Bad breath - #21173

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be quite frustrating, especially when you've already tried a bunch of solutions without success. From an Ayurvedic perspective, the root cause could be related to an imbalance in the body's doshas, particularly Pitta and Kapha. Let's explore some ideas that might help, incorporating the wisdom from texts like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. First, focus on your agni, or digestive fire, which if impaired, could be causing toxins (ama) to accumulate, leading to bad breath. Sip warm water throughout the day to help maintain a good digestion and enable flushing out of toxins. Drink a glass of warm water with a pinch of turmeric and half a lemon juice upon waking up to kickstart your metabolism gently. Check your diet; it’s good to avoid heavy, greasy foods and instead focus on light, easy digestible foods. Foods that cool down Pitta such as cucumber, leafy greens, and melons might be helpful. Some specific herbal choices might include chewing on fennel seeds after eating, or cloves, which are known to improve digestion and freshen the breath naturally. You might try a mix of equal parts of Triphala and honey taken before bed to enhance digestion and cleanse the system. Make sure you maintain a strong oral hygiene, not just brushing teeth but also cleaning your tongue regularly. Using a copper tongue scraper could be beneficial in removing potential toxins and bacteria. Furthermore, routine oil pulling can be a powerful practice. Swish a tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil in your mouth on empty stomach for 10-15 minutes (and then spit it out!!) can help in detoxifying the mouth and pulling out impurities. It’s important to ensure that you’re managing stress effectively. Include yoga or pranayama (breathing exercises) in your daily routine to restore balance among the doshas. If after implementing these practices there's no improvement, I would suggest consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner personally to determine any individualized imbalances or deeper issues. You mentioned earlier oral medications; it's crucial to review them with a professional to see if there might be lingering influences. Lastly, since this issue has persisted for several years, be open to further medical evaluation if you’re still concerned. Sometimes underlying issues, not always apparent, could be the cause. Balancing all aspects of your life and body is key.