Natural mouthwash - suggestions please

Does anyone make their own mouthwash? I don't use it, but my other half does, and I'd like to be able to make him something less synthetic and nasty!
Maybe something with antibacterial herbs? But don't we have friendly bacteria in the mouth too?

My partner makes a magical herbal mouthwash that solved my serious periodontal issues!  They were ready to do surgery and what all else, but the last time I went they asked me what I was doing and said keep doing that!  
The gist of it is good handfuls each of rosemary, thyme, calendula, echinacea, white oak bark or acorn meal, and smaller amounts of stevia, cayenne, and cinnamon.  Simmer all in a big pot of water for half hour or so and let cool.  Strain and mix with 30% minimum of strong alcohol (gin or vodka) and it will store at room temperature.  To use without adding alcohol, freeze in small containers, and thaw them at need and keep refrigerated.

I like to use sesame seed oil with baking soda, but my partner didn't like it(?) so I switched to coconut oil.
Both have antibacterial properties.

Alder Burns wrote:The gist of it is good handfuls each of rosemary, thyme, calendula, echinacea, white oak bark or acorn meal, and smaller amounts of stevia, cayenne, and cinnamon.  Simmer all in a big pot of water for half hour or so and let cool.

Thanks for that Alder - I can imagine getting some of those locally, although cayenne and cinnamon are exotic spices of course. It's good to get personal recommendations that actually work.
I was hoping for something a little simpler, but I can probably get small amounts of the other ingredients to try and see if himself will use it!

I make a tea of rosemary.

Years ago I read that it acts as an antimicrobial by reducing the bacteria that cause bad breath, gum disease, plaque, etc.

I read that yarrow is good for mouthwash too:



Dan Boone shares his method of making it from the roots here. It would be much easier to use yarrow leaves, does anyone know if they are effective?

This site suggests flowers and leaves are useful too:

https://nzbotanicalkitchen.com/herbs-and-recipes/yarrow-for-oral-health-herbal-mouthwash-recipe

PFAF has a couple of links & warnings about using the whole plant too: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Achillea+millefolium

Ac Baker wrote:This site suggests flowers and leaves are useful too:

https://nzbotanicalkitchen.com/herbs-and-recipes/yarrow-for-oral-health-herbal-mouthwash-recipe

PFAF has a couple of links & warnings about using the whole plant too: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Achillea+millefolium

Ooh thanks for that link Ac - I like the look of the recipe they use with peppermint, sage and yarrow...hmm substitute a different mint and use seawater and that could be all local ingredients for me! I think I'll make a batch and see whether himself likes it.

pfaf say that prolonged use can cause sensitivity and allergic skin rashes. Probably if you're just using the yarrow as a rinse and spitting it out it will be less likely to be an issue - something to watch out for though.

I've made a simple rinse by steeping whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and a few drops of peppermint oil in boiled water, then letting it cool before straining. It makes a refreshing mouthwash with mild antibacterial properties. You can also mix a pinch of sea salt and baking soda in warm water for a quick rinse to help balance mouth pH and freshen your breath without any synthetic ingredients.

I think it depends on what our purpose is in using a mouthwash.  We do have a microbiome in our mouths, and the oral microbiome depends on many factors, among them diet.  The health of our teeth also depends on diet.  So does bad breath depend on diet and a person’s metabolism.

I have found a lot of helpful information and products at   https://orawellness.com/

A simple comfrey leaf infusion is a great rinse if you’re trying to heal minor wounds in your mouth, but you might not want to swallow it.  Do your own research on possible toxicity of comfrey leaf.

I make mine with the following:

- 1 cup of  water (filtered or purified)
- 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 5 drops clove oil
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops eucalyptus oil

I've heard you can add a lot more hydrogen peroxide without it being an issue and I probably will in the future. I also use cheap generic alcohol based mouthwash which I want to phase out eventually.

Alder Burns wrote:magical herbal mouthwash....
The gist of it is good handfuls each of rosemary, thyme, calendula, echinacea, white oak bark or acorn meal, and smaller amounts of stevia, cayenne, and cinnamon.  Simmer all in a big pot of water for half hour or so and let cool.  Strain and mix with 30% minimum of strong alcohol (gin or vodka) and it will store at room temperature.  To use without adding alcohol, freeze in small containers, and thaw them at need and keep refrigerated.

I have made this several times and it is indeed magical!! I use what I have in the garden, replacing the astringent oak bark and echinacea with local alternatives. it smells, tastes and works great!

Tereza Okava wrote:

Alder Burns wrote:magical herbal mouthwash....
The gist of it is good handfuls each of rosemary, thyme, calendula, echinacea, white oak bark or acorn meal, and smaller amounts of stevia, cayenne, and cinnamon.  Simmer all in a big pot of water for half hour or so and let cool.  Strain and mix with 30% minimum of strong alcohol (gin or vodka) and it will store at room temperature.  To use without adding alcohol, freeze in small containers, and thaw them at need and keep refrigerated.

I have made this several times and it is indeed magical!! I use what I have in the garden, replacing the astringent oak bark and echinacea with local alternatives. it smells, tastes and works great!

It would be helpful to know what makes this “magical”.  What benefits and effects does one experience from using it.  

I am concerned about the amount of alcohol.  How does this amount of alcohol affect the mouth’s beneficial microbes?

I was wondering about the alcohol too. I'm thinking of making a strong alcohol solution (so it will keep well) that can then be diluted heavily with water (How low can I go?) so the alcohol isn't having a detremental effect, both on the mouth biota and for other medical reasons.

I wonder, what is the perceived value of a mouthwash in the first place?  Why might we need it, what is it supposed to accomplish?

I’d try yarrow tea,, but apparently, brushing your tongue is the most effective way to curb bad breath (from Ologies podcast on coffee, and reducing coffee-breath).

i use a mouthwash specifically for gum health. my gums tend to bleed, and my mother had gum disease that required grafts. I can see when I use a mouthwash like this (or pull oil, but I have trouble remembering that, since in the morning I have so many tasks to remember already), the gums bleed a lot less overall.

As for the alcohol- I don't have a problem killing bacteria in my mouth to avoid tooth decay. I often rinse with an herbal tea, but for practical reasons (I don't always have the space to store yet more tea in the fridge) the alcohol is a convenience for storage purposes. I spit it out either way.