Hyperhidrosis (also referred to as excess sweating) affects more than 15 million people in the United States. While sweating is a natural bodily function necessary to cool you down, an excess amount can be annoying, embarrassing, and may indicate an underlying health issue. This condition can be worsened by a hot day or if the individual is feeling stressed. It typically affects the hands, feet, underarms, and face at least once per week. Aside from medical interventions, the following ten natural remedies can help reduce excess sweating:
1. Apple cider vinegar
You can apply apple cider vinegar directly to areas of the body where you sweat (i.e., underarms). This substance, readily available in most grocery stores, helps control odor-causing bacteria that can cause too much sweating. By applying apple cider vinegar to these areas you can help yourself sweat less.
2. Baking soda and cornstarch paste
Making homemade antiperspirant by mixing baking soda with an equal volume of cornstarch helps lower pH and block odors. Apply it to areas where you experience excess sweating multiple times per day to help you sweat less.
3. Sage tea or tablets
Sage, a common cooking herb, can be used to make a tea that helps control sweating. The tannic acid in the tea constricts pores, and you can rub it in affected areas. You may also take it in tablet form to help reduce the volume of sweat being produced.
4. Chamomile
Tea made from one teaspoon of dry chamomile leaves steeped in one cup of water has antibacterial properties that can reduce odor when you rub it in affected areas. This remedy can help you smell better and sweat less.
5. Valerian root
By taking Valerian root you can help deal with other issues that may be causing hyperhidrosis. For example, taking a valerian root supplement helps reduce anxiety and menopause symptoms. It can help control secondary hyperhidrosis caused by these conditions.
6. Scrub affected areas with salt
Common table salt absorbs moisture, which can help people manage sweat. You can rub salt directly on areas of the body where you experience heavy sweating as soon as it begins. This will help to absorb the moisture being produced.
7. Acupuncture
Studies show that six weeks of acupuncture therapy reduces excess sweating by 75% for six out of ten patients. Acupuncture is thought to help by limiting sympathetic/parasympathetic imbalance.
8. Biofeedback
This therapy involves connecting a person to a machine that monitors respiration rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, perspiration, and temperature. By associating the feelings and actions that trigger shifts in these physiological states, patients can learn to control excess sweating. Biofeedback paired with relaxation techniques can make a tremendous difference in limiting sweating episodes.
9. Hypnosis
Hypnotherapy can help people access repressed or unconscious parts of their psyche and can control their physiology. Hypnosis puts your brain into the low alpha or theta range of brainwave activity and can reduce the anxiety caused by frequent excess sweating.
10. Meditation
Meditation is an ancient technique that helps people reduce stress and control anxiety. Since these issues contribute to your excess sweating, meditation can help you control the condition. By relaxing and focusing on breathing you can help yourself to calm down and stop excess sweating caused by stress.
Hyperhydrosis can be caused by overactive nerve signals or several medical conditions such as diabetes, menopause, thyroid disorders, nerve problems, some cancers, or infections. However, if it persists, you should seek medical attention to determine the cause. While most of the above mentioned techniques cannot completely stop excess sweating caused by a medical condition, they can help control the symptoms. Limiting annoying sweating episodes will help you feel more in control and reduce the anxiety that comes with this problem.
