Perspiration Treatment

Perspiration is generally stimulated by heat and is the body’s way of regulating temperature. Excessive sweating (or hyperhidrosis) is caused by overactive sweat glands. It may be confined to specific areas such as the palms of the hands, armpits, groin and feet, or it may occur all over the body. When perspiration exceeds the bounds of what is considered normal, it may be due to an overactive thyroid gland, the menopause, prolonged fever, or stress or other psychological factors.

Symptoms 
• an unpleasant body odor may occur if perspiration comes into contact with bacteria on the skin
• in severe cases the skin in affected areas may become damp and damaged

TREATMENT 

Chinese Herbalism 
Excess sweating is thought to be caused by a deficiency of qi or yin. For yin deficiency, use gray lily turf root, cork tree bark, and peony. Try ledebouriella and astragalus for deficient qi.

Herbalism 
Marigold infusion can be drunk to produce a perspiration increase, when necessary. A herbal deodorant would include cloves, myrrh, coriander seeds, cassia, lavender flowers, and thyme, in equal amounts and ground into a powder. Use in the bath, or under the arms. This may cause a rash in sensitive people.

Aromatherapy 
Cypress oil is astringent and refreshing, and can be massaged into the feet for excess perspiration, or combined with lavender oil in a light massage oil and massaged under the arms. Oils with deodorizing properties are bergamot, clary sage, eucalyptus, lavender, neroli, petitgrain, and rosewood. Detoxifying oils include fennel, garlic, juniper, and rose. Basil, chamomile, juniper, peppermint, and tea tree oils promote sweating, if there is a lack of it.

Homeopathy 
Constitutional treatment is most appropriate, but the following may help: Lycopodium, for smelly perspiration, worse on feet and under arms. Mercurius, for smelly sweat. Sulfur, for sweating on the head, with morning diarrhea. Calcarea, for sour sweat. The sufferer is likely to be overweight, and feels cold and clammy. Silicea, for sweaty, smelly feet in a thin person. Aethusa, for insufficient perspiration production.