Sweating is a natural process by which the body cools down, regulates its temperature, and releases toxins. Warmer temperatures, strenuous physical activity, or feelings of fear/anxiety/anger can trigger sweating. However, if this sweating exceeds normal limits and without a trigger, you may have hyperhidrosis, also called excessive sweating.

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Causes of excessive sweating  

There are various reasons why you might be sweating excessively. Here are some:

• Hormonal fluctuations
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Heart/lung disease
• Heart failure
• Parkinson’s disease
• Shingles
• Gout
• Hyperthyroidism
• Menopause
• Poor circulation
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Leukemia
• Fever
• Respiratory problems
• Spinal cord injury
• Pregnancy
• Alcohol abuse
• Certain medications
• Anger
• Depression
• Anxiety disorder

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Symptoms of excessive sweating

These are the most common symptoms of excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis:

• Visible sweating wets clothes
• Visible discoloration of affected area
• Cracking and/or scaling of the skin
• Wet palms and/or soles of feet
• Maceration of skin
• Foot odor

Home remedies for excessive sweating

Sweating excessively can cause embarrassment, not to mention anxiety. It could even ruin your normal life. Plus, it could raise your risk of body odor too. So, if you’re suffering from hyperhidrosis, you need not despair, for there are several effective, easy, and natural home remedies for excessive sweating, that help you keep the condition in check.

NOTE: To rule out the possibility of an underlying condition, it’s better to get a proper diagnosis by visiting a professional.

1. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the best natural remedies for excessive sweating, thanks greatly to its astringent properties. When taken internally, it helps balance the pH level of the body.

Remedies

• Cleanse the area that sweats excessively using clean water. Use a cotton ball to rub some apple cider vinegar on it, leaving it on overnight. Take a bath or a shower the following morning, and then apply some talcum powder or deodorant.
• Add 2 teaspoons each of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of water, and drink it on an empty stomach at least once a day to keep excessive sweating in check.

2. Baking soda

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Baking soda helps curb excessive sweating since it’s a natural anti-perspirant. It absorbs moisture and cuts down body odor. Also, since it’s alkaline in nature, it also helps reduce the pH of those parts that perspire a lot.

Remedies

• Dust or dab a little baking soda on the areas that sweat a lot.
• Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to enough baking soda to form a thick paste. Add a few drops of any essential oil to this and mix well. Apply this on all the areas the sweat excessively, and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then, wash it off in a shower/bath. Repeat this remedy a few times a week for best results.
• In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of baking soda and cornstarch, and store it in a bottle. Use this as a talcum powder on the areas the sweat a lot.

3. Black tea

Black tea is known to control excessive perspiration, all thanks to the presence of tannic acid, which is an anti-perspirant and an astringent. It helps constrict the sweat glands, thereby putting a stop to excess sweat. Plus, black tea helps kill bacteria that cause body odor.

Remedies

• Drink a couple of cups of black tea every day to control excessive perspiration.
• Place a couple of black tea bags in 3 cups of hot water. Let it steep for about 10 minutes. Then, dip a clean wash cloth in it and rub it on all the areas that perspire excessively. Repeat this remedy once a day for a few weeks to see positive results.

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4. Coconut oil

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Coconut oil is amazing in helping curb excessive perspiration due to the presence of lauric acid, which helps kill off bacteria that causes bad body odor.

Remedies

• Take a few tablespoons of coconut oil and massage it into your skin on all the parts that sweat profusely.
• In a clean bowl, mix together 3 teaspoons of extra virgin coconut oil and 2 teaspoons of shea butter. Microwave it for a minute to melt both ingredients. To this, add 3 teaspoons of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of arrowroot powder, and a few drops of any essential oil. Store this in a handy jar, and use it as a deodorant on all the areas that sweat a lot.
• To a bowl of coconut oil, add 10g of camphor and mix well. Apply this on all the sweaty areas to get rid of the smelly sweat naturally.

5. Lemon

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Lemon has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments and treating numerous conditions, and excessive sweating is one such condition. It’s a natural deodorant, that helps mask bad body odor caused due to excessive sweating.

Remedies

• In a clean bowl, mix together equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda, to form a smooth paste. Using a cotton pad, apply this on all those areas that sweat a lot. Let it sit for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy every alternate day.
• To a glass of water, add the juice of 1 lemon and mix well. Using a clean wash cloth, rub it all over your body, letting it sit for 20 minutes to a half hour. Then, wash it off in the shower using only cold water. Repeat this remedy once every day for positive results.

Pro tip: Avoid going out in the sun after using the lemon juice remedy, especially immediately after.

6. Potatoes

Potatoes absorb excess water from the body, and are known for their anti-perspirant properties.

Remedies

• Take 1 small potato and cut it in half. Rub it gently on all the parts of your body that are prone to sweating excessively. Let it sit for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off in the shower.
• Extract potato juice and use it to rub all over your body. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before washing it off in a bath or a shower.

7. Sage

Sage possesses astringent and anti-perspirant properties, which help constrict the sweat glands, thus curbing excessive sweating. Additionally, it contains vitamin B and magnesium, which help control the sweat gland activity effectively.

Remedies

• Add 1 teaspoon of sage in a cup of hot water. Let it steep for 5 minutes, and add some lemon juice and drink this twice or thrice a day.
• To 2 cups of water, add 1 teaspoon of dried sage leaves, and boil it. Allow it to cool to room temperature, and then use this solution to cleanse those parts of your body that sweat profusely. Repeat this remedy at least thrice a day for best results.
• Add this beneficial herb in your dishes whenever possible.

8. Tomato juice

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Tomato juice contains astringent properties, that are beneficial in shrinking the pores that secrete sweat. Also, since it’s rich in antioxidants, it helps in regulating sweat glands.

Remedies

• Put a couple of tomatoes in a blender and extract its juice. Drink this once every day for a week, then reduce it to 1 cup every other day for another week. You should see positive results in no time.
• Extract tomato juice and apply it on those parts of your body that tend to sweat profusely. Leave it on for 15 minutes, before taking a shower to rinse it off. Repeat this once every day till you notice positive changes in your perspiration pattern.

9. Wheatgrass juice

Wheatgrass juice is a known remedy for controlling excessive sweating, which it does by balancing the acids and toxins in the blood that cause perspiration. Also, wheatgrass juice is rich in vitamins A, B6, B12, and C, and proteins, and folic acid too, which makes it good for your overall health too.

Remedy

• Drink 1-2 glasses of wheatgrass juice every day, and continue till you get positive results.

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10. Witch hazel

Witch hazel is another excellent home remedy that helps combat excessive sweating. This herb possesses astringent and anti-perspirant properties, which aid in shrinking the pores, thus preventing sweating. Additionally, its light and pleasant smell acts as a refreshing, natural perfume.

Remedies

• In a clean bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of witch hazel bark powder and a bit of water to form a smooth paste. Apply this paste on the areas that sweat profusely, letting it sit for 1 hour. Then, rinse off the paste using cold water. Repeat this remedy every day for a couple of weeks for positive results.
• Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel liquid extract and dab it on your skin every day.

Additional tips

• Drink plenty of water through the day to keep yourself hydrated and regulate your body temperature.
• Wear clothes made of light, breathable fabrics like cotton and silk.
• Wear deodorant or anti-perspirant, but only after drying yourself fully.
• Manage stress better, as it can trigger sweating in many people.
• Serious cut backs on alcohol and caffeine consumption along with cutting back on smoking are recommended to control excessive sweating.
• Shower or bathe every day, preferably using an anti-bacterial soap.
• Consume foods rich in zinc and magnesium.
• If you’re overweight and/or obese, it’s imperative that you lose weight.

These are all the things you need to know and the home remedies for excessive sweating so that you aren’t embarrassed the next time you’re in a high stress situation, or are out with your friends/colleagues.

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