DIY NATURAL MOUTHWASH
Homemade toothpaste not quite hitting the spot?
Yeah, it's not quite the same as the shop-bought stuff, but this mouthwash will sort you out!
Apart from the fact that most commercially available mouthwashes come in plastic bottles, another reason to avoid them is that most contain nasties such as:
Fluoride
Argued to be linked to all sorts of disorders and diseases, from hyperactivity and lowered immunity to bone cancer and dementia. Also debated to have little or no benefit for dental health.
Parabens
These are preservatives and are used in most cosmetics. There is a suggested link between parabens and breast cancer.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Although not dangerous itself, this substance can contain harmful impurities which have been linked to cancers.
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Can cause irritation and redness to skin.
Cetylpyridinium Chloride
Good for killing bacteria but can cause brown stains on teeth. Wait - what?!
So here is my much nicer and much healthier version, which I think is just as effective:
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups filtered water
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (aka baking soda)
10 drops peppermint essential oil
7 drops marjoram essential oil
7 drops thyme essential oil
3 drops basil essential oil
Reasons why I've chosen these ingredients:
Peppermint Essential Oil
Fights microbes and bad breath! It also tastes loverly and makes your mouth feel fresh.
Marjoram Essential Oil
This herb has antiseptic, expectorant and antimicrobial properties, as well as being high in antioxidants. For those who aren't scientists or doctors, expectorant means it helps eliminate mucus.
Thyme Essential Oil
Full of antiseptic goodness with a powerful fresh flavour.
Basil Essential Oil
A herb with antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral and antimicrobial qualities, but also thought to relieve stress disorders such as migraines and depression. So this mouthwash could even make you feel more relaxed as well as clean!
Bicarbonate of Soda
Neutralises the pH in your mouth. Acid is responsible for eating away at tooth enamel, so adding a little of this helps to re-balance oral acidity levels.
Method
This is the simplest recipe in the world, because all you have to do is pour all ingredients into a bottle and shake to mix. And that's it!
Just remember - all the essential oils will float to the top very quickly so it's important to give your mouthwash a really good shake before use, every time. Use quickly after shaking, before the oils rise to the surface again.
You might be interested in my NATURAL HOMEMADE TOOTHPASTE post, the two go pretty well together :)
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