Body Odor :Ayurvedic Secrets

Body odor is a common yet unspoken ordeal for its sensitive tags of shame and embarrassment. People prefer shielding the smell with gallons of deodorants. Rather than addressing the issue underneath their skin. 

“In the past few years, I came across many people who came to me for several reasons. But none of the patients come directly to find a cure to their body odor.

Only on probing deeper about their health, they would open up about this “not-so-attractive” woe. “

Blame the perceptions that body odor is a matter of hygiene or that it is not a major problem. People don’t peep the actual truth behind their foul smell.

It can fend off your best pals. Wreck marriages. Affect your social life. Become a barrier in your professional career.

Body odor is ranked as one of the major turn-offs when it comes to dating and intimacy. In an amusing turn of events, a woman filed for divorce because her husband stunk!

Ayurveda on Body Odor

Ayurveda describes all the probable causes that might result in the stinky smell. Not just that, Ayurveda has also scripted simple natural ways to beat body odor. The ancient scripts illustrate the combo of healthy food and lifestyle to beat body odor.

Understanding the meaning of body odor

It is known to all, sweat contributes to body odor. But not all sweats cause body odor.

That’s why young kids never smell bad!

This can be simply explained by the fact that sweat glands are of two types – eccrine glands and apocrine glands.

Eccrine Glands: The eccrine sweat glands are responsible for maintaining body temperature. It secrets fluid on the exterior surface of the skin and does not cause a foul smell. This sweat gland is present in kids and young children.

Apocrine Glands: These glands are present in adults. They are responsible for the foul body odor. This gland secrete milky fluid around the areas where hair follicles are abundant, like armpits and genitals. Rich in protein and fats, this is the perfect host for bacteria to breed and cause the foul smell.

Medications, toxins, food habits and a poor lifestyle often results in the release of the foul-smelling sweat.

Here are some of the amazing secrets from Ayurvedic texts to tackle the problem of body odor naturally and permanently.

Foods to avoid

1. The sugary treats are not so sweet after all. Sugar may result in overproduction of yeast, which turns the sugars into alcohols and causes the bad smell.
2. Alcohol consumption is a known cause of foul body smell.
3. Food like garlic, onion and spices release sulfur-containing gasses. These gases may sip out of the pores, which can cause a lingering smell.
4. Red meat is a very bad influence when it comes to releasing toxins from the body.
5. All sorts of processed and preservative foods that lack enough fiber and are excess in added sugars can cause foul smell.
6. Caffeine consumption can cause acidity which is linked to the foul smell.
7. Vitamins and Mineral Deficiencies can contribute to body odor.
8. Food items like dark chocolate, dried coriander, almonds and cashews, flax, sesame seeds, and sesame butter should be added to the diet.

Lifestyle changes

1. Stress sweat is a real thing and it is foul in smell. Triggered by emotional responses, stress sweat is made of proteins and fats and it can combine with bacteria to emit that strong pungent smell.
2. Medications and birth control pills can cause body-odor. Medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol), anti-depressants, and diet pills can cause extra sweat.
3. Irregular elimination or poop can cause toxins to release which may seep through the pores, causing “faecal body odor.”
4. UTI which means urinary tract infection can also result in bad odor. 
5. Ingredients in some deodorants and body sprays can boost stinky bacterial growth by giving them more food.
6. Higher BMI is highly correlated to more malodorous bacteria. So, shedding some weight might help to get rid of the stinky body smell.

Few more tips from this Ayurvedic doctor

• Wearing light cotton clothes keeps the body’s moisture and temperature regulated.
• Improving personal hygiene is definitely a great way of staying fresh and smelling good.
• Dry yourself completely after the bath.
• Staying hydrated and drinking a lot of water is one simple but effective way of staying away from foul smells.
• Quit smoking and alcohol
• Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and it is one of the best and most effective remedies.
• Lemon has natural antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that help in eliminating unpleasant odors caused by bacteria.
• Bathing with neem leaves is a widely popular remedy for skin woes and odor issues.
• In case of issues like UTI or other underlying health issues consult an Ayurvedic doctor immediately.
• Soak Fenugreek seeds overnight and consume them the next day first thing in the morning.