13 Natural Cures for Night Sweats
2. Margosa Leaves
Margosa leaves, also known as neem leaves, come from the neem tree. People have used them in traditional medicine for many years. You may use them to help cool your body and support skin health. The skin helps control body temperature and protects you from irritation.
Night sweats often link to excess heat, skin irritation, or mild infections. Margosa leaves contain natural compounds that may calm inflammation and reduce germs on the skin. This may help when sweating leads to rashes or itching at night. You can prepare the leaves by boiling them in water and letting the liquid cool. The cooled water can serve as a bath rinse, can be applied gently to the skin with a clean cloth, or can be added to your bath before bed.
Some people drink neem leaf tea in small amounts, though neem has a strong, bitter taste. Large amounts may upset your stomach or affect your liver. If night sweats relate to hormone changes, stress, or infection, margosa leaves may offer mild support but will not treat the root cause.
3. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a plant often used to ease menopause symptoms. Many people take it to reduce hot flashes and night sweats. You can find it in capsules, tablets, or liquid extracts. It is commonly chosen by women who want support during hormone changes. This herb may affect how your body responds to estrogen.
Some believe it helps balance hormone levels that shift during menopause. Research shows mixed results, so relief can vary from person to person. You may notice fewer or milder night sweats after several weeks of use. Results are not instant, and most people use it for short-term support rather than long periods.
Possible side effects include stomach upset, headache, or dizziness. In rare cases, it may affect the liver. Black cohosh is sold as a dietary supplement and is not regulated like prescription drugs, and product quality can differ between brands.
4. Foods to Eat and Avoid
What you eat can affect your body temperature at night. Some foods help keep your blood sugar steady and support hormone balance, while others can trigger heat, sweating, or sudden wake-ups. Paying attention to your evening meals can play a role in how well you sleep.
Focus on simple, whole foods. Meals can center on vegetables, fruits, whole grains such as brown rice and oats, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, fish, eggs, lean poultry, milk, yogurt, fortified dairy alternatives, water, and herbal teas. These foods provide fiber, protein, and steady energy. Stable blood sugar levels may reduce the chance of nighttime sweating.
Limiting certain items may also help. Spicy peppers and heavy sauces can raise body temperature. Coffee, energy drinks, cola, and alcoholic drinks can affect the nervous system and disturb sleep. Sweets, pastries, white bread, and high-fat fried meals may cause blood sugar swings. Eating dinner two to three hours before bed may lower heat and discomfort during sleep.
5. Drink Plenty of Water
Night sweats can leave you feeling damp, tired, and thirsty. When you sweat, your body loses water and small amounts of salt. Without enough fluids, you may feel weak or lightheaded the next day. Replacing lost fluids supports energy levels and normal body function.
Drinking enough water helps your body control its temperature. Sweat acts as a cooling system, and when you stay hydrated, this system works more smoothly and may reduce how hard your body works at night. Sipping water throughout the day instead of taking in large amounts at once can support steady hydration. Fluids can also come from soup, milk, herbal tea, and water-rich fruits and vegetables.
Alcohol, especially in the evening, can increase sweating and fluid loss. Caffeinated drinks may also trigger sweating in some people. If you wake up from night sweats, a small amount of cool water may help with rehydration, and a slightly lower room temperature may reduce further sweating.
6. Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil comes from the seeds of a wildflower plant. It contains gamma-linolenic acid, which is a fatty acid that may influence body chemicals linked to inflammation and hormone changes. You can find this oil in capsule form at many health stores.
Some women use it during menopause to manage night sweats and hot flashes, since it may support the hormone shifts that occur in midlife. Research on evening primrose oil shows mixed results. Some small studies suggest it may reduce the severity of hot flashes, while others show little to no effect.
There is no strong proof that it stops night sweats, but some women report mild improvement. Natural does not always mean safe. Possible side effects include upset stomach, headache, and nausea. Consultation with a healthcare professional if you take blood thinners, seizure medicine, or other long-term drugs, since interactions and added risks are possible.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a common home remedy for many health concerns. Some people use it to help manage night sweats. It is believed to support the body’s natural balance and reduce excess sweating. Even so, strong medical proof that it stops night sweats is lacking.
Night sweats can happen for many reasons, including menopause, anxiety, low blood sugar, alcohol use, infections, or certain medicines such as antidepressants, steroids, and some pain relievers. Apple cider vinegar can be taken in small amounts by mixing one to two tablespoons in a large glass of water and drinking it once daily with food to reduce stomach upset.
Some people apply diluted apple cider vinegar to the skin, but it should be mixed with equal parts water before use to lower the risk of irritation. It should not be taken straight without water. Stop using it if stomach pain or skin burning develops.
8. Eating Soy
Soy foods may help if your night sweats link to hormone changes, such as during menopause. Soy contains plant compounds called isoflavones, which act in a mild way like estrogen in your body. When estrogen levels drop, hot flashes and night sweats can occur. Adding moderate amounts of soy to meals may reduce these symptoms for some people, though relief is often mild and results vary.
Whole soy foods are a better choice than highly processed products. Good options include tofu, tempeh, edamame, unsweetened soy milk, and whole soybeans. These foods provide protein, fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats. Diets that include about 25 grams of soy protein per day may also support heart health.
Soy isoflavone supplements are not strongly supported by research for preventing or treating hot flashes or night sweats, so food sources are generally preferred. Avoid soy products if you have a soy allergy. Mild stomach upset, such as gas or constipation, can occur at first. You can begin by replacing animal protein with tofu a few times a week or adding edamame to salads and stir-fries.
9. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are small brown or golden seeds that come from the flax plant. You can find them whole, ground, or as oil in most grocery stores. Ground flaxseeds are easier for your body to digest. They are often added to meals for extra nutrients and plant-based support.
Night sweats can link to hormone shifts, blood sugar swings, or stress. Flaxseeds contain plant compounds called lignans, which may help balance hormone activity in your body. They also provide fiber, which supports steady blood sugar and regular bowel movements.
Stable blood sugar levels may lower sudden sweating during the night. Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fats that support heart health and help control inflammation. You can add one to two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds to cereal, yogurt, salads, smoothies, soups, or baking batter.
10. Lemon
Lemon contains natural citrus compounds that support the body’s detox processes. These properties may help regulate internal temperature and ease excessive sweating at night. When toxins build up, the body can respond with heat and perspiration. Supporting natural cleansing pathways may create a cooling effect that reduces the intensity of night sweats.
There are several simple ways to include lemon in your routine. A common approach involves adding fresh lemon juice to a glass of water. Regular lemon water intake throughout the day may assist hydration and encourage balanced body temperature.
Night sweats sometimes relate to hormonal changes, infections, or metabolic conditions. Lemon water may help reduce sweat production because it supports internal balance and hydration. Steady hydration with citrus-infused water may contribute to fewer nighttime episodes and improved overall comfort while you sleep.
11. Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy uses estrogen or a mix of estrogen and progestogen to balance your hormone levels. Doctors often suggest it when menopause causes frequent night sweats, hot flashes, or sleep problems. Lower hormone levels can trigger sudden heat and sweating during the night, which can disturb rest and daily life.
This therapy comes in several forms, including tablets, skin patches, gels, and vaginal treatments. Hormone therapy can reduce night sweats and improve sleep within a few weeks. It may also help protect bones from thinning and ease vaginal dryness. Risks can include blood clots, stroke, breast tenderness, and a small rise in certain cancer risks.
Treatment often begins with the lowest effective dose, and regular checkups help guide decisions about continuing, adjusting, or stopping therapy. It may not be suitable for people with a history of certain cancers, blood clots, stroke, liver disease, or unexplained vaginal bleeding, so a medical review is needed before starting treatment.
12. Improve Sleep Hygiene
Night sweats often feel worse when your sleep routine is off. Healthy sleep habits help regulate your body temperature, calm your nervous system, and improve overall sleep quality. Keeping a fixed bedtime and wake time each day, even on weekends, supports a stable circadian rhythm and helps your body know when to cool down and rest.
Most adults function best with seven to nine hours of sleep. Your sleep setting also matters. A cool, dark, and quiet bedroom, along with breathable cotton sheets and light sleepwear, can help your body release heat more easily during the night. Blocking outside light and silencing devices may also reduce sleep disruptions.
Evening habits can affect sweating. Phones, tablets, and computers give off blue light that can delay sleep, so turning them off at least one hour before bed may help. Calming activities such as deep breathing, quiet reading, or soft music can prepare your body for rest. Heavy dinners, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine late in the day may raise body temperature or stimulate the nervous system.
13. Avoid These Triggers
Some night sweats begin with everyday triggers. A warm bedroom, heavy blankets, or thick sleepwear can trap heat and increase sweating. A cooler room and lightweight, breathable fabrics allow heat to escape more easily and may improve comfort during sleep.
Alcohol can disrupt the way your body controls temperature and may cause sudden warmth at night. Spicy foods eaten late in the day can also raise body heat after you fall asleep. Caffeine and nicotine stimulate the nervous system, increase heart rate, and raise body temperature, which may worsen nighttime sweating.
Certain medicines, including some antidepressants, steroids, and pain relievers, list night sweats as a side effect. Low blood sugar during the night, especially in people with diabetes, can also lead to sweating. Anxiety and ongoing stress raise stress hormones and body temperature.