Cure Body Odor
"Body odour (spelled body odor in America) or bromhidrosis (also called bromidrosis, osmidrosis and ozochrotia) is the smell of bacteria growing on the body. These bacteria multiply rapidly in the presence of sweat, but sweat itself is almost completely odorless. Body odor is associated with the hair, feet, groin (upper medial thigh), anus, skin in general, armpits, genitals, pubic hair, and mouth.
Body odor can smell pleasant and specific to the individual, and can be used to identify people, though this is more often done by dogs and other animals, than by humans. An individual's body odor is also influenced by diet, gender, genetics, health, medication, and mood.[citation needed] Propionic acid (propanoic acid) is present in many sweat samples. This acid is a breakdown product of some amino acids by propionibacteria, which thrive in the ducts of adolescent and adult sebaceous glands. Because propionic acid is chemically similar to acetic acid with similar physical characteristics including odor, body odors may be identified as having a vinegar-like smell by certain persons. Isovaleric acid (3-methyl butanoic acid) is the other source of body odor as a result of actions of the bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis, which is also present in several strong cheese types." (Wikipedia)
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL OR LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL
[YEA] 04/16/2008: Christine from Virginia Beach, VA writes: "Liquid Chlorophyll and activated charcoal will go a long way to getting rid of body odor when used internally. Unfortunately, both of them can cause stains. So be sure to use them in an empty sink to avoid staining your counter or clothing.
Although you have to be careful with it to avoid making a mess, activated charcoal is best used in bulk. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons to a pint of water, and sip through a straw. Be sure to rinse out your mouth with peroxide afterward and rinse your teeth to get the charcoal off.
Activated charcoal in bulk is made from coal or coconut shells. Obviously, you want the coconut shell-made activated charcoal. You can buy it in bulk online in 40-50 pound lots, and split the cost with your friends.
Activated charcoal is a universal detoxifier and is used in emergency rooms for that purpose. Given that there are thousands and thousands of chemicals in our food, water, and air, and we have no idea how they interact with each other, it behooves all of us to take universal detoxifiers like large doses of Vitamin C or activated charcoal. Liquid Chlorophyll is also a detoxifier."
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1 YEA[YEA] 02/13/2007: Barbara (willdoasiplease@yahoo.com) from West Virginia writes: "I have found out that in most cases the odor is cause by bacteria. Kill the bacteria, odor gone. Alkaline soap with baking soda & vodka will kill the bacteria. Then put on some calamine lotion (zinc) in all the places that collect moisture. Stop using deodorants and anti-perspirants, they are very bad for you. Also wash all of your cloths in Borax, an all natural laundry detergent and never use fabric softeners, they leave behind chemicals on your skin and help cause the stink!"
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA
[YEA] 02/23/2008: Andrew from Perth, Western Australia writes: "This works for me and I am in sunny Perth:Splash on organic ACV followed by a powdering of aluminium-free Baking Powder (Na Bicarbonate and Calcium)."
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05/08/2008: AC from White Plains, NY replies: "I've just stumbled onto this website tonight and I am grateful. I have been trying to get rid of an embarrassing armpit odor for a while and refuse to go back to the deadly over-the-counter deodorants. I have tried burts bees deodorant, which didn't work well for me after a while and made me smell strongly of lemon and mint... I've tried the baking soda but it irritated me so much, after a while that I would have 60-90 second scratch fests. (I know not good). I've discovered that whenever I eat red meat the smell is prominent. When I eat fish or chicken not as bad... I've even taken body mint which worked for a week, but now I'm getting desperate. I love meat too much to stop eating it. So, next I will try the borax and tea tree oil because I've noticed that once I wipe the sweat away, the odor seems to go away as well, even temporarily - So, I think that tea tree oil will kill the bacteria causing the problem, hopefully all day long."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, BAKING SODA, COCONUT OIL
[YEA] 04/25/2008: Misha from Hiram, US writes: "I just want to say this site is amazing. I have suffered from body odor for years I have taken 2 showers a day constantly trying to stay on top of my hygiene I am an excessive sweater as well (genetics) and nothing has seemed to work I have been using ACV (soak cotton ball with acv) along with baking soda (dust underarms with baking soda) and coconut oil (rub coconut oil in) it is great!! I have not worn deodorant in 4 weeks. I have absolutely no body odor whatsoever. I'm still in shock. I have tied every deodorant even natural brands and nothing has ever worked for me. I suffer from anxiety which makes things worse as far as sweating but now I am more confident I know I'm not offending anyone I keep waiting on this to wear off it won't this site has saved my life!!!"
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1 YEA01/15/2008: Erin from Fremont , Mi writes: "Breast Cancer History Breast cancer runs in my family. My aunt is fighting it now. Not to mention from using regular store bough underarm deodorant as a teen myself I use to get lumps under my arms/right in the pit area. They had to be lanced and drained at the hospital. From that point on I did alot of research and found that the aluminum they put in the deodorant clogs the glands under your arms which inturn are very close to the breast. I have not used store bought deodorant for about 15 yrs now-I only use all natural from health food store and never had a problem again. Just wanted to let you ladies and men too know to STOP USING REGULAR STORE BOUGHT DEODORANT ONLY USE NATURAL. Thank you have a wonderful week all"
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AVOID DETERGENTS WITH STRONG FRAGRANCE CHEMICALS
[YEA] Maria from Queens, ny writes: "I've read peopel having a problem with body odor and deodorants. I've had similar problem, I intend on using baking soda. Maybe eventually I will begin bathing with yogurt to even out my bacterias, I've heard good things about yogurt wash. I started using awildsoap.com soap with jsut oils and sea salt, doesnt dry out or irritate my skin therefore less prone to bacteria/bacterial infection. But most importantly- I have noticed that my odor may have become worse due to the laundry detergent I have been using. Detergents with fancy additives, even "All" free and clear, leave residues on your clothing that when you wash them thy do not fully get clean. I noticed my clothes stil smell after using these detergents, natural detergents as well and I cannot get my pet's laundry clean while mothers will complain of diapers still stinking when they use them. My odor may be mild on me but way worse on my shirt and the odor is unlike any I've had before. They say the cheapest no frills detergents are best bc they cannot afford to produce detergents with extra additives that would leave residues. But if you have sensitivity or environmental issues you should use Sensi-clean or Country Save detergents they rinse clean and theyre good for the environment. Good luck!! I think this will totally help my situation as I notced my odor became worse with new detergents."
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9 YEA 2 MAYBE[YEA] 04/30/2008: ALEXIS from AUSTIN, TX writes: "JUST WANTED TO THANK THE SITE AND CONTRIBUTORS FOR HELPING ME. I HAD LASER HAIR REMOVAL ON MY UNDERARMS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THE SMELL FROM THE HAIR FOLLICLES BEING CLOGGED, WAS HORRIBLE. NOTHING HELPED. TRIED THE BAKING SODA AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT BUT THE ODOR IS GONE. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS HAS DONE FOR ME. TRIED EVERY DEODORANT ON THE MARKET, BUT TO NO AVAIL. I AM ALSO GOING TO TELL MY DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE HAD LASER TREATMENTS AS WELL. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT FOR ONLY 34 CENTS, I COULD HAVE PEACE OF MIND AGAIN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, p.s. I BOUGHT ONE OF THOSE LITTLE PUFFS USED FOR FACE POWDER AND SPRINKLE THE SODA IN MY PALM AND JUST PAT ONTO MY UNDERARMS. IT WORKED AFTER THE SECOND APPLICATION AND ALL ODOR WAS GONE. AMAZING!!!"
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Please tell her that the best thing that I have found is Baking soda. I have gone organic and was trying every organic deordorant on the market and I would still stink!! It was making me crazy, then I came here and read about everyone using BS with great results and IT IS TRUE! After my shower, I pat some in each armpit (I'm pretty liberal). And I have absolutley no underarm odor. Even in my wool sweaters which can really trap the smell...So, I put BS in a pretty bowl in the bathroom and use that. IT WORKS!"
01/15/2008: Erin from Fremont , Mi replies: "Breast Cancer History Breast cancer runs in my family. My aunt is fighting it now. Not to mention from using regular store bough underarm deodorant as a teen myself I use to get lumps under my arms/right in the pit area. They had to be lanced and drained at the hospital. From that point on I did alot of research and found that the aluminum they put in the deodorant clogs the glands under your arms which inturn are very close to the breast. I have not used store bought deodorant for about 15 yrs now-I only use all natural from health food store and never had a problem again. Just wanted to let you ladies and men too know to STOP USING REGULAR STORE BOUGHT DEODORANT ONLY USE NATURAL. Thank you have a wonderful week all"
01/17/2008: Patti from Albany, USA replies: "I wanted to find out from Erin (Fremont, MI) what type/brand of Natural Deodorant she uses (hope it's okay to ask for the brand). I'ved tried several brands, but nothing seems to stop the underarm odor. Days when I know I'm going to be doing activities that will make me sweat, I'm forced to use regular deodorant (aluminum & all) to keep from offending people."
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BAKING SODA AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
[YEA] 01/30/2008: RJ from Cleveland, Ohio writes: "Remedy - Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Ailment - Natural Underarm Deodorant
I have been using for two weeks now, apply hydrogen peroxide and baking soda under my arms for a natural deodorant and have had excellent results. I was trying to eliminate the harmful ingredients from store bought deodorants, like aluminum being applied where our glands are and trying to eliminating absorbing the toxic metals and ingredients.
What I do is, after taking a cold shower (you can do hot one too), I take a cotton swab/pad and put the hydrogen peroxide on the pad and then wipe under my arms. This helps to clean the area and it will be slightly damp to hold the baking soda from the next step. Then I take the same pad and put it in the box of baking soda and get some on the pad. Then wipe the pad under the arm spreading the baking soda around for good coverage. You don't want to put clumps on, just spread evenly leaving an even whiteness. It should not be in a paste, it should be almost like a dusting. Make sure your under arm is dry before putting on a shirt and you are ready for great day.
The whole amount is under $1 USD and it lasts longer than the store bought brands. For me I would be usually pretty ripe by the evening or morning using traditional deodorants, but this has been lasting longer and with less smell when it does wear off. Give it a try, I've been pleasantly surprised.
NOTE 1: Be careful if you have chaffing under your arms, the peroxide may sting.
Note 2: It may take longer to apply than traditional deodorants and until you get used to doing it, I would recommend putting it on with as few as clothes as possible as to not have powder falling off onto your good clothing.
Good Luck!"
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1 YEA[YEA] 10/21/2006: Peter from Malden, MA writes: "Bitter gourd juice is good for body odour. To sweeten it blend it with banana"
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1 YEA[YEA] 02/13/2007: Anna from USA writes: "If you eat celery, it eliminated all body odors."
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1 YEA[YEA] 09/02/2007: Ron from Cluj-Napoca, Romania writes: "I started taking cold showers about five weeks ago. I started with Scottish showers (hot/cold) and then after a couple of days I tried the cold ones. I just love them: it gives me enough energy to last throughout the day and my overall mood has improved.Now my daily routine includes a Scottish shower in the morning and a cold one before I go to sleep. Usually it takes no more than 10 minutes to shower. I start from the feet, arms, armpits and then the chest. In the beginning I expected to catch a cold, which didn't happen (good thing), although I sneeze a lot more (bad thing). I've discovered that I have less BO and I am cleaner after showering, although I don't use soap or duche gel. Also, for the ones who want to try it: take it easy; go from hot to lukewarm, and then gradually go to cold. Try it for 3 weeks and then decide if you don't like them. Try it."
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DISTILLED WATER, PROBIOTICS, DIET
[YEA] 03/12/2007: Jessica (jessicawilson07@comcast.net) from Chico, USA writes: "What cures body odor is drinking distilled water, eating lots of cultured milk and cultured yogurt, eliminate or minimize all processed foods and meats ie. subway, and also wash up with Dr. Bronners soap any type is fine, it has special ingredients that kill the dirt and bacteria it really works!! Also change your diet to a more natural plant based diet, dont forget the buffalo meat, it is the healthiest meat that you can consume. And last but not least, pray sincerely and ask God Almighty for wisdom and to put the right people in your path, and guess what...He will. Green Tea and a good multi vitamin will also help. Contact me with any furthur questions"
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ELIMINATE ONIONS FROM YOUR DIET!
[YEA] 07/04/2006: Janet from NYC writes: "I think onions are without a doubt the main cause of bad underarm body odor. I made this discovery years ago when working in an office. Every few days, the receptionist would start reeking by mid-day. It was so bad you didn't want to stand anywhere near her. I decided I had to say something (no one dared too). She was completely mortified, but identified the onions on hamburgers that she ate as the culprit. She stopped eating onions and never had a problem again. I also start to reek if I eat onions 2 days in a row. I think this is the issue for people with bad BO... get rid of the onions!"
[YEA]03/25/2005: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "When you have putrid underarm odors it is caused by other conditions, and onions just make the smell worse. The body's ability to oxygenate the body is severely depressed. Try alkalizing the body with sodium bicarbonate and take magnesium chloride as a supplements. Usually people with putrid odor is a sign of magnesium and zinc deficiency and onions sometimes get the bad rap. Also eating fried foods and vegetable oils also leads to putrid odors as well. Hydrogen peroxide therapy and silver colloids do help a lot with the putrid odors.""
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1 YEA[YEA] 09/01/2006: Nadine from NY writes: "Preservatives in your foods can give you body odor if you are allergic to them. They will also give you gas and diarrhea. Get rid of the preservatives and white flour, store bought bread, boxed food and most canned foods. A lot of work to make your own but worth it. You will be healthier and smell better. When you eat the preservatives and your body has a reaction, those fumes etc have to go somewhere."
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1 YEA[YEA] 03/26/2007: Sajid (sajidmkhi@hotmail.com) from Karachi, Pakistan writes: "I have found that applying the off-the-shelf hand sanitizers in the underarms after a shower. Works great for eliminating BO. I find this of great use since I have developed an allergy to some ingredient of the deodorant sprays and sticks that, if applied, cause severe itching and rash."
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1 YEA[YEA] 02/10/2007: Don from Toledo, OH writes: "HEBICLENS is the only thing I have found to stop underarm odor. It is available without a prescription. Costs about $12 a bottle."
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1 YEA[YEA] 07/17/2007: Lisa from Riverside, Ca writes: "I swab iodine under my arms each morning to keep smelling fresh. I live in a very hot climate. In the summer--iodine is a must."
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1 YEA[YEA] 02/09/2007: Sandhya from Makawao, HI writes: "LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL has helped me drink more water, stop body odor and stop a rash on my bottom. One or two teaspoons a day in drinking water sipping on it or drinking it all at once does wonders. If I stop I notice the difference in a couple of days. NOW brand with mint is good. Once I asked a doctor what to do about the rash as I had never had one. She said she had a rash too and did not know...it came with living in the tropics. I understood Ted from Bangkok saying that the body's ability to oxygenate itself was suppressed and this was a cause. Living in Hawaii I sweat more than other colder places I have lived and bacteria grows easily here on the skin. Also I do not have a spleen which makes my blood not as clean if I do not take something to clean it or oxygenate it. I tend to be acidic by nature and the foods I eat lean in that direction even though most would say I am health food person. I am going to try molybdenum that Ted speaks of so highly."
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1 YEA[YEA] 04/10/2007: Teri from Elkhart, IN writes: "re: PH (remedy), Iodine (remedy), Hirsutism (ailment)... I'm a woman, and for years I suffered from strong body odor. It was diagnosed as hormonal (too much testosterone) because I also have mild-moderate hirsutism hair growth, and I was put on oral contraceptives to remedy this problem. It helped some, but I didn't want to stay on medications forever as they had many side effects.
Based on what I learned from this site, I used PH strips and found that my body was VERY ALKALINE! That strong body odor was an amonia-like smell that my body was producing because of a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
I was having other symptoms that related to exhausted adrenal glands, and found that iodine sometimes helps this. I started taking liquid kelp drops and in a few days my PH was in the normal range, and the body odor was gone. Completely gone! I'm going try Lugol's next because I can't get my body temperature all the way up to normal and my skin is still sucking up the iodine quickly when I paint.
I am still trying to figure out how to handle the hair growth (chin, abdomen), and I am experimenting with mega doses of folic acid (and B12), as I hear that this has helped others. Licorice root, Omega 3s, ridding my body of metals, saw palmetto, etc. didn't help. I also now only drink mineral water. If you have any ideas, I'd love to know of them. I love this site. Thanks."
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1 YEA[YEA] 10/27/2007: PD from Madsion, NJ writes: "All of a Suden I started having a body odor which led to Underarm odor. I went to walgreens and bought some BreathRx Antibacteial Mouth rinse. I applied it to my arms. Stung like at first because it is combating the bacteria under your arms. I work like a Charm!! I use to wash 3 times a day under my arms now I just wash morning and night. No more odors. The more you use it the less you sting and the better you smell. Keep using it until you feel no Sting. Pray Always that God will heal all problems!!"
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1 YEA[YEA] 09/20/2007: Steve (bora_bora_tw@yahoo.com) from Phoenix, USA writes: "I have become a huge fan of Ozonated Olive Oil. First off it's definitely the best all natural underarm deodorant I've ever used. Only have to use it every other day. It works for insect bites, speeds wound healing, burns, etc. But I've found it really helps reduce wrinkles if used consistently over a couple week period. I suppose the oxygen is being absorbed into the skin and rejuvenating the tissue. I'm going to keep experimenting with this and see how far I can turn back the clock. It's not even that expensive. I bought a 1 oz jar online for only $5.99 and it usually lasts our family of four about three months. Great stuff!"
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1 YEA[YEA] 05/05/2008: Julie from Las Vegas, NV, USA writes: "Hi, my husband and I have been using Thai Crystal Deodorant Mist from health stores. It's just potassium, and it works great! It really sticks, and has no aluminum. When I need to remove it, I just use a little aloe vera. Hope this helps."
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2 YEA[YEA] 11/28/2007: Joyce from Joelton, Tn writes: "I learned from a patient back in the 60's that she had never used deoderant. I was aghast and told her that most people who didn't use deoderant, I could smell a block away when they lifted an arm. She replied, "My father was a chemist and he told me that if you didn't use soap, you didn't need deoderant, because soap is what makes you stink" so she had never used soap. I filed it away in my little brain in hatever area we file stuff like that in, until 1980. At that time I lived close enough to the office, I could run home and bathe and eturn within l5 minutes, if I found my failure to use deoderant as well as soap, failed me & I stunk! Lo and behold - I have not used soap, except for occasional handwashing. I figured the rationale behind that one must be that soap is alkaline and must destroy the slightly acid mantle our skin is supposed to have. As I tell people, you do have to bathe, but just use a good, thick wash cloth and water, and you don't stink. I am happy to do without it as soap makes me itch."
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TOPICAL APPLICATION OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
[YEA] 11/24/2007: Sandy from In the sticks, Nevada writes: "I have been using ACV for months now instead of deodorant. I use cold shower therapy and no soap and the vinegar is working great. When you apply it, be sure to go over the area well and not miss a spot. Cut the vinegar with water if you are sensitive. I have showered in the morning, applied ACV, done a vigorous Tae Kwon Do workout (1 hour)at noon, reshowered and NOT reapplied ACV and gone through the day without odor. In fact, sometimes it lasts until the next morning! I do believe there is something about anxiety perspiration that is different than our everyday perspiration however, because whenever I have a big social event or an occasion where I may have to do some public speaking, the vinegar has failed me. I have to rely on that nasty commercial deodorant on those days and I hate it! I would love to get some feedback on using ACV like this."
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However, I tried ACV as a deodorant as described by one of your readers and was amazed. I had tried this before without much luck. The trick is to use NO SOAP in the shower (I have been taking cold ones), just rinse as well as you can and then apply to your body. And I mean that I have used this in place of soap on ALL parts of my body. Proceed with caution if you have sensitive skin, but it didn't sting or bother me in any way, other than the smell. The smell goes away when the vinegar is dry. I truly put this new deodorant to the test. I hoed weeds in the morning, went to a grueling hour long Tae Kwon Do class (cold shower rinse afterward and NO reapplication of ACV) and spent the rest of the day as normal. The next morning -- still no odor. For me this is a miracle -- even toxic, nuclear waste type deodorants would not last that long for me! Thank you so much Earth Clinic and all of you who have shared your results -- you are changing lives."
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1 YEA[YEA] 01/21/2007: Been from Fountain Valley, CA writes: "Okay...I get severe body odor and I am a vegetarian! I take acidophilus daily, zinc and cal&Mag vitamin, so far I stay away from onions and garlic and I eat a well balanced diet. The best thing that worked for me was zinc. At least 25 mg. I suffered my whole teenage,20's and early 30's with this problem. Drysol worked for sweating but not odor. Now I am pregnant and it is worse! But unable to take all those vits...I bath and wear double t-shirts. It is rough, hard and depressing. But I stay strong and remind myself it is almost over after baby born. Good luck and stay positive."
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1 YEA[YEA] 06/07/2007: Tom from Midland, Texas writes: "I've used Zinc Oxide Ointment as a deodorant for years. Works like a Charm! I apply it after a bath around my armpits and then put on a clean "T" shirt so it doesn't stain clothes. Once a week in winter and two or three times a week in Summer."
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