4 Healthy Indian Mouth Fresheners Recipes
Indian mouth freshener recipes are amazing because they are easy to make and healthy. Indian mouth fresheners, or Mukhwas in Hindi, are seeds’ mixes people chew after Indian food. They help with digestion, freshen the breath, and taste amazing.
Our favourite 4 Indian mouth freshener recipes are a bit different from other traditional homemade mukhwas recipes because, as usual, we try to be health conscious and avoid added sugar, and we do not use supari or betel nut, whose effects on health are controversial (see is paan harmful?).
Read on to discover: what is mukhwas, what are the benefits of eating mukhwas, how to make a basic Indian mouth freshener at home, Ayurvedic mukhwas recipe, the recipe for a powerful breath freshener, and an Indian mouth freshener recipe for special occasions.
What is Mukhwas?
What is mukhwas in English? Mukhwas can be described as a seeds based mouth freshener and digestive aid. In fact, mouth freshener in hindi can literally be translated as mukhwas, mukh meaning mouth and was meaning smell.
Cardamom and fennel are widely used as breath fresheners. When more than one ingredient is combined in an Indian mouth freshener, that is called mukhwas.
Mukhwas or Indian mouth fresheners vary greatly across India. The Indian mouth freshener recipes we present are only 4 of the thousands of different combinations you could use.
The taste of traditional Indian mouth freshers is refreshing, sweet and aromatic at the same time because of the combination of fennel seeds, added sugars, spices and essential oils for bad breath.
You might be interested in reading: can chuna be taken with milk?
What are the benefits of eating Mukhwas?
Homemade mukhwas have multiple benefits:
Freshening the breath: Indian mouth fresher seeds and aromas make the breath smell good instantly.
Digestion: fennel seeds, the main Indian mouth fresher seeds, are an effective digestive aid.
Indian mouth fresheners fulfil the body’s craving for sweets, useful for people on a diet.
Cinnamon, often used in mukhwas, contains cinnamic aldehyde, which fights bacteria responsible for bad breath.
Coriander seeds are great for freshening the breath, and boost immune system.
Cloves contain eugenol, which is antiseptic and anaesthetic, and helps teeth stay healthy.
Cardamom and eucalyptus contain cineole, an antibacterial and antiseptic which destroys halitosis’ bacteria.
For some more health insights into Indian cuisine, see is dal vegan, is naan vegan.
Mukhwas side effects:
Side effects depend on the kind of mukhwas you consume. If it is store bought and contains artificial colors and added sugars, eat it on special occasions only.
Many people ask about calories in Indian mukhwas. Again, store bought mukhwas are high in calories, and should be considered as a dessert. Our homemade mukhwas recipes are very low in calories. If you are concerned about calories in Indian mukhwas, replace sugar coated fennel seeds with regular fennel seeds.
You can consume homemade Indian mouth fresheners everyday, just do not go over the recommended 18 grams per day.
Indian Mouth Freshener Recipe 1: a Quick Mukhwas
If you are wondering how to make Indian mouth freshener at home but you have little time, this recipe is for you!
Ingredients:
½ cup fennel seeds (plus sugar coated fennel seeds if you want)
¼ cup cardamom seeds
¼ cup dhana dal (roasted coriander seeds’ cores). Or regular coriander seeds.
¼ cup white sesame seeds
2 tbsp dried mint
2 tbsp liquorice powder
Instructions:
Roast all seeds (apart form sugar coated fennel seeds) in a pan for a few minutes (optional). Let cool and add the rest of the ingredients.
A healthy and quick Indian breath freshener!
Ayurvedic Mukhwas Recipe (Indian Mouth Freshener Recipe 2)
In Ayurveda, mouth fresheners tackle the causes of bad breath, namely digestion and dental hygiene. This Ayurvedic mukhwas recipe makes a very healthy homemade breath freshener. Let’s see its benefits:
Fennel and coriander seeds cool down the digestive fire, reduce gas and help digestion.
Clove essential oil improves breathing, digestion, and teeth’s health.
Sesame seeds strengthen the immune system.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which kills bacteria responsible for bad breath and yellow teeth.
Ingredients:
½ cup fennel seeds
¼ cup cardamom seeds
¼ cup dhana dal or coriander seeds
1 tbsp ginger powder
1 tbsp cinnamon powder
3 tbsp coconut oil
3 drops clove essential oil
Instructions:
Dry roast seeds in a pan
Let cool down
Add powdered spices
Add coconut oil and clove essential oil, mixing and massaging the liquid on the seeds.
You can enjoy this healing Indian mouth freshener together with our homemade Ayurvedic mouthwash!
Indian Mouth Freshener Recipe 3: Powerful Homemade Breath Freshener
The most refreshing and powerful among our Indian breath freshener recipes… if you suffer from halitosis, this is for you.
Ingredients:
½ cup fennel seeds
½ cup cardamom seeds
½ cup dhana dal or coriander seeds
1 tsp powdered aniseeds
1 tsp dry mint
1 tsp dry powdered rosemary
1 tsp dry powdered eucalyptus leaves
½ cup lemon or lime juice
¼ cup water
Instructions
Mix water and lemon
Mix the Indian mouth freshener seeds in a bowl
Mix seeds and liquid together with your hands
Let sit for 20 minutes
Briefly roast the mixture in a pan
Let cool down and mix with the powdered herbs and spices.
This homemade mukhwas recipe will make you get rid of halitosis!
Recipe 4: Festive Indian Mouth Freshener Recipe
This Indian breath freshener recipe is richer and sweeter. We suggest using it for special occasions!
Ingredients:
½ cup fennel seeds
½ cup sugar coated fennel seeds of different colors
3 tbsp white sesame seeds
3 tbsp cumin seeds
¼ cup coriander seeds
¼ cup coconut flakes
3 tbsp cardamom powder
3 tbsp cloves powder
¼ cup edible rose essence water
¼ cup candied rose petals
Instructions:
Mix seeds (apart from sugar coated fennel seeds) and powders together
Put the mixture in the oven at 150 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Careful not to burn them!
Let cool down
Add sugar coated fennel seeds, rose petals, rose water and mix with your hands
You can use these 4 Indian mouth freshener recipes for different purposes!