Halitosis
In the first place halitosis must be considered as a real disorder of the oral cavity, far from being a simple and embarrassing problem.
Halitosis expresses a condition characterized by the unpleasant emission of foul-smelling air from the mouth, whose etiological research can range over several areas: in the event that we consider physiological (and not pathological) halitosis, the causes, as we shall see, can be multiple .
Causes of halitosis
First of all a poor oral hygiene promotes the proliferation of oral bacterial flora, which attacks food residues: the inevitable consequence will be a decomposition of the same with subsequent and immediate release of sulfur-based gas.
Even foods such as garlic and onion, belonging to the Liliaceae family, are definitely not recommended for those suffering from this problem, as well as preserved fish and red meat (foods that naturally cannot be excluded completely, given the nutritional importance they have in the human nutrition).
Smoking and fasting
Cigarette or pipe smoking is certainly not a remedy for halitosis, on the contrary, it seems that it represents one of the most important causes: smoking, in fact, involves an increase in the secretion of acids in the digestive tract, consequently produces a unpleasant smell in the mouth.
Then we should not think that fasting can solve this embarrassing problem: in fact, incorrect eating habits (in this case the two complementary eating behaviors: overeating and long fasting) cause unpleasant breath. Chewing helps to take away the dead cells in the mouth: in the case of fasting, these cells are not removed and form a thin smelly layer.
Bad diet
Even bad eating habits can promote halitosis: milk, cheese and yoghurt can contribute to the increase in bad breath due to milk proteins, very "palatable" to bacteria, which metabolize them producing substances of bad odor.
Pathologies and halitosis
Metabolic defects, renal insufficiency, liver problems and intake of certain categories of drugs (antihypertensives, antidepressants, diuretics and anxiolytics) tend to decrease the production of saliva, favoring the occurrence of halitosis. Saliva, in fact, represents an effective cleansing mechanism for the mouth. Needless to say, in the event that halitosis depends on these pathologies, the problem to be solved in the first place will certainly not be halitosis, and that the natural remedies so far exposed will certainly not be effective in alleviating the triggering disorder.
Mouth hygiene
As it is understood, a careful and scrupulous oral hygiene is the first technique to adopt to try to remedy halitosis: although it is important and correct to use toothpaste and brush properly, since the real goal is to eliminate the problem at the root, with the sole use of these tools you risk only temporarily masking the disturbance.
Herbal remedies
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Here then is the intervention of the herbalist becomes very important and interesting: as we have understood, the hygiene of the oral cavity is fundamental, but if the use of toothpaste is also associated with dental floss and a mouthwash with antiseptic properties, the risk of being able to incur in halitosis decreases further. There are also many plants with antiseptic (and therefore disinfectant) properties that can be considered excellent natural remedies against halitosis : bitter orange ( Citrus aurantium ), lemon ( Citrus limon ) and mandarin ( Citrus nobilis ), from which an essential oil can be obtained which - thanks to its antibacterial properties - leads to a decrease in oral microbial load; even cloves exert a disinfectant action, but considering that the active ingredient (eugenol) has astringent properties, their use appears inadvisable in a product against halitosis (since it would reduce salivation).
The presence of refreshing drugs is fundamental, above all for the sensation of freshness and cleanliness that they give to the mouth: among all we remember the mint ( Mentha piperita ), whose most important principle is menthol, and the eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ) with the his eucalyptus. Effective also are the teas made with Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ) and anise ( Pimpinella anisum ), which regulate digestion and stimulate bile and salivary secretions.
A particular natural remedy to counteract halitosis is represented by the cumin of the meadows ( Carum carvi ): in the case in which the disorder depends on a bad digestion, the decoction of this herbaceous plant is an excellent solution.
Aromatic drugs such as sage ( Salvia officinalis ) and rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) are used for oral hygiene, as they both have a bacteriostatic action, thus blocking bacterial proliferation; furthermore, these aromatic drugs are used to quell any inflammation of the mouth.
Even celery ( Apigum graveolens ) is considered a good natural remedy, but not so much for its properties: the importance of celery refers to the large amount of water present, which acts as a disinfectant, albeit a mild one, for the mouth.
The importance of water
The use of these plants, in the form of herbal tea, decoction, toothpaste or mouthwash, must however be accompanied by a substantial administration of water, which stimulates salivation and keeps the mouth clean. Consequently, even daily consumption of fruit and vegetables is advisable; the use of chewing gum and candies without sugar seems to be a good habit because it stimulates saliva production. The most effective natural remedy, which does not exist on the market, is in fact saliva: a precious asset that nature has given us to keep the mouth clean and have a fresh breath.
If the freshness of the breath increases exponentially with the increase in the production of saliva, another useful remedy in the presence of halitosis is to limit the consumption of foods that reduce the production of saliva (salty foods or rich in tannins).
