Although sweating is a normal, healthy way for your body to cool off and dispose of toxins, excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can leave you feeling soggy and self-conscious. Because excessive sweating can be caused by a wide variety of factors--including infection, anxiety, obesity, diseases such as hyperthyroidism, hormonal changes and drugs--it's important that you be examined by a doctor to rule out dangerous diagnoses. If your doctor has given you a clean bill of health and you are merely troubled by overly damp armpits, however, there are herbal remedies that may alleviate your excessive sweating. Herbal medicine is a complementary therapy and not meant to replace medical care.
Step 1
Combine 4 tbls. of dried sage leaves with 2 cups of water, and bring to a boil. According to the Sweating Help website, sage--or salvia officinalis--has been found to reduce sweat production by more than 50 percent, and has been approved by the German government as a means for controlling sweating.
Step 2
Lower the heat and allow the sage tea mixture to simmer for five minutes more. Let it cool and pour it over a strainer or clean square of muslin into a jar.
Step 3
Drink the sage mixture within five minutes after it cools off to get maximum benefit. Since sage tea can be bitter, you may want to add honey to taste. According to the Herbs 2000 website, this sage tea--which is best drunk in the evenings--has a perspiration-suppressing effect that should begin a few hours later, and last for several days.
Step 4
Use the sage mixture topically by applying it to your armpits with a damp washcloth after showering.
Step 5
Alternately, combine 5 tbls. of sage leaves, 1 tbls. of horsetail and 1 tbls. of valerian root in 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, cool, strain and drink. Valerian has mild sedative effects that can calm the anxiety and stress that may be contributing to your excessive sweating.
Other Herbs and Supplements for Sweating
Step 1
Steep chamomile tea bags for 15 minutes, and drink 2 or 3 cups a day to reduce anxiety that can contribute to excess sweating.
Step 2
Steep lemon balm teabags for 15 minutes to make to make a tea that may help induce restful sleep and reduce the stress that can lead to excessive sweating. Drink the tea before bedtime.
Step 3
Take 1200 mg of calcium and 2500 mg a day of potassium to replace minerals you may have lost during excessive sweating. According to the Herbs 2000 website, lack of calcium can cause muscle cramps, while potassium deficiency can result in muscle weakness and constipation.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid the use of ginseng, ephedra, and yohimbe. According to Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., these herbs can increase sweating (see References 4).
- Don't use sage for more than four weeks at a time. According to the Sweating Help website, you may begin using it again after taking a month off. Also avoid using sage if you are pregnant, nursing, or suffer from seizures (see References 5). Never begin an herbal or supplementary regimen without first consulting your doctor; herbs and supplements can have side effects and interfere with prescription medications. To learn about the side effects of herbs and supplements, visit the National Library of Medicine listed in the Resources section (see Resources 2).
Things You'll Need
- 4 tbls. of dried or fresh sage leaves
- 2 cups water
- Strainer or square of muslin cloth
- Honey (optional)
- 5 tbls. sage leaves (optional)
- 1 tbls. horsetail (optional)
- 1 tbls. of valerian root (optional)
- Chamomile tea bags
- Lemon balm tea bags
- 1200 mg calcium
- 2500 mg potassium
