SUMMER'S ALMOST here and you can ditch the warm clothes and head outdoors. But for a quarter of Brits, the summer can mean misery because their excessive sweating or bad breath goes up a notch.

SWEATING In some people, the body's cooling mechanism malfunctions, resulting in excessive perspiration. This embarrassing and uncomfortable condition is called hyperhidrosis, and is estimated to affect about 3% of the population.

This can have a negative impact on confidence, relationships and even job prospects. In a minority of cases, it may be a sign of a more serious health problem.

Sweat glands help our body get rid of excess heat by secreting fluid and promoting heat loss through evaporation, but in people with hyperhidrosis the glands produce too much moisture. Research has indicated a tendency for a family history of the condition, while some drugs can cause excessive sweating.

Treatments range from topical preparations to surgery. For mild cases, an over-the-counter deodorant or anti-perspirant may be sufficient, while botox has been approved to treat severe underarm sweating. This treatment is not permanent, though, and has to be repeated every six to nine months.

Herbal deodorants may be less irritating to skin and sage leaf can give some relief. Try MedicHerb Sage Leaf (£7.99 for 30 capsules), from Boots, www.medicherb.co.uk or 01453 751 395.

Make your own solution using three spoonfuls of dried sage leaves mixed with 250ml of room temperature water, and steep for 24 to 48 hours. The strained solution can be applied to the underarms or hands.

BAD BREATH One of the most common reasons for bad breath, or halitosis, is poor dental hygiene, while eating foods like onions, garlic and spices or drinking a lot of alcohol can make your breath smell unpleasant. Sometimes throat, nose, lung and stomach infections are responsible, and dieting or medications can have an effect. Other factors include gum disease, dental decay and gastritis. Most people have stale breath first thing in the morning, but this is normal; it is caused because your mouth dries up overnight, allowing micro-organisms to multiply.

To improve dental hygiene, use an electric toothbrush to remove plaque effectively (dentists also recommend keeping your brush at least six feet away from the toilet to stop contamination from airborne particles). After eating, use floss and a tongue cleaner. Try the Dentek Comfort Clean Tongue Scraper, £3.99 from Boots, Superdrug, Sainsbury's or www. passion4health.co.uk.

Your dentist may also suggest a mouthwash; a product that contains chlorhexidine gluconate works well. Check if it contains alcohol, as this dries the mouth and makes the problem worse. Stop smoking to lower the risk of gum disease and cut odours.

Traditional remedies include chewing anise and fennel seeds, or sage leaves. Herbal mouthwash with chamomile, cloves or myrrh can be used, so long as you are not pregnant. Parsley is also a natural breath freshener. Or dissolve half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in half a cup of warm water to make a natural mouthwash, and drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep saliva flowing.

Try HealthAid Interfresh capsules, which contain safflower, parsley seed, peppermint and menthol oil - £3.99 for 60 capsules, available from health food stores or call 020 8426 3400 for stockists.

Another good product is Aloe Dent Fresh Therapy spray (£3.49 for 30ml), with tea-tree oil, grapefruit and peppermint. Available from Holland & Barrett or call 0870 850 7114 for stockists.

Dental Miracle powder (£17 for 9g) contains peppermint, juniper berry, acacia and orris root. From Vitalia Health, www.vitalia-health.co.uk or 01628 898 366.