Sticky tongue, dry gums, chapped lips, sore tissues; we understand the pain and discomfort it offers to the patients with ‘Dry Mouth’. Understanding the symptoms and underlying cause of the dry mouth is the principal mission for victims and then comes treating those symptoms with natural remedies. In our previous article, we have seen the foods that we should avoid and how sugar-free candies should be your best friends. However, that’s not it. We bring to you a concise list of other ingredients and how you can use them to control and improve dry mouth symptoms.

1. Cardamom: Also spelled as cardamom, cardamom should be eaten after meals or any other time. If raw cardamum is too bitter for you, add few pods into a bottle of water and sip this the entire day. This will not only keep bad breath away and stimulate salivation but will also improve health in other aspects. Another alternative is that you could drink cardamum tea just after meals to compensate for the dryness created due to eating food.

2.Green Tea: Boil 1-2 teaspoons of green tea leaves in a cup of water depending on how strong you like your tea and drink this 2-3 times a day. Since green tea also aids weight loss, adjust the number of cups per day depending on your weight goals. For added taste, one may add honey to the tea.

3.Ginger/Ginger: Due to a bioactive compound called Gingerol, ginger is a natural oral hygiene expert which will ensure good breath, fresh mouth and well-moisturized mouth for a longer time. If you can deal with the raw taste of it, chew on freshly chopped ginger pieces whenever possible. If not, drink ginger tea 2 times a day ideally. Ginger is a heat producing food, so excess may cause heat in the body. So adjust the doses according to your body. If ginger tea is also too strong for you, add honey for sweetness.

4.Aloe Vera: Rich in anti-oxidants, nutrients and a naturally hydrating substance, aloe vera is also a saliva stimulant. While it works on dry mouth, it also ensures to protect the sensitive tissue of the mouth. If possible, drink a quarter cup of raw aloe vera juice once every day. If not, rinse your mouth with it and spit out. Like the other alternative, use a cotton pad to apply aloe vera gel inside your mouth; keep it for few minutes and rinse it off well. Do NOT swallow the gel. Gel method can be used 2-3 times a day.

5.Water: Pick any health benefits article and you will probably find water as a cure. Because water is the ultimate cure to probably every ailment out there; or at least enhances the treatment of every ailment. So here it is! It will not only hydrate your body thus stimulating your salivary glands, but it will also increase the lubrication in the lips, throats, gums, etc.

Fruits to the Rescue:

6.Lemon: The citric acid in lemon and other citrus fruits stimulate the creation of saliva, protects the mouth from infection, prevents bad breath and maintains an overall healthy oral hygiene. Either suck on lemons 1-3 times a day or cut slices of them to rub them on your tongue. For a lesser concentration of lemon, start your day with a glass of lukewarm water with lemon and honey. Note that excess of lemon (acidic content) may erode the enamel of teeth.

7.Pineapple/Papaya: Cut fresh pineapple or papaya a couple of times a day. try not to chew pineapple each time since its acidic nature may erode the teeth enamel. The bromelain helps in the degradation of debris in your mouth and also helps in the thinning of saliva.

8.Orange: Blend one orange and one glass of water and sip it through your day. However, the concentrated forms of orange juice may worsen the dryness, thus excess of orange consumption is not recommended.

Just Rub a Little:

9.Cayenne Pepper: Rubbing a pinch of Cayenne Pepper on your tongue and gums will enhance your taste buds, increase salivation and also helps distinguish between the different tastes. This may cause a slight burning sensation which can be considered normal unless the burning is too much.

10. Grapeseed Oil: Loaded with moisturizing properties, grapeseed oil when rubbed on the gums, teeth, and tongue stimulates saliva production.

Chew the Seeds:

11.Fennel: Contains metabolites, flavonoids; stimulates saliva production and ensures to keep you away from bad breath. Just munch of few seeds anytime you want preferably after meals.

12.Aniseeds: Also called Pimpinella Anisum, you can chew them any time in the day preferably after meals. If it is too tasteless, you may also mix it with fennel seeds.

Let the Leaves Work:

13.Rosemary: The antiseptic and soothing properties in these leaves are beneficial in treating dry mouth. Soak 10-12 Rosemary leaves in a glass of water overnight and rinses your mouth with it every morning.

14.Parsley: Acts as a natural mouth freshener and keeps bad breath away. The antibacterial properties in them ensure overall oral hygiene. Chew a few leaves after meals. It is also rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron.

15.Celery: The water retaining capacity of Celery slows down the dryness in the mouth.
Chew 2-3 Celery sticks throughout the day. It is further rich in Vitamin C, flavonoids and necessary enzymes.