Let’s face it fair and square – pungent body aroma isn’t going to make you the life of a party!
Rather an unpleasant body odor can be a source of embarrassment for you and great discomfort for others.
Strong and unpleasant odor comes from the body when the sweat glands are overactive. But it is NOT sweat that causes body odor BUT unpleasant odor occurs when sweat mixes with bacteria. The bacteria that cause odor grow quickly in a warm, moist environment.
Some of the probable causes of unpleasant body odor include-
Poor hygiene
Dietary factors
Nutritional deficiencies
Gastrointestinal problems like chronic constipation
Medical issues such as genetic metabolic disorders, liver disease or diabetes
HOME REMEDIES FOR BODY ODOR —
LEMON JUICE
Lemon juice is great for treating body odor. Lemon juice has acidic properties which helps lower the pH level of our skin, which in turn makes it difficult for odor-producing bacteria to survive.
Method –
Cut one fresh lemon into two halves. Rub one half of the lemon on your underarms. Make sure the juice gets onto your skin. Allow it to dry on its own, and then take your shower. Follow this remedy once daily until the odor is gone completely.
If you have sensitive skin, you can dilute the juice from half a lemon in one-half cup of water and apply it to your underarms using a cotton ball. Leave it on for 10 minutes, and then wash it off with water. Do this once daily until you notice improvement.
BE CAREFUL as Lemon juice also stings when used after shaving. So better shave the night before to give a long gap between shaving and applying lemon juice on skin.
BAKING SODA AND LIME JUICE MIX
OR
BAKING SODA AND CORNSTARCH MIX
Some people have a very strong body odor. For such people, combining baking soda with lime juice can be a fantastic remedy for their body odor. Baking soda not only helps absorb sweat but also eliminate bacteria and act as a natural deodorant.
Cornstarch is even better than baking soda for those people who perspire excessively.
Method –
Take Lemon juice- from half or 1 lemon
Baking soda- enough to make paste
Before having bath, mix lemon juice with baking soda to make a paste.
Apply this paste to your underarms.
Leave for about 5-10 minutes. Wash off with water before taking a bath
Baking Soda and Cornstarch Remedy for Body Odor –
After taking bath, pat dry your underarms and apply baking soda or cornstarch directly to your underarms.
For a more effective remedy, mix baking soda and cornstarch and then apply on to your dry underarms to prevent sweating as well as foul smell.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR BODY ODOR
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a well known natural bacteria-fighting ingredient. ACV, like white vinegar, helps in eliminating body odor by balancing pH levels of your skin.
Method –
Pour undiluted apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and rub your underarms with this before having shower. Wait for 2-3 minutes after applying ACV and then proceed to wash it off or to take bath.
Add a cup of apple cider vinegar in your bath and soak for 8-10 minutes. This also cures sunburns apart from killing body odor. ACV bath can be taken after a strenuous workout to control excessive sweating.
Add 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and have it three times a day before meals. If you don’t like its taste or smell, you may add a little honey to this mixture. This is a good remedy to reduce your excessive sweating too.
If you suffer from foot odor, add 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar in a foot soaking basin filled with warm water. Soak your feet in this water for 15 minutes. You can do it once every week.