Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, can be quite embarassing and distressing, especially in social situations as you mentioned. It’s great you’re looking into natural ways to manage it. Let’s address what you’re asking with some Ayurvedic insights.
First off, you’ve mentioned baking soda and tea soaks – they can help, to some extent. Baking soda is an astringent and can dry out moisture. Try dusting a small amount on your hands and feet daily; it doesn’t work overnight, though, so give it a few weeks to see noticeable improvement. Tea, especially black tea, has tannins that could help too. Try soaking hands and feet in lukewarm black tea once or twice a week.
Considering Ayurveda, Sandalwood powder is revered for it’s cooling and calming properties. You can mix it with a little bit of rosewater to make a paste, and apply once daily to your palms and soles. Remove it after it dries. Ashwagandha helps in reducing stress, which you noted as a trigger for sweating – taking a standardized extract could be beneficial but please definitely consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner for suitable dosage.
Your questions about diet are spot on. Caffeine and spicy foods can actually stimulate sweat glands, maybe cut them down for a while. Sip on holy basil (Tulsi) tea, it can help with calming the nervous system. Hydration is key, but not icy cold water as it might shock the body… room temperature or warm water is better.
Stress does indeed exacerbate the issue. Pranayama, the practice of controlled breathing, can be quite helpful. Try Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) daily for few minutes – it’s calming and balances bodily energies. And poses like Child’s Pose or Shavasana can promote relaxation.
For consistent relief, regularity is vital. Routines and anything you try need commitment, at least a few weeks before seeing tangible changes. Dabur’s Shilajit or Himalaya’s Ashwagandha could maybe help if you’re open to supplements, but again, making sure with an expert on this is a good idea.
Stay patient with yourself. Little things add up – small lifestyle tweaks can make a big difference over time. It’s annoying, I get it, but I hope these suggestions bring some relief and help reclaim a bit of confidence. 🙂