Originally published October 16 2009
Got Bad Breath? Try Chlorophyll for Halitosis
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
(NaturalNews) Forget about breath mints. You can never take enough to cover halitosis if your breath really smells bad. The only real way to get rid of bad breath is to solve the problem internally.
Fortunately, there's an easy way to do that: Chlorophyll. It's Mother Nature's amazing green cleaning machine, and the more you take, the cleaner you get.
Here, we bring you a collection of supporting quotes about chlorophyll and halitosis (bad breath) from some of the best-known natural health authors in the industry. You'll learn not only why chlorophyll works so well, but also the best sources for getting some.
Of course, if you don't have time to read this, there's always mouthwash...
Chlorophyll eliminates bad breath
Taken from the green pigment in plants, chlorophyll is very similar in chemical structure to human hemoglobin. The difference is that where hemoglobin contains iron, chlorophyll contains magnesium. One of the reasons people drink wheat grass, alfalfa, barley, or spirulina is that these plants contain very high concentrations of chlorophyll and can help to "purify" or cleanse toxins from the bloodstream. Do you remember the chlorophyll gum that was recommended to improve bad breath? Bad breath is usually a sign of a toxic colon, and chlorophyll helps to remove the toxins.
- Stop Your Cravings: A Balanced Approach to Burning Fat, Increasing Energy, and Reducing Stress by Jennifer Workman
The green pigment known as chlorophyll does more than keep our world green. When it comes to human health, chlorophyll is an antibacterial and an anti-inflammatory. Chlorophyll is used to promote wound healing, promote new tissue growth, relieve gas and bloating, and prevent gallstones. Perhaps chlorophyll is best known for its ability to eliminate bad breath. Typical dosage: 1 teaspoon powder or three 100 mg tablets after each meal.
- The Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine by Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC
Benjamin Gurskin, director of experimental pathology at Temple University, in the American Journal of Surgery, focused on 1,200 patients treated with chlorophyll. On the power of chlorophyll, Gurskin wrote: 'It is interesting to note there is not a single case recorded in which improvement or cure has not taken place.' In 1950, Dr. Howard Westcott found that just 100 milligrams of chlorophyll in the diet neutralized bad breath, body odor, menstrual odors, and foul-smelling urine and stools. Nutrient density: Greens and superfood algaes are our most nutrient-dense foods.
- There Is a Cure for Diabetes: The Tree of Life 21-Day+ Program by Gabriel Cousens
Chlorophyll, the green pigment of leaves and plants, fights bedsores and bad breath and prevents cancer and excessive bleeding, according to the USDA phytochemical database. It is also known to work as a deodorant. Mate tea, grown in South America, is one of the richest known sources of chlorophyll.
- Foods That Fight Disease: A Simple Guide to Using and Understanding Phytonutrients to Protect and Enhance Your Health by Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
Another food supplement recommended for various conditions is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plant tissue, is a natural deodorizer and contains many useful trace nutrients, especially magnesium. It is helpful when treating ailments as varied as bad breath, canker sores, chronic constipation, menstrual cramps, vaginitis, and mononucleosis, as well as in rebuilding blood after a major bleed or in rebuilding bone tissue after a break.
- Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults by Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
Chlorophyll tablets help freshen the breath because they have a cleansing effect in the intestines. Take a chlorophyll supplement, as directed on the product label, after each meal and again at bedtime. If you suspect bad breath related to poor digestion, try supplementing your diet with digestive enzymes. There are a number of over-the-counter products available that use natural enzymes - bromelain (from pineapple) or papain (from papaya) - which may be helpful. Follow the dosage directions on the product label.
- Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults by Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
We now know that chlorophyll contains several important nutrients for health, including vitamin K (for clotting and bleeding problems), and is rich in antioxidant carotenoids. It is reputed to have anti-inflammatory properties, is useful as a disinfectant for wounds and in gum disease, and eliminates bad breath and body odor.
- Viral Immunity by J. E. Williams, O.M.D.
Like parsley, dill is rich in chlorophyll. Try dill tea after meals; use one to two teaspoons of leaves or mashed seeds per cup of boiling water. Or simply chew on a few dill seeds to freshen your breath. (If you are pregnant, using dill in medicinal amounts could cause problems. You should reserve it for occasional, moderate use.)
- The Green Pharmacy: New Discoveries in Herbal Remedies for Common Diseases and Conditions from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs by James A. Duke, Ph.D.
Alfalfa supplies chlorophyll, which cleanses the bloodstream and colon, where bad breath often begins. Take 500 to 1,000 mg in tablet form or 1 tablespoon of liquid in juice or water three times daily. Gum disease is a major factor in bad breath. If infection is present, place alcohol-free goldenseal extract on a small piece of cotton and place the cotton over infected gums or mouth sores. Do this for two hours per day for three days. It should quickly heal the infected parts. Use myrrh (to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth), peppermint, rosemary, and sage.
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
Parsley is rich in the natural deodorizer chlorophyll, and also sweetens the digestive tract. If bad breath is an occasional problem related to poor digestion, typically accompanied by upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, or a lot of burping, sipping a cup of peppermint tea after meals should help to ease digestion. Or try taking a cup of ginger tea twice a day, with meals, to enhance digestion.
- Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults by Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
In fact, it's a good idea to refrigerate fresh sprigs of parsley and other plants rich in chlorophyll, notably basil and cilantro, and nibble as needed. Anise (Pimpinella anisum) - the seeds of this licorice-flavored herb have been used for thousands of years to freshen the breath. I'm not surprised, because it works. Boil a few teaspoons of seeds in a cup of water for a few minutes. Strain, then drink or use as a mouthwash. Coriander is a Cantonese folk remedy for bad breath.
- The Green Pharmacy: New Discoveries in Herbal Remedies for Common Diseases and Conditions from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs by James A. Duke, Ph.D.
Best known as a great source of chlorophyll for combating bad breath, parsley is rich in zinc, which is good for men's reproductive health. (Yet more than 90 percent of parsley served in restaurants is thrown away.) Peppermint - this is a major source of cooling, soothing, stomach-settling menthol. Rosemary - rich in antioxidants, this tasty culinary spice may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Sage - sage shares much of the medicinal potential of rosemary. Savory - Europeans add this herb to bean dishes to reduce flatulence.
- The Green Pharmacy: New Discoveries in Herbal Remedies for Common Diseases and Conditions from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs by James A. Duke, Ph.D.
Parsley is especially good when garlic or onions are the source of the bad breath, as it is high in chlorophyll. Chewing a few parsley sprigs dipped in vinegar offers immediate, if only temporary, fresh mouth for adolescents who've just eaten a meal seasoned with garlic and onions. If the leaves are swallowed, they will be digested and continue to provide breath freshness. These plants also seem to reduce the production of intestinal gas by promoting better digestion. Tea tree oil contains antiseptic compounds that make it a powerful disinfectant.
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Parsley is rich in chlorophyll, the active ingredient in many popular breath mints. Other herbs that may be helpful for bad breath include anise, cloves, fennel, and parsley. Go on a five-day raw foods diet. After the fast, eat at least 50 percent of your food raw every day. This is a good routine diet to adhere to on an ongoing basis. Drink generous amounts of quality water. Avoid spicy foods, whose odors can linger for hours.
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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