Introduction: Mr. Qin from Henan consults: I have had halitosis for many years. Once, my son told me my breath was too bad when we were playing. Later, when I talked with friends and colleagues, I didn't dare to get too close to them. Is there any remedy to relieve it?
Mei Xiangsheng, Director of the Department of Otolaryngology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, comments: In general, halitosis is related to damp-heat in the spleen and stomach.
Mint Tea
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine: "The stomach governs receiving and the spleen governs transportation; the stomach qi governs descending, allowing food and its dregs to move downwards, while the spleen qi governs ascending, allowing the essence of food to nourish the entire body."
If there is damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, it will lead to dampness trapping the spleen and the failure of spleen yang to ascend. Additionally, it can cause "stomach qi failing to descend and turbid qi rising". This "rising of turbid qi" travels up the esophagus to the mouth, where it forms a smell similar to rotting food, thus causing halitosis.
Iced Honey Mint Tea
A proven remedy recommended for halitosis patients: Lotus leaf tea. Use 3-5 grams of lotus leaf to make tea daily. In addition to its effects of clearing heat and draining dampness, lotus leaf can also strengthen the spleen and support yang. Therefore, drinking lotus leaf tea can clear damp-heat.
Refreshing Mint Tea