2 tsp of vinegar, apple cider is the best
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup of warm water

I store it in a glass bottle in the fridge to keep that stringy stuff from appearing. I warm it in the micro wave before I use it. It's great mouth wash but not for bad breath. My doctor told me not to use mouth wash, he says it causes more problems than it solves.

He said people can't smell their own bad breath (I believe this for sure!), that cupping your hand over your mouth and nose and blowing through your mouth, in order to be able to smell whether you have bad breath doesn't work, and that the way to tell if you have bad breath is to lick a spot on the back of your hand and then smell that. I used to work with a vegetarian who always said proudly that she didn't have stinky poops OR bad breath because she didn't eat meat. I didn't know about the poops nor would I want to, but she certainly had horrible breath.

I don't use mouthwash for bad breath. Once in awhile if I feel a sore throat coming on or if I happen to accidentally bite the inside of my mouth, I will swish around a little store brand "Listerine". After the initial sting goes away, it has a bit of a numbing effect and seems to speed healing, at least for me. For bad breath, I find the best thing is actually to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water.

Several things can cause bad breath, including stress, not flossing, and poor digestion. Not to mention eating garlic. I can always tell when DH has eaten garlic.

My mother (89 yo) has a bit of dementia and has been diluting her mouthwash to "save money." She often has bad breath, so we are trying to convince her not to dilute it.

Although somewhat bitter, due to the thymol content in the plants leaves and buds, the plant tastes like a mix of spearmint and peppermint with oregano, to which it is closely related. Bee Balm was traditionally used by Native Americans as a seasoning for wild game, particularly birds. The plants are widespread across North America and can be found in moist meadows, hillsides, and forest clearings up to 5,000 feet in elevation. "

You could make a tea from the leaves and use it as mouthwash. Or even chew a leaf or two maybe.

You can buy seed from most seed companies. Just scatter it where you want it to grow in the fall and come spring you will have lots of little plants. It takes until the following year for it to bloom (the flowers look like firecracker explosions, and they attract bees and butterflies and sometimes hummingbirds). Hope this helps!

The Society to Save Endangered Species was formed by Fred Smilek and two of his colleagues; Charlie Mack & Jonathan Korny. Fred Smilek stays active in raising awareness for this cause. [www.fredjsmilek.com]

... and a box'd last till yer dyin' day, even though, even at 80, that day might be some long time removed ...

... but there'd be little smell on the floss string, one would think.

(Tell me I'm wrong).

o j