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Mouthwashes
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Sometimes when we eat a garlic-saturated
pasta special or a steak smothered in onions, we need a few gulps of cool,
clean water will make our mouths feel fresh. The following mouthwashes should
do the trick.
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Rosemary-cider
mouthwash
Originally
found near the Mediterranean Sea, rosemary has
been used in cosmetics for thousands of years. And rosemary charcoal has long
been a popular tooth powder and cleanser. You can still use this aromatic herb
to clean your mouth and freshen your breath. The combination of rosemary and
apple eider vinegar makes this mouthwash a potent antiseptic that kills germs.
As with oral rinses, mouthwashes are just for swirling around your mouth, not
swallowing.
lngredients
1 cup water
2 teaspoons
dried rosemary
1 cup apple
eider vinegar
Bring water
to boil in small saucepan on stove top. Remove from heat and add rosemary.
Cover and allow to steep for ten to fifteen minutes. Strain infusion into small
mixing bowl and add vinegar. Mix well. Transfer to clean mouthwash bottle.
Shake well before using. Store in a cool, dark place. Will last for six to eight weeks.
Thyme
mouthwash
The pungent,
aromatic herb thyme is a powerful antiseptic and freshener. Combined with
vodka, another powerful antiseptic, this mouthwash will freshen your breath and
kill the bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth decay. Whenever your breath
feels stale, swish a small amount throughout your mouth, but don't swallow it.
Ingredients
1 cup water
2 teaspoons
thyme
1 tablespoon
vodka
Bring water
to boil in small saucepan on stove top. Remove from heat and add thyme. Cover
and allow to steep for ten to fifteen minutes. Strain infusión into small
mixing bowl and add vodka. Mix well. Transfer to clean mouthwash bottle. Shake
well before using. Storage and
life span: Store in a cool, dark place. Will last for six to eight weeks.
Breath
fresheners
All kinds of
things can lead to bad breath. Maybe you've eaten too much garlic and onions.
Maybe you have some minor indigestion. Maybe you've been on the run and missed
your regular brushing. Even being slightly dehydrated can sour normally fresh
breath.
Of course,
brushing your teeth or taking a hit of mouthwash can help fix problem breath,
but as you know, when you're dashing around town, that's not always an option.
You can buy commercial breath fresheners that taste like hard candies, but
they're generally full of sugar and not the best for your teeth. Instead, make
your own natural mouth fresheners to take along in your pocket or your purse,
just in case.
Parsleybreath purifier
Parsley is a
classic breath freshener. In fact, when all else fails, you can chew a sprig of
this mildly spicy herb to cleanse your breath as well as to stimulate your digestion.
Vodka and lemons are antiseptics and astringents that kill bacteria. The lemon
rounds off the slightly pungent flavor of the parsley. Swish a small amount
around your mouth whenever you think your breath needs help.
Inqredients
1 cup water
3 tablespoons
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon
vodka
3 drops
lemon juice
Bring water
to boil in small saucepan on stove top. Remove from heat and add parsley. Cover
and allow to steep for about twenty minutes. Strain infusion into small mixing
bowl. Add vodka and lemon juice. Mix well. Transfer to clean mouthwash bottle.
Shake well before using. Store in a cool, dark place. Will last for six to eight weeks.
Fresh mint
breath spray
Cool,
refreshing mint is the quintessential breath freshener. This aromatic herb acts
as a mild antiseptic, killing germs that cause bad breath, and leaves a fresh,
minty taste lingering in your mouth. Keep this breath spray stashed in your
refrigerator, and take a little with you whenever you'll be away from home— and
a toothbrush—for some time.
Ingredients
2 cup water
2 teaspoons
dried peppermint leaves
2 teaspoon vodka
Bring water
to boil in small saucepan on stove top. Remove from heat and add peppermint
leaves. Cover and allow to steep for fifteen minutes. Strain mint-water into
small jar with airtight lid and add vodka. Close jar and shake well. Pour small
amount into miniature spray bottle to carry with you when you go out. Lightly
spray your tongue and the sides of your mouth as necessary. Keep refrigerated when not in use. (The small
amount you take with you will be fine for the day.) Will last for six to eight
weeks.
Carry-along
breath boosters
There are
several things you can carry with you to chew whenever your breath needs a
boost. Two of the most popular and effective are spicy cloves and dried ginger
slices. For a double wham my against bad breath try the following recipe.
Ingredients
10 fresh ginger slices 3 dried cloves
Using mortar
and pestle or handle of wooden spoon, crush cloves until powdered. Roll ginger
slices in clove powder. Put coated slices in small paper bag and hang in dry,
well-ventilated place (should dry in about a week). Store in small container,
such as pill bottle, in your purse. Will
last for eight to ten weeks.
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