How-to: Turn Down Yr Toothache The Herbal Way

Toothaches are literally the worst, espesh for those of us with debilitating snack attacks. While going strictly slurps has its popsicle perks, Orajel and its fellow mouth-numbing medications however remain fairly yuck. Praise jah there's a ~natural solution~ to our medicinal need that's super simple to make. A few gum luvin' essential oils combined with skin-protecting plants oils provides an instant pain-numbing sensation that also fights bacteria build-up.

The real MVP ingredient here is clove oil, which has long been revered for its effective dental care. The distinctly aromatic clove flower bud comes from an evergreen tree in the Myrtaceae family that is native to Indonesia. Most often clove is thought of for its culinary use, commonly with autumn dishes like pumpkin or apple pie. But traditionally, this herb goes above its basic bish kitchen duties to provide potent medicinal properties. Clove, which is antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and anti-fungal also contains strong germicidal properties that work successfully to fight cavities and relieve toothaches, dental pain, sore gums, mouth ulcers, throat irritation, and even end bad breath. Because it contains the compound eugenol, clove has historically been used in dentistry as a natural anesthetic. 

We added a few extra essential oils that support good dental hygiene: peppermint helps ward off bad breath and works with tea tree to prevent cavities and bacteria growth; lavender helps support gum tissue and ease gum pain. Because the mouth is a v sensitive area, none of these EO's should ever just be applied directly to the toothache or sore. So we've combined them with mouth-frindly coconut oil and beeswax that works as a soothing, sticky salve. I happened to have a lip-balm sized container laying around so the recipe below yields a small amount, but you can easily store this in any air-tight container. Once you've made yr magical toothache cure, it should last well up to a month. Simply apply a small amount as needed to the effected tooth and surrounding gum area with either yr finger tip or a q-tip and begin to feel the curative bless-up.


Ingredients

3 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tbsp beeswax
5 drops clove EO
2 drops lavender EO
2 drops tea tree EO

Method

1. Using an easy DIY double-boiler method, melt the beeswax and combine with coconut oil.

2. Once oils have completely liquified, add yr essential oils and stir together well.

3. Quickly pour salve into the container before it solidifies.

4. Apply a small amount ideally with a q-tip directly to the toothache, mouth sore, or gum region.