Halitosis is not an independent disease, but a symptom of many diseases such as oral diseases (such as gingivitis, periodontitis, dental caries, etc.), nasopharyngeal diseases (such as atrophic rhinitis, sinusitis, purulent tonsillitis, etc.), and certain systemic diseases (such as bronchiectasis, lung infections, diabetes, etc.). If you have bad breath, you should go to the hospital to check the cause of bad breath and treat the underlying cause in order to eliminate bad breath fundamentally.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, accumulation of heat in the organs is the main cause of bad breath. Patients with bad breath often have symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, swollen gums, and constipation. Treatment focuses on clearing heat and reducing fire. Appropriate herbal mouthwash can be used, and the effect is satisfactory.
Huoxiang Peilan Water: 10g each of Huoxiang, Peilan, Jinyin Flower, and Licorice. Huoxiang and Peilan have aromatic properties that can dispel turbidity; Jinyin Flower is cold in nature, with a sweet taste and aromatic scent, and can clear heat and detoxify; Licorice has a sweet taste and can clear heat and detoxify as well as harmonize the properties of other herbs. Brew with 200-300ml of boiling water, cover it, let it stand for 15-20 minutes, and then use it as a mouthwash. In summer, it can also relieve heat.
Lugen Licorice Water: 10g each of Lugen and Licorice. Lugen has a sweet taste and cold nature, and can clear heat and generate body fluids. The usage is the same as above. This formula can also treat gastric heat-induced hiccup.
Shigao Licorice Water: 100g of raw Shigao, 10g of raw Licorice, 2000ml of water. Put them in a clay pot and decoct with water. After it cools down, use it as a mouthwash several times a day. Shigao in this formula has a pungent and cold taste, and can clear heat and relieve fire, as well as relieve irritability and thirst.
Mint and Coptis Water: 50g of fresh mint leaves, 5g of Coptis chinensis. First, put the Coptis chinensis in a pot and decoct it with water until 1500ml, then add fresh mint leaves and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the residue and keep the liquid to cool down for use as a mouthwash several times a day. Mint in this formula has a pungent and cool taste, and can dispel wind and heat, expel foulness, and detoxify. Coptis chinensis has a bitter and cold taste, and can clear heat, dry dampness, relieve fire, and detoxify.
Hou Po Water: 10g of Hou Po, 500ml of water. Boil it over high heat for 7-8 minutes, remove the residue and take the juice, and put it in a clean bottle for later use. Rinse the mouth with Hou Po water 3-5 times a day, hold it in the mouth for 2-3 minutes each time, and then spit it out. Hou Po in this formula has a pungent and bitter taste, warm nature, and has the effect of drying dampness, promoting qi circulation, resolving phlegm, and eliminating odor.
In addition, those with bad breath should have a light diet, drink more water, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, spicy and fried foods, as well as foods that produce odor, such as onions and garlic. It is also important to maintain oral hygiene and brush your teeth properly in the morning and evening.
