Body odor is the by-product of bacteria in our skin feeding off emitted sweat, notes AskMen.com. From July 2008 to July 2009, Americans spent more than $1.2 billion on deodorants and antiperspirants, according to "The New York Times." Aluminum-based ingredients in commercial deodorants temporarily clog sweat ducts, preventing your body from sweating. While many commercial products help you mask body odor, you can also choose from numerous natural ways.
Hygiene
The root of your body odor could be as simple as poor hygiene, notes AskMen.com. Bathe frequently, especially after high-intensity activities like exercise, exposure to heat or stressful situations. Avoid wearing clothes numerous times between washes; cotton and other organic fabrics can absorb odor.
Diet
The consumption or deficiency of specific foods can trigger body odor even when you don't sweat. As a general rule, strong-smelling foods like garlic, curry and cumin may release their odors through your pores, according to AskMen.com. Processed foods; meats; and chlorine-rich foods, including beans, fish and liver, can all upset your body's natural metabolism and trigger odor. Overindulgence in sugar and caffeine can increase sweat, while a lack of zinc intake prevents your body from detoxifying waste products, all of which can lead to stronger body odor.
Drink more water to flush toxins out of your body, suggests Green Herbal Remedies. Herbal Cure India recommends drinking a half-liter of wheat grass juice each day; the plant's chlorophyll is a traditional body odor remedy. Lemon juice and fresh papaya work from within to naturally detox your body, notes Green Herbal Remedies.
Deodorant Alternatives
Replace your commercial deodorant with moisture-absorbing talcum powder, baking soda or calcium bicarbonate, recommends Herbal Cure India. Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial agent that can be applied to your armpits to prevent sweat-eating bacteria growth. White vinegar will also cleanse your armpits, or other trouble areas, and keep odors at bay for several days. Green Herbal Remedies recommends turnip juice as a topical deodorant to neutralize body odors, or apply ginger and lemon juices to your armpits.
Create a natural perfume by mixing 10 drops of rose, neem, lavender or rosemary essential oils in 30 ml of water. Spray the mixture over your body, suggests Green Herbal Remedies.
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