From the Guidelines
From a naturopathic perspective, armpit odor is primarily caused by bacteria breaking down sweat proteins, influenced by diet, stress, hormonal imbalances, and poor hygiene. To address this naturally, start with daily washing using mild, natural soaps and consider applying apple cider vinegar diluted with water as a natural antibacterial. Dietary changes are crucial - reduce consumption of red meat, alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, and strong spices while increasing water intake and consuming chlorophyll-rich foods like parsley, cilantro, and wheatgrass. Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, chickpeas) and probiotics can help balance body chemistry. Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, or lemongrass can be mixed with coconut oil as natural deodorants. Wearing breathable, natural fiber clothing reduces bacterial growth. Stress management through meditation, yoga, or deep breathing helps reduce cortisol levels that affect sweat composition. These approaches work by addressing the root causes rather than masking symptoms - balancing the body's microbiome, reducing toxin load that gets expelled through sweat, and creating an environment where odor-causing bacteria cannot thrive. Although the provided evidence does not directly address naturopathic treatments for armpit odor, general principles of health and wellness 1 support the idea that a holistic approach to health can positively impact various bodily functions, including those related to sweat and odor production. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle. Some key points to consider include:
- The importance of hygiene and regular washing
- The impact of diet on body odor
- The potential benefits of natural remedies like essential oils and probiotics
- The role of stress management in reducing sweat and odor production
- The need for a holistic approach to addressing armpit odor, considering both physical and emotional factors.
From the Research
Causes of Body Armpit Odor
- The underarm microbiome plays a major role in axillary malodour formation, with bacteria on the epidermis, sweat glands, sweat pores, and hair follicles contributing to malodour development 2
- The use of personal hygiene products, such as deodorants and antiperspirants, can affect the armpit microbiome and contribute to body odor 3
- Certain diseases, syndromes, and intoxications can cause characteristic and identifiable odors, including body odor 4
- Diet and lifestyle factors, such as eating certain foods or drinking alcohol, can also contribute to body odor 4
Naturopathic Viewpoint on Body Armpit Odor
- Naturopathy is a distinct type of primary care medicine that blends age-old healing traditions with scientific advances and current research, and may offer alternative approaches to treating body armpit odor 5
- Naturopathic treatment modalities, such as diet and clinical nutrition, behavioral change, and botanical medicine, may be used to address underlying causes of body armpit odor 5
- The use of prebiotics, probiotics, and other natural ingredients, such as 2-butyloctanol, may help to maintain a healthy balance of the skin microbiome and reduce body odor 6
Treatments for Body Armpit Odor
- Replacing the autochthonous malodour-causing microbiome with a non-odour-causing microbiome, through armpit bacterial transplantation or direct application of probiotics/non-odour-causing bacteria, may be a potential treatment for axillary body odor 2
- Selective steering of the microbiome with prebiotics, biochemicals, or plant extracts may also help to improve underarm odor 2
- The use of natural ingredients, such as 2-butyloctanol, may have a prebiotic effect on the human underarm microbiome and help to reduce body odor 6