The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Gean (Salina, Kansas) on 09/09/2008
★★★★★
The best natural deodorant I have found is a few drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) rubbed under the arms. Works perfectly!
Zinc
Posted by Suzanne (Abbotsford, BC) on 08/24/2008
★★★★★
My husband used to have a problem with body odor. I read somewhere that zinc could help with that and other problems he had, so convinced him to try it. He takes 25 mg of zinc per day and, although he may still sweat, it doesn't smell! Really cuts down on washing...
Corn Starch
Posted by Pat (Ballwin, MO) on 08/23/2008
★★★★★
Another good deodorant is CORN STARCH baby powder. Do not use powders with TALC! If you stop using soap and begin using shower gels that are clear, the Corn Starch Baby Powder does the trick.
Baking Soda
Posted by Agnes (Cebu City, Philippines) on 08/19/2008
1.Do i need to apply it directly in my armpit after taking a bath?
2. Do i still need to used deodorants/ antiperspirants after i applying baking soda?
3. How to prevent excessive sweating?
Stop Using Soap
Posted by Samantha (NY, NY) on 08/18/2008
Joyce, Thanks for your feedback. I will try your method again when I can be home for a couple of days. I will post thereafter to inform you of the results.
Stop Using Soap
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 08/18/2008 490 posts
To Samantha from NY: Sorry that no soap didn't pan out for you. May I suggest that if you try it again, unless you have 3 days to bathe without soap, before returning to work, start off the first day or two of bathing without soap but use a cup or two of ACV in your bath water to remove soap left over from your last bath. Because as someone else found out, any soap, shampoo, etc. will negate not using soap.
Stop Using Soap
Posted by Samantha (NY, NY) on 08/16/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Hello Sharon A. from Greenwich, I recently posted about what I used regarding underarm odor. However, after reading Joyce's post regarding "Stop using soap" earlier this year I totally stopped. I take a longer shower and use baking soda as a body scrub (also saw this here on Earth clinic). I guess everyone is different because I found that even after eliminating soap (and with a diet of no processed food etc. etc.) after a few hours I needed help. I cannot run home to shower so I am using baking soda which is excellent and for me more long lasting than Thai crystals. When I shave I apply VCO which helps to expedite healing of any hidden cuts. After a day or so I return to baking soda because VCO is great but not as effective as baking soda.
I recently tried another natural remedy which I have not seen here on Earth Clinic - lemon juice. It sounds crazy but a friend announce that like Julia Roberts she has never used roll-ons - antiperspirant/deodorants. She does not know Julia and does not know what she uses but my friend uses a bit of lemon juice. I tried it it and was amazed that it was equally as good as baking soda. Has anyone else tried lemon juice? It is wonderful that nature has so many solutions for our needs.
Stop Using Soap
Posted by Sharon A. (Greenwich, CT) on 08/14/2008
★★★★★
To Joyce from Joelton, Tn -- thank you for this simple cure. It is the best!
I had been using the baking soda cure for body odor for a few weeks, but stopped because it was causing small cysts where I nicked myself shaving. I have now been "off" soap for 5 days (ha ha, that sounds funny) and after the second day, no armpit odor. I shampooed my hair yesterday and later in the day, smelled some b/o. I deduced that it must have started when I rinsed my hair, some of the shampoo residue got under my arms (duh, obviously)... So as long as nothing but water touches your underarms, no body odor. Our family started using the natural laundry detergent that doesn't contain phospates and fragrances, just essential oils, so that must be helping too.
Witch Hazel
Posted by Lisa (Coto de Caza, CA) on 08/10/2008
★★★★★
I've tried several natural deodorants and none seem to work. Apply Witch Hazel ( I use Thayers Brand) on a cotton round after a shower. Works all day. Reapply after workout. Also a good toner for your face.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Suzi (Missoula, MT) on 08/08/2008
Mona....please tell me exactly how you apply ACV and BS to underarms...this sounds fantastic
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Mona (Albany, GA) on 08/08/2008
★★★★★
I found several postings about dabbing ACV on underarms and then powdering with baking soda as a deoderant/anti perspirant. I felt like my deoderant was failing me and was looking for a more natural approach. This is AMAZING and truly works. I never would've believed it, but I have absolutely no odor what so ever. I encourage you to try this. I also take a bath with 1 cup ACV + 1 cup baking soda and my skin is so soft. I will be enjoying many more ACV "recipes" now that these 2 have been so successful.
Baking Soda, Corn Starch, Baby Powder
Posted by Pat (Tupelo, MS, USA) on 08/02/2008
★★★★★
I developed a rash from commercial deodorants and tried some commercial sticks without the aluminum...no rash but had bad BO. So now I have concocted a recipe that works for me 1/3 baking soda, 1/3 corn starch, 1/3 baby powder, then make into a thick paste using citrus antiseptic mouthwash and a little lotion. Works great for me!
Baking Soda
Posted by Sam (NY, NY) on 08/01/2008
★★★★★
Baking Soda for BO- what to do when you shave
If Baking Soda is used after shaving your armpits will become extremely sensitive even irritated. I use VCO [VIRGIN COCONUT OIL] after shaving for a few days until any small wounds (invisible to the eyes but there nonetheless) heals. VCO's effect is not as long lasting as Baking Soda - so on a very hot day a few application might be needed. However, VCO expedites the healing then one can return to the Baking Soda. Hope this helps!
Anyone has a better interim solution than VCO - please share.Thank you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amy (Sachse, TX) on 07/26/2008
★★★★★
I'm not sure about cellulite, but I'm sure if anything would work ACV would. I had horrible acne and started applying it straight topically and taking two table spoons internally daily. Also started applying it to my arm pits nightly. I had a horrible problem with deodorant not working after my first pancreatic attack. I now only have to apply deodorant once in the morning. No reapplying 3 or 4 times during the day. I noticed after about a week that I was using the restroom more regularly. Because I have Pancreatitis, sometimes my food does not digest properly. The ACV has also helped with this. I have never believed in anything the way I believe in Apple Cider Vinegar. It is inexpensive and good for you. So even if it doesn't work for Cellulite it will make you feel better over all. I have heard of people using ACV as a fat flush to lose weight. Maybe that is why it has helped with some peoples cellulite. Good Luck!!!
Baking Soda
Posted by Ernest (Boston, Massachusetts) on 07/22/2008
★★★★★
Thank you so much for this website!! I have finally found a solution to my BO. I used to have really bad BO and I tried all the deodorants and antiperspirants but nothing worked as quick, as good and as long as pure baking soda.
Antiperspirants worked but they have aluminium and they left a layer of gunk on my underarms which I wasn't comfortable with. I used deodorants which would work OK for a few hours but eventually by the end of the day, even in an air conditioned office with temperature control the stink would get mixed up with the deodorant smell to make up for a really horrible smell.
Baking Soda worked perfectly the first day I tried it!! It does both things the way it's supposed to:
1. It lets me sweat as it's naturally supposed to happen and
2. No bad smell all day!!
For me it has been a miracle cure.
Baking Soda
Posted by Pat (Ballwin, MO) on 07/19/2008
I have stopped using "soap" for anything! I use bath gels that are clear, not the white ones. I also apply ACV after showering, with a cotton pad. The ACV prevents bacterial growth that causes the odor. I tried baking soda, but also had red angry rashes. I changed to corn starch baby powder and now have no rash and no odor. The ACV works by itself, but feels a bit sticky from the sugar content. The baby powder with cornstarch prevents the sticky feel and has a pleasant odor.
Charcoal or Liquid Chlorophyll
Posted by Jeanne (Atl, Georgia) on 06/25/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
A follow up to my post. Please be careful if you try activated charcoal! I was getting stomach pain 20 minutes after every meal. I finally figured out that my stomach pain started after I took activated charcoal (heaping tablespoon for 2 days in a row - not a lot!). I located the pain in my stomach, found a little lump in the colon, and then used my fist to move the lump to the left. A day later my husband took over, found the lump,(which had moved slightly) and did acupressure for about 2 minutes on the spot-- ohhh yes, it hurt. But within minutes I had to run to the bathroom and the rest is history. No more stomach pain. So please be careful with the charcoal, especially if you have a sensitive stomach! I think that people's stomach aches can be often be an impacted colon. The same thing has happened to me before after eating bread and another time, after drinking psyllium without enough water!
If you press on your stomach and have a painful spot that moves slowly from one day to the next, you may have clogged your colon/intestines. Tons of water helps, but acupressure massage is best to move the obstruction to your bowels and out. One last note is that I was having normal bowel movements even while my colon was impacted, so don't rely on that (constipation or elimination) to judge, but more on the location of pain and whether or not a little lump exists.
Potassium Crystal Deodorant
Posted by Mariah (Lanham, U.S.A.) on 06/23/2008
★★★★☆
I had tried several brands of natural deodorant and none of them worked. With any small amount of strenuous movement they immediately wore off (not a fun experience when you are around people). I tried the hydrogen peroxide & baking soda which did work, but it was a little messy applying the baking soda. Currently I'm using Thai Cyrstal deodorant which seems to be doing the job and it's much easier to apply then the HP & BS. I haven't done a full sweat filled workout to see how well the it holds up, but there have been a few hot, sticky days when I was out moving around quite a bit and so far, so good.
Diaper Rash Ointment
Posted by Jay (Altoona, FL) on 06/22/2008
★★★★★
I finally found a cure for the bacteria that causes really strong and offensive armpit odor. Desitin cream applied liberally and left on for at least 24 hours has completely eliminated bad armpit odor. This is the same product that many use to help with diaper rash on babies.
Baking Soda
Posted by Pat (St. Louis, MO) on 06/16/2008
I, too, have had success with baking soda, but ended up with a red angry rash under my arms. I did use it just after shaving. Could this be the problem?
EC: We usually wait at least 3 hours after shaving before application. It's the only problem with this fantastic remedy.
Avoid Deodorants
Posted by Lanpho (Burbank, CA) on 06/13/2008
This is true! I've done this for two weeks and I'm odor free. Deoderants make you stink more. Rub H202 and Baking soda on keeps me from BO for 12 hrs or more in 90 degrees weather. Like someone suggested, bar soap is no good either, but if you must, shower gel is better. Thank you for the suggestions everyone!
Baking Soda
Posted by Mo (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) on 06/10/2008
★★★★★
I am happy that someone else is excited about using Baking Soda as a deodorant. I have posted that I have been using it successfully for the past months. I also mentioned that I use VCO when I have to shave because I do not believe it would be wise to use it after shaving. I am a believer and have been spreading the word slowly - can be a sensitive topic!!!
Clove Oil
Posted by Brittney (Acworth, GA) on 06/10/2008
★★★★★
hey i thought id share something that has been working pretty well for me lately to combat under arm odor. i read alot of the articles that others have written about how to stop the stink so i went with the no soap theory and. . . well at first, it wasn't what i would have called a good idea but i kept it up, then i moved on to the cold shower theory which is, well cold! but i've continued with both no soap and cold water for about a month now (maybe less) and that stinkyness had become just faint. whereas before I smelled pretty rancid! However that faint stink has still been a bother to me (thankfully no one else can smell me- unless people are just tying to be polite) but anyway, i've created my own new theory and its been working very well. what i do is i have continued with no soap and cool/lukewarm showers (cold is too cold for me) then when i get out i use a cotton ball to apply a mixture of witch hazel and 1 drop of clove oil to my armpits and after they dry out i powder them with corn starch. Now im happy to say that i am quite a bit closer to being stink free! my faint stink isn't stinky anymore. this process had helped me out alot. maybe it will work for some of you stinkers out there. (oh, i forgot to mention that i don't ever use deoderant anymore either) and please only use 1-2drops of clove oil under the arm at first becaude it will stink like crazy at first. over time it will no longer sting or burn with the application though. just soak a cotten ball with witch hazel and add 1 drop of clove oil and when you're all dry powder on some corn starch (the stuff at the grocery store) and you should be good to go! thanks for your time EC! God bless.
Charcoal or Liquid Chlorophyll
Posted by Jeanne (Atl, Georgia) on 06/10/2008
★★★★★
I had a large container of activated charcoal sitting in my cupboard the last 2 years that I rarely touch. I decided to give it a shot for body odor after reading about it on Earth Clinic. Yes, it works! You need to give it 2 days to get into your system before you notice the difference, then you need to maintain a dosage every day.
I do have a few side effects to note: Activated charcoal is best taken on an empty stomach, but I do not suggest taking it first thing in the morning. I drank my heaping tablespoon in 8 oz of water 2 days ago, then oil pulled. I ended up gagging up acid after 2 minutes of oil pulling. Yuck. This was interesting because I read that charcoal is actually a remedy for Acid Reflux! Well, then I changed to taking my charcoal in the middle of the day, before lunch. That seems to work. However, it does give me a slight stomach ache. You might also try taking it at night, several hours after dinner.
One benefit to the charcoal besides not having to use deodorant or baking soda (that irritates my skin, I must admit) is that I seem to sweat less when I have this in my system. It may be a remedy for excessive sweaters, I don't know... worth a shot. And it is a general detoxer, so that's a good thing in this hot and humid weather. Question for regular users of charcoal. Do you take it every day or is it something you need to stop every so often? Thanks!
Baking Soda
Posted by Wendy (Somerville, USA) on 06/09/2008
★★★★★
I am a believer! I have been using Baking Soda as a deodorant for the past couple days and I am tickled pink with the results!
I can't believe I've suffered with boils (from my foliciles being packed with deodorant residue) and stinky pits for the past couple years and this was all I had to do. All the scrubbing and shaving in the world didn't get me these result. I tried numerous deodorants and antiperspirants to no avail, then gave the crystal a whirl. That worked for a while much to my delight. But I think that something in my chemistry changed which then stripped me of the progress I'd made.
Not knowing what else to do, I typed in "perspiration and natural remedy" and found this site! I am eternally gateful! I won't even get into the savings I'll have now from not buying the expensive ineffective stuff.
I will spread the word!
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Lana (Somewhere, Israel) on 05/25/2008
★★★★★
Body Odor Remedies: Hi All!
Just wanted to share with you - after drinking the standard recipe for ACV and soda [1/4 tsp soda and 2 Tbs ACV in a glass of water] twice a day for a couple of months, I have no need to use deodorant of any kind! If I do perspire, it has no odor. My hubby even claims that my poo has no smell. How's that for a complete natural deodorant?
Baking Soda
Posted by Mo (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) on 05/24/2008
★★★★★
I read about using Baking Soda as a deodorant and have been using it for the last 3 months. I had tried everything - crystals and a product with lemon juice and its essence - all very good but it did not always protect the entire day. I am very happy to say that Baking Soda has been the best I have ever used - 100% effective - lasting the whole day and longer. When I shave my underarm I use Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) for at least 2 to 3 days in order to allow healing before resuming with Baking Soda. (Please do this to avoid burns). VCO is also very good but has not consistently protected all day long. I have been spreading the word to health conscious friends.
Like others, I think this site is a god-send. Thank you. I have started using Baking soda as a facial and all over body scrub; then I apply ACV and finally VCO to my face. I have been quite consistent for the last 3 months including Ted's advise regarding large facial pores. I cannot believe that my skin looks so beautiful and smooth at the age of 41. I always had beautiful skin now I look even younger - it simply is amazing!!
I have now starting being more consistent with drinking ACV 3 times a day because I need to loose at least 16 llbs. Since the birth of my third child 11 months ago - it has been a very slow process. I am hoping that in a few months I can be write a post like many others - saying that I am loosing weight. I also plan to ingest VCO and also start using it for all cooking as well. I began eating 1 tablespoon of Black Strap Molasses every morning. I try to eat a very healthy diet. So I guess soon I will not only look good but feel great as well.
Thanks again for this wonderful site!!
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by AC (White Plains, NY) on 05/08/2008
I've just stumbled onto this website tonight and I am grateful. I have been trying to get rid of an embarrassing armpit odor for a while and refuse to go back to the deadly over-the-counter deodorants. I have tried burts bees deodorant, which didn't work well for me after a while and made me smell strongly of lemon and mint... I've tried the baking soda but it irritated me so much, after a while that I would have 60-90 second scratch fests. (I know not good). I've discovered that whenever I eat red meat the smell is prominent. When I eat fish or chicken not as bad... I've even taken body mint which worked for a week, but now I'm getting desperate. I love meat too much to stop eating it. So, next I will try the borax and tea tree oil because I've noticed that once I wipe the sweat away, the odor seems to go away as well, even temporarily - So, I think that tea tree oil will kill the bacteria causing the problem, hopefully all day long.
