Herbs for Dry Mouth

In this article you will discover the best herbs to help with dry mouth and how to use them. Dry mouth whose scientific name is “Xerostomia” is a very uncomfortable oral condition often characterized by cracked lips, frequent thirst, and insufficient saliva production that makes it a little hard to eat.

Swallow dry food and may sometimes create a burning sensation in the mouth or on the tongue.

Saliva is an essential body component as it is needed in food digestion, moistening the mouth and preventing both fungi and bacterial infections in the mouth.

The condition if left untreated for a long period may promote other infections, including bad breath, sore throat, mouth infections and so on that start in the mouth and eventually spread to the rest of the body. Xerostomia may be caused by various factors including anxiety, lack of water consumption, diarrhea, nausea, hypertension among others.

Natural Herbs for Dry Mouth

It is easy to manage and alleviate this condition entirely thanks to the various natural herbs to increase saliva production easily available as homeopathic remedies.

As much as there are numerous commercial dry mouth products most of them are less effective as they merely coat one’s mouth with moisture.

However, such products are nothing as compared to the majority of dry mouth herbal remedies that actually stimulate the production of saliva in no time.

Slippery Elm

Studies that were carried out at the University of Maryland revealed that the Slippery Elm natural herb contains a substance known as mucilage¹  which makes it an ideal remedy for dry mouth. Mucilage, when mixed with water transforms into a beneficial slick gel that soothes and coats the throat, stomach, intestines, and mouth when consumed.

The natural herbal remedy also contains unique antioxidant compounds that can aid in relieving all types of inflammatory conditions.

These antioxidant properties eliminate all the harmful free radicals found in the body while removing any other impurities in the process. Slippery Elm which is an effective home remedy for alleviating dry mouth also has potent relaxing and soothing powers.

One can easily brew the natural herb and make tea while following the provided package instructions. Consuming a cup of Slippery Elm herbal tea about 2 to 3 times a day can cure most if not all of the symptoms associated with dry mouth.

Prickly Ash

The Prickly Ash plant whose botanical name is “Zanthoxylum americanum” is an herbal tree that is commonly found in North America. The effective herbal remedy works by stimulating the salivary glands thus facilitating the process of saliva production.

According to James Duke. PhD the Prickly Ash plant seems to work better for people with cancer who have undergone radiation treatments. The bark of the Prickly Ash tree has various medicinal properties as it is a multifunctional healing, cleansing, and stimulating agent.

Apart from restoring the generation of saliva, Prickly Ash can also soothe and heal any sores found in the mouth. Include between 10 to 20 drops of the herbal tincture in 1/4 cup of water and consume the mixture 3 to 7 times daily to alleviate dry mouth.

Prickly Ash has the ability to affect the digestion function, hence, should be avoided by people with gastroesophageal reflux, ulcerative colitis, and peptic ulcer diseases.

Solomon’s Seal

The Solomon’s Seal plant which can also be referred to by its botanical name “Polygonatum odoratum” produces a slight numbing effect on the mouth stimulating the salivary glands to produce even more saliva in the process.

Apart from being used to alleviate dry mouth Solomon’s seal is also highly recommended by various health practitioners for treating other types of medical conditions.

The natural herb contains unique anti-inflammatory properties that make it highly effective in combating inflammation. Consuming the herbal remedy on a daily basis can minimize the dryness experienced in the mouth to a large extent as well as quench one’s thirst.

Willow bark

Willow bark, which is also commonly referred by its botanical name “Salix Salicaceae” is a natural herb that has been primarily used for alleviating pain for over two thousand years now. The herbal remedy which comes from the “White Willow” tree can also be used to alleviate dry mouth.

A small scale scientific study that was carried out to determine the herb’s effectiveness in treating dry mouth revealed that radiation-induced dry mouth could be minimized by taking Salix lozenges for approximately one week. Most herbal experts recommend using a combination of ground willow leaves together with red pepper for even faster and more measurable results.

Rosemary

Rosemary is both a highly powerful and aromatic herb. The natural herb’s active compounds have strong soothing and antiseptic properties that are beneficial in treating dry mouth. Rosemary is, therefore, a great tonic that also stimulates saliva production in the mouth.

The natural herb’s aroma effectively drives away any form of bad breath in the mouth, keeping the mouth not only fresh but sweetly smelling too.

Another beneficial use of the Rosemary herb is to fight germs, particularly those present in the mouth. Use the herbal remedy every morning as a natural mouthwash to alleviate dry mouth together with its symptoms.

Ginger

The ginger herb whose botanical name is “Zingiber officinale” is a popular medicinal herb that is also used for cooking. This natural remedy can also be a very potent natural remedy for stimulating the salivary glands resulting in the massive production of saliva.

Ginger can help with many problems as it’s a natural antibiotic

Ginger can be used in various ways to alleviate dry mouth, including as an herbal extract, herbal root, natural oil and capsule supplement. But perhaps the easiest way is as an herbal tea. Some people may find the natural herb to be very hot hence one should exercise caution when using the herb.

Ginger provides not only a fairly long-lasting but also a very pleasant mechanism for alleviating dry mouth. Selecting a ginger extract that doesn’t have an alcohol base can be a more convenient option.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera which is a major ingredient in most beauty products due to its amazing beneficial effects on the skin can also be used for this condition.

The natural herb contains potent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that help it to kill mouth bacteria that may be preventing the production of saliva.

By doing so, Aloe Vera plays a major role in keeping both the lips and tongue moisturized. Apart from that, the natural herbal remedy can use its healing properties to treat any sensitive mouth tissues that may have been damaged in the process.

Cloves

Cloves, which are highly rich in essential oils that are very aromatic and have numerous medicinal values, can also be used in treating dry mouth. The natural herbs have potent antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that can effectively eliminate harmful bacteria from the mouth.

By doing so, cloves can easily stimulate the overall flow of saliva while keeping the mouth as fresh and moist as possible.

This natural homeopathic remedy is not only highly effective in saliva stimulation, but also makes one’s mouth feel a little fresher than when using some of the other alternative treatments. One can easily use the natural remedy by popping a single clove into his or her mouth and keep sucking and swirling until they have fully exhausted its juices.

CONCLUSION

The natural herbs discussed above can effectively alleviate dry mouth together with its common symptoms by either stimulating the salivary glands to produce even more saliva or by eliminating harmful bacteria and germs that may be inhibiting the production of saliva.

Always make it a habit to consult a qualified medical practitioner or herbal expert before deciding to use any natural herb as an alternative treatment.