Can Magnesium help with heavy sweating?

Yes, magnesium may help with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in some people, but the evidence is mixed. Here’s what’s known:

Why magnesium might help

Nervous system regulation: Magnesium helps regulate the sympathetic nervous system, which controls sweat glands. A deficiency may make the nervous system overactive, leading to more sweating.

Hormonal balance: It plays a role in balancing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can trigger sweat.

Electrolyte balance: Magnesium, along with sodium, potassium, and calcium, is key to fluid regulation. If out of balance, sweating patterns may change.

What the research says

There is limited direct research on magnesium as a treatment for hyperhidrosis.

Some anecdotal reports suggest magnesium supplements (particularly magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate) may reduce stress-induced sweating.

In cases where sweating is linked to magnesium deficiency, supplementation could help.

Other considerations

Magnesium-rich foods: Green leafy veg, nuts, seeds, wholegrains, legumes, and dark chocolate.

Forms of magnesium: Supplements vary in absorption – glycinate and citrate are better tolerated than oxide.

Caution: Too much magnesium (especially from supplements) can cause diarrhoea, nausea, or abdominal cramps. People with kidney problems should be particularly careful.

When to seek medical advice

If excessive sweating is sudden, very severe, or accompanied by weight loss, palpitations, or fatigue, it may signal an underlying condition such as thyroid disease, diabetes, or infection – in which case it’s important to see a GP.

In short: magnesium might help regulate sweating if deficiency or stress is involved, but it’s not a proven standalone treatment for hyperhidrosis.

Here are some natural remedies and lifestyle tips that people often find helpful for managing excessive sweating, alongside considering magnesium:

Natural Remedies & Lifestyle Approaches

1. Dietary Adjustments

Stay hydrated – dehydration can paradoxically make your body sweat more to cool itself.

Limit triggers – spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol stimulate sweat glands.

Eat more calming foods – sage tea, green tea, and chamomile are known to reduce sweating in some traditions.

2. Herbal & Natural Support

Sage (capsules or tea): Has mild antiperspirant qualities and can reduce sweat output.

Witch hazel: A natural astringent – dabbing it on sweaty areas may temporarily tighten pores.

Apple cider vinegar: Taken diluted in water or used topically, it may help balance pH and reduce bacteria that worsen odour.

3. Stress & Nervous System Regulation

Breathing techniques (e.g., box breathing, 4-7-8 method) to calm the sympathetic nervous system.

Yoga or meditation – both lower stress hormones that drive sweat.

Magnesium + B vitamins – work together to support the nervous system.

4. Daily Habits & Topical Tricks

Antiperspirants with aluminium chloride – still the most effective over-the-counter topical treatment.

Apply antiperspirant at night – allows it to plug sweat ducts while you sleep, making it more effective the next day.

Dress in natural fabrics – cotton, bamboo, or linen allow the skin to breathe.

Foot powder / talc alternatives – cornstarch or arrowroot can help keep hands and feet dry.

5. Medical & Advanced Options (if natural methods aren’t enough)

Prescription-strength antiperspirants (higher concentration aluminium chloride).

Iontophoresis – a treatment that uses mild electrical currents in water to block sweat temporarily.

Botox injections – approved for underarm sweating, lasting several months.

Oral medication – for severe cases, but usually a last resort.

Tip: If sweating is very localised (e.g., palms, soles, underarms), that often points to primary hyperhidrosis. If it’s generalised across the body, it’s more often a sign of an underlying medical issue – worth mentioning to your GP.