Evidence supporting the use of: Green tea
For the health condition: Body Odor

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Green tea has been used traditionally in various cultures for its purported ability to help reduce body odor, although this is not one of its most prominent or widely documented uses. The rationale behind its use stems mainly from its high content of polyphenols, particularly catechins, which are thought to have antibacterial and deodorizing properties. In traditional medicine, especially in East Asia, green tea has sometimes been used both topically (as a rinse or wash) and internally (as a beverage) to help manage unpleasant body odors. The theory is that by reducing the growth of odor-causing bacteria on the skin and possibly influencing bodily secretions through its antioxidant effects, green tea might help mitigate body odor.

Scientific evidence directly supporting the use of green tea for body odor is limited. Some studies have shown that green tea extracts can reduce bacterial growth on the skin and in the mouth, which may indirectly suggest a benefit for odor control. However, no large-scale clinical trials have specifically tested green tea's effectiveness in treating body odor. Most of the support for its use in this context comes from anecdotal reports and its broader antibacterial properties. Therefore, while there is a plausible mechanism and traditional precedent, strong scientific validation is lacking, resulting in a relatively low evidence rating.

More about green tea
More about Body Odor

Other health conditions supported by green tea

Abdominal Pain
Abscesses
Acne
Addictions (coffee, caffeine)
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (excessive)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autoimmune Disorders
Belching
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (internal)
Blood in Urine
Bloodshot Eyes
Body Odor
Breast Lumps
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cellulite
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Cytomealovirus
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Down Syndrome
Endometriosis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Hemochromatosis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Oral Surgery
Parkinson's Disease
Perspiration (excessive)
PMS (general)
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Skin (oily)
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wrinkles