Sweating causes body odor to become more noticeable. The eccrine and apocrine glands produce sweat, which evaporates from the skin and helps to keep the body cool. The interaction of sweat and bacteria on the skin is what causes body odor.
Regular body cleansing with antibacterial soaps can help to reduce bacterial growth and eliminate unpleasant body odor. Furthermore, some herbal remedies are effective in treating body odor problems.
Herbal remedies for body-odor problems
- Baking soda
Baking soda is known for its ability to absorb odors. This odor-neutralizing property can be used to absorb moisture and neutralize odors produced by sweat and bacteria.
Some studies show that baking soda also has antimicrobial properties that can help reduce the number of bacteria. However, it's important to note that scientific studies specifically examining the effectiveness of baking soda in treating body odor are limited. Additionally, some individuals might experience irritation or allergic reactions when baking soda is applied directly to the skin.
Using baking soda as a natural deodorant is easy, and this is one of the ways to do it:
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- Mix about 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with a little warm water to form a paste, then apply it to the armpits and wait for it to dry before dressing
- Combine baking soda with coconut oil and a few drops of essential oils to alleviate body odor issues
- Green tea
Green tea possesses antioxidant properties and can reduce excessive sweat production. You can use it to tackle body odor problems as follows:
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- Soak green tea bags until they are wet
- Apply the moistened green tea bags to the armpits. This can help absorb moisture and reduce the growth of odor-causing bacteria
Note that the effect of this green tea compress may not be long-lasting, and you will need to clean the green tea residue to avoid skin irritation.
- Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural ingredient that can help reduce body odor by balancing the pH of the skin. More acidic skin tends to be a less favorable environment for bacterial growth.
To use, mix apple cider vinegar with water and rinse off after bathing. Be cautious, as apple cider vinegar may cause skin irritation if used in too high a concentration. Always dilute it with water when applying it directly to the skin.
- Lemon juice
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which has antibacterial properties. Combine lemon juice and plain water, then spray or apply to the underarm skin. However, it's important to note that lemon water may cause skin irritation, especially on sensitive skin or freshly shaven underarms.
If herbal treatments do not help with your body odor problem, if you sweat excessively even when the temperature is not hot or you are not active, or if your sweat smells sweet and fruity, you should see a doctor.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for more tips regarding health, first aid, and other home remedies? Click here!
- dr. Monica Salim
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Body Odor. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17865-body-odor
Stephanie Watson (2021). What's that smell? Get rid of body odor. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/whats-that-smell-common-and-less-common-causes-of-body-odor
Mayo Clinic (2021). Sweating and body odor. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sweating-and-body-odor/symptoms-causes/syc-20353895
Kristeen Cherney (2019). Baking Soda as a Deodorant: What Are the Benefits and Side Effects?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/baking-soda-deodorant
Dr. Anuja Bodhare (2023). Best Home Remedies For Smelly Armpits. Available from: https://pharmeasy.in/blog/home-remedies-for-smelly-armpits/
Rohini Radhakrishnan, ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon. What Does Apple Cider Vinegar Do for a Woman's Body?. Available from: https://www.medicinenet.com/apple_cider_vinegar_for_womans__health/article.htm
