If you’re like me, you’re regularly fighting things like cold sores, canker sores, and other types of unpleasant painful things that involve your mouth. There are some natural and effective healing options that you can make at home to help fight these nagging oral problem, along with bad breath. Below are a few suggestions for natural mouthwashes, that I’ve tried over the years. These are results of what I’d concoct on my own, after finding that I was out of my store bought mouthwash. I included the alcohol when I really felt I needed a stronger formula with extra anit-bacterial properties . You can keep it out of the mix if you find it’s too strong.
Cinna-minty Mouthwash
Here’s a pleasant tasting mouthwash with plenty of anti-bacterial properties to help keep your gums healthy. I love the cinnamon and mint combination. I found the mint to be very soothing on my canker sores too! Peppermint along with the spearmint is great because it soothes and stimulates the gums at the same time.
2 cups water
3 drops cinnamon oil
3 drops spearmint oil
3 drops peppermint oil
3 or 4 drops tea tree oil
1 tsp vodka
Swish this in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds and rinse. Be sure not to swallow! It’s pleasant, but strong!
Best kept in a sealed glass bottle or jar.
Alcohol Free Baking Soda Mint Mouthwash
This is just a great refreshing mouthwash you can use to help with bad breath, or to facilitate the healing of any type of mouth sores. This is also nice for those that are trying to avoid any alcohol in the recipe. I like this one alot because I enjoy the extra clean feeling that the baking soda provides. Nothing cleans like baking soda!
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 drop pure peppermint oil
1 drop tea tree oil
2 oz. water
Mix well, then swish for a few seconds and rinse.
Alcohol Free Cloves and Rosemary Mouthwash
This mouthwash is especially nice because of the rosemary. Rosemary has many benefits that are helpful when you use it topically for oral care, and other uses too. The cloves provide anti-fungal, anti-viral and antiseptic properties making them big contributors to the effectiveness of this mouthwash. It’s very pleasant tasting and alcohol free as well. If you’re a clove lover, this mouthwash will be a hit! My husband is a big clove lover and really enjoys this stuff!
1 oz Cloves
3 oz. Rosemary
Glass Jar with lid
2 cups water
Boil the water in a saucepan. While cooking the water place the Rosemary and Cloves in the jar. When water comes to a boil, pour it in the jar with the herbs and allow to steep overnight. Drain and use the next morning.
Minty Myrrh
This mouthwash is particularly good for those who have trouble with bleeding gums. The myrrh is specifically known for having astringent qualities. It’s been known to sooth sore throats because of it’s anti-inflammatory benefits, so gargling with it can be helpful. I found this mouthwash to be quite soothing.
10 drops myrrh oil
10 drops peppermint oil
3 drops lemon oil
3 drops thyme oil
4 or 5 oz. either vodka or brandy
Just do a quick swish and rinse for a soothing and refreshing feeling throughout your mouth. This one is strong too, so try not to swallow.
Fennel and Fruit Mouthwash
If you’re a lover of the anise flavor, this mouthwash will be right up your alley. The fennel combined with the fruity component from the grapefruit oil in this make it a really different, but pleasant flavor. The fennel when used topically, is a good anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory substance to sooth sore, bleeding gums. Just a nice everyday mouthwash to freshen things. Again, substitute with water if you’re trying to stay away from the alcohol.
12 drops fennel oil
3 drops chamomile oil
12 drops grapefruit oil
3 drops thyme oil
5 or 6 tablespoons of vodka
These quick and easy homemade mouthwashes are a great alternative to coventional, Scope, Listerine and many others. In general the herbs involved in these homemade mouthwashes have great cleansing and anti-bacterai qualities to keep your mouth clean and fresh for the day. I’ve enjoyed all of these over the years and I know you’ll find them to be pleasant alternatives for your own oral care regimen.
