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Natural mouthwash - suggestions please

Nancy Reading

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posted 3 weeks ago

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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?

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Alder Burns

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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.

William Bronson

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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.

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Nancy Reading

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Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland. Nearly 70 inches rain a year

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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!

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Anne Miller

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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.

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Nancy Reading

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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?

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Ac Baker

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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

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Nancy Reading

steward and tree herder

Posts: 11100

Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland. Nearly 70 inches rain a year

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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.

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Ted Davis

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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.

Thekla McDaniels

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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.

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