St. Claire's Organics Peppermint Breath Mints - 54 Mints

Peppermint

Peppermint is found in many candies, mints and gums that line the supermarket checkout. Its fresh, clean taste and smell are a favourite for breath freshening products. Did you know that peppermint does more than freshen your breath after you eat? Medicinally it is known as a carminative, an herb that decreases gas and bloating. It also decreases spasms in the digestive tract that cause diarrhea and symptoms characterizing irritable bowel syndrome.

Its antispasmodic activity is due to the blockage of calcium channels in intestinal muscle cells. By preventing calcium exchange muscles do not contract. Peppermint is also used in aromatherapy as an energizing agent.

Peppermint can be purchased as a loose herb, encapsulated herb, enteric-coated oil tablet or essential oil. The loose herb is a popular tea. Peppermint may be a part of formulas for soothing digestion. The oil is often added to candy, gum and used in baths. The essential oil of peppermint is a highly concentrated substance. When using essential oils they can be diluted in carrier oil, such as olive, almond or any cooking oil.

Essential oils can be toxic when taken internally therefore, Use the essential oil of peppermint cautiously. Do not give peppermint to individuals with gallstones, biliary obstruction, Hiatal hernia or liver damage. Do not give peppermint oil to children, pregnant women, nursing mothers or individuals with allergies to the mint family. Do not take peppermint oil concurrently with calcium channel blockers.

Bad Breath

Bad breath is not a disease but it is the source of social stigma. If chronic, it can indicate an underlying medical problem and should be assessed by a health professional. The most common causes of halitosis are: poor dental hygiene, poor digestion, and the accumulation of toxins in the body.

Other causes are heavy metal toxicity, respiratory infections, salivary disorders, liver disease, kidney disease, indigestion, constipation, smoking, dieting, fever and stress.

Natural treatment of halitosis involves supporting digestion so that toxins do not build up in the gastrointestinal tract. It also involves cleansing toxins from the liver and kidneys so that the body does not have to use the breath to carry toxins out of the body. In particular, toxins in the colon and small intestine can be reabsorbed and cause an odour in the mouth. Consider doing a good colon cleanse (or tell someone you know!). Also consider doing a liver cleanse with herbs like milk thistle and dandelion. Chlorophyll is an important detoxifier, as it will help clean toxins from a variety of organs and tissues in the body. See the section on detoxification for more information on cleansing.

To help reduce bad breath, brush your teeth and tongue after every meal. Replace your toothbrush monthly. Every day, use a tongue scraper to remove dead cells and food debris from the tongue, rinse the mouth with Chlorophyll and floss the teeth. Do not use commercial mouthwash because the mouth becomes colonized with bacteria that are resistant to the antibacterial activity of the mouthwash. Mouthwashes can also irritate the tissue in the mouth.

Bad breath can also be a sign that you are not digesting your food well enough. When this happens, partially digested food ferments in the gut, causing the offensive odour. Taking a complete enzyme formula will often reduce bad breath all together, especially when combined with an effective probiotic /acidophilus supplement. There are available now chewable lozenge forms of probiotics with friendly bacteria for the mouth in them. Enzymes supplements are safe and convenient to use; make sure you use them with every meal.