Bad breath is a common cause of discomfort for many people, especially when they are in close proximity to another person, for example, on a date, in an interview, or at a wedding. While a small percentage of people experience this condition on a regular basis, a larger percentage of people experience it only occasionally.
The condition may be associated with tooth and gum problems or due to some disorder originating in the lungs or stomach. It can also arise when the person suffers from an illness such as a cold, upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat, etc. It can also originate if there is dry mouth (xerostomia) or in cases of poor oral hygiene.
Whether the cause of bad breath is due to systemic disease or problems with the teeth and gums, there is no remedy for bad breath unless the underlying source is treated. Once the underlying condition is identified and treated, bad breath goes away on its own. You can treat these sources with natural remedies, but you need a combination of elements to make the right recipe.
But if the origin of the condition is due to poor oral hygiene or dry mouth, improving hygiene and using some old home remedies do go a long way in reducing the condition.
One such time-tested home remedy to temporarily reduce bad breath is the use of parsley. This has been used in various forms for many years and is favored by many people. Parsley leaves are rich in chlorophyll and act as a powerful bad breath neutralizer. Chlorophyll is an antimutagen that acts as a very good deodorant.
Parsley has been used in various forms to combat bad breath, but the effects are best when fresh. Parsley is the best antidote for bad breath, especially to reduce the smell of garlic when foods containing garlic have been consumed.
When dining al fresco in a restaurant, if a person feels they have bad breath, the easiest way out is to order a dish that contains parsley. Chewing the leaves will give you instant relief and avoid embarrassment.
Chewing parsley sprigs dipped in vinegar also helps fight bad breath. This when chewed and swallowed helps improve digestion. Parsley sprigs when ingested also help reduce intestinal gas which can further reduce bad breath.
Many commercially available breath fresheners contain Parsley as one of their ingredients. The aromatic parsley oils used in these breath fresheners are ideal for reducing bad breath.
Parsley contained in a capsule was commercially available as a method of combating bad breath. This was marketed with the concept that the condition is a problem of the digestive tract and not the oral cavity. This product was later withdrawn from the market when the company’s claims were challenged in court by other competitors in the field.
Parsley is also used to make a home remedy for bad breath. It is boiled in water along with a few whole or ground cloves, then cooled and strained. This strained product of parsley and cloves is gargled as a mouthwash to help reduce bad breath.
Although many commercial products are available on the market, many people still prefer to use simple, natural and readily available remedies like parsley to help them fight deadly bad breath. Unfortunately, for those who suffer from chronic bad breath or halitosis, a simple solution like this won’t cut it.