Bad Breath Causes & Treatment Sources

Bad breath (or halitosis) is often caused by accumulated food debris as a result of poor dental hygiene, smoking, and alcohol consumption. It may be accompanied by dribbling during sleep and a yellowish, thickly coated tongue.

Bad breath can also be a symptom of many disorders including gingivitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, oralthrush, diabetes, acute bronchitis, liver failure, cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, lungs, or esophagus, chronic gastritis, underproduction of saliva, and constipation.

TREATMENT

Ayurveda 
Chew fresh coriander or cardamom seeds after meals— they will act as a digestive and discourage bad breath.

Chinese Herbalism
Treatment would be aimed at stomach damp heat, using golden thread, peppermint tea, giant hyssop, and radish seeds.

Traditional Home and Folk Remedies 
Drink a combination of fresh carrot, celery, watercress, and cucumber juice with some paprika.

Herbalism 
Chew fresh rosemary leaves, or make a mouthwash with a pinch of cloves, cinnamon, anise seed, and rosemary. Steep in a cup of sherry for a week, and then strain. Use daily as required. Chew fresh watercress, which is rich in chlorophyll and vitamin C. Chew walnut bark and rub it on the gums, then gargle with lemon water. Chew fresh parsley, mint, or tarragon.

Aromatherapy 
Add a drop of myrrh essential oil to a cup of cool, boiled water, and rinse the mouth daily. Thyme or fennel oil will be equally effective.

Homeopathy 
Nux vomica, for breath that smells sour, particularly after meals or drinking alcohol. Petroselinium, for breath that smells of onions. Nitric acid for bad breath with loose teeth and mouth ulcers. Pulsatilla for bad breath after eating fatty foods, and which is accompanied by a dry mouth and no thirst. Mercurius, for breath that smells, with copious saliva and a yellow, furry tongue.

Vitamins and Minerals 
Store your toothbrush in grapefruit seed extract to destroy bacteria which may be encouraging bad breath.