Chlorophyll is the pigment found in all green plants and is responsible for converting sunlight into energy. What is less common knowledge is that chlorophyll has many other beneficial uses, one of them being as a natural deodorant.

It’s first use for this purpose started in the 1950’s when it was used to control odor from open wounds. Because of its deodorizing property, it was eventually given orally to colonoscopy patients to alleviate fecal odor.

In 1957, a doctor by the name of Franklin Howard Wescott was searching for a cure to anemia and started administering chlorophyll to his patients. He observed that after taking the chlorophyll, urine smell of his patients was greatly reduced. This led him to conclude that chlorophyll taken internally could lessen body odor and bad breath.

Using test subjects and an osmoscope, he was able to deduce that body odor was eliminated by half or completely, up to eighteen hours after taking a bath. A subsequent test was done using onion juice with identical results for breath odor.

Dr. Wescott’s final conclusions were that between 15-200 mg of chlorophyll taken internally was sufficient enough of an amount to lessen or eliminate breath and body odor for a period of up to 36 hours without any hindrance in body function.

He would later go on to patent several chlorophyll and chlorophyll derivatives for odor control purposes. One of them being sodium copper chlorophyllin.

Chlorophyll vs. Chlorophyllin: Is There a Difference?

This is an essential distinction that should be covered before proceeding further. There are chlorophyll based products and there are chlorophyllin based products. Both are marketed as deodorants, but often times people are confused as to what is the difference.

Simply put, chlorophyllin is a specialized derivative of natural chlorophyll. Basically they are one in the same, but with one very important difference. Chlorophyllin is water soluble. This allows for it to be much more easily absorbed into the body and thus allows for a much more effective result on malodor.

Odors Beneath The Surface

Malodor, namely bad breath, body odor and foot odor have many causes. Certainly poor hygiene will result in a less than pleasant odor. However, there are many other reasons that are not as well known.

Often times people associate body odor and bad breath with a lack of good hygiene, but that isn’t always the case.

Diet, illness, stress, hormonal changes and certain types of medication can all affect the way a person smells. In many instances, people with outstanding hygiene still have problems with the way that they smell.

These odors originate within the body and are released through the skin and mouth.

Chlorophyll, or more importantly chlorophyllin works to reduce these odors by absorbing the odor causing compounds and naturally removing them from the body. Because this occurs internally, the odors are neutralized before they can be secreted natural deodorant.

Healthy and Reliable

Chlorophyll is produced naturally by all green plants. Taking it from its natural form for commercial use requires very little processing. Contrary to many conventional deodorants and odor products, most chlorophyll and chlorophyllin products do not have additional synthetic chemicals added to it. This makes it not only a natural deodorant, but a healthy alternative as well.

Typically, most conventional deodorant and odor products have chemicals added to them for antibacterial effects, viscosity, preservation, and scent. In most antiperspirants, synthetic aluminum compounds are added to prevent sweat from being excreted onto the skin.

In addition, conventional deodorants and odor products tend to be area specific; underarms, or breath or feet. In contrast, chlorophyll and chlorophyllin products tend to work on multiple sources of malodor. Because certain odors originate from within the body, they are not necessarily area specific. Similar to a balloon with many holes, odors are emitted through multiple openings.

Misconceptions

Sources that cite chlorophyll and chlorophyllin as an ineffective odor solution often refer to studies that indicate the amount of chlorophyll in products are insufficient to provide any form of deodorizing effect. The products that are being referenced are typically gums, cough drops and the like.

The truth is, chlorophyllin is recognized as a powerful deodorant agent in the recommended quantity. According to various studies, 75 mg to 200 mg of chlorophyllin were sufficient enough to result in reduction of malodor. It is impossible to get that quantity in a piece of gum, but quite common in the dietary supplements currently available.

Body Mint is unlike any deodorant product on the market today. Developed over a three year period, it has been specifically designed to target multiple odors including body odor, bad breath and foot odors. In addition,