Herbal Neem-Clove Tooth Powder
Herbal Neem-Clove Tooth Powder
Following my journey into Ayurveda and making few changes at a time to practice natural living has beenmy passion since 2010. This was also the year when I completely gave up on toothpaste. Yes, I have not used any commercial or even natural toothpaste in the past four years. I make my own toothpowder using a few herbs and spices and it lasts me six months. I call it my Herbal Neem-Clove Tooth Powder.
Our teeth are living bones and indicate how healthy our bones are.
I have shared this recipe with my clients, friends and neighbours. I admit it will take some getting used to however for me I never missed toothpaste because I had bleeding gums prior to using my own tooth powder. Today I do not have this problem at all.
Using herbal toothpowder, tongue cleaning and oil pulling are three practices that keeps my oral health strong.
Why I don’t use Commercial Toothpaste?
There are many chemicals used to make toothpastes (both commercial toothpaste and some that are found at health food stores). I do not want any of them in my mouth! Some examples are
Calcium carbonate: which is essentially chalk that is abrasive and used as a buffering agent. It is not at all good for teeth.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): Makes toothpaste foamy. It is a known carcinogen that breaks down your skin’s natural barrier, easily penetrates skin, causing bleeding gums. See below the reasons to avoid SLS
1. It also allows other chemicals to penetrate because it increases skin permeability approximately 100-fold.
2. When combined with other chemicals, it transforms into carcinogenic nitrates and can reside in the body for five days.
3. It strips moisture and oil from the skin.
4. It can damage DNA cells.
Propylene glycol: it is also known as anti-freeze, which is only handled with gloves in a lab. It can increase allergies, immunotoxicity, skin, lungs and vision irritation.
FD&C color pigments: These colours are made from coal tar derivatives that contain heavy metals and accumulate in the body. This can develop organ system toxicity.
Triclosan: This is a registered pesticide and bio-persistent chemical that destroys fragile aquatic ecosystems. Using this chemical regularly may lead to endocrine disruption, allergies, immune system toxicity and skin irritation.
Synthetic isopropyl alcohol: Isopropyl Alcohol is known by scientists to be a colorless chemical compound that is highly flammable and which also has a rather strong odor. It is produced by mixing propane and water.
Herbs in my Natural Tooth powder:
Before I share the recipe with you let me explain which herbs I have picked for my herbal tooth powder and why.
Neem: Neem is “THE” herb for tooth care. It is used to destroy pathogenic bacteria on contact, cleanse wounds and protect infected skin. Its antibacterial properties can help to eliminate the bacteria that cause dental decay and bad breath. Neem has pain-relieving compounds that can reduce the discomfort of a toothache. It also has vasodilatation and anti-inflammatory compounds that can prevent cell adhesion and destroy the bacteria that cause tooth decay, cavities, Pyorrhea and Gingivitis. Neem leaf powder is alkalizing and it also eradicates the calcium-forming organisms.
Clove: Cloves have been used to treat toothaches for thousands of years. It relieves pain and discomfort. The active ingredient in clove is eugenol that combats the pain and promotes healthy gum, fresh breath and strong teeth. It is a potent anti-microbial.
Celtic sea salt: Salt contains many minerals and therefore is extremely good to maintain oral hygiene. Salt can reduce swollen gums and draw infection out of any abscesses. Salt is helpful for oral health because it is anti-microbial and alkalizing.
I also add essential oil to my liking such as peppermint, oil of oregano, fennel seed oil or lemon oil.
Fennel Essential Oil: I use this because it has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-parasitic properties. It also freshens breath.
Peppermint Essential Oil: Combats inflammation of the mouth and toothache.
Oil of Oregano: Covers a board spectrum of medicinal actions such as anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-and inflammatory.
Contraindications: Please note this toothpowder cannot be used if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. Neem and clove are strong bitter and pungent herbs which is not consumed during these times.
- 4-5 Bitter-melons (karelas - small to medium size)
- 1 Red Onion - chopped
- 2 Green chillies
- 1 tsp. Cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Ground Coriander seeds
- 1/4 tsp. Turmeric powder
- 2 tsp. Lemon juice
- 2 tsp. Sunflower Oil or Coconut Oil
- Himalayan Rock Salt
- Cut the Bitter melons along length and remove seeds. Slice the bitter melon thinly.
- In a bowl add water, salt and lime juice. Add the bitter gourd and leave to soak for 15 mins and wash thoroughly with warm water. This helps reduce the bitterness.
- Peel and cut potatoes into small pieces.
- On a frying pan, add the sunflower oil and whole cumin seeds. When cumin seeds sizzles lightly, add onions and green chilies. Fry till light golden.
- Add turmeric and coriander seeds.
- Now add the bitter-melon and potato. Cook until bitter melon is soft.
- Enjoy Bitter Melon with rice and dal.
Click Here to purchase Conscious Health’s Ayurvedic Herbal Tooth Powder.
Please share the Recipe to prepare Neem-Clove toothpowder
Will work on this. When we moved the site all the recipes got lost.
Where is the actual recipe?
Equal parts neem and salt and half the quantity of clove powder.
can you mix the neem, clove, cinnamon & sea salt in a container with the essential oils & store it for quick use (like toothpaste.) Or do you mix the powder then add the oils only when you’re brushing?
thank you
I mis powder and then essential oils
Couldn’t access the link to buy the neem/clove toothpaste. Can you please advise cost
I have your order and I emailed you to confirm but the email had bounced back. I will be sending you two bottles of toothpowder.
At last! Someone who unssdrtande! Thanks for posting!
Hi, is the salt in this tooth powder grity. We have been having enamel issues and gritty salt can be abrasive. If it is very fine I can oredr it. In homemade recipe for this can we omit salt.
Thank you,
I have a toothpowder without the salt – will be adding to the site soon.
I did some reading and got to know that neem and clove (since they are natural) are quite safe to use for pregnant women and women trying to conceive. should it be strictly avoided? if so, what is a wiser alternative?
Where is receipt to prepare herbal toothpowder?