In a passing conversation, I heard that some people are getting their sweat gland removed from their armpits. Why? So you can’t see their sweat.

As health care practitioner, this was almost disturbing for me to hear…

Sweating is essential for detox, sweating is essential to regulate our body temperatures. If we suppress our sweat, it is bound to show up as toxins in other ways with repercussions. And as we enter the hot, summer, sweaty season, let’s talk about it!

When was the last time you broke a good sweat? Was it during a workout, a summer heatwave, or perhaps a nervous moment before a big presentation? However it happened, sweating is one of the most natural — and essential — processes our bodies perform. Yet, we often overlook its importance or even try to suppress it.

Let’s dive deeper into why sweating matters for your health, how it functions in both modern medicine and ancient healing traditions like Ayurveda, and how to support healthy sweating and hydration for optimal wellbeing.

Why Do We Sweat?

At its core, sweating is your body’s natural way of regulating temperature. When your internal body temperature rises, your brain signals the sweat glands to release fluid onto the surface of your skin. As this moisture evaporates, it cools your body down.

But sweat isn’t just about temperature control. It also plays a vital role in:

Detoxification: Eliminating certain waste products and toxins.
Immune support: Creating a less hospitable environment for harmful microbes
Skin health: Helping to clear pores and improve skin tone and moisture.
Emotional release: Reflecting our inner state during stress, anxiety, or excitement

Ayurveda’s View on Sweat

In Ayurvedic medicine, sweda (sweat) is considered one of the essential waste products (mala) of the body. Healthy sweating is seen as a natural expression of balanced pitta dosha — the energy associated with heat, transformation, and metabolism.

According to Ayurveda:

Excessive sweating may indicate aggravated pitta or aggravated vata through anxiety.
Minimal or absent sweating can suggest a sluggish metabolism, excess kapha, or blocked channels (srotas) or simply a cooler body type like vata.
Foul-smelling sweat may be a sign of accumulated toxins (ama) in the system and should not be suppressed with antiperspirants but should be dealt with by balancing the whole system.

Balanced sweating maintains clear skin, supports digestive fire (agni), and helps maintain emotional equilibrium.

The Benefits of a Good Sweat

Beyond ancient wisdom and modern physiology, here’s what a good sweat session can offer:

Boosts circulation
Supports lymphatic drainage
Improves mood by releasing endorphins
Promotes skin detox and glow
Strengthens immune defenses
Reduces stress and tension

Is It Possible to Sweat Too Much — or Not Enough?

Yes. Both extremes can be signs of imbalance.

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) may stem from:

High pitta constitution or imbalance
Anxiety and stress
Overstimulation from caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods
Certain medical conditions like hyperthyroidism

Insufficient sweating (anhidrosis or hypohidrosis) can be linked to:

Excess kapha dosha
Dehydration
Blocked sweat glands
Underactive thyroid
Chronic fatigue or certain autoimmune conditions

Simple Ways to Encourage Healthy Sweating

If you tend to feel heavy, congested, or emotionally stagnant, you might benefit from therapies that promote gentle sweating:

Sauna or steam baths (Ayurveda favors herbal steam therapy known as swedana often done after Ayurvedic oil massages to drive in the medicinal oils)
Brisk walks or gentle exercise
Dry brushing and abhyanga (warm oil massage) to open the channels
Drinking hydrating fluids (like natural electrolyte drinks)
Wearing natural, breathable fabrics like cotton, bamboo and silk to support natural perspiration

When to Pay Attention to Your Sweat

While sweating is normal and healthy, certain signs might warrant closer attention:

A sudden increase or decrease in sweat without obvious cause
Strong, unusual, or foul odors (indicating toxins like Candida)
Night sweats without a known trigger
Drenching sweats paired with fever, weight loss, or fatigue

In these cases, consult with your naturopathic doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner to identify underlying causes.

Final Thoughts

Sweating is far more than a messy side effect of summer heat or gym sessions — it’s a vital expression of your body’s intelligence and resilience. In both naturopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, we see it as a powerful tool for detoxification, emotional release, and maintaining energetic balance.

So, the next time you feel a little glisten on your brow, thank your body for doing its beautiful work.

Would you like to learn more about ways to Keep Cool this Summer? Join the free webinar with Dr. Leena Sripada here

Replenish & Recharge: Citrus-Mint Electrolyte Drink

Scrap the Gatorade full of artificial colour and sugar. Opt in for a naturally cooling, mineral-rich drink to replenish your body after sweating, promoting hydration, mineral balance, and digestive comfort - that is cheap and easy to make!

Ingredients

Juice of 1 fresh lime (key limes are best)
1–2 tsp pure maple syrup (or raw honey)
A pinch of natural rock salt or Himalayan pink salt
6–8 fresh mint leaves, lightly crushed
1½ cups (350 ml) fresh water
Optional: ¼ tsp magnesium powder

Instructions

In a glass or jar, combine the lime juice, maple syrup, and salt. Stir until dissolved.
Add the crushed mint leaves.
Pour in the water and stir well.
Stir in magnesium powder if using.

Ayurvedic Variations: Balance Your Dosha

🌿 Vata Balancing

Use warm water instead of cool
Add a pinch of ground ginger for warmth and digestion.

🔥 Pitta Balancing

Stick with slightly cool or room temperature water
Add extra mint leaves or a few rose petals for enhanced cooling
Use coconut water in place of filtered water for added natural electrolytes

🌱 Kapha Balancing

Use warm water
Add a pinch of black pepper or cayenne for metabolism support
Replace maple syrup with raw honey (stir only after water cools slightly)

Doctor’s Tip: Sip this after your morning walk, post-workout, or any time you’ve worked up a healthy sweat to keep your body balanced and refreshed.

Why This Works

This simple drink replenishes vital minerals lost in sweat, soothes digestion, calms the nervous system, and keeps your doshas balanced after physical activity or heat exposure.

🌸 Crafted with care by Dr. Leena Sripada, ND |www.DoctorLeena.ca