Effective Home Remedies to Treat Body Odor

Effective Home Remedies to Treat Body Odor

Excessive sweating and body odor is a problem that can affect a person's confidence and self-esteem. Body odor develops when the sweat combines with the bacteria on the skin. The body produces sweat in certain circumstances such as in hot weather, during physical activity or in response to anger or fear. 

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) is a medical condition that can account for strong and persistent body odor. Not only is this very embarrassing and may not just be a sign poor hygiene but of a more serious health associated problems such as diabetes, lung diseases, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders and tuberculosis.

Although commercial advertisements of chemical body sprays, deodorants and antiperspirants may help to temporarily control the odor, but this may not be the solution you are looking for. You may want a more natural and effective remedy to manage and treat the problem. Herbal home remedies have proven to be beneficial in the elimination of toxins from the body and to help keep perspiration levels at normal levels. Find in this post some of such useful natural approaches to get rid of undesirable body odor.

Effective Home Remedies for Body Odor

Effective Home Remedies for Body Odor

• Prepare a paste by mixing some gram flour in curd. Apply this paste all over your body fifteen minutes before bath. This treatment would help open the clogged pores which paves way for toxins to come out of the body through sweating and hence controls body odor.
• Crush some bael leaves in water to make a paste. Mix the same in water in the ratio 1:5 and wipe entire body with cloth/ sponge doused in the mixture for a week to cure foul body odor.
• Applying a paste of tejpatta leaves on body for 3 days helps get rid of undesirable odor. Also, tejpatta leaves can be boiled in water and same can be used for taking bath.
• Taking bath with decoction of henna leaves and khuskhus (Vetiveria zizanoides) in equal proportion for 5 days removes disagreeable body odor.
• Add rose water to your bathing water for a refreshing and long lasting effect on your body. Rosewater is a very good natural deodorant.
• Boil some neem and basil leaves in water and add it in your bath water. This would prevent not only foul odor, but will also protect your skin against various fungal infections.
• Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your bathing water to get rid of odor producing bacteria.
• Take equal proportions of fuller’s earth and sandalwood powder and mix in rose water. Apply this paste all over your body and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with water.
• Boil 10-12 fresh leaves of sal (Shorea robusta) in 2l of water till it reduces to half. Wipe entire body with this extract and take hot water bath after half an hour to remove bad odor.
• Drink a glass of juice prepared from carrot, mint leaves and aniseed to overcome the bad body odor.
• Soak some tamarind in water and prepare a paste of the same. Apply this paste over the body before taking bath.

General Suggestions to Keep a Check on Body Odor

Shower at least once a day to wash away sweat as well as reduce the number of bacteria on your skin. Wear clean clothes everyday, preferably cotton, as it is a natural fiber. Avoid wearing synthetic fabrics. Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight or body hugging. Also change your clothes daily as body odor can leave behind traces. Avoid wearing shoes for longer. Try wearing open sandals too.

Dietary changes may help to reduce the problem of excessive sweating and body odor. Here are a few healthy dietary tips. Eat whole grain, leafy green vegetables, soy products and fruits to keep your body odor under control. Avoid eating processed foods that are high in white flour, sugars and fats. Make sure you get enough soluble fiber through your diet. Reduce your intake of foods such as fish, legumes and eggs.

Avoid intake of spicy foods and those which contain a lot of garlic and onion. Lower your intake of caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Tobacco causes body odor. Quit smoking and stop using tobacco in any form. Drink plenty of water daily as it helps to flush out toxins and waste products from the body.

Some people experience excessive sweating due to anxiety and nervousness. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, meditation, aromatherapy, massage therapy, etc., can be practiced to combat day to day stress and anxiety. 

If you try these natural remedies, maintain proper hygiene and follow the rule of balanced diet, body odor would be pleasant and won’t bother you anymore.