Uncle Harry’s Natural Deodorant

Rigulizia Cordara

           Scientists in England have recently released information suggesting that applying underarm deodorant, which contains scent-maskers and antiperspirants, may be a cause of breast cancer.

           All antiperspirants contain aluminum and/or zirconium , which act as astringents, inhibiting sweat by tightening skin pores. Sweating is natural and helps to reduce the temperature of the body and eliminates toxins. By incorporating aluminum chlorhydrate or aluminum zirconium in antiperspirants a reverse effect takes place. These potentially dangerous chemicals which are very soluble are absorbed into the body. Once in the body, the aluminum portion of the molecule ionizes, forming free or radical aluminum ( Al+++). This passes across cell membranes and is eventually selectively absorbed by the liver, kidney, brain, cartilage, and bone marrow. This free radical aluminum has been the source of concern for medical researchers who have noticed its presence in Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer victims.

           Deodorants contain a variety of nasty chemicals including ammonia, formaldehyde, aluminum chlorohydrate, and parabens which are hormone mimicking chemicals used as preservatives. These chemicals also may seep into the body. Nicks from shaving the underarms may enhance the absorption. The parabens once aborbed into the body are believed by some scientists to act as an overdose of the female hormone estrogen.

           Medical researchers have been examining a connection between parabens and falling sperm counts in men. Professor John Sumpter, a hormone researcher at Brunel University in England, says the results could be signifigant due to the widespread use of parabens in cosmetics for several decades. There are more than 13000 products registered with the FDA containing parabens. "There is a tremendous amount of concern about falling sperm counts and increases in breast cancer which might result from exposure to estrogens," says Sumpter.

           Dr. Phillipa Darbre, a biochemical researcher at Britain”s Reading University, stopped using all chemical deodorants. “ When I gave up deodorant I had huge red welts under my arms. It was just like drug withdrawal symptoms… It took a year before it was normal again,” she says. Dr. Darbre, inspired by Dr. Sumpter’s work, published her own research paper showing that parabens were making mutated cells in the breast grow . She says, "Cancer requires two things. Something that damages DNA and something that will make those damaged cells grow... Parabens make damaged cells grow but I don’t know what causes the initial damage. I’m working on the hypothesis there’s something else in deodorant that causes the damage."

           As an alternative to chemical deodorants, Uncle Harry has formulated 100% natural body deodorants. They are made with rosewater, colloidal silver water, and natural essential oils. There are six blends: Camomille/Marigold, Lavender/Tea Tree, Nard/Clary Sage, Rosemary/Sage, Sandalwood/Vetyver, and Ylang ylang/Geranium. These deodorants will not inhibit perspiration, which is a natural process of the body. They will, however, neutralize bacteria in the sweat and prevent for four to six hours the development of body odor. They are present in natural spray bottles (4 ounce size) for convenient use.