Natural Remedies for Body Odor

I read about using Baking Soda as a deodorant and have been using it for the last 3 months. I had tried everything - crystals and a product with lemon juice and its essence - all very good but it did not always protect the entire day. I am very happy to say that Baking Soda has been the best I have ever used - 100% effective - lasting the whole day and longer. When I shave my underarm I use Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) for at least 2 to 3 days in order to allow healing before resuming with Baking Soda. (Please do this to avoid burns). VCO is also very good but has not consistently protected all day long. I have been spreading the word to health conscious friends.

Like others, I think this site is a god-send. Thank you. I have started using Baking soda as a facial and all over body scrub; then I apply ACV and finally VCO to my face. I have been quite consistent for the last 3 months including Ted's advise regarding large facial pores. I cannot believe that my skin looks so beautiful and smooth at the age of 41. I always had beautiful skin now I look even younger - it simply is amazing!!

I have now starting being more consistent with drinking ACV 3 times a day because I need to loose at least 16 llbs. Since the birth of my third child 11 months ago - it has been a very slow process. I am hoping that in a few months I can be write a post like many others - saying that I am loosing weight. I also plan to ingest VCO and also start using it for all cooking as well. I began eating 1 tablespoon of Black Strap Molasses every morning. I try to eat a very healthy diet. So I guess soon I will not only look good but feel great as well.

Thanks again for this wonderful site!!

Hi Greggitta, have you tried lemon juice? I don't think that I used to have such a problem with transpiration smell as you but I had a bit of a problem anyway. Since I started rubbing half a lemon under my arms morning and evening a few weeks ago the smell stopped completely right from the first day. It has been very warm here and even though I don't take a bath everyday anymore because of my dry skin I never, ever smell. I have the idea that the lemon killed the bacteria that was causing the smell. I will try now rubbing the lemon only once a day, I think that it will work. I ingested VCO for awhile but I never thought of checking the odor as I was using deodorant anyway. Still, I feel the lemon works better than any deodorant I ever tried. I even take a lemon with me while on a trip as one lemon lasts me a few days and I am trying it out for the white spots on my skin as well. I just carry it in a plastic bag.

Correct me if I am mistaken but I read somewhere that body odor is caused by bacteria on the skin. If you kill the bacteria, you kill the odor. Even bathing in ACV would be beneficial, or a few drops of Tea Tree oil on a wet flannel. Coconut oil under the arms would also do the trick.

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.

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!!!

I have the same issues you wrote about - how long did this take to work? I have tried EVERYthing, and nothing has worked so far....thanks so much for your time! Any other tips you could share would be great. Thanks so much!!!

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.

I read where someone wanted to know what the smell came from under her arms? My response is what is smells like....cornchips!.....very stinky when you use a washcloth to clean your pits and it leaves a smell so strong it almost knocks you down!!! yuuuuuuuuck! I have begun to use baking soda for the first time today, and so far (it's noon) no smell! I'm going to keep using the baking soda and maybe try a few other remedies suggested on your site....MANY THANKS!

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).

Hi, I'm from Singapore but am currently residing in London. Been here for only two and a half months and about two weeks ago i noticed that my left armpit (and only my left!) would smell nearly all the time, except maybe the first ten mins after showering. Thought maybe it's the climate change but still, it was very distressing becos i don't normally have BO unless i'm sweating profusely (like i did back home on the equator) or after working out, and definitely not coming from just one armpit which is so odd! Also, it was a different BO from the working out BO (anyone know what the cause of this one-armpit smell is??), and my regular deo was not having any positive effects. But i found this site trying to figure out what was wrong with me and next morning i tried patting on a thin layer of bicarb after showering. Strode off to the supermarket and back, worked up a sweat, and ta-daaa no smell!! yayyyy! who knew something so simple would work so well. i'm so totally pleased, thank you EC. Will try ACV and oil pulling next to help with my sinuses..

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!

RE:1/17/2008: Patti from Albany, USA writes: "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).

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!

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.

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

Using "Aluminum chloride" on my underarms has cured my excessive underarm sweating which caused the awful body odor. No more sweat, no B. O. I bought it over the counter at a drug store. Its very effective. You apply it last thing at night in bed. Its a roll-on. One or two swipes is enough. But make sure your underarms, feet or affected areas were dry for at least an hour before applying. Then wash it off with soap in the morning. No more any need to apply deodorant or antiperspirant afterwards. Just dust some Baking Soda instead. And your SWEAT-FREE and ODOR FREE the whole day. But make sure before applying the aluminum chloride that 24hours had passed before or after shaving. Application is every night for two weeks then every other night then gradually twice a week usage. But baking soda is maintained everyday. I'm using the brand DRICLOR by Stiefel Lab Ltd. Its a very expensive topical deodorant compared to the usual ones. Price is almost 6 times higher. But in the long run, using it only twice a week, it proves to be the cheapest and most effective. 185ml lasts for 3 months at the least.

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

Does this apply to all deodorants or just the ones you spray on??

Please help! I am so thankful for this website. I have been having severe underarm body odor for several years now and in the last 8 months, deodorant hasn't been working. I tried baking soda several weeks ago and my armpits don't stink, finally! My only problem is that my armpits are bright red and rashy. If I don't wear the baking soda, it goes away, but it comes back when I apply the baking soda. It almost seems it is "eating" my skin. Is this possible? Is it an acid or a base?

I, too, have had success with baking soda, but ended up with a red angry rash under my arms. I did use it just after shaving. Could this be the problem?

I have stopped using "soap" for anything! I use bath gels that are clear, not the white ones. I also apply ACV after showering, with a cotton pad. The ACV prevents bacterial growth that causes the odor. I tried baking soda, but also had red angry rashes. I changed to corn starch baby powder and now have no rash and no odor. The ACV works by itself, but feels a bit sticky from the sugar content. The baby powder with cornstarch prevents the sticky feel and has a pleasant odor.

Baking Soda for BO- what to do when you shave

If Baking Soda is used after shaving your armpits will become extremely sensitive even irritated. I use VCO [VIRGIN COCONUT OIL] after shaving for a few days until any small wounds (invisible to the eyes but there nonetheless) heals. VCO's effect is not as long lasting as Baking Soda - so on a very hot day a few application might be needed. However, VCO expedites the healing then one can return to the Baking Soda. Hope this helps!

Anyone has a better interim solution than VCO - please share.Thank you.

Hi guys, I just want to share the solution I found for my body odor. I think I started having this awful odor in my underarms when I was in high school. It was so embarrassing and didn't enjoy my teenage life. I had always stayed at home because I was always afraid that my friends would smell me. It was terrible and I tried different ways to solve it but nothing worked. I took shower 3 times a day but just after a minute out of shower my underarms would stink. My clothes smelled bad. I really prayed that God would heal me and he answered my prayer. What I did was, I bought a bottle of Active charcoal. Here in the Philippines you can buy it for $3.47. It contains 50 capsules. I take it after lunch and dinner. When I shower I use a loofah in my underarms but I only scrub lightly. After shower I pat baking soda on it. On the first day I did it, it worked immediately. I've been doing this for 3 weeks now and I always smell good. The temperature here is always 35 degrees and I always sweat but I don't worry anymore because I don't smell bad. I'm so happy that I can do anything I want now. I washed my clothes with baking soda too, I mix it with the detergent. It was effective. I also tried rubbing allum on the armpit of my clothes and it was effective too. Now all my clothes don't smell bad anymore. I also had the vaginal smell but it was gone since I started taking active charcoal. I hope these solutions can help you too. Don't give up.

I've been using a different kinds of deodorants since 2005 but still I have my smelly armpit and I feel so pity for myself and ashamed for having this. Until I found this website FINALLY!! Baking soda works great and I really feel comfortable at all times! Thanks a lot!

You might try spraying some H2O2 under your arms and when it drys, add the baking soda. It was really helped for me.

I have been using a 3% solution of H2O2 with baking soda for the past 2 years as a deodorant and I never have underarm odor. Simply mix a 3% solution from your 35% FG H2O2 (I would not use the stuff available at the grocery store because the impurities in it will be absorbed into your delicate underarm. Afterall this was why I stopped using deodorants). Spray some on a cloth and dip that cloth into the baking soda and rub in on. Wipe off any excess.

What does this mean (FG H2O2)?

I buy hydrogen peroxide from the dollar store, do those have impurities? If so where do I buy my hydrogen peroxide? Thanks!

To Samantha from NY: Sorry that no soap didn't pan out for you. May I suggest that if you try it again, unless you have 3 days to bathe without soap, before returning to work, start off the first day or two of bathing without soap but use a cup or two of ACV in your bath water to remove soap left over from your last bath. Because as someone else found out, any soap, shampoo, etc. will negate not using soap.

Joyce, Thanks for your feedback. I will try your method again when I can be home for a couple of days. I will post thereafter to inform you of the results.

I'm so happy you mentioned anxiety perspiration because this is the problem I am having along with sweating(nothing excessive) I can feel nervous and not show it but I will just start to smell. I am going to try this I have the organic acv with mother and now I can get rid of my problem. I just recently got a prescription of the generic brand of drysol, it works if you keep using it but it turned my armpits so dark, and the itch is unbearable. I will be using apple cider vinegar from now on!

Hi Dana---I hope you've found some relief... May I suggest that your odor may be coming from your digestive system. If you are not eliminating your bowels regularly and completely at least once a day, you may have a build up of bacteria, which escapes the body through our sweat, our breath etc. You should try a good colon cleanser, be sure to take fiber, omega fish oil 3-6-9, and probiotics with it. Try this and you should notice a difference within a week. You may still sweat some, but without the embarrassing odor.

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!!

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!

Check Out Earthonated's Ozonated Olive Oil, this is a great super strong ozonated product.
http://www.earthonated.com

Regards,
James

Steve, where did you find this oil? All the places I looked into online charge quite a bit more than yours. I know this is an old post, but perhaps you can tell us where you got it. Thank you.

Just a note, I found ozonated olive oil (by several different manufacturers... on Amazon.. Be sure to read reviews to find the most effective one).

For years I have been using baking soda; because In my 20's I use to get cyst or boils under my arms from deodorants So at first I stop using products with aluminum, but even that made my underarms irritated, and eventually I needed surgery under my arm from the boil, and after that I did know what to do so! because I mention it to my grandmothers friend, and she said use baking soda! and I tried and have been using this for many years, maybe twenty; however be forewarned! that if you are gonna shave, you need to wait a hour or two before applying, and I use the best baking soda on the market, that well known brand because the others don't work as well, and added benefit of using baking soda, you might find you don't need to use it everyday.

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.