Sweating is your body's way of regulating its temperature. There's controversy over the safety of commercially available antiperspirants and deodorants. A number of home remedies based in folk medicine can help control excessive underarm sweat and reduce the potentially embarrassing odor resulting from this bodily process. However, scientific verification of the efficacy of these remedies is slim at best. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned about the amount of sweat your body is producing or about natural treatment options for underarm sweat.
Sage Antiperspirant
Sage, or Salvia officinalis, is an herb common to spice racks, gardens and grocery stores. Folk medicine touts the herb as a natural antiperspirant, although there is controversy as to whether the plant actually functions as an antiperspirant. The "Practical Guide to Natural Medicine" produced in conjunction with The American Pharmaceutical Association says that studies on the herb show mixed results for reducing perspiration. The book suggests sipping sage tea throughout the day or applying sage essential oil directly on underarms to control sweating. Sage contains phenolic acids, anti-bacterial components, that may reduce the smell resulting from underarm sweat. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the antiperspirant activity of sage, the American Pharmaceutical Association notes that German health authorities approve sage as a remedy for excessive underarm sweat (hyperhydrosis). Sage oil contains a compound known as thujone, which may cause seizures or coma if used in high quantities. Because the herb mimics the effect of estrogen, the American Pharmaceutical Association cautions against the use of sage as an antiperspirant by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor to determine whether sage is a viable option to control your sweat.
Apple Cider Vinegar Antiperspirant
Apple cider vinegar is a folk remedy for excessive sweating. The book "1,801 Home Remedies" produced by Reader's Digest suggests that apple cider vinegar applied to the underarms dries the area. Rub apple cider vinegar on your underarms before bed, allowing your body time to absorb the liquid. The vinegar saturates the skin's pores and causes a drying effect. Thoroughly wash and dry your armpits the next morning and apply a deodorant product. Due to its acidic nature, apple cider vinegar also helps neutralize the bacteria responsible for odor caused by underarm sweat. Apple cider vinegar may be too drying for some people, resulting in a painful rash. Discontinue use if side effects occur and consult your doctor.
Baking Soda Deodorant
Baking soda is an odor neutralizer, used in refrigerators the world over to combat odd, powerful kitchen scents. Known chemically as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is a mixture of calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. Corn starch, a substance mined from the endosperm of corn kernels, absorbs extra moisture. Both ingredients are readily found in grocery stores. Create a mixture of baking soda and cornstarch in a 50:50 ratio. Mix it well. You may add two to three drops of an essential oil in the fragrance of your choice for a more pleasing scent, as noted by environmentalist and author Norma Lehmeier-Hartie in “Harmonious Environment.” Because the odor caused by underarm sweat comes from bacteria, consider an essential oil with purported anti-bacterial properties. “The Herbal Companion” notes that tea tree oil and lemon oil both have anti-bacterial properties. Lavender oil is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, making it a gentle option for those who shave their underarms. This home remedy won't stop you from sweating completely, but it can reduce the odor and prevent an uncomfortable buildup of moisture in the same way a commercial deodorant product would. Certain essential oils, such as lavender, may cause an allergic reaction in sensitive people. Consult your doctor if a rash or other side effects develop.
References
- “Practical Guide to Natural Medicine”; The American Pharmaceutical Association, Andrea Pierce; 1999
- “1,801 Home Remedies”; Reader's Digest; 2004
- "The Herbal Companion: The Essential Guide to the Properties of Herbs"; Marcus A. Webb; 1998
- “Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet”; Norma Lehmeier-Hartie; 2007
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