Why can Traditional Chinese Medicine eliminate underarm odor?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treats bromhidrosis (body odor) primarily through methods such as detoxification, dispelling dampness, resolving phlegm, and unblocking the meridians. Patients may select specific TCM decoctions or prepared patent medicines under the guidance of a physician.
- Detoxifying agents: Herbs such as Scutellaria root (Huangqin), Coptis rhizome (Huanglian), and Phellodendron bark (Huangbai) offer adjunctive benefits in treating bromhidrosis by helping to reduce the odor; however, their effects when used alone are relatively mild, and long-term use is typically required.
- Dampness-dispelling agents: Herbs such as Talc (Huashi), Polyporus (Zhuling), and Poria (Fuling). TCM theory links bromhidrosis to “dampness pathogens”; therefore, agents that eliminate dampness—such as Talc, Polyporus, and Poria—can alleviate the odor by promoting diuresis and draining dampness.
- Phlegm-resolving agents: Herbs such as Aged Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi), and Prepared Pinellia Rhizome (Jiang Banxia) can help alleviate the odor by resolving phlegm.
- Meridian-unblocking agents: Herbs such as Astragalus (Huangqi), Angelica Sinensis (Danggui), and Red Peony Root (Chishao). By unblocking the meridians, these agents help reduce secretions from the axillary sweat glands, thereby alleviating the odor.
- Aromatic agents: Products such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (Agastache Qi-Rectifying Liquid). This preparation possesses aromatic properties that dispel dampness and regulate Qi, helping to alleviate the odor associated with bromhidrosis.