a deodorant. The stones are natural and I feel work really well. You can get them at a health food type store. Most days I use an essential oil (patchouli mainly because it is my fav.). The essential oils do not act as a deodorant, so if you are going to be sweating then you will smell like b.o. mixed with essential oil. I would use the stone on those occassions.
HTH,
Deece

[talk de jour]

The best solution I've found is the Tom's of Maine stuff -- it DOES NOT include any form of aluminum or alum.

If she shaves her pits, though, it might burn, since it has some form of lemon EO in it. It burns me, so I don't like to use it

[Kerlowyn]

My DS1, age 13, loves Chandrika Ayurvedic soap

http://www.chandrikasoaps.com/

Actually, I love it too, and was the one who bought it for him when BO began to be an issue. It's at most HFS like Whole Foods Market, and it's only like $1.50 a bar.

[love2all]

Thanks for all the ideas-
I too use essential oils but she thinks they give off too much 'stink'!!lol
I used the crystal before- a long time ago and did not really like it but maybe she will- I will go to Earth Fare in the A.M
Also, I will get that soap- are they the ones in the colorful paper? I will look for it-
This will be a great starting point..

[Kerlowyn]

Originally Posted by love2all

Also, I will get that soap- are they the ones in the colorful paper? I will look for it-
This will be a great starting point..

The soap comes in a box exactly like the one on the webpage, I think it's green and brown?? Just one kind, only one type of box.

[2tadpoles]

Let me ask y'all a question.

First, let me state that I am a deodorant/anti-perspirant user.

How do you avoid wetness? I work with the public, and I can't walk around with huge, wet rings under my arms.

[littlehawksmom]

This may not be what you are looking for, but this info deserves a consideration.
Is she starting puberty? Hormones start to change around that time. Does she get any pimples/acne?
The reason I ask, is that BO is typically a symptom of your body getting rid of toxins. The body has different ways of getting rid of toxins The liver, the kidneys, the lungs, the colon and the skin. These toxins can be pollution, yucky food with artificial stuff, or just excess hormones that the body is having trouble dealing with. When the liver is overworked, symptoms will be seen such as acne, bad breath, body odour, or stinky bowels. The reason it smells bad is that bacteria thrive in acidic environments and toxins cause acidic environments.
That is the reason those crystal deoderants work. They are made of salts which are very alkaline;so bacteria that cause odour will not thrive.
So there are ways to help your body get 'clean'.
Create a more alkaline environment in your body with foods and herbs.
Support the liver with nutrients asnd herbs.
Cleanse the colon with lots of fibrous foods (most of which are alkaline-like fresh veggies, esp. greens).
Rosemary gladstar has a great herbal for young women-it started me on a great path as a teen.
This may be far out, but I have a theory that when hormones are changing so much (like puberty, moon cycles, menopause), spiritual changes are taking place too and maybe some ceremonies or at least mindful conversation about her changing roles and perspectives could help her.

If she is having trouble with hormones, providing the right nutritional support is VERY important. I wish I had of known then what I know now...
Please PM me if you would like more info about a topic Ifeel very strongly about.
Allie

[BamaDude]

Originally Posted by talk de jour

The best solution I've found is the Tom's of Maine stuff -- it DOES NOT include any form of aluminum or alum.

If she shaves her pits, though, it might burn, since it has some form of lemon EO in it. It burns me, so I don't like to use it

The "anti-perspirants" and "deodorant/anti-perspirants" are the products with aluminum and other icky things in them. Regular "deodorants" just have salts, alcohol, and fragrances in a gel or paste base. However, regular deodorants with no anti-perspirant ingredients are getting harder and harder to find.

Basic "Speed Stick" deodorant by Mennen controls BO very well and doesn't contain any terribly objectionable ingredients, but it's fragrances are geared more towards the masculine end of the spectrum. There used to be a more feminine-scented version ("Lady Speed Stick", I think), but I don't know if it is or was offered in a purely deodorant version.

If basic deodorant is still not quite natural enough, I have several friends who swear by the deodorant stones.

[love2all]

Let me answer a few ???'s-
No she does not shave- she is VERY blond with little hair.
Yes- hormones are really changing but with no acne or major blooming happening yet.
She eats, imo, a very healthy diet for a child of 11, but yes a few more of the bitter type cleansing greens would not hurt.
A few of my friends and I are getting together with our daughters and starting a girls group with/for them.. a place they can safely ask questions and realize that they are not the only ones going thru changes. This will incude ceremonies for the first moon and other such things , as well as making moon pads, learning to knit, making candles, baking bread, etc...we are just getting this going and will gladly hear if anyone has more suggestions and/or experience with this!!!

Many thanks and much peace

[Amber Lion]

I use Lavalin deoderant which is a white paste that you put a VERY tiny amount of on your underarms after bathing... and it literally keeps you smell free for about a week. The first day I smell a little like it - a powedery clean smell that is not overwhelming at all. The rest of the week I smell like ME without the stink. I liked it for that factor, one little jar will last me 6 mo to a year, seriously. It does not contain aluminum - but I just ran across an article that says it containes petroleum jelly and talc that is "illegally mined in India to the point of threatening tiger habitat." : I don't know how true that claim is, but it's disturbing since I love this deoderant so much! Have to do some research into that..... anyone know anything about that?

[Nikki98]

You could try some unrefined coconut oil mixed with a small, small essential oil that your dd likes (or just use it plain) and use it for a deodorant. Coconut oil has some antibacterial properties that may help.

[airmide_m]

Here is a link to a thread with a lot of different natural recipes, and I think there are other threads with more info, I just didn't find them right away but you probably can if you search a little. Seems like you just have to experiment till you find what works for you.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...ight=deodorant

I've tried a few things - the natural deodorants (with no anti-perspirant) only works for a couple hours. Same thing with the Crystal, or even less time. Baking soda works for a loooong time but also chafes my skin raw so I can't do that. The thing I finally settled on is a combo - Crystal Clean deodorant by Mennen which has a more girly scent (I don't think there's anything terrible in it - Propylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Laureth-13, Carboxylate, Fragrance, TetrasodiumEdta, D&C Red No. 33) ...Any natural type deodorant would probably work equally well, I just liked Crystal Clean cause it was WAY cheaper.

So I take a shower every morning and as soon as I'm out I take a cottonball and soak it with concentrated lemon juice (the kind you use for cooking) and wipe my underarms. Then I use the Crystal Clean. This keeps me from reeking for about 1 day, which is good enough for me!

[love2all]

Thanks all- some more good ideas.
I have coconut oil on hand!! And essential oils...
I further have lemon juice- that is a new one to me!!!
much peace-

[SRHS]

Ok, just tried this out yesterday...AFTER i had just shaved, I used tea tree oil ( a natural antiseptic/antibacterial)....NO SMELL...well, just yummy tea tree smell...and it didn't burn...

Sus

[ananas]

I use coconut oil. Deodorant has always made the smell worse for me.