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.
Anti-Candida Diet, Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Granny Laura (Waco, Tx Usa) on 02/03/2010
★★★★★
I used to have severe body odor before I got tested for allergies and saw a doctor for Candida.
I'm talking about showering using betadine to wash under my arms and then using one of the three "industrial strength" deodorants that I rotated daily. I would still smell "soured" under my arms within 2-3 hrs.
It gradually got better after thousands of dollars worth of medical treatment to get my health better.
From what I have learned over the years...it may be caused by candida and toxins in your body. Try washing w/tea tree soap or GSE (diluted, of course). Try to keep carbs down to 40 gm or less a day. Rotate your deodorants, never using the same one 2 days in a row, the bacteria get resistant.
I don't have that problem now but I still have Candida synmptoms if I don't stay on the anti-candida diet. I found that even a couple of drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract help me to not have BO at all.
Oh yes, if your BO is that bad then your breath isn't going to be fresh, either. Bad breath usually comes from poor digestion, I'm in love w/digestive enzymes just now. lol Those and GSE should help.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pr (Houston, Texas) on 03/04/2010
Hello, it sounds to me like you might have problems with candida (fungus infection) which might be why you have recurring sinus problems. A person can have fungus growing in them for years and not know it because you can't see it. Fungus overgrowth is a killer that is truly deceptive as it quietly grows poisoning your system. We end treating the symptoms of it's poisons with more antibodies which makes it worst. You might want to get your doctor to check you for fungus.
I use Milk of Magnesium for deodorant and Magnesium oil. They both work great for odor under the arms and other areas. But if your odor is from inside especially when you have sinus problems I would check for fungus or bacteria infections.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Claudia (Höör, Sweden) on 03/05/2010
Here is a remedy that I came up with after a friend shared with me that she used a Salt Toothpaste under her arms instead of deodorant!!! Make a paste of the following:
Baking Soda
a drop or so of castor oil
essential oil of peppermint, and/or cloves
a few drops of witch hazel (non-alcohol type)/you can omit this if you wish
mix together - apply under arms after shower - a small amount works. rub into your armpit as if it were a cream. you should stay odor free all day.
good luck...
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn Usa) on 03/06/2010
I have tried to avoid using deodorant, but all for naught. The latest rage is to use magnesium oil in lieu of the commercial stuff. That does not work for me. I could not stand myself. Things that contribute to odor are fat and hair. Get rid of what you can.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 01/03/2018 233 posts
Thank you Marie, I just looked it up and found crystal deo ingredient stated ammonium alum. I recall a poster recommending alum found in the spice aisle for mouth sores and Ted responded it was aluminium and therefore toxic. So people trying to avoid aluminium in deodorants are unwittingly using aluminium anyway. I can recommend making your own with a base of coconut oil, many recipes online, or milk of magnesia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Fra-fra (Mineral Wells, Texas, Usa) on 04/15/2010 10 posts
I use a natural deodrant stone from Thailand. The ingreidence say: Natural Mineral Salt, contains no harmful chemicals or aluminum. It is a product of Miracle....... Directions: simply wet the top of the crystal stick and apply underarms. This works for me, hope it helps others.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Carol (Montvale, Nj) on 12/09/2011
I wanted to say if you want to conquer body odor try living clay. You will not have any odor with just a heaping teaspoon a day in a tall glass of water. I only use natural deodorants and it is not enough. I also use green tablets (rawfoods. Com) and vitamic c (emergency packs) 2 a day. The best is the clay, you don't need to take anything else, it is great for body odor, you will be amazed. The website is living clay. com it is like drinking dirt, but it goes down fast.
Vitamin c is great at higher doses, and the greens are great for the breath and odor. but the very best for under the arm stink is CLAY.
Hope this helps, I feel that I have exhausted everything there is and this is my best advice.
if you want the best protection on certain days take the clay once in awhile, may be hard to swallow everyday. They do make tablets, but not the living clay website, have to purchase a different brand, have not tried the tablets, so don't know how effective.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Middle, Tennessee, USA) on 06/13/2013
Dear Mary, So sorry about this miserable and embarrassing problem! I am already noticing some helpful suggestions being posted for you. I have been thinking about what might work and have a few questions that might help me and others to help you.
- Do you have any other health problems?
- Do you currently take and medications or supplements?
- How long has this been going on?
- How is your digestion working? In other words, do you have trouble with constipation or diarrhea?
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Middle, Tennessee, USA) on 06/13/2013
Mary, I thought of a couple of more questions to add to my last post...
- What is your diet like?
- What do you drink? (soda, tea, coffee, water, etc?)
- Do you have female symptoms? (irregular or heavy cyles, etc.)
Looking forward to hearing from you...
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gail (Villas, Nj) on 06/16/2013
Underarm body odor is caused by a zinc deficiency. Take 50mg twice a day for awhile then you can lower it to one. Take with meals as it can cause irritation on empty stomach. Another symptom is white spots on nails though that can be absent and many skin conditions especially psoriasis and acne. Foot odor is usually magnesium deficiency. May this help you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brenda (Texas) on 03/04/2017
You do not have to get rid of the smelly clothes. Dip the complete underarm part in ammonia and quickly put it in the washing machine. The ammonia can be slightly diluted with water. You can also add ammonia to your wash cycle but you will still have to dip the underarms of the clothes. You can use a face mask so that you don't have to smell the ammonia. The chlorophyll works for me (liquid or pills). Take it about 30 minutes before your shower, so that it will have time to work.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Karen (Hongkong, China) on 01/01/2010
★★★★★
I've been embarassed about my BO for 18 years. I tried so many remedies such as diff. brand of deodorants but it doesnt work for me. I tried lemon juice and took a bath three a times a day but still the bad smell doesnt eliminate. I did it everything including washing the clothes thoroughly.. but then there's no improvement! Last month i tried to find a solution for my BO and guess what?! lucky me!i found it already! i've read all the comments and suggestions posted on EC site and have a try. I tried using ACV and baking soda for bathing it was really great for me! NO SOAP! i feel fresh everyday.I drink green tea instead of coffee. i also used green tea to rinse my face! it's all natural beauty tips.I also eliminate taking dairy product..(goodbye cheese lol).On summer i try to use milk of magnesia, zinc oxide ointment and essential oil or coconut oil. Today im very happy to share with you that great things happen to me!goodbye BO! Thanks a lot EARTH CLINIC!!be bless..:)
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Liv (Boston, Ma) on 09/30/2011
Hi, I am sorry to hear about your experience, I have had the same problem and I wonder if it is related to taking vitamins/supplements and the detoxing process, anyway, what has worked for me is to apply zinc oxide paste (very inexpensive and found at most pharmacies) after I shower at night. Then I shower again in the morning and don't apply anything (no zinc oxide, no deodorant, etc. ). I also always make sure that my shirts are worn only once before I wash them since bacteria can stay in them and then, well things get ugly. I don't apply zinc oxide in the morning since I am afraid it may stain my shirt, I hope this helps, good luck!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jenny (Perth, Western Australia) on 11/16/2011
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Yes, the same for me. It worked really well for around a week and I was stoked! Then it lasted shorter and shorter amounts of time. Back to the deodorant.
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Marixpress (Bronx, Ny, USA) on 08/28/2009
★★★★★
I have struggled with underarm odor since puberty and all of my adult life. My problem was so bad that nothing over the counter or prescribed helped me. At the end of the day, I still smelled like an onion processing plant.
I read on a site that milk of magnesia helps so I went out and bought the generic store brand. After a shower, I applied some to a cotton ball and coated my armpit with a thin layer then held my arms over my head until it dried. It did not stop the sweating but the odor was completely gone.
My daily routine now is: shower, douse armpit in alcohol to kill bacteria, after alcohol has dried, shake bottle of liquid milk of magnesia and apply thin coating to armpit simply with my fingers. Instead of blowing on them to dry or waiting around, I use the cool temperature setting on my hair dryer. The whole process takes a couple of minutes. It lasts all day and sometimes even into the next day. Apply daily.
One thing I notice from time to time is the occasional swollen gland under the skin surface. When that happens, I just skip the next day and it goes away on its own. MOM is a miracle.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Barbara (Morton, IL) on 08/19/2009
Hello-I also use ACV as deordorant except on the days I shave underarms. I do not add anything to my underarms after applying the ACV. After air drying, I get dressed for the day. Your perspiration odor may be due to toxins in your body. You may want to take ACV, baking soda & water as posted by Ted. I have noticed a big change in my body odor since taking it consistently for several months. I usually have to launder my blouses after 1 wearing due to underarm stink. Not so anymore. Now I can wear a blouse 2 or 3 times before laundering. ACV is a great de-toxifier. I also use it as a mouthwash,astrigent on my face, itchy skin, and apply it to remove a mole. Good luck. I hope this helps.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Bce (Bce, Jamwest) on 08/07/2009
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
TED; I HAVE BEEN TAKING BAKING SODA AND ACV FOR BODY ODOR AND IT WORKS BUT WHEN I WALK IN THE SUN AND START TO SWEAT, MY SWEAT SMELLS LIKE THE VINEGAR OR THE BAKING SODA AND THAT SMELL IS ALSO VERY OFFENSIVE. AS YOU KNOW HOW AWFUL ACV SMELLS AND THE BS SMELLS LIKE ASH. PLEASE HELP ME. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY ORGANS?
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Raquel (West Palm Beach, FL) on 07/23/2009
★★★★★
I also use MOM as a deodorant, can't be without it! I had the idea of adding a few drops of essential oils (lavender and tea tree) for added protection plus I like the "clean" scent.
Zinc Oxide Ointment
Posted by Leo (Camrose, Alberta) on 06/07/2009
★★★★★
Zinc Oxide Deodorant: In Dr. Hulda Clark's books, she recommends zinc oxide powder as a deodorant. Over the years it has worked just fine for me. Just place 2 tbs in a small jar and add enough water to make a paste. Smear the past onto your arm pits or groin area. Odour is gone immediately.
There is a bit of residue left on your fingers from smearing it on, but that soon leaves. Or you can use a paint or bingo dauber and not touch the paste with your fingers. If you don't sweat much, the paste will keep you odour free for several days. But it is not antiperspirant, and it washes off quickly in the shower. Zinc oxide can be bought from Self Health Resource Centre in California, and in Canada. It can also be bought in 500 gm sizes direct from Fisher Scientific if you have an account with them. Very inexpensive. Thanks.
Leo
Camrose, Alberta.
Zinc Oxide Ointment
Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 06/21/2009
not all zinc creams have talc and parabens, i dont know if they will show this but a baby zinc ointment called butt paste, if they block the name look in the baby isle you will find one without that stuff, has no fillers or anything that may harm you. sara
EC: Butt Paste Ingredients:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudreaux's_Butt_Paste
"Boudreaux's Butt Paste is a skin cream used to treat skin ailments such as diaper rash, minor burns, and insect bites. The product has gained notoriety mainly due to its unusual and humorous name.
Ingredients
The combination of ingredients is:
* 16 percent zinc oxide
* a proprietary blend of Peruvian balsam
* citric acid
* castor oil
* mineral oil
Zinc Oxide Ointment
Posted by Driftergal (Arnaudville, La, Usa) on 10/13/2012
I am going through menopause which has caused hot flashes and night sweats. Not just a few but at least hourly. Besides being aggravating it also caused extreme body odor which I have never experienced before. I remembered the "think zinc and don't stink" saying I heard years ago and started taking zinc. I guess I'm inpatient but after 2 weeks or so of taking more than the bottle said I saw no difference. I found this web site and saw where someone had used the zinc mixed with water and put it under their arms and it worked so I tried it. Sure enough it worked immediately. I went to drug emporium and found deodorant cream which has zinc as the third ingredient in it. It's fantastic. Even after having a flash or night sweat I have not smelled the BO.
I'm also experimenting with the ACV with Mother for the hot flashes. So far I have seen a decline in the number and intensity of the flashes. I've been using it for just 2 days so I'm pretty excited about that too. The ACV took my breath away the first time I tried it because I tried taking it plain. I forgot that I read to mix it with water so I now use the 2 TBS with 6 oz water and 4 drops of stevia. It's still not real pleasant but it's worth it to get some relief from the hot flashes.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Dorett (Lima, Ohio) on 06/01/2009
★★★★★
I read in a book that regular rubbing alchohol is good for boby odor. I was fasting and was having problem with odor from all the toxin that was coming out. i tried bathing two to three times a day to help eliminate the odor which only help for a short time. So I decided to try this remedy. This really help, I have been using it ever since. That is the 70% volume. I splash it under my arms after showering.
Brown Deodorant Stone
Posted by Joe (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on 05/18/2009
★★★★★
Brown deodorant stone cured my body odor. Readers from Malaysia can buy it from some pharmacies in Kuala Lumpur. I have been using it for many years, very effective and made from volcanic deposits - no chemicals.I get my supply from a pharmacy in Sogo complex. Really economical and long lasting effect. On the packing it says 36 hours freshness.Totally different from other white deodorant crystal. Should be able to help many readers rid their bo problem.
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Karen (Rochester, NY) on 05/03/2009
★★★★★
I use undiluted milk of magnesia with essential oils in place of regular deodorant. I use a few drops of pure lavender oil in a full bottle of MoM, but you can choose whatever scent you like. It is a little messy to apply (I tried using cotton balls) so I put it in a spritz bottle, which gets clogged up quickly, so I went back to using the cotton balls.
I haven't experienced any side effects, and being in a very active job, I have found that one application in the morning is enough for the day and works great. I've been doing this for almost two years.
Tips:
1. Check the labels before you buy - some have other ingredients you wouldn't want like stabilizers, and artificial sweeteners. There is almost always a generic equivalent that is just pure MoM on the shelf next to the other brands.
2. When selecting essential oils - these must also be pure, otherwise you could cause irritations. Since you are using this on a daily basis, stick with the gentle oils like pure lavender. Research your oil choice carefully. For example, citrus based oils, while very uplifting, can cause a person to be hyper sun-sensitive. You could possibly use tea tree essential oil if there is an active infection/overgrowth in the body that would benefit from daily application. In any case, the essential oil should be a high grade oil.
3. Since it is wet when applied, give yourself time before you put a shirt on, especially a dark colored one! It dries quickly, but if you get it on your clothes, you'll see a whitish powdery stain (which washes right out).
Zinc Oxide Ointment
Posted by Sid Davis (Springfield, Missouri, USA) on 04/19/2009
★★★★★
Get a tube of 20% zinc oxide ointment from a drug store or Walmart. After your shower and dry off, smear this on instead of deodorant. My wife and I have used this for many, many years and NEVER have under arm odor. It works better than any deodorant we have ever used. We don't even need it everyday. I use a dab about the size of two green peas under each arm every other day, but you can experiment with the amount and frequency. If you use too much, your pores might get temporarily clogged, so don't over do it. Zinc oxide is the main ingredient in many diaper creams. It simply kills the bacteria which cause underarm odor.
Zinc Oxide Ointment
Posted by Sid Davis (Springfield, Mo) on 06/16/2009
I don't know what to say. It works for my wife and me, and several others on this site have reported it worked for them. As an experiment, try using it every day after your shower for a week and see if it becomes more effective; plus use clean shirts. It has been so long since I started using it that I can't remember how effective it was at first, but I think it worked from day one. One thought that crossed my mind is that there may be some bacterial residue in your shirts, even if they have been laundered, that then start to grow when the moisture from your sweat provides a more favorable environment. Can you tell if the smell is coming from your shirt or your armpit? If the smell is coming from the shirt, try using a little lysol in your washing machine when laundering your shirts to kill the bacteria.
Zinc kills bacteria which would otherwise cause the odor. Killing bacteria is why different commercial deodorants have things like aluminum or alcohol in them. Even baking soda has an anti-bacterial property because of the sodium in it (ever pour salt on a garden slug?).
I don't think there is anything inherently smelly about sweat, but it just allows bacteria to reproduce more effectively. Knock out the bacteria and there should be no odor.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Noelle (Tampa, FL) on 03/22/2009
★★★★★
ACV cured my acid reflux (and made me smell like roses!) ok, maybe not roses, but it definitely stopped any sort of bacterial growth that caused my body odor.
i take acv orally, 2 tablespoons per glass of water, every morning and two hours before bed. i was diagnosed with acid reflux at 12 and took pills off and on but i feel so free. Apple Cider Vinegar freed me naturally!
I also keep the acv in the shower and before i turn on the water i put some music on, pour the acv all over my body (i pour a little in my hand and then rub on my body), dance around for 2 minutes and then spend my shower rinsing, NO SOAP!. after the vinegar smell goes away i towel off and go about my business. every deodorant ive ever tried has let me down, time and time again, but this stuff-i love it! i ride my bicycle 10 miles a day commuting and i sniff and sniff and check and check and nothing-no smell at all, its a beautiful thing. i want to shout from the rooftops! These pharmaceutical companys tell us that we have to use their products, their chemicals- and we dont! we just need to go back to nature.
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 03/10/2009
★★★★★
Two warm days in Atlanta, an excellent time to test these body odor remedies! I applied milk of magnesia as mentioned by Bessie for the past few days. Today it reached about 80F and I am sweating up a storm in my office, drinking hot tea all the while. No body odor. I have also applied it before working out last night when it was in the 70s and again, no b.o.
Great remedy, thanks Bessie!
P.S. It does not last through multiple showers. You must reapply each time.
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Bessie (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 03/08/2009
★★★★★
For underarm odour, I've had good luck with Milk of Magnesia as posted by someone else at Earth Clinic. I just pour a wee bit into my hand and rub it into my armpits. Wait until it dries before putting on your clothes. It worked remarkably well and I've been under a great deal of stress lately. I used the name brand Milk of Magnesia (from the pharmacy) but you could probably use a generic or store brand one. Good luck!
Vitamin C
Posted by Haycee (Gauteng, SA) on 03/03/2009
★★★★★
Vitamin C for body odour
I have tried several remedies listed on EC for body odour after I suddenly started perspiring profusely this summer and noticed a strong and unpleasant smell coming from one armpit. I stopped using soap, tried ACV, baking soda, coconut oil, witchazel, zinc ointment, green clay, all with varying degrees of success. However, they were no match for the hot and humid SA summer we are experiencing and had to be re-applied during the day.
Two weeks ago, I hit on a simple remedy which works spectacularly well - Vit C. I have been experimenting with remedies to replace soap and hit the jackpot when I mixed one crushed Vit C tablet with about two tablespoons of baking soda and discovered that the mixture prevents body odour. I also use the mix to brush my teeth. Later I discovered that Vit C works well on its own as a deodorant.
Here's what I do: I crush a Vit C tablet (ascorbic acid 500mg), lightly dip a damp finger in the powder and apply to damp skin once a day. One tablet is enough for many applications since you need a miniscule amount to be effective. I have also noticed that it not only prevents BO but also instantly removes any odour if, for some reason, you neglect to apply it in the morning.
Vitamin C
Posted by Tess (Palm Beach, Fl) on 03/04/2009
Thanks for this remedy. I started it this morning by grinding up an orange flavored vit c in my mortar and pestle. I also might try applying colloidal zinc at some point to see if that won't work too. I bought it ages ago and haven't touched it more than once. Any kind of zinc brings on serious acid reflux. But under the arms might work!
Vitamin C
Posted by Haycee (Gauteng, SA) on 03/05/2009
@ Tess from Palm Beach: Is your orange flavoured Vit C the fizzy type? Might be a ticklish affair ;) However, I will be interested to hear if it works as well for you as it does for me.
I also meant to mention that Vit C is excellent as a topical application for cuts and grazes. Whenever I suffer an injury I increase my Vit C intake and dissolve a tablet in a bit of water and apply to the wound several times a day. It heals twice as fast. Regards.
Vitamin C
Posted by Nancy (New Hope, PA) on 07/09/2009
★★★★★
I USED ONE YOUR CONTRIBUTOR'S ADVICE TO TAKE 1 TABLET(250MG)VITAMIN C, CRUSH IT AND TAKE SOME OF THE POWDER AND TOUCH IT WITH A BIT OF WATER TO MAKE A PASTE AND APPLY IT TO UNDER ARMS. THE ODOR WAS GONE FOR DAYS. THANK YOU. ALSO IT MAY BE A WAY OF GETTING MORE C INTO YOUR SYSTEM
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kj (Philadelphia, PA) on 03/02/2009
★★★★★
I've been using ACV instead of deodorant for the past week and it works! I can go over 24 hours without having any odor. I sweat in my sleep and thought the ACV would surely fail me-- it didn't! I may never use deodorant again! I can't wait to see if this works in the summer.
Baking Soda
Posted by Crzybeau (Las Vegas, Nevada, United States) on 10/15/2010
Try drinking liquid mint flavored chlorophyll 3x a day (2 tablespoons in 8oz water) and take a good quality probiotic. Also try adding more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Minimize/eliminate processed foods, coffee, soda, sugar in general. Get tested for any food allergies as well. Hope this helps ;)
