- Best ResultsVariable
- Treatment RecoveryNA
- Procedure TimeNA
- Skin SpecialistNaturopath
- Duration of ResultsTemporary
- AnaestheticNA
- Back to WorkNA
- Cost$
Excessive sweating- natural treatments
Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is a common condition that has an impact on well being. Natural remedies include herbs, including St John’s Wort, Sage, castoreum, and argentums. Other natural remedies that may decrease sweating include biofeedback, hypnosis and relaxation techniques. Natural remedies can be trailed for excessive sweating of the hands, feet, underarms and face prior to medical therapy.
FactsFacts on Natural Treatments for Sweating
- Stress increases sweating in everyone, even normal sweaters
- Some patients with anxiety may benefit from relaxation techniques
- Herbal therapies include St John’s Wort, Lupulus, and Castoreum
- Diet can play a role in reducing sweating, especially a caffeine-free diet
- If prescribed tablets don’t suit your lifestyle, treatments such as iontophoresis can be of help
- Botulinum injections can markedly improve excessive underarm sweating
- These treatments are covered by Medicare in Australia
What natural remedies are available to treat excessive sweating?
Many patients would like to try natural treatments for excessive sweating prior to medical treatments. I encourage the use of natural remedies, acknowledging that the success rate for natural treatments is not crash hot. Having said that, natural remedies are harmless & cost effective. So, if you don’t like the idea of Botox in your armpits, here is a list of what to try-
St John’s Wort
Reported to decrease excessive sweating. No proven studies, available at most health food shops.
Castoreum
May help with the odour associated with sweating. Available in most health food shops.
Argentum
Homeopathic remedy with reported calming effects. Has been successful for excessive sweating of the hands and feet.
Nat mur
A natural tonic for sweat glands (eccrine glands) as well as non-sweat glands called apocine glands. Reported to reduce sweat and non-sweat fluid secretions. Several reported cases of reduction in underarm sweating.
Sage Tablets
A tablet supplement of a well known herb that may, in the minority of patients, slight decrease in excessive sweating of the underarms.
Chamomile
Found in Chamomile Tea, maybe sourced in major health food retailers in Brisbane and throughout Queensland.
Biofeedback, relaxation techniques
This non-herbal, non – tablet way of reducing sweat production is the MOST useful way of reducing excessive sweating without the need for tablets. This method of sweat reduction is available in all Queensland cites via qualified psychologist. Highly recommend natural sweat treatment that can be helpful.
Can diet play a role in reducing excessive sweating?
Absolutely! A change of diet can reduce but not eliminate excessive sweat production. Several chemicals including caffeine, guarana, and geranium can increase sweat production. Reducing your intake of coffee, tea and most importantly energy drinks can reduce your sweating levels. Remember to keep your fluid levels high and drink lots of water.
Drugs such as antidepressants, thyroid medication and some cold and flu medications (pseudoephedrine) can increase your sweat rate.
Note: If you suffer from essential hyperhidrosis of the hand, feet or armpits, changing lifestyle factors such as diet, and de-stressing, can reduce but in most cases will not eliminate excess sweating. Most patients will need help with medical treatments to reduce sweating to an acceptable level.
What are the advantages of natural remedies over medical treatments?
If natural treatments are effective, you will NOT need to visit a Specialist!
Natural treatments such as herbal supplements including camomile, St John’s Wort, Nat Mur, and Argentum do not require a prescription, and in general are side effect free. They are readily available through major health food stores in Brisbane and other cities in Queensland. Consult a naturopath if you are inclined to give naturopathic medicine a try.
Remember to check with your GP or chemist in regard to potential interactions if you are taking other medications!
How well do natural treatments work?
Our role as Specialists is to give patients options for their sweat treatments, including natural remedies. Medical treatments such as Iontophoresis, Botox, ETS surgery and anti-sweating lotions such as DRICLOR have a higher success rate than natural remedies, but if patients would like to consider the use of natural treatments, I do encourage the use of herbal supplements prior to seeing a dermatologist. Remember, we prescribe & inject drugs, not fairy dust. Of all the natural remedies, biofeedback and relaxation techniques work the best!
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Where do you get natural remedies for sweating?
Try the natural remedies listed above, most ingredients can be obtained through health food shops in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, and other major Queensland cities such as Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Ipswich. You can also buy them online.
Discuss with your GP or your health care professional regarding the potential interactions with these herbal no sweat supplements and any medication you maybe taking.
Discuss with your GP or a psychologist methods to de-stress. Remember that EVERYONE sweats more when stress levels are high. Managing stress via biofeedback, medication, meditation and talking to someone may decrease sweating in stressful situations.
Do I prescribe herbs for excessive sweating?
No, I inject drugs, in particular botulinum toxin Type A. Technically this is a natural treatment because this molecule is found in the bacteria known as clostridium. This is just purified & comes in a bottle.
My colleagues & I prescribe medication for sweat treatments. Having said that, we can refer you to a psychologist for non-injectable sweat treatments. Examples include referral to a psychologist to help you de-stress and relax. Tammy White is an experienced psychologist who deals with excessive sweating. She performs CDT, as do the psychologists at the OCD clinic in Bulimba.
I respect the wishes of individuals who would like to try a more natural solution for sweat reduction. Should you like to try natural herbal treatments for excessive sweating, I suggest you visit a health food store or a naturopath.
Can de-stressing reduce sweating?
Many patients oversee the importance of stress management and relaxation techniques. Stress causes everyone to sweat more, even ‘normal’ sweaters, and exponentially increases sweating in excessive sweaters. Learning to manage stress can help alleviate the signs of excess sweat, and also improve your health and quality of life. If stress is an issue, discuss this with your GP. Some patients will also benefit from relaxation techniques, and psychological review.
What is the next step if natural treatments do not work?
Dermatologists will have a solution for your sweat problems if natural remedies don’t work. Our clinic can employ methods such as Iontophoresis, prescription antiperspirants, and sweat stopping injections to help you. Injections are particularly effective & are partially covered by Medicare.
Davin’s Viewpoint on Natural Anti-sweat Treatments
The use of natural remedies for excessive sweating is acknowledged and encouraged by the team at Cutis Dermatology. The most promising non-medical/ no-prescription method is psychological assistance, this includes relaxation techniques, yoga, and biofeedback. Our Specialists encourage and endorse this method, however as Dermatologists we are not qualified to perform these procedures. Discuss these methods with a psychologist if stress is a contributing factor for sweating.
Natural herbal supplements can work in the minority of patients, and in general are safe to try.
Medical treatments including injections to stop excessive sweating have a very high success rate, often exceeding 95%, so if you are open to suggestions, we are there to help.
