Using a Home Remedy for Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a condition that affects from one to three percent of the population worldwide. It involves profuse perspiration of the hands, feet, armpits, or face. Sweating is a natural mechanism that the body uses to cool down. It is also related to stress, anxiety, an overactive nervous system, and hormonal imbalances. Technically, the cause of this condition is unknown. Although few people are aware of hyperhidrosis it is a serious medical condition. While not necessarily a health threat it can be embarrassing, creating anxiety and making everyday social situations potentially horrifying.

There are conventional treatment options, such as oral medication, surgery, and iontophoresis, but these come with side effects, no guarantee of successfully working, and may only work temporarily. Another choice is to choose a natural home remedy for excessive sweating. The natural route may take time and patience, but it will not harm your body and it offers you more control over the condition..

Natural Antiperspirant

People who suffer from excessive sweating may not respond well to antiperspirants, even prescription strength ones. One simple method for treating hyperhidrosis of the armpits is to go in the other direction and use a simple, natural antiperspirant made from baking soda and corn starch. Mix equal parts of the two powders and dab onto armpits. This will absorb odor and moisture. You can add two or three drops of your favorite essential oils, such as lavender or bergamot. Use cedarwood essential oil to help normalize sweat gland function.

This method may take time as the body readjusts to a non-toxic antiperspirant. While it seems contrary to logic, the baking soda and corn starch may be effective if the body is actually overly sensitive to conventional products, which may be causing an imbalance and therefore creating more harm than good. This home remedy is safe for general use and there are no side effects.

Sage

Sage is one of the most useful herbs for excessive sweating. When taken internally it is known to reduce perspiration. To make a sage tea infuse two teaspoons of the dried leaves in one cup of boiling water for ten minutes. Drink one to three cups daily. There should be some improvement after taking sage every day for two weeks. You can also take this herb in tablet or tincture form. While sage is safe for general use it should be avoided during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This herb stops sweating but it also dries up breast milk.

Give Up Dairy

What do dairy products have to do with excessive sweating? It is possible that food intolerances have a lot to do with hyperhidrosis. If your body cannot tolerate a certain food, or toxins in general for that matter, the immune system has to work very hard to deal with the ‘harmful substances.’ To the nervous system this may seem like the body is under stress all of the time, and so excess perspiration could occur. Try giving up dairy products for a period of time. To find out if this home remedy for excessive sweating will be truly effective, try to eat a cleansing diet as well, focusing on water, fresh fruit juices, grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. This will help to cleanse the body of what may be troubling it. Then you can start re-introducing other foods to see if anything triggers the perspiration.

Meditation

As chronic anxiety is both a potential cause and a result of hyperhidrosis, using mind-body techniques such as meditation can help with this condition. This is a method that can take time and patience, but it will only improve total well-being. Give yourself ten minutes a day to do simple meditation techniques to deal with stress and anxiety.

Excessive sweating is serious and many people deal with it for their entire life. There are conventional treatment options that you can talk to your doctor about. Know that you do not have to use them to correct this condition. Have patience and work with your body to find a state of balance both mentally and physically. The sweating will stop.

References

Skin and Aging https://www.skinandaging.com/article/934

Hoffmann, David. “The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies.” (Element Books, 1996).

Dr. Ben Kim https://drbenkim.com/articles-sweat.html

photo by Sporkist (CC/flickr) https://www.flickr.com/photos/sporkist/216031967/sizes/m/in/photostream/

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