The 7 Best Herbs for Bad Breath
Whether caused by an easily controlled concern or the result of a more serious condition, you don’t want to live with bad breath. The good news is – you don’t have to. The following seven herbs have been proven to go beyond trying to hide bad breath and help to actually get rid of it. When used, especially together, these herbs help cleanse your mouth and freshen your breath.
- Peppermint
- Tea Tree
- Sage
- Myrrh
- Clove
- Pine Needle
- Eucalyptus
Herbs for Bad Breath
1. Peppermint
A large majority of toothpastes contain peppermint flavoring, and this isn’t by accident. Peppermint has the ability to give the mouth a fresh, clean feeling. Essential oils from peppermint (real peppermint, not flavoring) does much more than create a fresh feeling. One study showed that peppermint oils actually help reduce bad breath more effectively than a lab-produced chemical rinse. [1]
2. Tea Tree
Tea tree oil has been long known among natural health practitioners for its toxicity to harmful, bad breath causing organisms. With these powerful properties, researchers have examined the effectiveness of tea tree oil extract in mouth rinses. One such study found tea tree oil eliminated a wider range of microorganisms than the chemical chlorhexidine. [2] Another study found that Solobacterium moorei, a bacteria associated with halitosis, was highly susceptible to the effects of tea tree oil. [3] Included in a rinse, it offers a complete cleansing effect in the battle against bad breath. Tea tree oil has also been found successful in addressing Candida, which can cause bad breath. [4]
3. Sage
Sage has been known since ancient times as a healing herb. Modern research has only validated its effectiveness against harmful organisms and its powerful halitosis fighting abilities. Sage has been shown to be effective against bad breath causing organisms such as Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. [5]
4. Myrrh
Myrrh has been used for thousands of years in a myriad of ways. For those looking to battle bad breath – whatever the cause – myrrh is a potent natural remedy because it helps cleanse the mouth of germs and also addresses conditions that may encourage future growth. [6] [7]
5. Clove
In Chinese medicine, bad breath is considered a result of Qi stagnation. According to the Chinese, clove encourages Qi flow and clove has a long history in Chinese medicine for remedying bad breath. Modern studies have found clove to be an effective component of mouth rinses. In one study, participants preferred it to a chemical based mouth rinse in terms of taste, after-taste and ease of use. [8] The authors of this study also noted that mouth rinses using herbs like cloves also presented viable alternatives for individuals who could not use chemical rinses.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a natural product swirled around in the mouth would taste and feel better than something out of the lab.
6. Pine Needle
Pine resins and oils have been used historically for a range of medicinal therapies. Pine naturally contains terpene alcohols which are potent cleansing agents and toxic to harmful organisms. Researchers have also determined pine oils offer powerful antioxidant properties. [9] As a component of a mouth rinse, pine needle supports overall mouth health!
7. Eucalyptus
For reducing bad breath, eucalyptus has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness. In a 2010 study, eucalyptus was found to eliminate mouth malodor by significantly reducing volatile sulfur compounds (the ones that make your breath wretched). [10] The success of eucalyptus in this study demonstrated that its cleansing effects worked both in the lab, as well as in practice.
Relieving Bad Breath with Herbal Remedies
These herbal remedies have been used medicinally for centuries! Current research has only proven what natural healers have known for ages… these natural remedies work! Essential oils are available for all of them and can be made into a mouth rinse or added to your toothbrush. Peppermint and sage leaves can also be chewed. In either case, remember to look for organic herbs.
References (10)
- Hur MH, Park J, Maddock-Jennings W, Kim DO, Lee MS. Reduction of mouth malodour and volatile sulphur compounds in intensive care patients using an essential oil mouthwash. Phytother Res. 2007 Jul;21(7):641-3.
- Groppo FC, Ramacciato JC, Simões RP, Flório FM, Sartoratto A. Antimicrobial activity of garlic, tea tree oil, and chlorhexidine against oral microorganisms. Int Dent J. 2002 Dec;52(6):433-7.
- Forrer M, Kulik EM, Filippi A, Waltimo T. The antimicrobial activity of alpha-bisabolol and tea tree oil against Solobacterium moorei, a Gram-positive bacterium associated with halitosis. Arch Oral Biol. 2013 Jan;58(1):10-6. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2012.08.001. Epub 2012 Aug 29.
- Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV. In-vitro activity of essential oils, in particular Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and tea tree oil products, against Candida spp. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1998 Nov;42(5):591-5.
- Sterer N, Nuas S, Mizrahi B, Goldenberg C, Weiss EI, Domb A, Davidi MP. Oral malodor reduction by a palatal mucoadhesive tablet containing herbal formulation. J Dent. 2008 Jul;36(7):535-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2008.04.001. Epub 2008 May 12.
- de Rapper S, Van Vuuren SF, Kamatou GP, Viljoen AM, Dagne E. The additive and synergistic antimicrobial effects of select frankincense and myrrh oils--a combination from the pharaonic pharmacopoeia. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2012 Apr;54(4):352-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2012.03216.x. Epub 2012 Feb 20.
- Lawless, J. (2002) The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Harper Collins, p135.
- Malhotra R, Grover V, Kapoor A, Saxena D. Comparison of the effectiveness of a commercially available herbal mouthrinse with chlorhexidine gluconate at the clinical and patient level. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2011 Oct;15(4):349-52. doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.92567.
- Zeng WC, Zhang Z, Gao H, Jia LR, He Q. Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from pine needle (Cedrus deodara). J Food Sci. 2012 Jul;77(7):C824-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02767.x.
- Tanaka M, Toe M, Nagata H, Ojima M, Kuboniwa M, Shimizu K, Osawa K, Shizukuishi S. Effect of eucalyptus-extract chewing gum on oral malodor: a double-masked, randomized trial. J Periodontol. 2010 Nov;81(11):1564-71. doi: 10.1902/jop.2010.100249. Epub 2010 Jul 1.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
