Top 7 Herbs for Maintaining Fresh Breath
Author: DarrenWumoult Total views: 11 Word Count: 736
Herbs are a necessity in the modern kitchen. You may be using fresh herbs, dry herbs or crushed herbs, depending on availability and season in your cooking. You may be astonished to learn that quite of few of the herbs can be used as a remedy for bad breath. If you are willing to try alternative remedies, these are the herbs that can help with halitosis.
Eucalyptus. This aromatic plant is native to Australia and was discovered years ago by the aborigines who used its roots as a source of water. Nowadays, the eucalyptus is most famous for the medicinal oil extracted from its leaves. This oil is widely used as a nasal decongestant because of its powerful effect on the nasal mucus receptors. Eucalyptus oil can also be inhaled in the form of vapor to alleviate symptoms of asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis or even emphysema.
The side effects from the internal use of eucalyptus can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Infants and children under the age of two, especially near the face and nose, due to the risk of airway spasm and possible cessation of breathing, should not use eucalyptus oil. The oil may aggravate bronchial spasms in people with asthma and should not be taken internally by those with severe liver diseases and inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and kidney.
Thyme: This fragrant plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean region of Europe and is extensively cultivated in the Untied States. The dried or partially dried leaves and flowering tops are used medicinally. Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antitussive (preventing and treating a cough), antispasmodic, and expectorant (thinning the mucus to allow for coughing out) actions. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as whooping cough. Due to the low toxicity of the herb, it has become a favorite for treating coughs in small children.
Thyme is generally safe if used as indicated. However, a spasmodic cough, particularly in a young child, may be dangerous and a healthcare professional should be consulted before deciding on the proper course of treatment.
Myrrh: In ancient times, the red-brown resin of myrrh was used to preserve mummies. It was also used as a remedy for numerous infections, including leprosy and syphilis. Herbalists for relief also recommended myrrh from bad breath and for dental conditions. The three main constituents of myrrh are the resin, the gum, and the volatile oil. All are thought to be important in myrrh's activity as an herbal medicine. Myrrh also has astringent properties and has a soothing effect on inflamed tissues in the mouth and throat. Myrrh is generally safe if used as indicated.
Bloodroot: This herb was used by Native Americans in rituals and in medicines. Its color was used as body paint. Bloodroot was used to treat cough, sore throats, rheumatic pains and even cancer. The main active compounds in this herb are alkaloids-primarily sanguinarine. Some toothpastes and other oral hygiene products may contain these because they are supposed to hinder bacteria growt.
Bloodroot should be used with caution because it can cause nausea and vomiting if it is taken in large doses.
Caraway: This herb has been used medically for centuries. Its seeds help in digestion and also aid in easing colic pain, especially in children. It is a carminative; therefore it is used in helping gastrointestinal discomfort.
There are practically no side effects to consuming caraway in moderate amounts. However, the oil extracted from this herb must not be used on infants and children two years old and younger as this can cause some minor allergic reactions.
Peppermint: Classified as a carminative herb, peppermint has been used as a general digestive aid and employed in the treatment of indigestion and intestinal colic.
Peppermint tea is generally considered safe for regular consumption. Peppermint oil can cause burning and gastrointestinal upset in some people.
Sage. For centuries, this herb has been used in thousands of recipes all over the world. Medically, sage leaves have a record of being an effective cure for sprains, inflammation and external wounds. In addition, sage extract can be used as a mouthwash to help eliminate infection from oral bacteria, as well as to treat sore throats and mild cough.
Sage is safe to use if taken in the prescribed doses, but excessive internal use can lead to seizures.
My Articles Directory Free Web Content Provider
About the Author
Getting rid of bad breath is easy. Learn what the common causes of bad breath are at http://www.badbreathkiller.com to get started.
Copy and Paste Article Code.
Remember: The article body, title, author bio and links may not be changed or removed. By publishing this article, you agree to all the terms in our Terms of Service.