Today there are many products available to help with bad breath or halitosis over a shop counter or at a chemist.

Herbal Remedies have been around for thousands of years and Mother Earth has been providing all the herbal medication required long before the medical prescriptions that are available today. Nutritionists and herbalists would recommend you try chewing some parsley which can sweeten up a foul breath or a bitter taste in a persons mouth.

Some of the other herbal remedies that have the antiseptic elements required are cloves, thyme, cardamom and mint. Eucalyptus is the only herbal plant that is not used by mouth but it can be effective in a mouthwash to freshen up a person’s mouth instantly. Garlic is known for being a cause of bad breath; eaters should chew on a sprig of parsley.

If you are a smoker than you may find that your bad breath is due to the smells of tobacco leaving a foul odour in your mouth.

Warning:
• Herbal remedies are not the permanent answer and it is advisable to check out the symptoms with your doctor.
• You may need to check out your teeth and gums with a dental technician.
• Do not use herbs if you think you may be pregnant.

Elemi is a member of the Burseracae family. The essential oils are collect by making incisions in the bark of the tree. The pale yellow liquid that seeps from the tree is a sticky gummy substance and is at its best in the rainy season. When it reaches the air the liquid solidifies – and stops when the last leaf falls.

It has been a popular essential oil since the seventeenth century and is still found in some medical preparations and plasters. In nail varnish the gum is used as a toughening ingredient. It has two constituents: one is Primera the clean gum and other one is called Secunda which is unclean.

The herbal remedy is an: analgesic, balsamic, fungicidic and tonic to name but a few properties. However, it can be considered as an irritant to sensitive skin.

When the herbal remedy has been used it can have a calming but joyful effect on the mind; it can also be used as a sedative.

A person’s body will react by strengthening itself and help to fight against any disease.

If a person is suffering from a breathing or sinus problem then this herb may be of benefit. It can also help clean the urinary tract.

Warning: Keep your doctor informed of any herbs you are using.

Patchouli is a perennial bush and can be named as ‘puchaput’ but is more known as ‘patchouli’. Patch means green and ‘ilai’ means leaf hence the bush the bush has green leaves. Also, it has white flowers with a trace of purple at the ends of the petals.

In the sixties, in the time of hippies the flowers were worn in a person’s hair; but at the same time were used to treat anxiety and depression.

Its properties lean towards it being a diuretic and good for reducing the dreaded cellulite. It is also good for preventing scars forming as it helps to regenerate skin cells very quickly.

This essential oil is a bit like a fine wine - it matures with age as it is steam distilled from the youngest of the leaves.

The liquid is dark brown/ orange in colour and its aroma or scent is strong.
Note: Some women find this scent exotic though some may find it overpowering.

The herbal plant that the aromatherapy oil is distilled from dates back to the time when Achilles was alive who used it for healing his wounds and so it gained the nickname: ‘the soldiers wound wort’.

It is a perennial and has a stem with leaves and little pink and white flowers that would surround the plant.

It can be found naturally in Eurasia and is a member of the Asteracea family. This herbal plant can be and is grown in England where the rich soil produces fabulous oil.

It is an ingredient in many products and its family members are Chamomiles. If you have an allergy like Hay fever or Eczema then this essential oil can be of some assistance. Also try adding a couple of drops to your bath water to help with lost sleeping patterns.

Note: Yarrow oil is usually distilled by steam, and the liquid is a beautiful green/blue colour with anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Blends which can be added to this essential oil are Clary Sage, Chamomile and Valerian.
Warning: Do not use if you think you may be pregnant.

Some of the unknown facts are that essential oils can help a person to keep their hair and skin healthy. The costs are notably less than over the counter products:
• Jojoba Oil is good for hair and also when mixed with a base oil can help to moisturise a person’s skin.
• Lavender essential oil is good for the deterrent of mosquitoes. Do not forget to mix with a base oil before placing on the skin.
• Geranium, cypress and lavender essential oils make a wonderful mix for skin care but it can be overpowering.
• If you have a problem with over processed hair and it is looking dry use vitamin E oil, but not too much as it could make the hair follicles over greasy.
• If you have no essential oils to hand you can try olive oil on its own for a quick fix.

Here are a couple of recipes:
1. Take some virgin coconut oil and rub gently in your hair. Leave for a while and then shampoo well. Use baby oil for your body and you will feel great.
2. If you have the time try making rosewater tonic with glycerin, rose petals, and a bottle of distilled water. Boil the water and then add the rest of the ingredients. When cool use as a rinse for your hair.

Warning: Do not use undiluted essential oils.

If you have been ill and you want to take a supplement that will pick you up quickly then St. Johns Wort can be of assistance.
This herbal remedy is just as effective for a mild depression and can be used instead of taking drugs such as Celexa or Prozac without any side effects.
There is more than one use for St. Johns Wort. However, it can be up to one month before you see any noticeable results.
1. Take with meals three times a day.
2. It can be used externally as a lotion due to it being an anti-inflammatory.
3. This herbal remedy also has the effect of reducing pain and speed up the healing of wounds, varicose veins etc.
In the months of June to September the herb’s yellow flowers bloom. If you hold a flower up to the light you will see spots, and they are the glands that hold the oil. Once the flowers are steeped then the result is a beautiful red liquid.
St. Johns Wort is good for depression, sciatica, rheumatic pain, and menopausal changes in a woman’s life.
Note: St. Johns Wort is made into capsules, tablets or a tincture.
To prepare a tincture: take some of the herbs leaves and pour some boiling water over them and leave to infuse for at least ten minutes. Take two teaspoonfuls three times a day.

This herbal remedy is more known as bitter almonds and it can be used to reduce the amount of mucus from a person’s body and therefore stop the coughing that mucus can cause.

Chinese practitioners use some kernels out of the middle of apricots to relieve a person that has a bronchial condition.

Some of the ailments that apricot seeds help with are constipation, asthma, coughing and wheezing. Many cough syrups available over the counter have apricot seeds in their list of ingredients. Apricot kernels are also used as a laxative.

Warning:
• It is important not to take excessive amounts as they can lead to headaches and vomiting. Symptoms to look out for are dilated pupils and an erratic heartbeat. If you overdose then use activated charcoal or ipecac syrup as an antidote.
• There is a substance in the apricot seeds which a person’s body breaks up into different products and one is prussic acid.
• Prussic acid is toxic, therefore for this reason do not give these seeds to children. Check with your doctor if you are taking a prescribed medication.
• Do not use this herbal remedy if you think you may be pregnant.

Herbal Remedies can be used at home to help a person to become well again.

Every culture in the world has different ailments, and they all have herbal remedies at hand provided by Mother Earth.

The word ‘healing’ is from the Greek word ‘holos’ which means whole or holistic.

Spirits and emotions flow in all parts of our minds and bodies including our tissues, skin and organs.
Herbs can vary in their effects, and there are different actions which vary according to the needs of the mind and body.

It is important to treat the body as a whole and not just treat certain parts. Herbal medicine has healing powers which go beyond the physical and invite the life force to help to empower the healing required.

Each individual has a responsibility to look after their own well-being, and all the herbal remedies work by using a person’s capability to heal themselves.

The Whole Self:
Usually you will find the person who is ill is actually the person who activates the ‘therapeutic healing’.

Having a healthy mouth should be important to everybody. When introduced to a stranger the first thing noticed is often a healthy and attractive smile.

Tooth decay or gum diseases have been recognised as contributing factors to the onset of breathing problems, strokes and even heart attacks.

There are a variety of mouthwashes and toothpastes being sold and some of them have harmful ingredients in them. Toothpaste and mouthwash are not meant to be swallowed, but it can happen and cause problems with the mucous membranes of the mouth.

Herbal Remedies can be used to adapt to your needs and be part of your own collection of Home Remedies . Also, aromatherapy can solve these problems for you. Using the right essential oils such as anise, cinnamon, eucalyptus can help kill bacteria in your mouth.

There are many excellent natural herbal mouth-care products available on the market, but you also can make your own with simple ingredients. Try these 3 aromatherapy formulas recipes for your healthy mouth. Each takes only a few minutes to make.

Mint – Myrr Tooth Powder:
Ingredients:
• Half a cup of baking soda
• Half a teaspoon of stevia powder
• 2 teaspoonfuls of myrrh powder
• One teaspoon of sea salt
• 20 to 30 drops of peppermint essential oil
Direction:
• Take all the ingredients and mix together.
• Store the mixture into an airtight container.
To use:
• Take another small glass or plastic container and place one teaspoonful of the powder into it.
• Wet your toothbrush and you are ready to use your home made toothpaste.

Citrus Mint Toothpaste:
This toothpaste is more similar to commercially available toothpastes because of the sweet flavour and smooth consistency provided by vegetable glycerin.
Ingredients:
• ¼ cup of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin
• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops of orange essential oil
• 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Direction:
• Mix all ingredients together thoroughly in a small bowl.
• Store in a small, tightly covered container.
To use:
• Take another small glass or plastic container and place one teaspoonful of the powder into it.
• Wet your toothbrush and you are ready to use your home made toothpaste.

Citrus Mint Mouthwash:
This mouthwash leaves your mouth feeling clean and refreshed, and the essential oils help combat bacteria.
Ingredients:
• 20 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops of orange essential oil
• 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 cup of vodka
Direction:
• Combine essential oils with vodka and store in a tightly capped bottle.
To use:
• Dilute one tablespoon of mouthwash with one cup of water.
• Stir well.
• Use as a gargle and mouth rinse and do not swallow.

The properties of the herb bitter gourd found in Africa and Asia is known to have good medicinal properties. The herbal plant is an antidote, a laxative and a stomachic.

It is a herbal remedy that is passive and can be used to treat alcoholism. The juice from this herb can help a person’s body by strengthening the liver and immune system.

Method:
• Take the juice first thing in the morning before eating any food by adding two or three teaspoonfuls to buttermilk. Try this for one month.

Other aides are:
1. Grape juice, which has a certain amount of wine in its raw condition and when drunk it can neutralize any craving for alcohol.

2. Apple, which is another fruit that is good for reducing cravings for alcohol.

3. Dates are also good as an antidote. Try crushing them in a pan of boiled water. You have to consume this decoction at least once a day for a month, do not miss one day.
Warning: Seek professional help from your medical practitioner if unsure about anything.