Body odor is not a disease but can affect daily life and work. While many turn to deodorants or perfumes to mask the scent, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to address the root causes of body odor, which are often linked to imbalances in the body’s internal systems. By adjusting your diet and adopting simple lifestyle practices, you can naturally manage and reduce body odor, promoting overall health and well-being.
Body Odor: Spleen Deficiency, Undischarged Dampness
Body odors—whether from the body or sweat—go beyond surface-related issues and are linked to internal imbalances, particularly damp heat and dysfunction in the spleen and stomach. Dampness refers to disrupted water metabolism in the body, which causes fluids to accumulate and form thick, sticky substances. This creates an internal environment similar to a clogged, stagnant ditch, which leads to an unpleasant odor.TCM believes that the spleen controls dampness. Therefore, people with a weak spleen and stomach are more likely to initiate and accumulate dampness. The spleen in TCM does not just refer to the organ spleen, but covers the entire digestive system. So, it is often referred to collectively as “spleen and stomach,” which is responsible for the digestion, absorption, and transportation of food.
