I noticed that the dry weather was getting to my tongue the other day. So I decided it was time to whip up a new batch of homemade mouthwash. The base of my mouth wash is a cold infusion of marshmallow root which is good for dry and irritated conditions, specifically for when your tongue starts getting those little horizontal cracks. Some of you won’t know what I am talking about, but if you do, you should give this a try. Even if you don’t suffer from lack of humidity the way I do, swishing this daily may help reduce inflammation of the gums and occurrences of gingivitis. It is so very soothing .
To begin, I put 1/4 cup marshmallow root in a pint of cold water and go to bed. In the morning, I wake up to a nice slimy infusion. I strain this well and add some tinctures. I start with calendula which is broadly anti-microbial and also helps against inflammation. Then I add 1 tsp of sage tincture which is recommended by Matthew Wood in cases of “sore, bleeding, ulcerated, inflamed or receding gums and canker sores”. I also put in 1 tsp of peppermint tincture. Honestly, this is pretty much for taste, you could add a teaspoon of cinnamon tincture if you prefer.
You can also use peppermint extract, from the grocery store, in the place of the tincture. It is the same thing, really, and I will bet mine is cheaper. Once that is all shaken or stirred together, it will keep at room temperature as long as you use it daily. There is more than likely enough alcohol from the tinctures to preserve a larger amount of the infusion, but it is a simple enough process, that it can be made weekly.
Domestic Medicine 