From www.naturalcures.com Body odor refers to unpleasant smells emitted from the body. Eccrine glands are located almost everywhere on the body and produce body-cooling sweat that’s mainly water. The apocrine glands, primarily located in the armpits and in the groin, are responsible for producing waste removing sweat and it is here where the problem of body odor stems from. Bacteria feed on the waste products and produce the foul smell. That is why when you first sweat after a workout, you don’t notice the intense smell but after some time has passed and the bacteria has got to work, then the smell is very obvious and off putting.
The degree of the odor a person produces depends on two factors, how much sweat their glands secrete and the amount of bacteria on the skin. People with intense underarm odors have three times as much underarm bacteria as other people.
There are two ways of dealing with body odor, externally or internally. External methods rely on masking the odor or keeping it at bay. Internal methods focus on dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce the bacteria in the body.
Natural Cures for Body Odor
Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurveda believes that body odour is the result of ama (toxins in the body). When ama accumulates in the system, it is released through the skin, creating unpleasant-smelling perspiration.
As always the fastest most effective way to receive tailored advice to your own situation, you should visit a local licensed practitioner. Find your closest Ayurvedic practitioners here
Here are some remedies your practitioner may recommend:
Following a natural, whole foods diet, drink plenty of warm water throughout the day and avoid cold drinks.
Exercise daily – walking, swimming and yoga are all recommended.
Consume herbs such as alfalfa, parsley and rosemary that have antibacterial properties and therefore tackle body odour by reducing bacteria.
Take tiphala – an Ayurvedic treatment made up of three fruits to cleanse and strengthen the digestive system and thereby reduce ama.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), excessive underarm sweating is a sign of heat accumulation and is related to the liver and heart meridians. The heat accumulation may result from poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, or malfunctioning organs. When this heat affects the liver or heart meridians, it is transmitted to the armpits, which in turn sweat profusely. TCM addresses the problem by clearing the heat from the appropriate meridian and organ so that internal harmony can be resumed.
To receive bespoke advice based upon your own situation you should visit a local licensed practitioner. Find your closest Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners here
You may wish to discuss the following with your practitioner:
General – kombucha – a fermented Chinese tea, high in probiotics and “system purifiers.” Eliminates toxins and body odor.
For liver deficiency and heat accumulation –anemarrhena rhizome, amur corktree bark, oyster shell (calcined) and ephedra root.
For heat accumulated in heart meridian – ginseng , dwarf lily-turf tuber and schisandra
For damp-heat irritation – astragalus root, white peony root, cassia twig and vinegar.
For yin deficiency leading to internal heat –rehmannia root & dwarf lily-turf tuber
Aromatherapy
Certain essential oils are well known for anti-bacterial properties as well as their lovely fragrance. Effective oils for body odor are: bergamot, lavender, lemongrass (very strong so ensure it is well diluted in a carrier oil), peppermint, tea-tree. Never put the oils directly on the skin under the armpits, as the area is very sensitive. Always blend with carrier oil (such as coconut oil) before direct contact with skin. They can also be added to bath water and included in a homemade deodorant.
Homeopathic Medicine
Owing to the principles behind homeopathy it is essential you see a licensed practitioner to receive your own personalized prescription. Find your closest Homeopath here
Hepar sulph and Sulfur may be suggested, as both are popular homeopathic remedies for treating unpleasant body odor.
Herbs
Drink a cup of sage tea daily.
Peppermint – the ingestion of peppermint freshen breath, eases digestion, helping to metabolize foods and other toxins, which improves overall body odor.
Use fresh rosemary in your cooking – it is a good source of zinc which plays a role in reducing body odor.
Include parsley in your diet – it is rich in odor neutralizing chlorophyll and contains other antibacterial elements.
Add oregano leaf to meals – is a high anti-oxidant food which fights odor causing bacteria.
Other
Exercise:
It is important that you exercise regularly to boost circulation and encourage the elimination of toxins. A fantastic form of exercise is rebounding (jumping on a mini-trampoline) it doesn’t create excessive sweating but it does work your body on the inside as well as the outside. It is a fantastic way to detox the body and a great way to relieve stress.
Juice Therapy:
Drink fresh-squeezed, organic vegetable juices once or twice a day. Find recipes here: www.juicemaster.com/recipes.
Lifestyle:
Wash your entire body twice daily with a natural antibacterial soap such as a tea-tree oil soap (or make your own. Pay special attention to problem areas and dry yourself thoroughly (bacteria thrives more in a moist environment).
Recipe for tea-tree oil soap:
- 2 cups of glycerin soap base (source natural variety with no added nasties)
- 2 tablespoons of tea tree oil
Combine melted base and herbal oil. Stir until blended, then pour into molds and cool.
Shaving the armpits regularly has been found to help body odor control in the underarms.
Get rid of old sweat stained clothes that still hold a sweaty aroma. Always ensure that your clothes are cleaned regularly and avoid wearing the same close fitted clothes between washes.
Flower remedies
The Bach Flower Remedy Crabapple aids in cleansing and detoxification. It is the most popular flower remedy in treating skin conditions. It can be taken orally, with 3 drops added to water 3 times a day.
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