Bad breath is also termed as Halitosis. It occurs due to poor dental habits and unhealthy foods. Eating certain types of food like fast food, oily and spicy food etc. can also lead to bad breath. Not brushing the teeth daily would promote bacterial growth around the gums, between the teeth and on the tongue.
Smoking, eating sweets and alcohol consumption are also one of the main causes of bad breath. It usually occurs when certain bacteria break down proteins inside the mouth. It is very embarrassing especially in a crowded place or a social gathering. One should visit the dentist regularly for the treatment of tooth and related problems. Clean the mouth using cleanser or mouthwash.
Brush teeth daily to prevent germs getting collected in between the teeth. Also clean the tongue properly which after getting infected by germs can cause bad breath. Drinking plenty of water can also help in preventing germs inside the mouth. Eating chewing gum can help in stimulating saliva inside the mouth that prevents halitosis.
Other ways of treating bad breath are using medicinal herbs. Following are some of the herbal remedies that are effective against bad breath.
13 Top Herbal Remedies for Bad Breath
Peppermint
Tea can be prepared from peppermint which is very useful for the treatment of bad breath. Prepare tea using one teaspoon of dried leaves. It has good taste and a number of other benefits. It is one of the best herbs that can be used for medicinal purposes.
It helps to make breathing easier. Honey, Stevia and lemon can be added in this herbal tea. It can also be blended with lemon balm, spice or mint. Few drops of peppermint can be added in warm water to get a fresh breath.
Cardamom
Tea prepared from cardamom is very useful for the treatment of bad breath. For preparing tea, use one teaspoon of cardamom powder in one cup of water. It is a good herbal remedy for killing the bacteria that are responsible for bad breath. It is also useful in sweetening the breath. Honey and spice can also be added in the tea. It can be blended with spices like cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
Thyme
Prepare a mouthwash using six drops each of chamomile, thyme, tea tree and peppermint. Dilute these herbs in water to prepare the same. It prevents plaque and kills bad breath. Thyme contains thymol which is present in antiseptic mouthwashes.
Neem
Powder prepared from leaves of neem is very effective to be used as tooth powder. When mixed with other herb powders, it can be used to prevent plaque. Other than this, baking soda can also be used in combination with neem leaf powder. Neem has anti-bacterial properties that reduce bad breath.
Fennel
This medicinal herb can be used for reducing bad breath and bad odour that are originated from intestines. Fennel seeds are also helpful in treating digestive problems. Chewing one teaspoon of fennel seeds on daily basis can be helpful in curing bad breath. Fennel tea can also be used as mouthwash. It is good for digestion and helps in relieving gas.
Tea Tree Oil
Few drops of tea tree oil can be added in warm water for providing good breath. Gargle it for sixty seconds to get rid of the bad breath. Use it as an additive in toothpaste. Add three drops of this oil in a cup of warm water and gargle it as two to three times in a day after each meal.
Lemon
Add few drops of lemon in warm water that can be used for better breath. Because of the high content of acid in lemon, it prevents the growth of bacteria and other micro-organism. Add salt in lemon and gargle in the mouth for curing bad breath. Mix one teaspoon of honey in lemon juice and consume this mixture either in the morning or in the evening.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is effective in curing bad breath. Use it by sprinkling it over the toothbrush and brush teeth with it. It is alkaline in nature that balances the acidic nature. Toothpaste made up of baking soda is helpful in preventing bad breath. It is helpful for removing the stains and whitening the teeth. Peroxide can be added in the baking soda to eliminate bacteria from toothbrushes. Add four teaspoons of baking soda in a cup of warm water and gargle the mouth for thirty seconds.
Fenugreek
Prepare tea using fenugreek herb by soaking it in boil water for ten minutes. Honey can be added for giving it a sweet taste. Drinking this tea would be very helpful in the treatment of bad breath and bad odour.
Aloe Vera
Use the stem of aloe vera plant and squeeze gel from it. Add a small amount of water and honey in it. Gargle this solution and repeat this procedure. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in soothing acid indigestion. Mix aloe vera gel in half cup of water and drink it.
Another method of using aloe vera is to mix thirty millilitre of aloe vera juice with one teaspoon of honey. Dissolve one fourth of aloe vera juice in half cup of water. Drink one fourth cup of this mixture.
Coriander
Add coriander leaves in boiled water and soak for ten minutes. It can be used for preparing a mouthwash by rinsing the mouth with these leaves. Make a soup by cooking coriander with carrot and water chestnut. Prepare tea with coriander that will help in reducing stomach ache and gastric acid problems.
Spices
Chew spices to prevent bad breath. Seeds of fennel, clove and anise are some of the spices that can be used in this case. Cardamom has antibacterial properties that are used as natural breath fresheners. It contains cineole that acts as an antiseptic and kills bacteria that cause bad breath.
Parsley
Chewing parsley can be helpful in curing bad breath. It can be used after the meals during the whole day. It contains chlorophyll that helps in the treatment of bad breath.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.