Natural Hygiene

     Hygiene is, of course, very important. But in today's modern world full of pollution (did you know that going outside and breathing in L.A. is virtually the same as smoking cigarettes?) we can not afford to put more chemical concoctions on our skin, in our hair, and in our mouths. These are the environmental pollutants that ad companies have decided we need to douse ourselves in everyday in order to exist in public without stinking or (God forbid) looking our age. 

    Today we are surrounded by "endocrine disruptors". These are chemicals that will alter your hormones, and not for the better. If you drink from a plastic bottle that hasn't been handled PERFECTLY, you have been exposed to toxic chemicals. If you drink unfiltered tap water, you have been exposed to toxic chemicals. If you use fluoridated toothpaste and chemical anti-perspirant (containing aluminum) you have been exposed to toxic chemicals. These "normal" pollutants we put up with everyday are very slowly poisoning us. No wonder low testosterone is a plague to the modern man and women are developing Hoshimotos disease and various thyroid related issues. 

    Endocrine disruptors are everywhere. If you use regular laundry detergent and/or dryer sheets. If you use tap water in your cooking. If you wear gobs of makeup. If you use anti-perspirant. If you use cologne or perfume. A lot of the time, if something has a man made "scent", it should not be applied to your skin. In order to avoid these pollutants, we will look to nature, the Lord put everything we need on this Earth to thrive and in these modern times we have access to natural remedies we could only dream of in the past. 

    First, we will take care of your surroundings and everyday endocrine disruptors you may come in contact with. Febreze and other "room refreshers" are first. Throw that away and simply mix up some distilled water, a teaspoon of vinegar (to destroy odors), and 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil. More if you feel like you want a stronger scent. This mixture is pet safe and people safe, hell you can use it directly on your pets between baths if you want your dogs to smell nice. 

    Next will be laundry, make your own detergent using unscented bar soap (I like Dr Bronners), baking soda, and borax for the cleanest clothes you have ever experienced. You can also just use the liquid Dr Bronners soap, but that could get expensive fast. IF you must, buy the organic unscented stuff from the store and add some essential oils to your laundry for a pleasant aroma, these will be in a small section next to the commercial detergent. Make sure if you go scented it is all natural with plant based enzymes to take care of organic stains. Dryer sheets are totally unnecessary and will create a "film" on your clothes that feels gross once you get used to not using them. Get those wool "dryer balls" if static cling is an issue. You can even put a few drops of essential oil on the dryer balls if you still want a pleasant scent in your clothes. 

    Now we will cover hygiene, top to bottom, buckle up. First is your shower, scented bodywashes and lather sponges are out, plain old bars of natural scented (or unscented) soap are in. Your skin is COVERED in bacteria that are consistently helping you out throughout the day, if you use soap over the entire surface of your body, you will disrupt your microbiome, leading to dry, damaged skin. Grab your bar and wash behind your ears, your armpits, and your crotch / b-hole, that is IT. We want to preserve as much of our skin microbiome as we can so just get the hot spots. You can RINSE the rest of your body without doing much damage, so go ahead and do that if you want to. And you are done with your shower, do not wash your face, do not wash your hair, do not apply moisturizer, just take a 5 minute shower and get on with life. 

    Next will be moisturizer, water is going to dry out your skin so that's not an option. Most lotions and creams available have a water base and glycerin added to (temporarily) moisturize your face and body. This will lead to skin issues down the road and premature aging. For moisturizers, I recommend only virgin coconut oil, virgin olive oil, and beef tallow. Beef tallow is pretty darn expensive and olive oil smells like, well, olive oil so just use coconut oil. You can use it on your entire body without clogging your pores and the moisture will last all day and night, you can also use it on your hair and beard for a luxuriously soft experience. Coconut oil is antibacterial so you can use it on cuts and abrasions to avoid infection and speed healing. Isn't it amazing what God put here to help us stay looking good? 

    Next is toothpaste and mouthwash. Once again the "microbiome" is a very important consideration. Your mouth has it's own colony of bacteria keeping it safe from infection and doing their best to keep things clean. If you use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash with an alcohol base, you are committing mass genocide on a population that only wants to keep your mouth healthy. For toothpaste, choose a type that does NOT contain fluoride (this is the most important point). Besides that you can look for a type that doesn't contain any chemicals and is naturally flavored, I personally like the Burt's Bees stuff, but it all works. You should brush once a day, but you don't need to brush 3-4 times a day like some psychos do. Use floss (not fluoridated, yes they put fluoride on it sometimes), and then rinse your mouth (if you want to) for 60 seconds with a mixture of purified / distilled water, about 1/2-1 teaspoon of pink sea salt, about 10-20 drops of stevia, and 10-20 drops of spearmint or peppermint oil. Now you have re-mineralized your teeth, freshened your breath, and left your mouth microbiome mostly at peace. 

    Next is the deodorant. Now let me be clear, you NEVER have to use deodorant, however if you smell like I do it is a handy tool to have. Use aluminum free, alcohol free deodorant that is naturally scented. If you still want to use regular Old Spice style deodorant, do not get "anti perspirant", this contains aluminum that will clog your pores and prevent perspiration (duh). I do not want to sound the conspiracy alarm, but aluminum seeping into your pores is probably a bad thing for you. I just use the Arm and Hammer all natural stuff. It seems to work well on body odor and the price point is better than the other "hippy" deodorants

    Last but not least is cologne / perfume. Once again this is optional. You need a distilled water base, an oil base (use liquid coconut oil or avocado oil, just a bit), and your favorite blend of essential oils. Just a quick spritz on your neck, chest, wrists and ankles and you will smell pleasant (but not overpowering) for the day. Reapply as needed / wanted because it can't hurt. 

    Now you are clean, you smell nice, and you have eliminated a BUNCH of toxic chemicals from your life and families lives. Watch out for synthetic scents wherever you are, including your car and at work. I hope this helps you lead a healthier life that is more in harmony with nature. Remember, we are not at war with the bacteria that makes up 70% of who you are, we want to work WITH them to find homeostasis.