Lemon: A cheaper, natural deodorant

(Credit: Ruth Nanfuka)

HEALTH | BODY ODOUR

Of all the values of lemon, did you know that it can keep you from spending on deodorants?

Lemon and other natural ingredients like lime and apple cider vinegar can help to address the root cause of body odour unlike deodorants and antiperspirants that only mask the uncomfortable smell temporarily.

Beatrice Karungi, a pharmacist in Kampala, says, "body odour develops when the bacteria breaks down the acids in the sweat".

She says the factors that contribute to body odour are poor hygiene, medical problems, nutrient deficiencies and gastrointestinal problems.

Body odour makes you self-conscious and become an inconvenience to the people around you. Save yourself that embarrassment by using lemon to disinfect the odour.

How lemon controls body odour

According to Karungi, the acidic nature of lemon lowers the PH levels of the body, making it less conducive for bacterial growth.

So the absence of bacteria controls breaking of acids in the sweat.

She adds the antibacterial and antifungal properties in the lemon juices control the growth of microbes which live on the skin and feed on sweat.

In addition, Karungi says, lemon juice acts as an astringent that shrinks and tightens the pores to reduce sweat production and its refreshing citrus smell works as an alternative to the manufactured aroma in the deodorant.

According to Gerald Kagimu, a nutritionist in Mukono district, body odour is caused by toxin accumulation in the body; but drinking lemon water improves detoxification and liver activity.

How to apply lemon to keep body odour at bay

Follow this simple procedure when using lemon as a remedy for body odour:

1. Cut a fresh lemon into half

2. Squeeze out the juice from the lemons.

3. Dip a cotton cloth in the juice and rub it on your underarms and other odourous areas of the body.

4. Let the juice dry on its own.

5. Take a shower and repeat the routine twice a day.

However, Kagimu says people with highly sensitive skin should use dilute lemon juice to avoid irritation.

He says you can also mix lemon and lime to make spray which you can store in a spray bottle and use in place of chemical-infested deodorants.

Meanwhile, lemons are off-season in the market, but at sh1, 000 you can get seven small-sized lemons and six big ones at Nakasero Market.

Along Luwum street in Kampala, ten lemons go for sh1, 000.

According to Peace Natukunda, a trader at Nakasero market, no matter how lemon prices change, the demand remains high.   ​