I was making out the grocery list recently and noticed that my oversized bottle of store-bought mouthwash (begins with Sc…) was nearly empty. Now, I buy this particular brand because I know for sure it is gluten-free.

Photo credit: Meagan of Growing Up Herbal (please visit her awesome site!)

Anyway, here I am, almost 6-weeks into the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, only putting real, clean food into my body. And, I’ve gone through the process of switching my personal and home cleaning products to natural and homemade.

So, what was I thinking, really? Just buy another bottle of the green, chemically laden stuff and let my oral mucous membranes suck up all the toxins?

Nope! Never again!

After finding many recipes (most being very similar) I settled on the following and did my own tweaking.

Homemade Natural Mouthwash

In a colored 16 oz. glass bottle (find them here) pour:

• Distilled water to an inch or so from the top to leave room to shake before each use (approx. 2 cups.)
• Melaleuca essential oil 5 drops
• Peppermint essential oil 10-20 drops

Don’t forget to put a label on your bottle! This mouthwash is shelf stable indefinitely.

Directions for use

Shake, Swig, Swish, Spit.

Did I hear you ask about taste?  Honestly, its quite good.  I know some recipes call for xylitol or stevia but I just don’t think it needs it. And, hubby really likes it – a lot!

Feel free to tweak the recipe yourself.

Other essential oils that could work well are:

• Lemon
• Wild Orange
• Clove
• Cinnamon (start with one drop – it is considered a “hot” oil so go easy).

Now, don’t go putting just any essential oil in your mouth. Lower grade oils can be outright toxic if ingested. Be sure you use only pure therapeutic grade oils!

Here’s to totally natural fresh breath!  Yay!!

Do you make your own mouthwash? What do you use?