Natural remedies for bad breath

Halitosis or bad breath is never pleasant but it can be incredibly embarrassing. We all get it occasionally, but it affects one in four adults regularly, and this can also lead to anxiety and low self esteem.

Luckily, there are plenty of natural cures for bad breath, once the cause is established.


3 main causes of bad breath

• The obvious place to start is with  dental hygiene
• But many cases of bad breath originate in the digestive system and oesophagus. A gaseous or bloated stomach is often the harbinger of halitosis
• Also blocked airways, sinuses and a phlegmy chest contribute

Identifying how and where your bad breath stems is key to treating it. It may as simple as cutting out certain foods that slow you down (wheat, gluten, white rice, pasta). Stagnant food lining the gut, constipated bowels and blocked intestines will all play havoc with your system, and your body reacts with a strong message - acrid smelling breath.

Equally if you're a bit lapse on the brushing and flossing, it's likely to cause a smell, especially after certain foods and drinks - coffee, garlic, onion etc. Alcohol contributes to bad breath as it dries out the saliva glands. Also smoking!

How to tackle it
If the problem is purely dental - mouth, teeth, gums, throat - then visit your dentist straightaway. You may have an undetected infection, or may simply need to be re shown how to brush your teeth properly, how often to floss, when to use mouthwash etc. We all fall into bad habits and for many it's  brushing too vigorously and damaging our gums (gingivitis) which results in problems.

Once you're underway with improved dental hygiene remember to use sugar free gum after meals (chew for half an hour only) or breath fresheners - mint straight from the garden is superb.

If it belongs to a more general health condition such as sinusitis, polyps, a cold or chest infection, then you have to treat that condition in whatever way suits or has been prescribed. But you can treat the breath with mouthwash for example and trust it will resume to normal once the illness has passed.

Digestion related halitosis
Unhealthy bacteria lining the stomach can cause bad breath so treat this with any one of the number of probiotics or yoghurts available, ensuring it contains live acidophilus cultures.

• One of the quickest and cheapest ways to shift a digestive block is to flush it out with water. 

Drinking water moves the bowels, cures constipation and leaves the stomach empty and healthy - this will have a remarkable effect on your overall physical health as well as giving your breath a break and a chance to resume to normal. Follow this with mouthwash and you're on to a winner.

Another natural digestive cure is papaya. This oval orangey fruit with black seeds contains papain - an enzyme that dissolves fats, treats flatulence, gastro-intestinal discomfort and intestinal parasites.

It is reported to have antiseptic qualities that prevent the growth of harmful intestinal germs - a healthy and natural way to reduce gas and bad breath.
 

 
Herbal mouthwash 
If you do want a mouth wash that isn't chemical heavy there are plenty on the market, but BPeri-Gum, formulated specifically for gum health comes recommended by doctors and health journalists, most notably by Dr Kellner-Read, author of Toxic Bite. The mouthwash heals and strengthens gums through a combination of active ingredients:

• Bayberry - tightens and strengthens the gums
• Bloodroot - prevents plaque
• Cayenne - tackles infection and stimulates circulation. Also a pain reliever
• Echinacea - naturally antiseptic and antibacterial 
• Peppermint oil  - best breath freshener on earth
• Tea tree oil  - stops bacteria 
• White oak bark - counteracts inflammation

Want fresh breath daily? Grow mint on your windowsill and chew it regularly

Make your own mouthwash
Using herbs like cloves, myrhh, rosemary, goldenseal or peppermint you can easily make a concoction to use daily.

• Prepare 1 or 2oz of your herb or herb mix - as you choose
• Place the herbs in a jam jar
• Pour over 2 cups of boiling water
• Leave overnight to steep
• Strain the mix then use as mouthwash - swish, gargle, spit

The key to treating bad breath is to examine the cause and if you find that it is related to diet or health, then you can change that immediately.  Remember - drink water, eat healthily, brush, floss and gargle