Introduction:
Body odor, especially axillary odor (also known as bromhidrosis), can cause discomfort and embarrassment. While deodorants and antiperspirants offer temporary relief, they often fail to address the underlying causes of excessive sweating and odor. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as documented in ‘Bencao Gangmu’ (Compendium of Materia Medica), offers a range of herbal remedies that treat the root causes of body odor by balancing the body’s internal heat and improving circulation. This article explores the best TCM herbs for treating body odor, their dosages, and how they work.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Remedies for Body Odor (Axillary Odor): Insights from Bencao Gangmu
Key Herbs for Treating Body Odor
- Mugwort (Ai Ye – 艾叶)
- Dosage: 6-12 grams
- Properties: Mugwort has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help control excessive sweating and prevent the buildup of bacteria responsible for body odor. It also balances the body’s yin and yang, addressing internal heat that can cause odor.
- How to Use: Mugwort can be used as a decoction or applied externally as a wash for the underarm area to reduce sweating and eliminate odor.
- Coptis (Huang Lian – 黄连)
- Dosage: 3-6 grams
- Properties: Coptis is known for its ability to clear heat and dry dampness, making it effective for treating excessive sweating, especially in the underarm area. Its antibacterial properties also help neutralize odor-causing bacteria.
- How to Use: Coptis is commonly brewed as a tea or applied topically to the underarm area in diluted form to reduce sweating and eliminate odor.
- Mint (Bo He – 薄荷)
- Dosage: 3-6 grams
- Properties: Mint has cooling and refreshing properties that help soothe skin and reduce the body’s internal heat. It also provides a pleasant aroma, making it useful for treating body odor naturally.
- How to Use: Mint can be used in a bath or brewed as tea, and it can also be applied topically to the underarm area to cool the skin and reduce odor.
- Licorice Root (Gan Cao – 甘草)
- Dosage: 3-9 grams
- Properties: Licorice Root has harmonizing properties in TCM and can help reduce inflammation and fight odor-causing bacteria. It is also used to balance the effects of stronger herbs like Coptis.
- How to Use: Licorice Root can be added to herbal decoctions or made into a topical wash to treat body odor and soothe the skin.
Herbal Formula for Body Odor Relief (Based on Bencao Gangmu)
Ingredients:
- Mugwort (Ai Ye): 10 grams
- Coptis (Huang Lian): 5 grams
- Mint (Bo He): 6 grams
- Licorice Root (Gan Cao): 5 grams
Preparation:
- Boil all the herbs in 500ml of water for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain the mixture and allow it to cool.
- Use the decoction to wash the underarm area twice daily or drink as tea to balance the body’s internal heat and prevent excessive sweating and odor.
External Application for Immediate Relief
For immediate relief from body odor, create a cooling herbal wash by steeping Mint and Mugwort in hot water. Allow the solution to cool, then apply it to the underarm area with a cloth. This can help reduce odor and soothe the skin naturally.
Why TCM is Effective for Body Odor
Traditional Chinese Medicine views body odor as a result of internal heat, dampness, and imbalances within the body. Herbs like Mugwort and Coptis work by clearing heat and reducing dampness, which are often the root causes of excessive sweating and odor. By addressing these internal imbalances, TCM offers a long-term solution to body odor, helping to regulate the body’s natural processes and eliminate the need for temporary fixes like deodorants.
Conclusion:
The remedies found in ‘Bencao Gangmu’ provide natural and effective solutions for managing body odor. By treating the root causes of odor, such as excessive sweating and bacterial buildup, these herbal remedies offer a safe and holistic approach to odor management. For those seeking a natural way to control body odor, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers powerful and time-tested solutions.
References:
- Li Shizhen. “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Bencao Gangmu), 1596.