Cure Halitosis

Halitosis, or the fear of it, is almost an everyday thing in today's cleanliness- and health-conscious world. Products to alleviate breath odor are easy to come by; commercial preparations that cure halitosis, however, are difficult to find. The reason for this is that, though we have worked out most of the common causes of bad breath odor, the way to end it permanently still eludes us. It may require a different approach, or a different lifestyle.

Ultimately, the solution is probably going to be a halitosis natural remedy that permanently changes the inner environment of the mouth. This is where the problem usually starts and it's the focal point for any attempt to cure halitosis. In the mouth, a surprising variety of bacteria and other microscopic organisms live and multiply, drawing their sustenance from food particles, shed cells, molecules found in the saliva, and other proteins. This is normal; in fact, we need an abundant variety of these organisms to have a healthy mouth. Some of the bacteria, however, usually present in small numbers, produce a bad smell when they break down protein. It is these bacteria, when they multiply to unhealthy numbers, that cause breath odor.

It's apparent that a halitosis natural remedy shouldn't just kill off mouth bacteria indiscriminately. Instead, to treat halitosis, we might target the odor producing bacteria or simply try to encourage the other varieties to do better and overwhelm the troublemakers. For the individual looking for quick results, the best plan to cure halitosis will probably include a bad breath product that targets the odor causing bacteria coupled with a complete medical checkup and an objective assessment of lifestyle. This might include getting more exercise and consulting a nutritionist to improve the diet.

A healthy body, maintained with a healthy lifestyle, is the best halitosis natural remedy over the long term. Bad breath products that control breath odor temporarily, however, certainly have their place and can be stepping stones to feeling better about yourself and working toward a more permanent way to cure halitosis. Chances are, the halitosis sufferer who is successful in permanently changing the mouth environment for the better will also experience many other positive changes to physical and emotional health.

Bad Breath Herbal Remedy

Anyone who suffers from a chronic case of halitosis might well doubt that anything as simple as a bad breath herbal remedy could work. Surprisingly, there is a long list of herbal remedies for bad breath that have been passed down to us through folklore, gathered from various cultures, or recently discovered. All of them are worth consideration if you are looking for a long term treatment for bad breath and you don't want to rely on chemical antiseptic products, or if you are seeking a natural short term breath freshener.

Perhaps one of the best known herbal remedies is bad breath chlorophyll treatment, probably because chlorophyll has been used in commercial breath products. The idea behind chlorophyll, a pigment naturally produced by green plants, is that it reacts with odor causing molecules and removes them. Chlorophyll has been used to reduce body odor and fecal odors, and is a favorite with deer hunters who smoke (it apparently is very effective at masking the odor of tobacco smoke on a hunter's breath, which might be detected by the deer). As a bad breath herbal remedy, chlorophyll's greatest strength probably lies in similar situations: temporary breath odors caused by foods like garlic and onions, or by smoking.

Among the traditional bad breath herbal remedy examples we find chewing mint, parsley, or dill leaves; sucking or chewing a clove; chewing dill or anise seeds; drinking tea made with coriander, sage, or dill, and rinsing with lemon juice. Clearly these plants all have something in common: they all have a strong and relatively pleasant aroma of their own that, like bad breath chlorophyll treatments, will help to mask bad breath at least for a while. In addition, however, many of them do have proven antiseptic qualities, which may make them valid alternatives to antiseptic mouthwash if the aim is to kill off the oral bacteria that produce breath odor. It's important to remember, however, that many herbs and spices, normally used in small amounts in cooking, have toxic properties when used in large amounts. Before using any herbal remedy in larger quantities, thoroughly investigate its safety and consult an herbalist if possible.

Like bad breath chlorophyll products, a few other herbs and medicinal plants have been incorporated into commercial products marketed for bad breath. Eucalyptus oil is one of these, often used in mouthwashes over the years. New dietary supplements incorporate St. John's wort, licorice root, Echinacea, ginger, and ginseng. Parsley, meanwhile, is being processed to produce parsley oil capsules, now commonly marketed as a bad breath herbal remedy. And a new essential oil that has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties is also commercially refined and recommended (in small amounts) for bad breath: tea tree oil.

Always consult your doctor before taking any remedy or supplement on an ongoing basis, particularly if you are pregnant or have other health issues.