May I take your odor?

Natural Health, June, 2005

AN ACRID BODY ODOR can be the embarrassing byproduct of enjoying the warmer weather. There are a number of natural solutions to this common problem, but chlorophyll-based tablets aren't one of them. According to the National Council Against Health Fraud, chlorophyll is not a deodorant and cannot be absorbed by the human body.

may I take Your odor?

what              Crystal               Doctor Burt's
                 Deodorant                  Herbal
                  Stones                  Deodorant

why         These stones apply a      This natural under-
            thin layer of alum, a     arm deodorant spray
            natural mineral salt,     from Burt's Bees
            to the skin, helping      contains none of
            prevent the growth        the aluminum found
            of odor-causing           in many commercial
            bacteria. Sprays and      brands. Instead,
            roll-ons made from        it neutralizes body
            liquidized crystals       odor with the scents
            are also available.       of sage, lemon, and
                                      lavender.

evidence    Astringents like          Sage, lemon, and
            alum inhibit the          lavender all have mild
            growth of bacteria.       antiseptic qualities
            The Mayo Clinic           and sweetly refresh-
            suggests these            ing scents.The word
            crystals might be a       lavender comes from
            less irritating option    the Latin for "to
            than antiperspirants.     wash"; the herb's
                                      aroma is widely used
                                      for relaxation.

caveats     The stones don't          A deodorant, not an
            have antiperspirant       antiperspirant, it
            properties, so you'll     won't irritate skin--
            still sweat. Irritation   but it also doesn't
            is extremely rare.        prevent sweating.

using it    Apply to clean, damp      Apply daily after
            skin (or dampen the       showering.
            crystal). For it to be
            effective, you must
            use it before bacteria
            start to develop.

what             Iontophoresis

why         To help prevent
            odor, stop sweating
            before it starts with
            iontophoresis, which
            blocks sweat glands
            with ions. A battery-
            operated device, the
            Drionic, is available
            for home use
            (drionic.com).

evidence    According to a
            recent review
            published in the
            Canadian Medical
            Association Journal,
            iontophoresis was
            found to be very
            effective in reducing
            heavy sweating.

caveats     It can cause dryness
            and irritation.

using it    Half-hour treatments
            daily for two weeks
            using Drionics for
            underarms and feet
            can reduce sweating
            and body odors for
            up to six weeks.