My husband is a mouthwash guy. Always has been. If it didn’t burn a little, he didn’t think it was working. And for a long time, I didn’t question it either. That sharp, clean feeling must mean it’s doing its job, right?
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But here’s the thing. A lot of those store-bought mouthwashes are strong enough to wipe everything out. Not just the bad bacteria, but the good too. And the more I started paying attention, the more that didn’t sit right with me. Your digestion doesn’t start in your stomach. It starts in your mouth. That’s where everything begins, including the balance of bacteria that helps your body do what it’s supposed to do.
So I figured we could do better without making it complicated. Turns out, we could.
I started making a simple mouthwash with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves, steeped in hot water and left overnight. After straining, I add a little liquid coconut oil and pour it into a mason jar with a spout lid. That’s it. Takes maybe five minutes of actual effort, and the rest is just waiting.
There’s a reason those ingredients have been around a long time. Clove has natural compounds that help manage bacteria and has been used forever for oral care, especially when something in your mouth needs calming down. Cinnamon pulls its weight too, with its own antimicrobial properties and that warm, clean flavor that makes the whole thing feel like it’s doing something without knocking you over. And coconut oil has been used in oil pulling for ages because it helps support a healthy balance in the mouth without being harsh about it. It’s not about sterilizing everything. It’s about keeping things in check.
Now, I’ll be honest. It’s different. The coconut oil gives it a slightly thicker feel, and you do have to remember not to spit it down the sink unless you want a plumbing situation on your hands. I just spit it in the trash or outside and call it good.
But the flavor is solid. Clean, a little spicy, not overpowering. And more importantly, it feels like it’s working with your body instead of blasting everything into submission.
And my husband still uses it, which might be the most convincing part of all.
From The Field: You don’t have to scorch the earth to keep things clean.
This is what we use and what works for us. It’s not medical advice, just lived experience. Start small, use good sense, and do what’s right for you.