Dietary Therapy for Eliminating Bad Breath
TCM holds that bad breath results from excessive stomach fire or dampness-heat steaming upward. Besides maintaining good oral hygiene, one should also consume foods that clear heat, resolve dampness, eliminate odors, and freshen breath. Examples include drinking soup made from fennel, chewing citrus cakes, or sucking on dried plums. Recent studies reveal that seaweed, particularly kelp, contains highly effective substances that eliminate bad odors—its deodorizing effect is three times stronger than existing flavonoid-based anti-odor agents. Therefore, consuming kelp regularly helps reduce bad breath. The following porridges have shown certain efficacy in preventing and treating halitosis:
Huo Xiang Porridge: Wash 15 grams of Huo Xiang (30 grams if fresh), place in an aluminum pot (must use aluminum pot), boil for 5 minutes, discard residue, keep juice. Rinse 50 grams of rice, add to pot with adequate water, bring to boil over high heat, then simmer until porridge is ready. Add Huo Xiang juice and re-boil before serving.
Bo He Porridge: Wash 30 grams of fresh mint leaves (15 grams if dried), add to pot with adequate water, boil, discard residue, keep juice. Rinse 50 grams of rice, cook with water until rice is soft, then add mint juice and re-boil before serving.
Mai Men Dong Porridge: Wash 20–30 grams of Mai Men Dong, boil in pot with water, discard residue, keep medicinal juice. Rinse 50–100 grams of rice, place in aluminum pot with adequate water, add Mai Men Dong juice and appropriate rock sugar, bring to boil over high heat, then simmer until cooked.