From farm to arm (pit) – DIY deo update!

In my last post I described my attempts at making some natural deodorant using locally grown St. Lucian produce.

I have to say, the result is pretty amazing.  I put the stuff on yesterday, went about my sweaty day of getting the bus to work, walking from the bus stop, running errands at lunch time, going to the super market on my way home, bussing back to Grande Riviere, and then even did an hour of sweaty yoga, and amazingly I had no BO!

I don’t know how or why this stuff works so good.

And OMG – it does wonders for smelly feet!

Check out the previous post for more detailed info on coconut oil, rosemary, and arrowroot powder and their lovely benefits.

Here is my recipe in detail:

1 cup (or so) virgin cold-pressed local St. Lucia coconut oil

3 or 4 sprigs of local St. Lucia Rosemary and 1 tbs spoon of cloves

1 cup (or so) locally grown St. Lucian Arrowroot powder (or so, I didn’t measure, but I had to go back and buy 3 more $5 EC bags of the stuff because the first one I got was not enough to create a paste!  Just keeping adding it until you have a paste.  You can also add some baking soda but this can cause irrigation to your pits so arrowroot is better.)

1 small baggie of mysterious yellow “Sulfur powder”.

 

I seriously have no idea what this “sulphur powder” stuff is – I bought it at the market for 5 EC, the lady told me you could put it on your skin and it would make your skin nice or something.  When I googled “sulphur powder st. lucia” I found this description from the Lush website, which makes me think they may purchase St. Lucian sulphur powder and use it in some of their products.  Anyway, whatever it is, it smells kind of like burnt matches (as the Lush site says), but is amazing for deodorant!

This is what sulphur powder looks like.  Apparently if you lit it on fire it releases a toxic gas.  Yet anybody can buy it on a street in Castries!

 

Sulphur Powder

Sulphur is one of the oldest natural remedies still in use today, and is known to alleviate a whole range of ailments. It has traditionally been used to treat especially dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. In St Lucia, home of the famous sulphur springs, it has been used for centuries in beauty products to give healthy skin.

Description

Sulphur powder can be used as a natural fungicide and pesticide on fruits and vegetables.

Sulphur is also used to vulcanise rubber, making it less sticky and brittle, and as an ingredient in both matches and gunpowder.

Traditionally, sulphur has been used in medicinal ointments and we use the same pure grade in our product, the charmingly named Flowers of Sulphur.

The sulphur springs are renowned for their rejuvenating properties; locals regularly bathe in the water to ‘help release toxins from their bodies’ and keep their skin looking at its best.

These natural springs are also thought to help keep fingernails and hair strong.

Pure sulphur has a distinctive smell that is often referred to as rotten eggs, we prefer to think of it as burnt matches.

Disclaimer – this stuff looks disgusting. It also doesn’t actually smell very good.  It’s kind of vaguely rosemary-isn plus sulphur-y.  You could add some essential oils to make it smell nicer but if you have sensitive skin they could irritate you, so I have left it as is.

Here is how to make your own.

• Sterlise a jar.
• Infuse the oil with the rosemary and cloves for a week or 2 in the sterilised jar.
• Strain the oil.
• Add the arrowroot until you have a thick paste.
• Add the sulfur powder and mix it until it is a paste.
• Spread it anywhere on your body you smell!

 

Because it contains coconut oil it is very moisturising – hence great for feet, as mine tend to get both dry and smelly.

The only concern I have about it is that if can leave chalky marks on dark clothing if you aren’t careful, but to me a little forethought when dressing is a small price to pay for such cheap, effective, natural door control!

Also, the oil may separate a bit (like natural peanut butter). so be prepared to give it a stir (with your finger, or a butte knife) if needed.

You can leave out the sulphur powder if you can’t get any (I have no idea where you would outside of St. Lucia to be honest).  I have another larger jar of the deodorant without sulphur powder (because I was worried it might irritate my skin I made a smaller test jar with the sulphur), and it seems to also be just as effective.  Again, it’s really disgusting looking and doesn’t smell like flowers, but it’s better than BO!

 

Sulphur-free deodorant paste: