10 Effective Home Remedies For Reducing Body Odor
Introduction
Sweating, in general, is actually the body’s natural way to regulate its temperature. However, the body odour that comes with it can be a major turn off.
Deodorants are one of the best-known ways to combat body odour. But of late, there has been a lot of debate surrounding the chemicals used in deodorants and their cumulative effect on the human body. Therefore, many people are looking for safer and natural alternatives to deal with the issue. Read on to know about the natural remedies that can help you get rid of body odour.
What Causes Body Odour?
Body odour is produced when the bacteria that live on our skin break down the proteins in our sweat into different acids. Some people tend to think that it is the growth of bacteria on the skin that produces body odour, but in reality, it is this process that produces the unpleasant odour.Every individual has a unique odour, which is influenced by parameters like age, diet, health, and gender.
The bacterial breakdown of the proteins in our sweat results in two acids – propionic acid and isovaleric acid.
Propionic acid is produced when propionibacteria break down amino acids. It has a pungent smell and is often associated with vinegar.
Isovaleric acid is also found in many kinds of cheese. It is produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria.
The human body also has two types of sweat glands that are present all over our body. They are:
Eccrine Glands: These glands are found throughout the body. The sweat produced by the eccrine glands reaches the surface of the skin via certain ducts. They are usually responsible for maintaining our body temperature.
Apocrine Glands: These glands are usually responsible for the foul odour produced by our body. The apocrine glands are usually found in our armpits, eyelids, genital area, and breasts. They are responsible for the secretion of fat droplets in breast milk and the production of earwax in the ears. In the armpits and groin, these glands usually give off an odour and are therefore known as scent glands.
Though body odour is a natural phenomenon, it can affect our confidence and personality. Given below are 10 home remedies to get rid of this pesky problem.
10 Effective Home Remedies For Reducing Body Odor
1. Parsley
What You Need
- A teaspoon of parsley leaves
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Add the parsley leaves to water and boil for 5 minutes.
- Strain and drink the water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Drink parsley water regularly for best results.Why This Works
Parsley leaves have been known to possess anti-odour properties since ages. The presence of chlorophyll in these leaves is said to eliminate body odour and bad breath internally.2. Neem Leaves
What You Need
- A handful of neem leaves
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Grind the neem leaves to make a fine paste.
- Apply this paste on all the sweat-prone areas on your body.
- Allow it to dry and wash it off with warm water.
- Alternatively, boil some neem leaves in water. Strain the water and use it in your bath.
How Often You Need To Do This
Daily use is recommended for best results.Why This Works
The antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties of neem help it to eliminate the odour-causing bacteria. It also removes all the toxins from within the body, eradicating the root cause of body odour.3. Rubbing Alcohol
What You Need
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton pads
What You Have To Do
Take some drops of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and apply it to your underarms.How Often You Need To Do This
This can be used on your underarms and other less sensitive body parts daily.Why This Works
The antibacterial properties of rubbing alcohol eliminate all the surface bacteria present on the skin, and this prevents body odour.4. Rose Water
What You Need
- 3 tablespoons of rose water
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
What You Have To Do
- Mix rose water with apple cider vinegar.
- Store this mixture in a bottle and spray on your underarms and other body parts whenever required.
How Often You Need To Do This
Apply this daily for best results.Why This Works
As rose water is an astringent, it reduces the size of the pores present on the skin, and this decreases sweat production. It also leaves behind a floral fragrance.5. Tomato Juice
What You Need
- 2 cups of tomato juice
- 1 bucket of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Fill your bathtub with warm water and add the tomato juice to it.
- Soak in the bath and relax for 20 to 30 minutes.
How Often You Need To Do This
You can follow this procedure 3 to 4 times a week.Why This Works
The acidic nature of tomatoes kills the bacteria present on the skin while its astringent properties minimize the pores and reduce sweat production.6. Lemon Juice
What You Need
- 1 lemon
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Cut the lemon into two halves and rub it directly on your underarms.
- Allow it to dry completely. Wash off with lukewarm water.
- If you have sensitive skin, you can dilute lemon juice with a few drops of water and then apply it on the underarms.
How Often You Need To Do This
You can do this daily.
Why This Works
The acidic nature of lemon lowers the pH of our body, making it difficult for the bacteria to survive on our skin.7. Tea Bags
What You Need
- 4 tea bags
- 2L of water
What You Have To Do
- Boil the water and put the tea bags in it.
- Pour this tea into your regular bath and soak in it for 15-20 minutes.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this at least thrice a week.
Why This Works
The tannins present in tea keep the skin dry, thereby preventing sweat formation.8. Green Tea
What You Need
- Green tea leaves
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Boil water according to need in a teapot and put the green tea leaves.
- Allow it to cool and then apply the strained extract to the sweat-prone areas of the body.
- Regular intake of green tea on an empty stomach can also help you deal with foul body odour.
How Often You Need To Do This
Apply this mixture on alternate days as the daily application could be too drying for some skin types.Why This Works
The antioxidants and tannic acid in green tea help combat body odour from within. While the external application of green tea helps to keep the skin dry and keeps the bacteria in check, daily intake of green tea helps to flush all the toxins out of the body.9. Baking Soda
What You Need
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- Water (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Take the powdered baking soda in a bowl and brush it on all the sweat-prone areas of your body, such as your underarms.
- Dust off the extra powder and go about your day as usual.
- Alternatively, you can mix baking soda with a few drops of water to make a paste.
- Apply this paste to the underarms and other areas of your body.
- Leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes and clean with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a towel.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this daily for a few weeks.
Why This Works
Baking soda absorbs moisture, and hence, it prevents the formation of sweat. It not only kills the bacteria on the skin but also alkalizes the body and neutralizes the pungent odour that our body gives off.10. Apple Cider Vinegar
What You Need
- Apple cider vinegar
- Cotton balls
- Water (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Apple cider vinegar can be directly applied to your underarms and other body parts using a cotton ball.
- Alternatively, half a cup of ACV can be mixed with one cup of water and used as a deodorant.
How Often You Need To Do This
As this is a natural alternative to store-bought deodorants, it can be used on a regular basis as per one’s requirement.Why This Works
Being acidic in nature, apple cider vinegar is known for its ability to kill and prevent bacterial formation, which can, in turn, prevent the occurrence of foul body odour.Tips To Reduce Body Odour
- Try and stick to an all-natural and aluminium-free deodorant.
- Shower daily.
- Spritz vinegar or rubbing alcohol on the sweat-prone areas.
- Take green supplements such as chlorophyll or wheatgrass to combat body odour internally.
- Wear clothing made of cotton so that your skin can breathe freely.
- Use a natural sanitizer such as tea tree oil to wipe the sweat-prone areas from time to time.
- Adopt a diet with less spicy food.
- Detoxify your body regularly by consuming fenugreek seeds and green tea.
Bottom Line
Foul body odour is not only embarrassing but can also turn out to be a mentally and socially disturbing phenomenon for many out there. For such individuals, the store-bought deodorants and antiperspirants could do more harm than good. Hence, the use of natural antiperspirants is highly recommended.
Now that you know how to get rid of body odour naturally, what are you waiting for? Try these home remedies and let us know how they worked for you.