How to Get Rid of Onion Breath

Onions are used in many cuisines as they add a nice pungent flavor to dishes and salads. Plus, onions are a good source of vitamins C and B, folic acid and dietary fiber that provide many health benefits.

But those who like to eat onions often complain about onion breath. A nasty onion smell can linger in the mouth for quite a while.

Onion breath is a problem after eating raw onions. The sulfurous compounds in them are responsible for this problem. When raw onion is digested, the odor molecules reach the lungs via the bloodstream, and give rise to foul onion breath when you exhale. Cooked onions cause no odor on the breath.

Factors like dry mouth, smoking, gum disease, medications and diseases can also add to your problem as they contribute to bad breath.

The best way to get rid of onion breath is to stop eating raw onions. If this is not an option, you can try some simple natural solutions for this problem.

Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of onion breath.

1. Green Tea

Green tea is extremely useful in getting rid of onion breath. It is rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that can destroy the sulfurous compounds present in onion. This in turn reduces onion breath.

1. Add 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves to a cup of hot water.
2. Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
3. Strain and add some honey.
4. Drink this tea several times a day, depending upon the severity of your onion breath.

You can also try a cup of strong black coffee.

2. Lemons

The citric flavor of lemons can help neutralize the onion odor in your mouth. Plus, it has antibacterial properties that will kill the bacteria contributing to bad breath.

• Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of water and mix well. Use this solution to rinse your mouth thoroughly 2 or 3 times a day until the odor is gone completely.
• You can also drink 1 or 2 glasses of fresh lemonade to remove onion breath. Homemade lemonade is most effective.
• Another option is to suck on a small lemon wedge or chew on a bit of lemon peel to get rid of onion odor.

3. Mustard Sauce

Mustard sauce is another simple way to get rid of onion breath. The strong aroma of mustard sauce will mask the onion smell.

1. First, put 1 teaspoon of mustard sauce in your mouth and swish it around for a minute, then spit it out.
2. Next, take another 1 teaspoon of mustard sauce and swallow it.
3. Then rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
4. Follow this remedy as needed.

4. Milk

Milk can also neutralize onion breath. The fat content in milk neutralizes the sulfur present in onions, which causes onion breath. Plus, milk acts as a natural mouth rinse. Full-fat milk will give better results than skim milk.

Simply sip a glass of full-fat milk to reduce onion breath effectively. Drink it before or during a meal that contains onions.

5. Cardamom

The strong aroma of cardamom can help immediately fight onion breath. It will mask the onion odor and freshen your breath.

• Chew some cardamom after enjoying an onion-rich meal.
• You can also drink 1 to 2 cups of cardamom tea. To make the tea, open up 3 or 4 green cardamom pods, crush the seeds and add them to 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil. You can also add 2 cloves and 1 cinnamon stick. Next, add 1 tablespoon of black tea leaves and sugar as per your taste. Add a little milk, enough to turn the tea into a pale beige color. Boil again and t

6. Apples

Apples are another effective remedy to combat onion breath. Natural enzymes in apples help break down sulfur compounds and thus help fight onion breath.

• After eating onion-flavored food, eat an apple to prevent onion breath.
• You can also drink a glass of fresh apple juice.

7. Mint

Loaded with chlorophyll, mint can also help freshen your breath and mask the onion smell. Plus, it has mild antiseptic properties that help bad breath caused by bacteria.

• Add 1 tablespoon of crushed mint leaves to 1 cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes, strain and then add a little honey. Drink this tea several times a day until you get rid of your onion breath.
• Another option is to crush a few fresh mint leaves and chew them thoroughly. This remedy will work effectively when used immediately after eating raw onions.
• You can also have mint-flavored candies and chewing gums to mask onion breath.

8. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another good remedy for onion breath. It can neutralize onion breath, maintain the pH balance of the mouth, and inhibit the growth of bacteria.

1. Mix 1 teaspoon each of baking soda and sea salt in a glass of warm water.
2. Use this solution as a natural mouthwash several times a day to control onion breath.

9. Parsley

Parsley is another herb that can successfully fight bad breath, especially onion breath. It contains chlorophyll that helps counteract bad breath.

• Dip a handful of fresh parsley leaves in white vinegar and sprinkle some salt on them. Chew the leaves thoroughly for 1 or 2 minutes and then swallow them to fight bad breath.
• Alternatively, put a handful of coarsely chopped parsley in 2 cups of water. Add 2 or 3 whole cloves and boil the water for 5 minutes. Strain and allow it to cool before drinking it.

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar also helps neutralize onion breath. Plus, it helps destroy bacteria in the mouth that contribute to bad breath.

• Mix 1/2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water. Gargle with this solution for 10 seconds at a time until the onion breath is gone.
• Put 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 drops each of clove oil and tincture of myrrh in a glass. Add a little hot water and mix it well. Use this solution as a mouthwash to eliminate onion breath.

Additional Tips

• Drink plenty of water to promote the production of saliva, which acts as a constant cleansing agent. Chewing gum also prompts saliva production, but use sugar-free gum to avoid adding sugar to your mouth.
• Brush your teeth with strong minty-flavored toothpaste to get rid of onion breath. Do this for at least 2 minutes.
• You can also use a citrus or mint-flavored mouthwash and gargle 2 or 3 times a day to freshen up your mouth.
• Drink a shot of vodka to remove bad breath. Vodka does not have a lingering aftertaste.
• Stay away from alcoholic beverages (except vodka), cigarettes and beer as these can exacerbate the problem.
• Floss your teeth carefully to remove food particles that can cause bad breath.
• Scrape your tongue thoroughly to remove germs.