Oral care10 min
Jamun Leaf Decoction as a Gum Rinse
A few tender jamun leaves boiled into an astringent rinse, a traditional remedy in rural India for tender, puffy gums.
Why jamun is used this way
Jamun is the purple monsoon fruit whose seeds, leaves and bark are astringent. Ayurveda uses the bark and leaves for mouth and gum care, and the seed in blood-sugar diets.
Jamun leaves and bark are strongly astringent, and they have long been used in Indian villages as a gargle for gums and throat. Astringent rinses can make gums feel firmer, but they do not treat gum disease on their own.
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 tender jamun leaves
- 2 cups water
How to prepare
- Boil the leaves until the water reduces to about one cup; cool to lukewarm and strain.
How to use
- Rinse and gargle twice a day for a few days.
- Brush gently with a soft brush and floss daily.
Helpful habits
- Pick young, clean leaves from an unsprayed tree.
Precautions
- See a dentist for bleeding gums lasting more than a week, loose teeth or pus.
- Large amounts of seed or leaf may lower sugar; take care with diabetes medicine.
- Keep brushing twice a day; see a dentist for pain, swelling or an ulcer lasting over two weeks.
- A home remedy, not a treatment. See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few days or get worse.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use jamun bark?
- Bark is more astringent; a small piece boiled in water is traditional.
Is it safe to swallow?
- Spit it out; it is meant as a rinse.
Does jamun stain teeth?
- The fruit stains briefly; a water rinse helps.
