Body powder is a great way to keep cool in the hotter months! But did you know that the talcum used in many commercial powders has been shown to cause tumors in lab animals ? This talc-free recipe is a great alternative:
1/4 cup (59 ml) cornstarch
1/4 cup (50 ml) arrowroot powder
3 Tb (44 ml) rice flour
6 drops of your favorite essential oil
Dried flowers or herbs (optional)
Using a wooden spoon, stir the cornstarch, arrowroot and rice flour together. Using a hand sifter, sift half of the powder with 3 drops of essential oil. Repeat with the remaining powder. Combine all the ingredients together and sift the mixture a second time. Add a few dried flower petals or herbs to the powder for additional scenting as well as a pretty visual effect.
This powder can be stored in a glass cheese shaker or a decorative tin and will last up two years if stored in a cool, dry place. If the powder starts to lose its scent over time, it can be sifted together with a few drops of essential oil.
While your recipie for a substitute for body powder is lovely, the reason you gave for making it is incorrect. Body and baby powders on sale in the US contain absolutely no asbestos or asbestos-like materials. The US Food and Drug Administration regulations forbid the use of any talcs that contain asbestos, as does the Cosmetic, Toiletries and Fragrance Association, which also sets requirements for ingredients going into personal care products. Many years ago (20?) there were a few sources of talc that did contain asbestos, and were implicated in some health problems. But that is not the case today. Consumers can use talc-based products today with confidence
Judy-
Yes, you are correct that talc no longer contains asbestos. I have corrected my post. However, the verdict on if talc–even asbestos free–is safe to use is a mixed one. The Cancer Prevention Coalition at the University of Illinois School of Public Health wants it banned completely. Here is what the American Cancer Society says on their website:
“Experimental toxicology studies have suggested carcinogenicity (the ability of a substance to cause cancer) of inhaled, asbestos-free talc powder in some rodent species but not in others.
Studies of personal use of talcum powder have yielded inconsistent results, although there is some suggestion of an increase in ovarian cancer risk. No other forms of cancer appear to be associated with the use of talcum powder.
However, only a very small minority of women who have used talcum powder will ever develop ovarian cancer. And it is impossible to say to what extend talc use had contributed to these cases.
Until additional information is available about the safety of talc use, people who use powder may wish to consider avoiding these products or substituting cornstarch-based powders that contain no talc. There is no evidence at present linking cornstarch powders with any form of cancer.”
-j
Hi, this looks great, talc is so drying anyway, I like the idea of a powder that does not contain it.
I wondered, however, if the “rice flower” notation is supposed to be “rice flour.” I Googled “rice flower” and found there is actually such a flower, so am not sure which you meant. Thanks for the great recipe, love all natural stuff!