Body odor is a problem that many people deal with – some of us, without even realizing it. What we often mistake as being a problem resulting from sweating too much, might actually be a more ingrained issue. If you have body odor issues, don’t worry – just like every other problem, this too has a solution. So if you’re in search of natural home remedies, look no further! Here are a large number of solutions that you can trust as the perfect home remedies to get rid of body odor.
Remove Body Odor with Home Remedies – Winning the Daily Battle
1. Shave Underarms
Hair, especially body hair located in regions that tend to stay covered and secrete more sweat, creates a warm, moist region which traps bacteria. This allows bacteria to thrive, and odorants to be trapped as well. Shaving on a regular basis not only keeps your underarms clean, but also ensures less bacteria build-up – leading to decrease in body odor.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is known to be a great absorbent, and therefore serves as the perfect solution for the dual problem of sweat and body odor. Mix baking soda and lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio, making sure not to overuse either ingredient, and apply to the areas prone to excessive sweating. Leave this on for about two minutes, and then rinse gently. Do this once a week for best results.
3. Cornstarch and Baking Soda
A mixture of equal parts cornstarch and baking soda is a great remedy for body odor. Before leaving the house, apply this mixture onto your underarms, after having made sure that they are dry and clean. Leave this on for extended protection. The mixture acts like a natural substitute for deodorants.
4. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel contains astringent properties, which contracts the pores of the skin, ensuring a significant decrease in sweat production – leading, consequently, to reduced body odor. It works as an antiperspirant, so whenever you feel like your body smells too much, dab a cotton ball in witch hazel, and apply on the sweaty areas.
5. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can do all kinds of things, including help reduce body odor. Apply lemon juice from half a lemon on the underarms and other sweaty regions, leaving it to dry. After this, take a shower, and wash off the juice with soap and water. If you have sensitive skin, mix the juice in half a cup of water, and apply it onto your skin using a cotton ball. Follow this regimen once a day, and you will notice a change soon.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
There is almost nothing apple cider vinegar cannot do. It is extremely effective at fighting bacteria and balancing the skin’s pH level, thereby ensuring that you can stop body odor permanently. Apply apple cider vinegar on the problematic areas using a cotton ball, leaving it on for 2-3 minutes. Then take a shower. Do this twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, for best results. You can also mix a cup of apple cider vinegar in lukewarm bath water, and soak in it for 10 minutes, doing this once daily.
7. Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar
This makes for a potent combination, and will help you treat body odor problems with ease. In a glass of warm water, mix a teaspoon of honey and two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. Drink this before every meal i.e., thrice daily. It should work like a charm.
8. Vinegar
Vinegar can serve as a great remedy for armpit odor. There are several methods by which to use vinegar to deal with body odor issues. You can apply a small amount of white vinegar to your underarms using a cotton ball. Alternatively, you can store some in a sprayer and spray it on before leaving the house – be sure not to spray any deodorant on after this. You can also dilute some white vinegar in a mug of water, and rinse your underarms with this.
9. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has often proved to be a great natural remedy for a variety of problems – and body odor is no exception. Treat body odor effectively by mixing some tea tree oil in water and applying this to areas of your body that sweat excessively – especially the underarms. It can also serve as an alternative to your regular deodorant, so you can store this oil-water mixture in a spray can, and use as and when necessary.
10. Rosemary
Rosemary is full of natural properties that are super-effective in fighting body odor – including properties that inhibit growth of bacteria, and natural deodorant properties. Add half a cup of dried rosemary to four cups of hot water, letting it steep for 10 minutes. Mix this into your bath water, and soak in it for 15-20 minutes. Follow this regimen once daily to fight body odor without the use of an artificial deodorant.
11. Sage
Sage is a fragrant as well as effective herb, endowed with antibacterial properties. Add two tablespoons of dried sage in four cups of hot water, allowing it to steep for 10 minutes. Cool the solution and use it to rinse your underarms. Follow this twice a day for best results. Alternatively, you can make sage tea by letting a teaspoon of dried sage steep in hot water for about 10 minutes. Strain the leaves, and drink.
12. Turnips
Not many people are fond of turnips, and if you’re one of those people, you might want to rethink your opinion of them. Turnips contain antibacterial properties, which can help in getting rid of odor-causing bacteria. Consider including them in your diet. If you can’t, follow this: make a paste using two or three turnips, and strain the juice. Apply this to the excessively sweaty areas of your body, letting it dry. Wash off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily.
13. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain antiseptic properties which effectively kill bacteria, and also help contract the pores, thereby reducing sweating. Extract the juices of seven or eight tomatoes, and mix this in a bucket of water. Use this water to take a bath, and get amazing results in no time. Do this once a day to treat body and underarms odor. You can also drink a glass or two of tomato juice every day.
14. Essential Oils
You can make a great natural deodorant using essential oils and witch hazel. Mix five drops each of sage, coriander and lavender essential oils in about 60 ml of distilled witch hazel, and store in a spray bottle or can. This makes for the perfect alternative to artificial, chemical-laden deodorants, and helps you combat body odor while also making healthier choices in life.
15. Sandalwood powder
Sandalwood powder can be used to make a natural deodorizing powder, which would make for a good alternative to the essential oil-based homemade deodorant. Make this by blending two parts sandalwood powder with one part each of white oak bark powder and lovage root powder. Toast this mix slightly, and store in a pouch made of fine fabric. Use this powdered mixture as an alternative to chemical deodorants.
16. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass contains properties that eliminate toxins as well as act as a natural deodorant. Mix two tablespoons of wheatgrass juice in one cup of water, and drink every morning on an empty stomach. Follow this once daily until you notice a visible reduction in body odor.
17. Alum
You can use alum to make an unscented deodorant if you are not particularly fond of the strong-smelling deodorants available on the market, but still need to combat body odor. Mix four teaspoons of alum powder with two teaspoons of baking soda and 225 ml rubbing alcohol. Store this in a spray can or bottle, and use as you would any other deodorant.
18. Tablets containing chlorophyll
Chlorophyll fights bacteria, and, as a result, body odor. Several tablets containing chlorophyll are available over the counter. Buy one of these and follow the dosage recommended.
19. Herbal soap
Bathe at least once daily, but do not overuse soaps containing harsh chemicals. If possible, use herbal alternatives.
20. Green, leafy vegetables
Follow a balanced diet, and include green, leafy vegetables in it. These are rich in chlorophyll, which will help deal with body odor.
21. Water
Although not a remedy, this is an effective solution. Drinking lots of water flushes toxins from the body, leading to decrease in body odor.