Herbal Treatment for Bad Breath

Bad breath plagues every person at one time or another. "Morning breath" is a common example of this. The medical term for bad breath is halitosis. Herbal remedies for bad breath are generally safe, but only serve to temporarily remove or mask the odor.A regular dental hygiene routine is a person's best bet at combating halitosis. Halitosis can be a symptom of an underlying medical problem, and if it is persistent, the advice of a licensed medical professional should be sought.

Anise Seeds

• Anise, or Pimpinella anisum, seeds are touted as a home remedy for bad breath. Sometimes known as anis, or aniseed, anise has a sweet licorice taste that is pleasing to most people. This variety of anise should not be confused with star anise, which has entirely different medicinal properties.
  It is considered to be an antiseptic efficient at removing the bacteria that cause halitosis. Chew a handful of seeds after each meal or when bad breath occurs. Anise seeds should not be used bypregnant women, as the oils contain a chemical called anethole, which mimics the effects of estrogen. A rise in estrogen levels may lead to complications. Because of this chemical, anise is also used to alleviate menstrual cramps.

Clove Seeds

• Cloves, known scientifically as Syzgium aromaticum, have a spicy, earthen taste. Chew a handful of clove seeds when bad breath occurs. This not only masks the odor, but acts as an oral antiseptic to remove some of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
  Cloves oil, which is extracted from the seeds, is also touted as a home remedy for toothaches. Clove oil contains the active compound eugenol, which numbs the mouth and other body parts it comes in contact with.

Parsley, Sage and Mint

• Chew a sprig of parsley or mint when the source of halitosis is garlic or onions. Parsley is a herb rich in chlorophyll, which is a chemical produced by green plants that has a deodorizing effect on the human body. Swallowing parsley is harmless, and is reported to continue to deodorize as your body digests it. The oils contained in mint are effective at killing halitosis-causing bacteria. Parsley is traditionally used as a garnish alongside a meal for this very reason.
  Chewing gum made with natural peppermint oil is also effective at the removal of bacteria that cause bad breath, so long as it is sugarless. Sugar is the main substance that most oral bacteria feed on, and sugared gums may only worsen the problem.
  Sage is another antibacterial herb that can be chewed and swallowed without ill effect. The smell and taste of sage are strong, and considered unpleasant to some.