Herbs That Eliminate Body Odor

Body odor is a problem that affects everyone. If you are looking for a deodorant, an antiperspirant, or a combination of the two, your local drugstore offers shelf after shelf of products that have been engineered and tested. However, if you are looking for a lower-tech option to battle body odor, Mother Nature offers just as wide a selection. Herbs have been used for centuries to mask body odor, but there are a few that can help eliminate it all together.

Sage

• Sage is recommended by the German Commission E (which is the most used list of herbal remedies published by a western government) to help with body odor. Although the U.S. National Library does not show any study which suggests that sage helps with odor, most herbalists agree that sage reduces perspiration. The Commission E recommends a dosage of four to six grams daily if taken as a whole herb, 0.1 to 0.3 grams if taken as an essential oil, 2.5 to 7.5 grams as a tincture and 1.5 to 3 grams as a fluid extract. Do not use sage in extract or oil form if you are pregnant, as these forms contain alcohol. Also, prolonged use of the herb may lead to convulsions. Topical deodorants that contain sage are also available.

Licorice

• Licorice also helps with the problem of body odor. This sweet herb has been used in eastern and western medicine for centuries. It is primarily prescribed as a soothing and coating agent, an expectorant, and to help with respiratory and stomach problems. The sweet-smelling properties of the plant can help mask odors, and ingesting it can begin to internally help with eliminating odor. Licorice has also been linked to a reduction of body fat. People who are thinner are less likely to sweat, which can reduce body odor.

Lavender

• Oil made from lavender has been used for centuries and is traditionally used to make perfumes. Lavender is also used in skin care. It has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties which help to kill off any odor-producing bacteria. It can also be used to help with digestion by increasing the mobility of the intestines, and it helps against nausea, gas and diarrhea.

Rosemary

• Rosemary is a heat-tolerant herb that comes from the Mediterranean. In addition to the pleasant smell this herb gives off (which can be used as a memory stimulant), this herb is also used to calm the stomach. Adding rosemary to your diet as a tea will help sooth your digestive tract and help get rid of any undesirable microorganisms on the skin, due to its antiseptic properties.