Natural mouthwashes are generally made without chemicals or pharmceutical ingredients. Instead, natural mouthwashes harness the power of nature for your oral health. Extensive scientific research has been undertaken into the efficacy of natural ingredients in healthcare products. The verdict is unanimous: natural mouthwashes do work.
In this post we’re going to explore the ingredients used in our very own natural mouthwash. We’ll take each in turn, explain a bit about what it is and why we use it in our mouthwash. As we go we’ll link to relevant scientific papers which illustrate the scientific rationale for using each ingredient in our propolis mouthwash.
Aqua
The first ingredient in our mouthwash is aqua – otherwise known as good old-fashioned water! Ingredients on cosmetic and personal care products must be named according to the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, otherwise known as INCI. In this instance, water is named aqua. The water we use is purified to remove bacteria which extends the shelf-life of our products and ensures they’re safe.
Water forms the basis for many cosmetic and healthcare products. If you check the label on bottles of moisturiser, skin creams and other similar products you’ll generally find aqua at the top of the list. Aqua is also the first ingredient in many commercial mouthwashes – often followed by alcohol. Our natural mouthwash contains no alcohol. It’s perfectly safe for children and suitable for those who wish to avoid consuming alcohol in any form.
Glycerin
Next up is glycerin. Glycerin is a sticky substance, frequently used in oral healthcare products. It has a slightly sweet taste is consumed on its own. Glycerin is known to be mildly antibacterial and it prevents bacteria from reproducing. It’s a valuable ingredient in our natural mouthwash as it extends the shelf life as well as helping keep the mouth clean.
Propolis
We add propolis extract to our natural mouthwash. Propolis is well known for its antibacterial properties. As well as helping defend the body from bacteria, propolis is also antiviral and anti-inflammatory. All of these properties mean propolis is a great ingredient in oral healthcare products.
The propolis we use in our mouthwash is Propolis Liquid, which is alcohol-free. Lots of research has been undertaken into the use of propolis in oral healthcare. Many dentists are recommending propolis as a treatment for oral complaints, including absesses, tooth decay and bad breath.
Menthol
Menthol gives our natural mouthwash a great fresh taste. As well as helping relieve feelings of congestion, menthol is also known to be antibacterial.
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
This ingredient is also known as lime essential oil. Essential oils are commonly used by aromatherapists – they smell great! But lots of essential oils have health benefits which go far beyond our nostrils. Lime essential oil has been shown to be antibacterial and antifungal. Citrus essential oils are well known for their flavonoid and antioxidant content. Citrus oil gives our mouthwash a citrus zing, whilst also providing antibacterial protection.
Thymol
Thymol is the chemical compound found in thyme. Thyme is a fragrant garden herb, often used in cooking. Thyme has been used as a traditional remedy for coughs, colds and tackling oral infections for centuries. Thyme is part of the mint family and research shows that it is effective against oral pathogens. This makes thymol one of the key active ingredients in our natural mouthwash.
Sodium Benzoate
This ingredient has a name which sounds like a chemical – but sodium benzoate is actually a salt. It’s widely used in food, drinks and cosmetic products as a preservative. As much as we’d like to avoid using it, without sodium benzoate our natural mouthwash would be less stable and its shelf life would be reduced dramatically.
Scientific Evidence Supports use of Natural Mouthwashes
As you can see, there is plenty of evidence to support the use of natural mouthwashes. Nature offers some amazing remedies which can tackle viruses, bacteria and other potential sources of infection. By combining a variety of these ingredients we have created a mouthwash which is alcohol free, making it suitable for children, but which is still highly effective against bacteria.
Keeping your mouth clean and fresh is a key part of your daily healthcare routine. Your body does an amazing job defending itself against infections – but there’s plenty we can do to help make that job easier. Choosing a natural mouthwash is a great way to support your body’s immune system.
