Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating): natural remedies and the evidence behind them

Hyperhidrosis is a condition marked by sweating that goes well beyond what the body needs for temperature regulation, often affecting the hands, feet…

6 options · 6 traditional or ungraded

When does your excessive sweating show up most?

I sweat all over my body, even at rest or during sleep

Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Classic herb traditionally used for sweating
Why this matches
If your sweating happens all over your body, even at rest, sage is the best-known traditional herb for excessive perspiration and is taken by mouth to help calm generalized and night sweating.
Why try it
For centuries sage tea and extracts have been the go-to herbal remedy for excessive sweating; its tannins and volatile oils are traditionally credited with a drying, anti-hidrotic effect.
Dose or use
Drink sage tea or take a standardized sage-leaf extract; follow the product's label and start with a lower amount.
Time to results
Often a couple of weeks of regular use
Key study
Long used traditionally to reduce excessive and night sweating; this use in hyperhidrosis has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Sage contains thujone; avoid high doses or prolonged daily use, and avoid it in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you have a seizure disorder.
Acupuncture
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Traditionally calms nervous system sweating
Why this matches
Stress-triggered hyperhidrosis may respond to acupuncture's traditionally recognized ability to calm autonomic nervous system activity that drives sweat responses.
Why try it
Traditionally used to help regulate the body's autonomic functions, including excessive perspiration linked to stress or emotional tension.
Dose or use
Seek a licensed acupuncturist; a typical course is weekly or twice-weekly sessions over several weeks.
Time to results
Typically 4–8 weeks of regular sessions
Key study
Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Seek a licensed acupuncturist; tell them about any blood-thinning medications or bleeding disorders.

It spikes when I'm stressed, anxious, or in social situations

Ashwagandha
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Adaptogen traditionally used to ease stress
Why this matches
If your sweating flares when you are stressed or anxious, ashwagandha is traditionally used to help the body handle stress and calm the nervous tension that can set off a sweat response.
Why try it
A long-standing Ayurvedic adaptogen taken to lower the body's stress response and ease anxiety, the pathway that often drives emotionally-triggered sweating.
Dose or use
Commonly taken as a standardized root extract capsule once or twice daily; follow the product's label and give it time to build up.
Time to results
Often several weeks of daily use
Key study
Traditionally used as a stress-calming adaptogen; its use specifically for excessive sweating has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Avoid in pregnancy; may add to the effect of sedatives and thyroid medication, so check with your doctor if you take either.
HT7 (Shenmen) - Heart 7
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Calming acupressure point for stress
Why this matches
When stress sets off your sweating, this wrist point is traditionally pressed to calm the mind and settle nervous tension, something you can do yourself between acupuncture visits.
Why try it
A well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine point used to reduce anxiety and stress; in TCM the Heart is said to govern sweat, making it a natural fit for stress-driven perspiration.
Dose or use
Find the point on the wrist crease, on the pinky side of the inner forearm, and press with steady, firm pressure for 1-2 minutes on each side, breathing slowly.
Time to results
May feel calming within minutes; use regularly
Key study
Traditionally used in acupressure to calm stress and anxiety; this specific use for excessive sweating has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Press gently and stop if it feels painful; skip over broken or irritated skin at the wrist.
LI4 (Hegu) - Large Intestine 4
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Hand point traditionally used for sweat
Why this matches
Because it sits right on the hand, this point is easy to use for focal sweating and is the classic Chinese-medicine point taught for regulating how the pores open and close.
Why try it
A widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine master point of the hand, traditionally applied to help regulate perspiration and ease stress.
Dose or use
Find the point in the web between thumb and index finger, then press and massage with firm circular pressure for 1-2 minutes on each hand.
Time to results
Varies; use regularly for best effect
Key study
Traditionally used in acupressure to regulate perspiration; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Do not use during pregnancy, as this point is traditionally avoided in pregnancy; press gently and skip irritated skin.
Acupuncture
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Traditionally calms nervous system sweating
Why this matches
Stress-triggered hyperhidrosis may respond to acupuncture's traditionally recognized ability to calm autonomic nervous system activity that drives sweat responses.
Why try it
Traditionally used to help regulate the body's autonomic functions, including excessive perspiration linked to stress or emotional tension.
Dose or use
Seek a licensed acupuncturist; a typical course is weekly or twice-weekly sessions over several weeks.
Time to results
Typically 4–8 weeks of regular sessions
Key study
Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Seek a licensed acupuncturist; tell them about any blood-thinning medications or bleeding disorders.

It's concentrated in specific spots — sweaty palms, feet, or underarms

Witch Hazel
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Astringent traditionally used on damp skin
Why this matches
For sweating focused on your hands, feet, or underarms, witch hazel is a traditional topical astringent whose tannins tighten the skin and can help keep those spots drier.
Why try it
A long-used natural astringent; its tannins tighten and strengthen tissue, the same action behind its traditional use as a mild antiperspirant on localized areas.
Dose or use
Dab alcohol-free witch hazel onto clean, dry hands, feet, or underarms with a cotton pad once or twice a day and let it dry.
Time to results
Some feel drier the same day; use regularly
Key study
Traditionally used as a topical astringent; its use specifically for excessive sweating has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
For external use only; can dry or irritate sensitive skin, so patch-test first and avoid broken skin.
LI4 (Hegu) - Large Intestine 4
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Hand point traditionally used for sweat
Why this matches
Because it sits right on the hand, this point is easy to use for focal sweating and is the classic Chinese-medicine point taught for regulating how the pores open and close.
Why try it
A widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine master point of the hand, traditionally applied to help regulate perspiration and ease stress.
Dose or use
Find the point in the web between thumb and index finger, then press and massage with firm circular pressure for 1-2 minutes on each hand.
Time to results
Varies; use regularly for best effect
Key study
Traditionally used in acupressure to regulate perspiration; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Do not use during pregnancy, as this point is traditionally avoided in pregnancy; press gently and skip irritated skin.

Evidence grades describe the strength of published research for Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating), not a promise of results. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to your clinician before starting anything, especially alongside prescription medication.