Eliminate Your Halitosis With These 7 Herbs
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
This aromatic plant is native to Australia and was discovered years ago by the aborigines who used its roots as a source of water. Nowadays, the eucalyptus is most famous for the medicinal oil extracted from its leaves. This oil is widely used as a nasal decongestant because of its powerful effect on the nasal mucus receptors. Eucalyptus oil can also be inhaled in the form of vapor to alleviate symptoms of asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis or even emphysema.
The ingestion of eucalyptus is potentially dangerous to people who are suffering from liver conditions, acute and chronic asthma attacks, and disorders of the kidney, stomach and intestines. Commonly reported side effects of eucalyptus consumption are vomiting, queasiness, an upset stomach and frequent and very loose bowel moveMents. The use of eucalyptus, whether internally or inhaled, is strictly prohibited for very young children as it can cause severe spasms in the breathing passage.
Thyme
This commonly used herb grows in many parts of the world but is very abundant in the cold climates of Europe and northern America. It contains several eleMents that can help reduce the symptoms of whooping cough such as spasms and mucus. Traditional European medicine makes use of the leaves and flowers of thyme as a common ingredient in many herbal drugs and suppleMents. Unlike eucalyptus which is extremely potent, the extracts of thyme have a very low toxin count, making them very safe to use even in Infants.
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. Because of its natural toxins, bloodroot can be dangerous if ingested in excessive doses.
Caraway
This herb is an annual plant native to Europe and Asia. Its seeds have been used as a common spice for hundreds of years. Lately, it has also been found to possess components that can relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders as well as improve the metabolism especially for children.
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.
Although relatively safe for most people, the oil derived from peppermint can be too potent for some individuals, causing minor gastrointestinal complications.
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. Sage is safe to use if taken in the prescribed doses, but excessive internal use can lead to seizures.
