A Research on the Effectiveness of Oregano as Mouthwash

 

Glendale School

#11 St. Benedict St. Paradise Village

Project 8, Quezon City

 

A Research on the Effectiveness of Oregano as Mouthwash

 

In Partial fulfillment of the course
Requirement in Research

 

 

Presented by:

Marjorey P. Cabugon
Maggi A. Dailisan
Jean Psalme S. Layno
Dexter A. Roque

Presented to:

Dr. Marilou Juachon-Panlilio
Mr. Arnold Antiporda
Mrs. Sherrlene Uy
Mr. Gemini Malubay







February 9, 2015

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

          Foremost, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our English teacher, Ms. Sherrlene Uy for the continuous support of our investigatory project, for her patience and immense knowledge. Also, for helping us during processes our research paper.

We would also like to thank each and everyone who had helped in making the investigatory project successful. To the Cabugon family for letting us to use their equipments for making the Oregano Mouthwash at their house. In addition, Mrs. Layno for sponsoring the payment of the laboratory tests for our product.    Above all, we thank God for his guidance, giving us strength and knowledge when we are making this research paper and all the time.

 

ABSTRACT:

This study aims to make an alternative mouthwash using Oregano leaves. The researchers used Oregano leaves as the main ingredient to produce a healthier mouthwash that is beneficial to the body too. Oral diseases are qualified as major public health problems in all the regions of the world. And for all of the diseases, the greatest burden of oral diseases is on disadvantaged and socially marginalized populations.
Oregano Leaves are proven to cure bacteria that causes bad breath, plaque, and gum diseases, as well as respiratory infections. Oregano leaves are aromatic, warm, and slightly bitter. Also, this herb is very affordable and can be made into a mouthwash in just easy steps.
The Oregano Mouthwash is made of the boiled water of 1 cup oregano leaves. The Oregano leaves are separated from the liquid. Then, the researchers put the liquid into a cup. After 2 weeks, the mouthwash had expired. The researchers aren’t satisfied of the results and therefore performed a second trial. For the second trial, the researches put lemon zest to the original recipe, and it expired after 3 weeks.
The researchers have taken the Oregano mouthwash to a laboratory test that was been done by chemists in Gensens Incorporated. The researchers got 3 people to be the test subjects. A swab had been wiped on their inner cheeks before and after they gargled the mouthwash and are given to the chemists to test it. After 2 weeks, the results have been released. Based on the results, both the first and second trial mouthwashes are effective.

 CHAPTER ONE:
BACKROUND OF THE STUDY

 Statement of Objectives:

This study aims to make an oregano mouthwash which will help many of us to have a fresher breath and healthier mouth. It is cheaper since the ingredient used can be found in most of the markets. Also, oregano leaves can also be used to cure coughs, asthma, cold and flu, croup, bronchitis and many more illnesses according to webmd.

The goal of this study is to make an alternative mouthwash that is made of oregano leaves. According to an article from dailymail.co.uk, many mouthwashes are proven to raise the risk of heart attack and strokes because of the large amount of antiseptic chlorhexidine found in the mouthwashes. Scientists have said that "chlorhexidine kills microbes needed to help create nitrite, essential for blood vessels to dilate properly. But the mouthwash caused nitrite production in the mouth to fall by over 90 per cent, and blood nitrite to fall by 25 per cent". They also have said that "for each two-point rise in blood pressure, the risk of dying from heart disease rises by seven per cent, according to separate research. Such a rise also increases the risk of dying from stroke by ten per cent".

Based on the researchers' researches, oregano leaves are anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, which is good. In accordance to webmd.com, the leaves were used as medicine. The researchers used a natural ingredient to produce a healthier mouthwash that also benefits the body too.

According to an article from abcnews.go.com, without proper dental care, a person can have a serious dental problem. "People don't realize that dental disease can cause serious illness," said Dr. Irvin Silverstein, a dentist at the University of California at San Diego. "The problems are not just cosmetic. Many people die from dental disease."

It is placed in dentalhealth.org that the need for mouthwash is a result of a condition called halitosis, or bad breath. And according to Poul Peterson's article (The World Oral Health Report 2003: continuous improvement of oral health in the 21st century – the approach of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme), it is estimated that over half the world population occasionally has foul-smelling breath for the reason of the widespread use of tobacco and the increasing consumption of alcohol. And he also added that "oral diseases qualify as major public health problems owing to their high prevalence and incidence in all regions of the world, and as for all diseases, the greatest burden of oral diseases is on disadvantaged and socially marginalized populations".

Last April 2011, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that 33 percent of people surveyed skipped dental care or dental check-ups because they couldn't afford them. The researchers noticed that many people, nowadays, are ignoring their health conditions even if sometimes they know how serious it can be. And there are also people that aren't even aware that they already have health conditions.

According to an article (Psychological and Social Impacts of Halitosis: A Review), halitosis has become a major health concern among the general public because it causes significant amount of social disharmony, embarrassment, frustration, despair and often leads toward social and professional isolation and marital problems. Bad breath is known to have a devastating effect on the daily social life of those who suffer from it thus earning the title 'social life killer'. It is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease. In western societies, embarrassment and discomfort are the main reasons for seeking professional care.

Significance of the Study: 

According to natureworldnews.com, there are close to four billion people in the world who suffer from untreated oral health conditions that causes toothache and prevent them from eating and possibly sleeping properly, which is a disability. This total does not even include small cavities or mild gum diseases, so we are facing serious problems in the population's oral health.

This study aims to help the government such as Department of Health (D.O.H.) and PhilHealth. It will benefit them because they will now know that Oregano leaves can be an effective mouthwash. It will stop cavities from forming which prevents them from spreading their virus through cough. This study also goals to help students, parents, and also children because the ingredients to make the Oregano mouthwash are very affordable. Since the product’s ingredients are cheap, many people can make it and more people will have a healthier and cleaner mouth. The mouthwash reduces harmful substances in the mouth that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Which will cause their mouth to be healthier.

This study also aims to provide our community with economically beneficial mouthwash, make use of readily available herbal plant such as Oregano. The mouthwash is safe, it had no harsh chemicals included, and also it will lessen mouth and teeth infections.

This study also aims to let us know the importance of using our available resources, how we can use them and the benefits we can get from them. Also, the researchers are making this product because they want to prove that people can also use herbal medicines to solve worldwide problems.

Scope and Delimitation:

To be able to make the product, the researchers used dried Oregano leaves, water, pot, sifter, measuring cups and bottles. Some of the ingredients are needed to be bought in the market while the materials are readily available in one of the researcher’s house.
The ingredients (Oregano leaves and water) are affordable for many of the people and can be made in your houses easily by following the procedure correctly.
The Oregano mouthwash can be made by firstly putting 2 cups of water in a pot and let the water boil for 15 minutes. After boiling, add 1 cup of oregano leaves and wait until the leaves sank. Turn off the stove and strain out the Oregano leaves. Then, let the liquid to cool down and put it in a cup or a bottle.
The general budget that the researchers have to make the product is three hundred (300) pesos. The researchers only spent for the ingredients was 70 pesos in total. 50 pesos for the Oregano leaves and 20 pesos for the lemon that is used in the second trial of the mouthwash. The prices may vary depending on the price that is been sold by the vendors.
The researchers also spent four hundred (400) pesos for the laboratory test. The laboratory test was made to prove that the product is effective in use. The people that will make the product doesn’t need to test the product in the laboratory too for the researchers already have done it for them. So, the researchers spent four hundred seventy (470) pesos in total.
The estimated time for the Oregano mouthwash to make is about forty-five (45) minutes in total.

CHAPTER TWO:
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES

History of Oregano:

Herb is a plant where their leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for cooking and in medicine. If you will buy oregano make sure that the kind of oregano you will pick is the Greek Oregano rather than the common one especially in cooking. Because the common one does not have any flavour unlike the Greek oregano. Also, herbs can be used in cosmetics or perfumes. The word “herb” means green crops. Oregano belongs to the member of mint family. These things was been based in www.garden.org.

According to www.cals.arizona.edu, herbs that are grown in one specific country, oregano is a niche crop in Yuma County. This crop becomes the specialty of various restaurants and it was packed in Yuma and delivered it into US locales. After wards, this crop becomes popular in culinary treats. Then again, even though oregano was introduced and known as the specialty of Italian cuisine, still it was originated in Greece. The word “Oregano” was came from the Greeks and its meaning “joy of the mountain” since ‘oros’ which means mountains and ‘ganos’ which means joy or happiness. They also believed that when their cows grazed the field of oregano, it produces a tastier meat. Aside from Greece, oregano is also in many cuisines but in different countries like Mexico, Cuban and Spain.

Also it was said in www.herbsociety.org.uk , that oreganos is the common herb they used in cooking and as what written in the first paragraph, monks was habitual in using this herb for food flavouring and medicine. If we go back into the ancient time, as medieval times they use oreganos as a stewing herb. In addition, the Greeks plant the oreganos on graves in order to follow their belief that it brought joy to the dead.

Activities:

Herb is a plant where their leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for cooking and in medicine. If you will buy oregano make sure that the kind of oregano you will pick is the Greek Oregano rather than the common one especially in cooking. Because the common one does not have any flavour unlike the Greek oregano. Also, herbs can be used in cosmetics or perfumes. The word “herb” means green crops. Oregano belongs to the member of mint family. These things was been based in www.garden.org.

According to www.cals.arizona.edu, herbs that are grown in one specific country, oregano is a niche crop in Yuma County. This crop becomes the specialty of various restaurants and it was packed in Yuma and delivered it into US locales. After wards, this crop becomes popular in culinary treats. Then again, even though oregano was introduced and known as the specialty of Italian cuisine, still it was originated in Greece. The word “Oregano” was came from the Greeks and its meaning “joy of the mountain” since ‘oros’ which means mountains and ‘ganos’ which means joy or happiness. They also believed that when their cows grazed the field of oregano, it produces a tastier meat. Aside from Greece, oregano is also in many cuisines but in different countries like Mexico, Cuban and Spain.

Also it was said in www.herbsociety.org.uk , that oreganos is the common herb they used in cooking and as what written in the first paragraph, monks was habitual in using this herb for food flavouring and medicine. If we go back into the ancient time, as medieval times they use oreganos as a stewing herb. In addition, the Greeks plant the oreganos on graves in order to follow their belief that it brought joy to the dead.


Uses:

According to www.herbsociety.org, Oregano is one of the essential ingredients in Greek, Italian and French cuisine. Aside from that, the fresh and dried leaves of oregano can be use in soups, sauces, stew, eggs, chilli, pizza, and more. Also the flowers of oregano can be use as a decoration for vegetables, salads and other foods because it flowers and leaves has the same flavour. Not only with cooking, but also in medicines to cure illnesses because oregano can use/ cure colds, gastrointestinal problems, cough, and a variety of other conditions.

Also it was said by T. Tuttolomondo, S. La Bella, A. Ciacco, and C.Leto that oregano is an aromatic herb which is mostly known for its pleasant. And since oregano grows wild to the entire island of Sicily, it was decided to use it for cooking in order to satisfy the growing demand for this herb for seasoning.

In addition, oregano can also use to protect generated plants. As hyperhydricity, hyperhydricity is a physiological malformation affecting tissue culture-generated plants. At which it results in poor regeneration of plants. By using some of nonspecific bacteria, it helps to prevent the hyperhydricity and improved the acclimation of oregano clones. These information come from these people; K ueno and K Shetty. 

Types of Oregano:

There are three common types of oregano. One is heracleoticum or the Greek Oregano. Based on Project A of horizon herbs, oregano is a prized medicinal and it is used in cooking in which makes the food spicy because of its aromatic herb. They said that the oregano is very helpful because it can help in rendering various dishes succulent.

Origanum Majorana is the second type of oregano. It was told in www.ageless.co.za that this type of oregano was also useful and effective remedy for various ailments. This herb can cure natural disinfection, antifungal, antibacterial, bruising, tonsillitis, painful menstruation, and more. Its leaves and flowers also used for creating brews.

The third type of oregano is Origanum Vulgare. According to Dr. Ingram’s book, origanum vulgare was been tested against aggressive germs such as cold, flu and bird flu viruses, all of it was killed because of it. With this type of oregano, it can also completely destroy human corona virus. Aside from that, Christopher brown state that the oregano was able to eliminate a host of bacteria and viruses. In addition, the oregano was considered as the best traditional antibiotic medications.

Components:

The most important components of oregano are the limonene, gamma-cariofilene, rho-cymene, canform linalool, alpha-pinene, carvacrol and thymol. The composition of oregano depends on the type of species, climate, altitude, time or recollection and the stage of growth. Also, all the characteristics of oregano may enhance the safety and stability of foods. All of these data was been gathered in www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

It also said in www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov with different author that the major components of an oregano essential oil were carvacrol, alcohol, thymol, and terpinene. All extracts were ineffective in inhibiting the growth of the seven tested bacteria but in hot water extract had the strongest antioxidant properties and the highest Phenolic content.

According to the people in Ronde Tocht 48 in Zaandam, oregano oil was the most used essential oil because of its strong antibacterial properties. The components of oregano oil are phenolicterpenoids, carvacrol, thymol and p-cymene. These components are consisting of great amount of oregano oil.

Side Effects:

According to www.bio-alternatives.net, using too much oil of the oregano is bad in people who are allergic to oregano. It can form rash, swelling, and difficulty of breathing. They said that digestive concerns may also arise because of improper formulation of the oregano. And of course, the supplements may also interfere with the absorption of iron inside the body. Oregano oil has only few side effects so most of the time, people who use it can experience the benefits of its use.

Based on J. Raul Rivera’s review, oregano has many great advantages but there are some potential side effects to be aware of. It can lower the amount consumed iron in a body. They also said that anyone who goes through pregnancy should avoid using oregano oil because it can energize the blood circulation within the womb which could weaken the lining that encompasses the foetus. Also, people who had allergic reaction to thyme, basil, mint, or sage must avoid using oregano.

Review of Related Literatures and Studies:

According to ‘A Critical Review Of The Literature On Mouthwashes’ and ‘The history of oral hygiene products: how far have we come in 6000 years?’ articles, the first reference to mouth rinsing as a formal practice is credited to Chinese medicine, about 2700 B.C.E., for treatment of diseases of the gums. The recommendations was rinsing with the urine of a child.

However, in accordance with the ‘Herbal Mouthwashes – A Gift Of Nature’ article, Pedanius Dioscorides, a ‘Greek physician and surgeon (40–90 AD) whose writings served as a medical textbook, suggested for treatment of bad breath a mouthwash mixture of the following: a decoct of the leaves of the olive tree, milk, the juice of pickled olives, gum myrrh with wine and oil, pomegranate peelings, nutgalls, and vinegar. The ancient Romans included teeth cleaning as part of their religious ceremonies.’

In accordance with ‘Chlorhexidine mouthwash: a review of its pharmacological activity, clinical effects, uses and abuses.’, ‘Additional properties and uses of essential oils’, ‘For cleaning oral cavity, containing effervescing agents, volatile oil in spray-dried form and surfactants; increased foaming, taste’, mouth rinses were used for cleaning and disinfecting an individual’s mouth, teeth, gums and breath.

 

In the publication titled as “Mouthwash” (http://www.google.com/patents/US4150151), the authors wrote a brief background of the invention about its types and benefits. Based on this article, there are six basic categories of mouthwashes: cosmetic, astringent, buffered, deodorizing, therapeutic and antibacterial, but according to a journal article ( Alcohol-containing mouthwash and oropharyngeal cancer: a review of the epidemiology.), there are issues showing that the use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes may increase the possibility of having oropharyngeal cancer. However, among all of the nine studies reviewed, six of them ‘are negative and provide no support for the hypothesis that use of alcohol-containing mouthwash increases the risk of OPC.’ While, based on an article published (The Effectiveness of Alcohol based and Non- Alcohol based Mouthwashes against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ‘alcohol and non-alcohol based mouthwashes were tested on S. auras and P. aeryginosa for 30 seconds.’ The study showed that non-alcohol based mouthwashes was more effective in killing the test organisms than the alcohol-based mouthwashes.

It is also stated in scielo.br, ‘Reviewed evidence about the safety of the daily use of alcohol-based mouth rinses’, the literature reviewed here indicates that despite some undesirable effects to some people, like burning sensation, and some contraindications, like the use by infants, alcohol addicts and patients with mucosal injuries, there is no reason to avoid the use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes as long as they are used following proper guidance by dental professionals and the manufacturers' instructions.

According to an article that was titled as “Thymol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate and menthol dissolved in ethanol and surfactant”, that an acceptable antiseptic mouthwash is made of ‘an effective amount of thymol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate and menthol dissolved in ethanol, said ethanol being present in an amount of no more than 22% v/v; a dispersion effective amount of surfactant; a co-solvent effective amount of a combination of propylene glycol and glycerine; benzoic acid; and water wherein the propylene glycol is present in an amount of from about 1.0% to about 4.0% v/v and said glycerine is present in an amount of from about 0.2% to about 3.0% v/v.’

While, in accordance of the ‘Method of making a clear, stable aqueous mouthwash solution and the solution made by that method for the enhancement of cells of the oral cavity and the remineralisation of teeth’ article, a method of making a clear, stable, aqueous mouthwash solution capable of remineralizing caries lesions in teeth which comprises forming a stable, aqueous solution containing a source of calcium ions in an amount therapeutically effective to produce said remineralizing of caries lesions in teeth and a chelating agent for calcium ions, causing the chelation of at least 50% of the calcium ions by preparing a clear, aqueous solution of the chelating agent having an alkaline pH, then adding the source of calcium to said clear, aqueous solution of the chelating agent, and then adjusting the pH to an alkaline pH, and subsequently adding a source of phosphate ions to said aqueous solution.

And based on a publication (Mouthwash composition), a pleasant tasting aqueous mouthwash which is stable, visually clear, and haze free at temperatures below 8° C. is made of about 60 to 90 percent by weight of water, about 0.01 to 15 percent by weight of flavoring material, from 0 to about 20 percent by weight of a non-toxic alcohol and about 0.5 to 5.0 percent by weight of a non-ionic surfactant consisting essentially of a polyoxyethylene-polyoxybutylene block copolymer wherein the polyoxybutylene portion of the compound has a molecular weight of at least about 500 and the polyoxyethylene portions contribute from about 50 to 90 percent by weight of the compound.

Based on 'Effect of Different Mouth rinses on Morning Breath' article, halitosis can be successfully reduced via daily use of mouth rinses. On the other hand, according to an article (Side effects of chlorhexidine mouthwashes), there are soreness observed in the oral mucosa because of rinsing with 0.2% and 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate and acetate. The journal article discusses the negative side effects of the said mouthwashes. But according to The effectiveness and side effects of 0.1% and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth rinses: a clinical study' article, the increase in concentration of chlorhexidine provided no clinical advantages or disadvantages.

It is placed in an article (The effectiveness of commonly used mouthwashes for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a systematic review), that daily chlorhexidine mouthwash is often recommended for preventing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. However, the effectiveness of the mouthwash is unclear. And based on another publication(Antimicrobial effectiveness of an herbal mouth rinse compared with an essential oil and a chlorhexidine mouth rinse.), the authors concluded that  although less potent than the chlorhexidine gluconate rinse, the herbal rinse was more effective than the essential oil rinse in inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria in vitro.

History of Mouthwash

Mouthwash helps prevent oral diseases and makes your teeth healthy. It helps to keep our mouth and breath fresh. Most use mouthwash to lessen the nasty odours produced by foods and bacteria. However, it also plays a vital role in reducing gum diseases such as gingivitis and tooth decay. It provides strength to the tooth enamel and helps in preventing common tooth ailments. It is a common part of any good dental oral hygiene routine that has been used by ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Chinese cultures and many others for thousands of years.

Mouthwash first appeared in the late 1800s when oral care products started to be developed and used by the public. In ancient times, Romans were the first to invent mouthwash and toothpaste. At that time, mouthwash contained alcohol that has germ killing properties. The ingredients used in mouthwash during the first few years of its existence included fruits, charcoal and dried flowers. People also preferred the concoction of natural herbs such as mint leaves, goats milk, powdered charcoal and honey.
In ancient times, Indians and the Chinese used different ointments, lotions and tablets for curing oral diseases. They used minerals and herbs as ingredients in the mouthwash. It was believed that these ingredients had the strength to kill germs that produce gingivitis and plaque.

‘Odol’ was the first commercially sold mouthwash. The product was made in the late 1900s. The trend of mouthwash came after World War I. ‘Listerine’, one of the most popular brands of

And according to Anthony van Leeuwenhoek, a famous microscopist in the 1670s had discovered some dental plaque mouthwash, was also developed in the 1800s on the teeth. These dental plaques had some living organisms. He discovered that these living organisms can be killed by using a mixture of brandy and vinegar. The formula became successful in eliminating dental plaque.
Later on in the 1960s, chlorhexidine compound was used by Professor Harald Loe. He found that this compound was very effective in removing the build-up of plaque

We have all seen toothpaste and mouthwash commercials that show us handsome celebrities with flashy white smiles. These commercials want us to believe that these products can give the consumers whiter and cleaner teeth, a fresh breath, fight plaque and prevent gum problems in the long run.
The Oral Cavity:

The oral cavity is one of the most complex parts of the human body that consists of teeth,

 (tissues surrounding the teeth), tongue and mucosa as well as secretory organelles. In addition the mouth harbours a wide range of microbial community and remains highly prone to infectious diseases. Hundreds of bacterial species are involved in dental caries; e.g., streptococci species, lactobacillus species etc..

Bacterial accumulation on teeth results in the formation of dental plaque, which when left untreated could lead to gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding on probing. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to the development of periodontitis, which results in irreversible damage to the gums and underlying support tissues.

All About Mouthwash: 

We all know that the most important part of oral healthcare happens at home. Mechanical cleaning with brushing and flossing has been the corner stone of good oral hygiene and health. Many people find it difficult to comply with this daily regimen. Insufficient and/or inadequate brushing and flossing could lead to plaque build-up. As these methods may be insufficient to achieve optimum results, a common strategy to control of plaque build-up and gingivitis, is to use mouthwash formulations.

Types of Mouthwash:

Fluoride mouthwash: This kind of mouthwash contains fluoride compounds such as 0.05% sodium fluoride, which provides extra fluoride to the people who need it. Using it daily may give additional protection against tooth decay since fluoride mouth rinse can strengthen the teeth and prevent tooth decay. 
 
Antiseptic mouthwash: An antiseptic mouthwash kills bacteria and can also make the breath fresher. Antiseptic mouthwashes are used before and after surgery to remove bacteria and prevent infections. This kind of mouthwash is also recommended for some patients with some kind of mouth infection such as gum disease or thrush. Because an antiseptic mouthwash could affect the sense of taste and possibly stain the teeth, one should consult a dental professional about frequent use.
 
Alcohol-free mouthwash: With the recent medical reviews and articles about what alcohol does to the body and how it negatively affects the curing of bad breath, many companies have now begun producing alcohol-free products. Regular mouthwash can cause a burning sensation in the oral cavity tissue whereas alcohol free mouthwash does not. Alcohol-free mouthwash should not contain chemicals such as benzalkonium chloride (allergen), sodium lauryl sulfate, saccharin, or alcohol. On the other hand, it should have sodium benzoate, sodium bicarbonate, and other ingredients that actually help eliminate bacteria from the mouth.
 
Anti-plaque mouthwash: Development of plaque creates acid that slowly eats away at your teeth and if you let it hang around for several days, it hardens into tartar, which you''ll need a professional to remove. Anti-plaque mouthwashes can help to control plaque build-up and prevent gingivitis.
 
Natural mouthwash: Natural herbal mouth rinses are made of natural, plant-based ingredients and typically do not contain alcohol, sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors etc. Natural mouthwashes use vegetable juices such as red cabbage, purple carrot, beet, tomato and annatto to add color. They are sweetened with vegetable glycerin, stevia or xylitol, none of which foster bacteria growth. Essential oils, such as anise, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, fennel, lavender, rosemary and spearmint are used to flavoring agents to freshen the breath and reduce bacteria in the mouth.  

Uses of Mouthwash:

1: Remove dandruff

Nobody likes dandruff and prescription shampoo can be expensive.  Instead, use an alcohol based mouthwash through your hair after you shampoo in the shower.  A few rinses and your flake free baby.

2: Disinfect a cut

This ones for all the mom's of kids who play sports.  Socks and other gear stink?  Add a cup of mouthwash to your next load of laundry, the antiseptic in the mouthwash will kill most germs that cause odor.

3: Cure athletes foot

As a runner my self, I will occasionally get athletes foot.  No problem, just take some mouthwash and swab your foot with a cotton ball.  I still recommend spray, because the mouthwash stings.  It's still a quick fix though if you don't have any.

Benefits of using Mouthwash:

1)     Freshens breath – First and foremost, and most obviously, mouthwash temporarily reduces bad breath. With a variety of flavours to choose from, mouthwash kills bacteria associated with causing bad breath leaving you with minty fresh breath.

2)     Prevents Plaque build-up – Various mouthwashes help prevent plaque build up on your gums, in-between teeth, and on the surface of your teeth in between brushing. Although it prevents the build up of plague, it cannot reduce the plaque that already exists on your teeth. So remember to always brush and floss to remove the plaque before it becomes a problem.

3)     Stop cavities from forming – With regular use of mouthwash before and after you brush and floss, you can reduce the chances of cavities forming. Mouthwashes that contain fluoride can prevent cavities and strengthen your enamel. Remember, not all mouthwashes contain fluoride. Be sure to check the label on your mouthwash before purchasing.

CHAPTER THREE:
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study aims to make an oregano mouthwash which will help many of us to have a fresher breath and healthier mouth. It is cheaper since the ingredient used can be found in most of the markets. Also, oregano leaves can also be used to cure coughs, asthma, cold and flu, croup, bronchitis and many more illnesses according to webmd.com.

Materials:

Prices	Materials/Ingredients Used
50 Php	Dried Oregano Leaves
	Bottle
	Water
	Pot

 

Procedure:

The following is the actual procedure for the first trial:

1)      Put 2 cups of water in a pot by using a medium size of a glass.

2)      Let the water boil for exactly 15 minutes.

3)      Add 1 pack of Dried Oregano leaves. Let the dried Oregano leaves sank.

4)      Strain out the Oregano leaves. When the mixture is warm enough, strain out the oregano leaves.

5)      Cool it down. Let the mixture cool down for 3-5 minutes on the pot before putting it in a bottle. 

Timetable of Activities:

DATE:	ACTIVITIES:
October 2, 2014	Chapter One – Statements of Objectives
October 14, 2014	Chapter One – Significance of the Study
October 18, 2014	Chapter One – Scope and Delimitation
December 2, 2014	Chapter Two – Review of Related Literature and Studies
December 12, 2014	Chapter Three -
January 26, 2015	Chapter Four – Presentation and Analyses of Data
January 17-22	Bibliography
January 22-23	Acknowledgement

 

  

CHAPTER FOUR;
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSES OF DATA

TRIAL	Materials/Ingredients Used	Observation/Results
1st Trial	Water, Pot, Spatula, Oregano leaves, Bottle Sifter	The Oregano mouthwash tastes plain and smells nothing so, it’s almost the same with water.  So that we the researchers, planned to submit our product to the laboratory in order to know whether this product is safe or not for consumption. After 1 week, the researchers finally got the result from Gensens Incorporated at Quezon City. It was said to the given result that the product was effective to use for consumption because it can kills up to 80% of bacteria inside our mouth.

CHAPTER FIVE:
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusion

We the researchers therefore conclude that the Oregano mouthwash was a successful alternative because it fulfill its objective that prevents oral diseases and keeps the mouth healthy and strong. It removes all nasty odours from the mouth and replaces a fresh and fragrant smell.
We also brought it in a Laboratory and tested it, the results said that it was effective and it kills bacteria with the given result by the medtec. In also, we the researchers had notice a lot about th uses and importance of the herbal plant especially oregano.

Recommendation

The researchers would recommend the following for the people who will make the Oregano mouthwash in their house:
1.) The researchers recommend to gargle the mouthwash for 30 seconds for two (2) times a day.
2.) Do not make too much of the mouthwash for it will expire within 2 weeks.
3.) It is better if the people will add one lemon and zest it for each recipe of the Oregano mouthwash. It will add taste and lengthen the life of the product. The original recipe will expire within 2 weeks but when you’ll add the lemon zest the mouthwash will expire within 3 weeks.
4.) Store the mouthwash in a dry place.
5.) It is better if you will add a minty flavored herbs. It will make your breath smell fresher and it will still be a natural mouthwash.
6.) Don’t have Oregano leaves? Try using Lagundi leaves and Basil leaves.

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APPENDICES