Question:
Is there any herbs that are effective for gum disease ?
I heard blood root was pretty good.
Answer:
I just read this post for the second time and
suddenly it occurs to me that it is entirely TOO apt as an example of
the doctrine of signatures (which I do NOT believe in.. *blood* root,
get it? (arrrgh, buckos, hand me that dental floss before it's too
late...)
Blood root didn't sound so great to me so I did a quick search of
just a small data base and came up with it on 5 poison plant list.
Just touching it is bad!
"BLOODROOT (Sanguinaria canadensis); juices from stems and rootstocks cause
dermatitis. "
"Sanguinaire du Canada; Sang-dragon
Sanguinaria canadensis Plante de la famille des Papavéracées. Elle contient
un latex de couleur rouge que les Amérindiens utilisaient comme teinture
rouge entre autre pour le corps. S'il y a consommation à dose importante, la
plante devient toxique et peut être mortelle. "
For those of you who don't read french! The above states, in short, that if
you intake too much of the stuff it may kill you!!
No more Gingivitis!!!
Had to deal with that a few years ago. Along with a really good dentist,
regular use of Tea Tree oil mouthwash was a great help.
The best blend I have seen is hard to find. It is
called Under the Gum. It can be "prescribed" by
alternative dentists. Although it is only an herb
blend, it is not sold "over the counter" and it is
too expensive, but the best topical I have ever seen
for gum problems. It is added to a "water pick"
reservoir. The recommendation is to use the special
water pick gum irrigator but I don't like these since
they can easily enlarge pockets if the pressure is too
high. It works fine with a regular tip on a
low setting.
Much benefit can be had be getting or making some
echinacea (angustofolia root) and gotu kola
extracts, the main two ingredients. Mix them together
and add to a pick reservoir, or use as a mouthwash.
To go all out, add calendula extract and a little
peppermint, clove, and tea tree, thyme, or oregano oil.
As far as internal remedies to strengthen the gums,
any antioxidant/antiseptic herbs will probably help.
I would more likely use medium or high dose ascorbic
acid, a good calcium magnesium supplement (like Enzymatic
Therapy Krebs Cycle Calcium Magnesium or Solaray
Cal-Mag Citrate), a good multivitamin (like Twinlab Daily
Two or Solaray Twice Daily), and CoQ10 in whatever dose
can be afforded: 200mg is good, but even 30mg per day
is helpful.
