How to Reduce the Unpleasant Odor of Sweat Without Deodorants or Antiperspirants

Perspiring also known as sweating, is the body's way of naturally regulating its temperature, eliminating toxins, and maintaining the balance of salt levels. A normal healthy body is continually sweating and loses about 1 - 2 pints of liquid per day through the skin. Perspiration is odorless when fresh. But when allowed to remain on the skin it develops Body Odor, known as BO. Most of this is due to the presence of bacteria that breed in the warm moist conditions created by perspiration. It's the bacteria that live on the skin and break down the sweat that cause the unpleasant odor. Here are some ways you can naturally - without the use of deodorants or antiperspirants - help combat Body Odor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Drink plenty of water. This will keep your body cool inside and slow the metabolic rate, thereby slowing down the rate of perspiration.
2. Try eliminating caffinated products including coffee and tea. These contribute to body odor by increasing the activity of apocrine sweat glands, (special glands in hairy parts of the body) that produce strong-smelling, musky secretions.
3. Increase your intake of dark green leafy green vegetables like spinach, chard, parsley, and kale. These are rich in chlorophyll and have a powerful deodorizing effect on your body.
4. Go light on hot spices, onions, garlic, and spicy foods such as pickles as these aggravate body odor.
5. Fruits like lemon, oranges, and watermelon help keep your system cool.
6. Wear loose and comfortable cotton or natural fiber clothing. Knitted or hand loomed fabrics are better than machine made (synthetic) fabrics because they are lightly loose in their weaving and this lets more air circulate around your body aiding the drying of sweat. Avoid tight fitting garments.
7. Shoes and socks also trap sweat causing bad odor to emanate from your feet. Wear cotton socks, and wear strappy, open shoes to keep your feet dry. Dust your feet with pure sandalwood powder, talcum powder, or cornstarch which keeps your feet cool. Try soaking your feet daily in warm water with white vinegar or Epsom salts added.
8. Talcum power after a bath or shower will reduce sweating. Treat body odor using baking soda and water by making a paste. Use where you have body odor. Leave it there for around 10 minutes then wash off. Splash rubbing alcohol in your armpits. Or use white vinegar.
9. Shower with an antiseptic soap to get rid of harmful bacteria. Complete the shower with a rinse of water and a few drops of sandalwood or lavender oil. This can keep your body smelling fresh.
10. Yoga or meditation keeps your mind and body under control, thus controlling the hormonal secretions in your body. The more relaxed you are, the less you have to get stressed about body odor.
11. Magnesium or zinc deficiencies can be a cause for body odor. Try taking Zinc and Magnesium tablets.

Tips & Warnings

• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) can be treated by a doctor.