© 2012 Dr. Dale Peterson & drdalepeterson.com

Are you aware of any non-toxic means of dealing with excessive perspiration? D. K.

Dear D. K.: Excessive perspiration, called hyperhidrosis, is a condition reported by as many as 1 in 5 people. It is therefore a normal variant rather than a disease process. Nevertheless, it can be extremely distressing and socially embarrassing to an individual experiencing it.

Herbs may be of benefit in dealing with hyperhidrosis. Sage is the most frequently recommended. Two sage capsules or ½ cup of sage tea are consumed twice daily. The tea is prepared by steeping 1 teaspoon of dry sage in a cup of hot water for 3 – 5 minutes. It is important not to steep the sage for longer than 5 minutes because doing so may inactivate some of the substances responsible for its effectiveness. Applying the tea directly to problem areas may result in additional improvement. The tea is applied using a sponge or cloth. The area is allowed to dry and then a second application is applied. After the second application dries the area is rinsed with water. Used in this manner sage is reported to reduce the amount of sweat produced by 50 percent.

Chamomille and valerian have also been reported to improve hyperhidrosis. Their effectiveness is most likely related to their calming effect upon the nervous system. Rather than using these herbs individually I prefer Herbal Combination # 5 from Vitality Corporation in Reno, Nevada (800-423-8365). Two capsules are taken twice daily.

When using herbs to lessen perspiration it is important to recognize that the effect is not immediate, but builds over several months. I suggest trying them for three months before judging their effectiveness.

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