MOUTH ODOR/ BAD BREATH : HERBAL HOME REMEDY

Photo: Illustration purpose only

Bad breath, mouth odor, also medically referred to as Halitosis, is an unpleasant smell coming from the mouth. Halitosis occurs occasionally due to the intake of certain food or drinks, inhaling or smoking of substances. It can also be a symptom of some underlying health conditions: diseases, infections, and disorders.
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Most people with this problem are not aware that they have it- even you that is reading this write-up, but people around you know if they are sensitive to odor.
Mouth odor can be quite embarrassing, you see it in people's reactions when you speak or yawn.
There are ways to test for mouth odor. Lick the back of your palm or hand, allow drying for a few seconds then smell the spot, the way it smells is possibly the exact state of your mouth odor.
Another way to test is to scrape your tongue with a spoon and smell the thick fluid from it, the way it smells is possibly the way your mouth smells to others.

 There are two types of mouth odor- primary or transient and chronic mouth odor.
Primary mouth odor is caused by mouth dryness, smoking, or eating foods like garlic, onion, and other sharp odor foods. This type will disappear with time and with thorough brushing of the teeth, tongue, and gums otherwise known as proper oral hygiene.
Chronic mouth odor is caused by a high concentration of bacteria in the mouth, gum disorders, tooth decay, mouth ulcer, liver disorder, and other health problems/diseases.

                                                      Photo: Thyme
The recommendation below is for those who have mouth odor as a result of some bacterial in the mouth and nostrils. If you have other health problems which you know are causing your mouth odor, treat yourself, go for a test to be sure, stop smoking if you do so- it's a bad habit.

REMEDY- Ensure to drink sufficient water and treat any gum, tooth, or any other health problems in the mouth with appropriate medication- some good mouth wash is sold in the drug store [chemist].
Also, endeavor to brush your teeth two times a day with more emphasis on the tongue where bacterial are found mostly in the mouth. Then, chew some dry or ground clove [canfra in Yoruba], thyme, rosemary leaves, or fresh scent leaves- morning and before bed.

OPTION B: Pound some long black pepper (Xylopia Ethiopia) pour into a cup of hot water, add some dried scent leaves and inhale the vapor coming from the hot water several times, then sieve and drink the mixture. Do this often till the bad breath disappears.

Photo: long black pepper (Xylopia aethiopica)

It is also important to note here that some bad breath is caused by overgrown bacteria in the nostrils, in this case, one will also smell bad breath both in the nose and the mouth, in this case, squeeze some clean fresh scent leaves into your nostril.

OPTION C: DANGEROUS: Washing your mouth with fuel at least once a month will definitely keep bacteria that cause mouth odor from your mouth. Don't swallow the fuel. Please, stay away from the fire if you must use this option. 

NIGERIAN NATIVE;

URHOBO -  

YORUBA - Eru 

IGBO       - Uziza

HAUSA

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