13 Best Herbal Essential Oils For Bad Breath

Herbal essential oils for bad breath are a type of natural remedy that involves the use of concentrated plant extracts to eliminate unpleasant mouth odors.
These oils offer several benefits, including their antimicrobial properties, which help to kill bacteria that cause bad breath, as well as their ability to reduce inflammation and freshen breath.
Examples of herbal essential oils that can be used to treat bad breath include peppermint oil, which has a refreshing and cooling effect, eucalyptus oil, which helps to reduce inflammation and fight bacteria, and tea tree oil, which has antiseptic properties that help to combat oral infections.
Additionally, other oils such as ginger, lemon, and lavender can also be used to treat bad breath, as they have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to freshen and soothe the mouth.
According to "Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)", essential oils for bad breath have shown to be effective in inhibiting the growth of oral pathogens and reducing the formation of dental plaque, thereby alleviating symptoms of oral diseases.
Below there's a list of the 13 best herbal essential oils for bad breath.
- 1. Mentha x piperita essential oils
- 2. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils
- 3. Zingiber officinale essential oils
- 4. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
- 5. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
- 6. Thymus vulgaris essential oils
- 7. Salvia officinalis essential oils
- 8. Syzygium aromaticum essential oils
- 9. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
- 10. Foeniculum vulgare essential oils
- 11. Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils
- 12. Curcuma longa essential oils
- 13. Elettaria cardamomum essential oils
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1. Mentha x piperita essential oils

Mentha x piperita essential oils have been traditionally used to treat bad breath, also known as halitosis, due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
The herbal preparation contains bioactive constituents such as menthone, menthol, and limonene, which help to kill bacteria in the mouth and reduce inflammation in the gums, thereby addressing the root cause of bad breath.
By inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans and other oral pathogens, Mentha x piperita essential oils help to maintain a healthy oral microbiome and prevent the formation of volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
The benefits of using Mentha x piperita essential oils to treat bad breath include fresh breath, reduced gum inflammation, and a lower risk of oral infections.
Related Study
According to "Phytotherapy research : PTR", Mentha x piperita essential oils may be beneficial for bad breath due to their antibacterial properties which are attributed to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics, lignans, stilbenes and essential oils.
2. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils

Eucalyptus globulus essential oils have been traditionally used to treat bad breath due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties.
The antiseptic properties of eucalyptol, a bioactive constituent of this essential oil, help to reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth, thus alleviating bad breath.
By reducing inflammation in the gums and mouth, eucalyptus globulus essential oils also help to prevent bad breath caused by gum disease and other oral infections.
The benefits of using eucalyptus globulus essential oils to treat bad breath include a reduction in bacteria, inflammation, and odor, resulting in fresher breath and improved oral health.
3. Zingiber officinale essential oils

Zingiber officinale essential oils, extracted from the rhizomes of the ginger plant, possess potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat bad breath or halitosis.
The bioactive constituents, including gingerols and shogaols, exhibit strong antibacterial and antifungal activities, inhibiting the growth of odor-causing microorganisms in the mouth.
By reducing inflammation and suppressing the growth of these microorganisms, Zingiber officinale essential oils help to alleviate bad breath, promoting a healthy oral environment.
The benefits of using Zingiber officinale essential oils to treat bad breath include improved oral hygiene, reduced plaque formation, and a fresher, more confident smile.
Related Study
According to "Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences", Zingiber officinale essential oils may help combat bad breath due to the presence of significant antioxidant activity and phytochemicals, particularly total flavonoid and polyphenol contents, which were found to be highest in Zingiber officinale.
4. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils

Cymbopogon citratus essential oils, also known as lemon grass oil, have been traditionally used to treat bad breath due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
These properties help to reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth, thereby eliminating the underlying cause of bad breath.
The bioactive constituents of lemon grass oil, including citral and limonene, have been shown to exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activities, making it an effective treatment for this ailment.
The use of Cymbopogon citratus essential oils as a mouthwash or in combination with other herbal preparations has been found to provide relief from bad breath and promote overall oral health.
Related Study
According to "Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)", Cymbopogon citratus essential oils have been found to have in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, specifically against Candida spp. in the oral cavity, making it a potential agent in preventing and treating oral infections, including those causing bad breath.
5. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils

Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils, derived from the leaves of the rosemary plant, have been traditionally used to treat bad breath due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents present in this herbal preparation, including camphor, bornyl acetate, and alpha-pinene, help to inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for causing bad breath.
By reducing the microbial load in the oral cavity, Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils help to alleviate bad breath and promote a healthy oral environment.
The benefits of using this herbal preparation to treat bad breath include its natural and non-invasive approach, which can be used in conjunction with other oral hygiene practices to maintain fresh breath and overall oral health.
Related Study
According to "PloS one", Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils exhibited moderate to high antibiofilm activity against Streptococcus mutans, a microorganism commonly associated with bad breath, and were shown to inhibit biofilm formation at a concentration of 1.25 mg ml-1.
6. Thymus vulgaris essential oils

Thymus vulgaris essential oils, also known as thyme oil, have been used for centuries to treat bad breath due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
The bioactive constituents of thyme oil, including thymol, carvacrol, and linalool, help to combat the bacteria that cause bad breath, reducing the severity of the condition.
By inhibiting the growth of oral pathogens and reducing inflammation, thyme oil helps to freshen breath and promote a healthy oral environment.
The benefits of using thyme oil to treat bad breath include its natural antibacterial properties, ease of use, and lack of side effects, making it a popular alternative to conventional mouthwashes and breath fresheners.
Related Study
According to "Journal of dentistry (Shiraz, Iran)", Thymus vulgaris essential oils may help in reducing bad breath by having favorable antimicrobial activity against C. albicans, a type of microorganism that can cause oral infections and bad breath.
7. Salvia officinalis essential oils

Salvia officinalis essential oils have been traditionally used to treat bad breath, also known as halitosis, due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
This herbal preparation helps to treat bad breath by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the mouth, which are a major contributor to the development of halitosis.
The bioactive constituents of Salvia officinalis essential oils, including carvacrol, thymol, and borneol, have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity, thereby reducing the severity of bad breath.
The benefits of using Salvia officinalis essential oils to treat bad breath include their ability to freshen breath, reduce gum inflammation, and promote overall oral health.
Related Study
According to "Scientific reports", Salvia officinalis essential oils for bad breath have shown significant antimicrobial effects, specifically exhibiting bactericidal activities against Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis at low concentrations, which may help alleviate bad breath.
8. Syzygium aromaticum essential oils

Syzygium aromaticum essential oils, derived from the leaves of the clove tree, have been traditionally used to treat bad breath.
The properties of this herbal preparation, including its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, help to eliminate the underlying causes of bad breath, such as gum disease and oral infections.
The bioactive constituents of Syzygium aromaticum essential oils, including eugenol, caryophyllene, and linalool, have been shown to have antibacterial and antioxidant effects, which help to reduce the severity of bad breath.
The benefits of using Syzygium aromaticum essential oils to treat bad breath include its natural and non-invasive approach, reduced risk of side effects, and long-lasting relief from bad breath.
Related Study
According to "Archives of oral biology", Syzygium aromaticum essential oils, also known as Clove, have the potential to reduce the main substances related to halitosis of oral origin, as it displays antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms that produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSC).
9. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils

Lavandula angustifolia essential oils have been used traditionally to treat bad breath due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents present in these oils, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, help to reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi in the mouth, thereby alleviating the symptoms of bad breath.
This herbal preparation helps to treat bad breath by reducing inflammation, killing microorganisms, and leaving a fresh and pleasant scent on the breath.
The benefits of using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils to treat bad breath include improved oral hygiene, reduced risk of gum disease, and a more pleasant and confident attitude in social interactions.
Related Study
According to "Quintessence international (Berlin, Germany : 1985)", Lavandula angustifolia essential oils were found to be effective in reducing malodor production from the incubated whole saliva.
10. Foeniculum vulgare essential oils

Foeniculum vulgare essential oils, also known as anise oil, have been traditionally used to treat bad breath due to its carminative and antibacterial properties.
The bioactive constituents of Foeniculum vulgare essential oils, including trans-anethole, limonene, and pinene, help to reduce the growth of oral bacteria and prevent the formation of volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
By acting as an antimicrobial agent, Foeniculum vulgare essential oils help to eliminate the underlying causes of bad breath, promoting a healthy oral environment and fresh breath.
The benefits of using Foeniculum vulgare essential oils to treat bad breath include reduced bacterial growth, improved oral hygiene, and a refreshing, anise-like scent.
11. Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils

Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils, derived from the bark of the Ceylon cinnamon tree, have been used for centuries to treat bad breath due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils, including cinnamaldehyde and linalool, help to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria, reducing the production of volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
By killing oral bacteria and reducing inflammation, Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils help to treat bad breath, leaving the mouth feeling fresh and clean.
The benefits of using Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils for bad breath treatment include reduced risk of oral infections, improved oral hygiene, and a pleasant, cinnamon-like scent.
Related Study
According to "The journal of contemporary dental practice", Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils for bad breath may be beneficial due to its antimicrobial properties against Enterococcus faecalis, a common cause of bad breath, as it was found to be an efficient antibacterial agent against planktonic and biofilm E. faecalis.
12. Curcuma longa essential oils

Curcuma longa essential oils, derived from the rhizomes of the Curcuma plant, possess potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to combat the root causes of bad breath.
The bioactive constituents present in Curcuma longa essential oils, including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, exhibit strong antibacterial and antifungal activities, effectively reducing the growth of oral pathogens that contribute to bad breath.
By inhibiting the growth of these microorganisms and reducing inflammation in the oral cavity, Curcuma longa essential oils help to alleviate symptoms of bad breath and promote a healthy oral environment.
The benefits of using Curcuma longa essential oils to treat bad breath include its natural, non-toxic, and cost-effective properties, making it a promising alternative to conventional treatments.
Related Study
According to "Advances in experimental medicine and biology", Curcuma longa essential oils may be beneficial for bad breath due to their antifungal effects, which could help in reducing the growth of Candida albicans, a common contributor to oral fungal infections and bad breath.
13. Elettaria cardamomum essential oils

Elettaria cardamomum essential oils, derived from the seeds of the cardamom plant, have been traditionally used to treat bad breath or halitosis due to its deodorizing and antibacterial properties.
The essential oils in cardamom contain compounds such as limonene, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene, which help to reduce bacterial growth and odor-causing compounds in the mouth.
By using Elettaria cardamomum essential oils, individuals can experience a reduction in bad breath, improved oral health, and a fresh, clean mouthfeel.
The benefits of using cardamom essential oils for bad breath also include its ability to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria in the mouth, promoting a healthy oral microbiome.