Herbal Mouthwash Recipe

More cold weather is coming.  So, this morning, I went outside and assessed the herbs still barely growing in my garden.  It is surprising what can survive through the Winter in Dallas, TX, if you plant in a protected area.  Still alive were my mint, sage, thyme, and rosemary.  I harvested a few sprigs of each to make this herbal mouthwash recipe.

If you would like to try this recipe but don’t have herbs still growing, you should be able to buy these fresh herbs at your grocery store. Or you can use dried herbs as well.  Here is what you will need.

Herbal Mouthwash Ingredients

• 1 ounce of dried sage or 2 ounces of fresh sage
• 1 ounce of dried peppermint or 2 ounces of fresh peppermint
• 1 ounce of dried thyme or 2 ounces of fresh thyme
• 1 ounce of dried rosemary or 2 ounces of fresh rosemary
• 24 ounces of apple cider vinegar
• 2 mason jars: 1 quart size

Herbal Mouthwash Instructions

• First, divide the clean herbs in half.  Place each half into the 2 mason jars.
• Next, cover the herbs with apple cider vinegar.  Leave about an inch of air space at the top.  Then, seal the lid.  Shake well.
• Label your jar’s lid with the contents and date.
• Let the jars set for about 2 weeks.  Give the jars a shake about once a day.
• After about 2 weeks.  Strain all of the herbs from the liquid.  Store the liquid in a glass sealing amber container.
• Adults:  Swish one ounce around the mouth to freshen the breath or for a sore throat up to three times a day.

Avoid large doses.  Avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and with certain medical conditions.  Consult a Doctor for advice.  Discontinue use if any type of irritation occurs.

Herbal Mouthwash Notes

• Use organically grown herbs, free of pesticides and pollutants.
• Other vinegars or vodka can be used instead of or combined with apple cider vinegar.

Some Related Research

• A peppermint mouth rinse taken 3 times a day for one week reduced bad breath in a study with 84 students ages 14-18 years.  From:  Haghgoo, R., & Abbasi, F. (2013). Evaluation of the use of a peppermint mouth rinse for halitosis by girls studying in Tehran high schools. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry, 3(1), 29.
• An essential oil solution with tea tree, peppermint, and lemon reduced bad breath in patients.  From:  Hur, M. H., Park, J., Maddock‐Jennings, W., Kim, D. O., & Lee, M. S. (2007). Reduction of mouth malodour and volatile sulphur compounds in intensive care patients using an essential oil mouthwash. Phytotherapy Research, 21(7), 641-643.
• Against oral bacteria, Australian tea tree, peppermint, and sage oil as well as the thymol and eugenol constituents were potent.  From:  Shapiro, S., Meier, A., & Guggenheim, B. (1994). The antimicrobial activity of essential oils and essential oil components towards oral bacteria. Oral microbiology and immunology, 9(4), 202-208.
• A product containing aloe vera and peppermint was taken for 5 days by patients in intensive care. It relieved mouth dryness, prevented dental plaque formation, and improved oral health compared to the placebo.  Atashi, V., Yazdannik, A., Mahjobipoor, H., Ghafari, S., Bekhradi, R., & Yousefi, H. (2018). The effects of Aloe vera-Peppermint (Veramin) moisturizing gel on mouth dryness and oral health among patients hospitalized in intensive care units: A triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Journal of research in pharmacy practice, 7(2), 104.
• In a study with 100 dental student volunteers, an herbal toothpaste containing chamomile, echinacea, sage, rhatany, myrrh and peppermint oil was just as effective as typical commercial toothpaste in oral hygiene measures.  From:  Mitra, D., Shah, S., Shah, R., Rodrigues, S., Pathare, P., & Vijayakar, H. (2015). Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy of a Herbal Toothpaste in Comparison with a Triclosan Containing Toothpaste in a Population of Dental College Students–A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Indian Journal of Contemporary Dentistry, 3(2), 67-70.
• Peppermint leaf extract showed antimicrobial activity against tested oral microorganisms. From:  Raghavan, R., Devi, M. P. S., Varghese, M., Joseph, A., Madhavan, S. S., & Sreedevi, P. V. (2018). Effectiveness of Mentha piperita Leaf Extracts against Oral Pathogens: An in vitro Study. The journal of contemporary dental practice, 19(9), 1042-1046.
• A mouthwash containing 5% extracts from ginger, rosemary, and calendula was effective against gingivitis and plaque in 50 patients in this double blind randomized placebo controlled study.  From:  Mahyari, S., Mahyari, B., Emami, S. A., Malaekeh-Nikouei, B., Jahanbakhsh, S. P., Sahebkar, A., & Mohammadpour, A. H. (2016). Evaluation of the efficacy of a polyherbal mouthwash containing Zingiber officinale, Rosmarinus officinalis and Calendula officinalis extracts in patients with gingivitis: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 22, 93-98.
• Rosemary extracts were antimicrobial against oral microbes and showed anti-inflammatory action in vitro.  From:  de Oliveira, J. R., de Jesus, D., Figueira, L. W., de Oliveira, F. E., Pacheco Soares, C., Camargo, S. E. A., … & de Oliveira, L. D. (2017). Biological activities of Rosmarinus officinalis L.(rosemary) extract as analyzed in microorganisms and cells. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 242(6), 625-634.
• Rosemary showed activity against oral bacteria in vitro.  From:  Silva, M. D. S. A., Silva, M. A. R., Higino, J. S., Pereira, M. S. V., & Carvalho, A. D. A. (2008). In vitro antimicrobial activity and anti-adherence of Rosmarinus officinalis Linn. against oral planktonic bacteria. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, 18(2), 236-240.
• In a double blind randomized clinical trial of 68 elderly, a chlorhexidine-thymol varnish reduced the incidence of root caries.  From:  Baca, P., Clavero, J., Baca, A. P., González-Rodríguez, M. P., Bravo, M., & Valderrama, M. J. (2009). Effect of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish on root caries in a geriatric population: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Journal of dentistry, 37(9), 679-685.
• A randomized double blind longitudinal study of 102 elderly showed chlorhexidine, thymol, and fluoride varnishes reduced root caries.  From:  Brailsford, S. R., Fiske, J., Gilbert, S., Clark, D., & Beighton, D. (2002). The effects of the combination of chlorhexidine/thymol-and fluoride-containing varnishes on the severity of root caries lesions in frail institutionalised elderly people. Journal of dentistry, 30(7), 319-324.
• This article summarized the use of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha piperita, Origanum syriacum, Salvia fruticosa and Rosmarinus officinalis in treating respiratory ailments.  From:  Rakover, Y., Ben-Arye, E., & Goldstein, L. H. (2008). The treatment of respiratory ailments with essential oils of some aromatic medicinal plants. Harefuah, 147(10), 783-8.
• In a randomized controlled trial of 420 patients receiving a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, an oral rinse containing sage post surgery had an antinociceptive effect.  From:  Lalićević, S., & Djordjević, I. (2004). Comparison of benzydamine hydrochloride and Salvia officinalis as an adjuvant local treatment to systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in controlling pain after tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or both: an open-label, single-blind, randomized clinical trial. Current therapeutic research, 65(4), 360-372.

By Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA (ARC), Professional NAHA and AIA Member, LMT

Posted: 2/19/19

The listings of research represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use. These statements are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The information at this page has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils if you have medical conditions, are taking medications, or have questions.