DiseasesBad breath—is it really caused by the teeth, or by the stomach and liver?
- Henryk Różański — Nieprzyjemny zapach z ust, cz. I
- Henryk Różański — Nieprzyjemny zapach z ust, cz. II
- Henryk Różański — Nieprzyjemny zapach z ust, cz. IV
- Henryk Różański — Resina Guaiaci = Guajaci et Guaiacol – żywica gwajakowa i gwajakol; nieprzyjemny zapach z ust, cz. III
- Henryk Różański — Olejek Kanuka – Kanuka Oil
- Henryk Różański — Żywiec – Dentaria w praktycznej fitoterapii.
- Comparison of halitosis according to herbal mouthwash containing Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract and saline mouthwash: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. · Int J Dent Hyg 2024
- Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract alleviates halitosis and reduces the inflammatory response to oral bacteria. · J Appl Oral Sci 2024
- The Effect of Cotinus coggygria Mouthwash on Halitosis and Oral Hygiene in Orthodontic Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. · Dent J (Basel) 2026
- Bactericidal and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ashitaba-Extract Ameliorate the Gingivitis and Halitosis in Dogs with Porphyromonas gulae-Infected Periodontal Disease. · Vet Sci 2025
- Clinical and oral microbiome pattern of halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis. · Narra J 2023
- [Research Progress on Microbiome-Driven Mechanisms and Intervention Strategies for Oral Malodor]. · Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2026
- Is synthetic mouthwash the final choice to treat oral malodour? · J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2014
- Orthomolecular Medicine News Service — Reboot Your Gut: Optimizing Health and Preventing Infectious Disease
Henryk Różański lists many possible causes of bad breath: sinus and nasal problems, fungal infections, intestinal and metabolic disorders, and constipation.
- Henryk Różański also links it to a coating on the tongue and to bacteria that break down sugars and amino acids, producing foul-smelling compounds.
- For oral care, he suggests cleaning the tongue, using herbal rinses, and chewing cloves or cardamom.
- He also mentions infusions and tinctures for rinsing, guaiacol preparations, and probiotics.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański lists sinus and nasal diseases, candidiasis, disruptions to the microbiome and digestion, constipation, parasites, and metabolic diseases among the possible causes.
Bacterial breakdown of amino acids can release amines and hydrogen sulfide, which Henryk Różański says contribute to bad breath.
Henryk Różański identifies bacteria of the genus Prevotella as one possible cause of bad breath.
A coating on the tongue can contribute to bad breath because bacteria and fungi grow in the grooves of the tongue.
Henryk Różański recommends regularly removing the coating from the tongue with a soft toothbrush.
For brushing the tongue, Henryk Różański suggests using toothpaste with one or two drops of a chosen oil or guaiac tincture.
Henryk Różański lists infusions of sage, chamomile, yarrow, witch hazel, calendula, savory, or clove for rinsing an irritated mouth.
According to Henryk Różański, chewing cloves or cardamom freshens the breath and inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi in the mouth.
Henryk Różański recommends infusions of California poppy, mahonia, barberry, or greater celandine to limit the production of foul-smelling amines and hydrogen sulfide in the large intestine.
For rinsing the mouth after brushing, Henryk Różański suggests infusions of several of the herbs mentioned, once a day or every other day.
Henryk Różański says that a tincture made from these ingredients can be diluted with water and used to rinse the mouth and throat.
Henryk Różański recommends a decoction of guaiac wood or drops of guaiac tincture as a remedy for bad breath.
For rinsing the mouth and throat, Henryk Różański suggests guaiac tincture diluted in warm water.
Henryk Różański describes mixtures of propolis with guaiacol and essential oils as effective against bad breath.
Henryk Różański lists Kanuka oil for gargling, at a dose of four drops per glass of warm water, and names bad breath as one of its uses.
Henryk Różański recommends a mouthwash based on plant extracts and probiotics containing Lactobacillus.
Henryk Różański says that apple vinegar diluted with water can be used for a coated tongue, and that a more diluted solution can also be used as a rinse for oral candidiasis and gum inflammation.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 7 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 66.
A mouth rinse with licorice extract reduced bad breath and, in people with pseudo-halitosis, reduced the bacteria that cause it.
Aim of the study: This study was conducted in order to determine the effect on halitosis and the antibacterial effect against halitosis-causing bacteria of the mouthwash made of the natural material, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (G. uralensis) extract.
Results: The prevalence of halitosis decreased in the G. uralensis extract gargle group compared to the saline gargle group at Treatment and After 5 Days. In cases with pseudo halitosis, there was a significant decrease in halitosis-causing bacteria when G. uralensis extract gargle was applied (p < 0.05). It was identified that using a mouthwash made with G. uralensis extract is effective for halitosis improvement and reduction of halitosis-causing bacteria. Therefore, using a mouthwash containing G. uralensis extract, it will be effective in improving bad breath and oral hygiene will be possible.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Rinsing the mouth with amla fruit extract lowered the levels of sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath.
Aim of the study: To assess the efficacy of Phyllanthus emblica extract in alleviating halitosis and reducing the inflammatory response to halitosis-related bacteria.
Results: PE extract dose-dependently inhibited the growth of F. nucleatum (50% inhibition concentration [IC50]=0.079%), P. gingivalis (IC50=0.65%), and S. moorei (IC50=0.07%) and effectively prevented bacterial aggregation. Furthermore, VSC contents decreased significantly at 3, 6, and 12 h after rinsing with 5% PE compared with those in the control. Long-term use of mouthwash containing 5% PE for 28 days led to a significant decrease in VSC contents. PE attenuated the F. nucleatum- or P. gingivalis-stimulated mRNA expression and protein release of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in TR146 cells. It also suppressed IL-8 and prostaglandin E2 secretion and TLR2 mRNA expression in F. nucleatum-induced OMEMs. Our findings support the use of PE in oral care products to alleviate halitosis and it may reduce inflammation.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A mouth rinse made from smoke tree flowers reduced hydrogen sulfide levels and total volatile sulfur compound levels in the breath of adolescents.
Aim of the study: Background/Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Tree) Flower Water mouthwash in reducing halitosis and improving oral hygiene parameters among adolescents undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted with 30 individuals undergoing treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances.
Results: coggygria group. The Gingival Index decreased from 2.0 to 1.3 (p < 0.001; 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.2), and the Plaque Index (PI-M) decreased from 1.6 to 1.0 (p = 0.001; 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.3). Conclusions: Cotinus coggygria mouthwash appeared to be an effective adjunct for managing halitosis and improving oral hygiene parameters in adolescents undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. No adverse effects were reported.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In dogs with periodontal disease, ashitaba gel reduced bad breath and improved gum health.
Aim of the study: Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) is a perennial herb native to Japan, traditionally consumed as a health-promoting food and herbal medicine. This study evaluated the antimicrobial, anti-halitosis, and anti-inflammatory effects of Ashitaba extract on canine periodontal disease (PD) caused by Porphyromonas gulae (P.
Results: gulae-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) by up to 90% in murine, canine, and human macrophage and gingival cell lines. In vivo, daily oral application of 0.05% Ashitaba-extract gel for four weeks, with or without tooth brushing, significantly improved gingivitis scores (by 40-60%), reduced halitosis levels, and decreased P. gulae DNA detection and enzymatic activity in dogs with PD. These findings demonstrate that Ashitaba extract possesses potent bactericidal, anti-halitosis, and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting its potential as a natural adjunctive therapy for the prevention and management of canine periodontal disease.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The study indicates that bad breath is linked to the bacterial breakdown of proteins and the production of volatile sulfur compounds.
Aim of the study: Halitosis is caused by a bacterial proteolytic process that induces the production of volatile sulfur compounds, odor-causing gases. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical oral hygiene state and oral microbiome pattern of halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis.
Results: On the dorsum of the tongue, six bacterial genera were isolated from periodontitis cases and seven genera were detected from gingivitis patients. On subgingival, 10 and 15 genera were identified from periodontitis and gingivitis, respectively. Fusobacterium, Propionibacterium, Eubacterium and Lactobacillus were the most prevalent among periodontitis cases while Porphyromonas was the most prevalent in gingivitis patients. In conclusion, although OHI-S and DMFT are different between periodontitis and gingivitis, overlapping of bacterial genera was detected between periodontitis and gingivitis cases.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The review indicates that bad breath usually results from sulfur-producing bacteria, and that periodontitis can make it worse.
Aim of the study: Oral malodor, a common oral symptom, is primarily caused by the metabolic activities of oral microorganisms. The characteristic odors mainly originate from volatile sulfur compounds produced and released by oral bacteria (such as Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis) through specific enzymatic systems that break down sulfur-containing amino acids in saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and food debris.
Results: Research indicates that various factors, including periodontitis, fungal infections, smoking, and obesity, can worsen oral malodor by altering the oral microenvironment. For prevention and treatment, novel interventions such as plant extracts, antimicrobial peptides, and probiotics demonstrate superior microbiological safety compared to traditional antimicrobial drugs. These approaches specifically inhibit pathogenic bacteria, disrupt biofilm structures, and regulate oral microbial balance. This review summarizes relevant research advances to provide new theoretical foundations and practical directions for the precise prevention and treatment of oral malodor.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The review suggests that herbal mouthwashes may be an alternative to synthetic mouthwashes for reducing bad breath.
Aim of the study: The aim of the review was to critically appraise the various pros and cons of the synthetic and herbal agents used in mouthwashes against halitosis and facilitate users to choose appropriate mouthwashes according to their need. Oral Malodour (OMO) or halitosis is a global epidemic with social and psychological impact.
Results: Alcohol and Chlorhexidine are common agents in synthetic mouthwashes, while Tannins and Eugenol are derived traditional herbal extracts. Each agent signifies some unique properties distinguishing them from others. Herbal ingredients are gaining the attention of the profession due to its mild side effects and competitive results. Herbal mouthwashes can be a safer choice in combating OMO, as an alternate to synthetic mouthwashes.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.