Sweating is a physiological process by which the body regulates its temperature and expels toxic substances such as lead, arsenic and cadmium (Sears et al, J Environ Public Health, Feb 2012). However, it can happen that in some situations, such as periods of great stress made worse by intense heat, the sweat produced is excessive. This can be the cause of many problems and inconvenience, such as stains on clothes and bad smells. Not only that, excessive sweating also depletes the body of mineral salts. However, there are natural remedies that help regulate sweating in a natural way.
Infusions
Infusions can help in case of hyperhidrosis, which is the medical term used to indicate excessive sweating. In these cases, you can use herbal tea of linden flowers or sage. In fact, linden is soothing and relaxing, it fights hypertension and reduces palpitations and tachycardia and, consequently, reduces sweating (Rodrigues-Fragoso et al, Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, Feb 2008). Moreover, linden also helps to purify the body and to eliminate toxins by performing a deep diuretic action. You can prepare the tea in the following way, bring to a boil a cup of water, then remove it from the heat and add 1 tablespoon of dried plant for 10 minutes, filter and drink. As mentioned before, another natural remedy against sweating is sage tea. Sage tea has a long tradition and has been known for centuries to treat various illnesses and problems, including, indeed, excessive sweating by acting directly on the sweat glands (Lopresti et al, Drugs, Mar 2017). In this case, bring a cup of water to a boil, when the water boils remove from the heat and leave to brew 1 teaspoon of dried sage leaves for 5 minutes. Don’t exceed with the amount of sage tea because sage contains substances such as thujones and ketones, toxic in high quantities. Also avoid in pregnancy and in small children.
Essential oils
The essential oil of peppermint has a cooling effect and is able to lower body temperature, it also has a stimulating action on the body, strengthens it and helps in case of weakness (Thosar et al, Eur J Dent, Sep 2013). In a tablespoon of a plant based oil, such as sweet almond oil, sunflower or jojoba oil, pour 3 drops of peppermint essential oil. Massage the body with this lotion, don’t forget to massage also the soles of the feet, this will give a feeling of lasting freshness (Goebel et al, Phytomedicine, Oct 1995). Like its herbal tea, sage essential oil also helps in case of excessive sweating by modulating the action of the sweat glands. To take advantage of these sage properties you can add 3 drops of essential oil to a tablespoon of vegetable oil, such as jojoba oil, and apply to the body. And on hot days you can benefit from the synergy of mint and sage by mixing both essential oils, two drops per essence, in 50 ml of a plant based oil.
Bath
Alternatively, you can prepare a scented bath. If you want to fight the heat you can pour 4 drops of mint essential oil and 4 drops of essential oil of basil, which is also able to give freshness, to a handful of sea salt and add it to lukewarm water. If, on the other hand, you want a detoxifying and calming bath, then you can have a linden bath. Bring half a liter of water to a boil, remove from heat and add 5 tablespoons of dried linden, leave to brew for 10 minutes, then filter and add to the bath water.
