The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Bad breath can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like bad breath here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here bad breath is often associated with dizziness, watery milk and no feeling of distension of the breasts in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause bad breath.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of bad breath we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat bad breath.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause bad breath
In Chinese Medicine bad breath is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to bad breath, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, watery milk and no feeling of distension of the breasts.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Large Intestine Dryness
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi)
In addition to bad breath, other symptoms associated with Large Intestine Dryness include dry stools, dry mouth and dry throat.
Large Intestine Dryness is often treated with Zeng Ye Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Ningpo Figwort Roots - Xuan Shen - as a key herb). Zeng Ye Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Yin and Essence".
Three herbal formulas that might help with bad breath
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Why might Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan help with bad breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which bad breath is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Zeng Ye Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and Essence. Lubricates Dryness.
Why might Zeng Ye Tang help with bad breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine Dryness' of which bad breath is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Large Intestine Dryness include dry stools, dry mouth and dry throat.
Ma Zi Ren Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Intestines. Invigorates Qi. Unblocks the bowels. Drains Heat.
Why might Ma Zi Ren Wan help with bad breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine Dryness' of which bad breath is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Large Intestine Dryness include dry stools, dry mouth and dry throat.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat bad breath
Why might Black Atractylodes Rhizome (Cang Zhu) help with bad breath?
Because it is a key herb in Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with bad breath as a symptom)
Black Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight.
Why might Ningpo Figwort Root (Xuan Shen) help with bad breath?
Because it is a key herb in Zeng Ye Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine Dryness' (a pattern with bad breath as a symptom)
Ningpo Figwort Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Stomach, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels true or Internal Heat and cools the Blood. Tonifies the Yin. Reduces inflammations and drains Fire toxicity. Reduces hard nodules, especially associated with the lymph.
Why might Hemp Seed (Huo Ma Ren) help with bad breath?
Because it is a key herb in Ma Zi Ren Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine Dryness' (a pattern with bad breath as a symptom)
Hemp Seeds is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Large intestine.
Its main actions are: Moistens the Intestines and unblocks Food Stagnation caused by Dryness. Nourishes the Yin and relieves constipation caused by Yin Deficiency. Cools Heat and aids healing of sores.
Why might Coco-Grass Rhizome (Xiang Fu) help with bad breath?
Because it is a key herb in Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with bad breath as a symptom)
Coco-Grass Rhizomes is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter, Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Liver and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain.
Why might Eupatorium Herb (Pei Lan) help with bad breath?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat bad breath as can be seen on Eupatorium Herb's page.
Eupatorium Herbs is a Neutral herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Transforms Dampness that obstructs the Stomach (Middle Warmer). Invigorates the function of the Spleen and improves appetite. Relieves Summer Heat.
Conditions associated with bad breath
Other symptoms often associated with bad breath
Dry stools Dry mouth Dry throat Dizziness Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth Watery milk No feeling of distension of the breasts Fatigue Abdominal bloating Vomiting