What Herbs Can Do For Your Bad Breath
Herbs are an essential ingredient in a lot of common recipes. Their distinct flavors add a special touch to an otherwise unappetizing meal. But did you know that many of these same herbs can also be used to eliminate bad breath? It’s true, most ordinary cooking herbs are actually being used in many parts of the world as a natural alternative solution to the all too common problem of bad breath.
Eucalyptus: Australian aborigines, who chewed the roots for water in the dry outback, first used Eucalyptus. Inhalation of the vapor of eucalyptus oil aids in treating mucus-producing illnesses such as, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and emphysema. The major constituent in eucalyptus leaves is a volatile oil known as eucalyptol Eucalyptus oil is said to function in a fashion similar to that of menthol by acting on receptors in the nasal mucus, leading to a reduction in symptoms such as nasal congestion.
However, this herb is best avoided internally as it can cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. You should not use the oil for infants under two years of age even for inhalation purposes because there is a danger or airway spasm leading to stoppage of breathing, a potentially fatal consequence. Then again the oil may increase bronchial spasms in asthmatics and shouldn’t be ingested by people with severe liver disease or any inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract or kidney.
Thyme: This fragrant plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean region of Europe and is extensively cultivated in the Untied States. The dried or partially dried leaves and flowering tops are used medicinally. Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antitussive (preventing and treating a cough), antispasmodic, and expectorant (thinning the mucus to allow for coughing out) actions. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as whooping cough. Due to the low toxicity of the herb, it has become a favorite for treating coughs in small children.
Despite this, you should still take extra care when administering thyme-based medications to very young children. Excessive dosages of this alternative medication can lead to complications in breathing.
Myrrh. This is an ancient aromatic resin used by Egyptians centuries ago in the preservation of their dead. Today, owing to its distinct fragrance, myrrh is primarily used as an essential ingredient of perfumes and incense. In the field of herbal medicine, myrrh is useful for the treatment of leprosy, syphilis and other major infections. Lately, it has been discovered that myrrh is excellent for several dental conditions that can inadvertently cause bad bread or halitosis. Besides keeping your breath fresh, myrrh can also reduce inflammation in the mouth and the throat.
Bloodroot. The active ingredients of this herb are mainly composed of alkaloids, usually sanguinarine. For many centuries, Native Americans have been using the dark red dye from the plant’s roots as body paint for all of their traditional rituals. Today, bloodroot is used in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash due to its ability to fight infection in the mouth and throat.
Side effects of Bloodroot can cause nausea and vomiting if taken in large amounts.
Caraway: This herb has been used medically for centuries. Its seeds help in digestion and also aid in easing colic pain, especially in children. It is a carminative; therefore it is used in helping gastrointestinal discomfort.
There are practically no side effects to consuming caraway in moderate amounts. However, the oil extracted from this herb must not be used on infants and children two years old and younger as this can cause some minor allergic reactions.
Peppermint. This is another common herb that is also used for medicinal purposes. Falling under the carminative category, peppermint is good for digestion because it helps to expel excess gas from the body.
Peppermint tea is generally considered safe for regular consumption. Peppermint oil can cause burning and gastrointestinal upset in some people.
Sage. For centuries, this herb has been used in thousands of recipes all over the world. Medically, sage leaves have a record of being an effective cure for sprains, inflammation and external wounds. In addition, sage extract can be used as a mouthwash to help eliminate infection from oral bacteria, as well as to treat sore throats and mild cough.
Very high amounts of Sage (several times greater than one receives if taking sage as instructed), may lead to convulsions.
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