Lemons: Dénouement

In real time, this trial concluded over a month ago. As of day 8, my pits were back to normal. I continued using lemons for some time after the trial. However, my pits seemed to get irritated about once a week, and I would be unable to apply lemons because it would sting far more than I was comfortable with. For about 2 weeks I went back to the ‘trusted’ Mitchum deodorant searching for another natural alternative, until a friend sent me a link to Primal Pit Paste. I read their site and independent reviews, and ordered the unscented stick. I have used this ever since (2 weeks). No smell, no irritation, and all attributed to the all natural, organic ingredients they use.

My conclusion on lemons as deodorant:

Lemons are a very effective, safe deodorant, but not to be used long term. I would say if you go to a remote vacation destination and forget your deodorant, or find yourself in some other sort of deodorant pinch, you can swing by a market and use a lemon for a short period of time safely and effectively. Anything beyond that, I think most people will find the same irritation I did. So as a deodorant, lemons are a back-up, and should not make it into your starting rotation. 

Lemons: Day 7

Today I worked out and went to the beach to catch some Vitamin D. Im not sure what prompted this, but my pits became a bit irritated. They were a little sensitive and pink in color. Nothing serious, but discerning if this is from the lemons or the heat is difficult. I cannot recall this happening any time I used store bought deodorant. When I woke up, all was well in my pits. I applied some lemon all up in there, worked out, then went to the beach. When I returned, I showered, and that’s when I noticed the irritation. I did not apply any lemon or modern deodorant at that point, I just went Matthew Mcconaughey the rest of the Sunday evening. This will not deter my conversion to lemons, but it certainly has me wondering if they are the culprit. After speaking to my physician’s assistant friend Stephanie in Denver (who thinks I’m an idiot for applying something so high in acid to my skin on a daily basis) believes the acid in the lemons is likely to blame. Also, do not google image “irritated skin.” 

Lemons: Day 6

Today, myself and a couple work friends drove north into Wisconsin for a nice 6 mile hike. It was overcast, warm, and humid, which made for a great test on my lemon pits. I lathered up with a couple wedges before I left, and brought a lemon along just in case it got super gnarly. The hike was warm, and surprisingly beautiful. I’m not sure what I expected of WI, but it was much prettier than I imagined. If you are ever up that way, the Scuppernong trail near Eagle, WI is worth a visit. After the hike, we tossed a football around, chest bumped, etc. Once we were about to settle back into the car, I performed a quick smell test. I mean, I was sweating, so its not going to turn up roses, but the smell was rather “meh.” My hiking companions were aware of my ‘unorthodox’ 7 day trial. One of them volunteered to sample a waft from a safe, yet exposed distance (unprompted too, I guess a little curious for himself). He stated he smelled nothing offensive. I stressed the importance of honesty, in the name of posterity (See The Princess Bride scene - Pit of Despair), and he was adamant of my odor neutrality. For me, if the lemons can stand up to a balmy hike in the summer, they can stand up to anything. The drive back was comfortable (changed shirts) and no complaints from the homies. The conversion seems complete. 

Lemons: Day 4 & 5

There’s really nothing new to report. My lemony pits are still dry and stank free. My habits seem changed forever.  Worked out again, no complaints. Another human has yet to verify my lack of stench. Come Saturday, that should change when I hike with some friends. They will be trapped in my car with me for about 2 hours each way. Im sure they will let me know if I smell like hot wet garbage.… The only negative I have found so far are the lemon seeds. Too many of those little shits. 

Lemons: Day 3

After sleeping on the lunch room discussion with clean, fresh smelling pits, I thought of more appropriate questions to ask my colleagues. At lunch, I asked, “what would motivate you to go to such lengths as cutting a lemon wedge every morning to use as deodorant, or another natural alternative?” The answers funneled down to ‘an official/surgeon general’s warning on modern deodorants.’ I can understand the their skepticism. To the same degree, I am baffled they would trust any company with their body, assuming because it is available for purchase at a store that its safe. I think there are plenty of products/ingredients that are legal to sell/use in US stores that should turn that skepticism back where it belongs, on the man made products and not the natural plants our bodies have evolved with for thousands of years. Click here for examples. And here.

 I make an effort not to talk too much about these topics because I probably come off as some hippie, elitist douche bag (as I write a blog about it). There are times I can’t help myself, and it’s a little more often than I like. Cramming how I feel down other peoples throats (TWSS) isn’t how I want to carry myself, and certainly won’t change any minds. However, from posing questions and an honest discussion, hopefully we will seek information and reassess why we make the decisions we make when it comes to taking care of ourselves. Then maybe change will occur and ideally we will naturally live longer, healthier lives. This is exactly what happened in the lunch room. A nice discussion about arm pits. I don’t think any of them are going to go to the grocery store and buy a bag of lemons, but maybe they think a little differently now… Or most likely they went home and told their families about their hippie douche bag co-worker smearing fruit in his pits.

I worked out tonight and did not smell offensive afterwards. I changed and ran some errands after without showering, which would not have been a good idea before the lemon revolution. I have to say, my expectations were pretty low here. But these lemons are seriously doing work. Day 3 is another total success.