Breath therapy
Americans spend $288 million dollars a year on breath mints. But these products only mask the problem - and their ingredients read like the inventory of a chemical warehouse.
Fortunately, there are many natural ways to combat bad breath.
One of the oldest tricks is parsley - simply chewing on a sprig or two can freshen breath and kill odor-causing bacteria. In India, parsley is combined with ground cloves and water to create a mouthwash called prajmoda. (To make prajmoda, combine coarsely chopped parsley with two to three whole cloves or a quarter tablespoon of ground cloves in two cups of water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir frequently while cooling; when cool, strain out the solids and use the liquid to gargle or rinse your mouth several times a day.)
Fenugreek seeds are another natural remedy. You can drink tea made from the seeds, or mix loose seeds with a little water to make a toothpaste. Chewing on other seeds, like dill and cardamom seeds, can also help.
Of course, the best protection is good oral hygiene - brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist regularly. And this practice will do more than protect you from bad breath - recent research has shown that healthy gums and teeth also reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes.
