Excessive Sweating

Sweating is healthy. Increased perspiration is how the body regulates water and mineral content and temperature and removes toxins from the system through the skin. Sweating is an action of the sweat glands. One of the two types of sweat glands congregates only in certain areas of the body, such as the groin and underarms. These glands only fully develop at adolescence. The other type is found virtually everywhere on the skin, especially on the palms and soles of the feet. Body odor is individual, created through bacterial decomposition.

It is normal to sweat more during a fever, in hot weather and during exercise, as a means to regulate body temperature. Some people sweat more than others, as a part of their natural constitution. Fear, anxiety or stress can cause excessive perspiration, especially on the hands and feet. Obesity and drinking alcohol can cause an increase in sweating so can hypoglycemia and hyperthyroidism, which have additional symptoms of nervousness, weakness and trembling. Hot flashes with attacks of sweating often occur with the hormonal shift during menopause. It is completely normal for teenagers to sweat more while hormones are in fluctuation. Night sweats often occur without known cause, however they are sometimes signs of serious illnesses, such as tuberculosis, Hodgkin's disease and AIDS. Wearing synthetic materials such as polyester, acrylic and nylon contribute to perspiration and should be avoided, as should non-leather shoes, if foot sweat is a problem.

Supplements and herbs

It is important to replace minerals such as calcium and potassium which are lost during sweating. Lack of calcium can cause muscle cramps, while potassium deficiency causes muscle weakness and constipation; Although potassium is best supplemented through diet, calcium can be supplemented.

Sweating is a healthy reaction of the body to rid itself of toxins. If there is no known cause for excessive sweating, alleviate the symptoms with medicinal plants.

• Sage has a calming action on the sweat-producing nerve fibers. Suppression of perspiration usually begins about two hours after taking sage juice, tea or tincture, and often lasts for several days. Use 20 sage leaves (4 tbsp.) per day. Bring 2 cups of water with 4 tbsp. of sage leaves to boil and simmer for five minutes. Strain and drink in the evening.
• Alternatively, mix 5 tbsp. of sage leaves, 1 tbsp. of horsetail and 1 tbsp. of valerian root. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of this mixture, bring to boil again, strain and drink 1 cup daily, or as needed.
• Bathe feet and hands in equal parts of oak bark, tormentil root, eucalyptus leaves, witch hazel leaves and walnut leaves. Add 5 tbsp. of this mixture to 2 qt. of water and boil for five minutes. Strain and add 1 qt. of cold water.
• For night sweating, use 2 parts each of wild strawberry leaves and stinging nettle leaves, and 3 parts each of walnut leaves and sage leaves. Add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tsp. of this mixture and drink before bed.
• If sweating is due to anxiety, drink a calming tea of peppermint, lemon balm and fennel seeds before going to bed. Linden flowers and elderberry promote sweating, so avoid them, if possible.
• If perspiration odor is a problem, add a few drops of antibacterial Chinese peppermint oil to shower gel, or add 2 drops of lavender, rose or orange oil to bath water for a pleasant scent.

What else you can do

• Use body powder or baking soda to absorb excess moisture.

Usual dosage

• Calcium, 1,200 mg
• Potassium, 2,500 mg

More useful herbs

• Asparagus
• Astragalus
• Osha
• Rehmannia
• Schizonepeta