I've been trying to cut down on gum and mints lately, you know, trying to be a bit healthier and natural. Heard mint leaves and parsley both do the trick for freshening your breath. Tried chewing mint leaves yesterday—tasted decent but didn't last long. Parsley seems a bit weird to chew on, but some swear by it. Anyone tried both? Which one actually works better or tastes less...um, grassy?
Tried both mint leaves and parsley myself, and honestly, neither really did it for me. Mint leaves were okay at first, but like you said, the freshness fades way too fast. Parsley...yeah, definitely grassy. Reminds me of accidentally chewing garnish at a restaurant—not exactly enjoyable.
I know you're aiming for natural options, but have you considered fennel seeds? A friend introduced me to them after meals (apparently it's common in some cultures), and they're surprisingly effective. They taste mildly sweet and licorice-y—might take some getting used to, but way less grassy than parsley. Plus, fennel seeds actually help digestion too, so it's kind of a win-win.
Mint and parsley aren't bad options, but if you're open to something different that's still natural... fennel seeds could be worth a shot.
Fennel seeds, huh? Never thought of that... do they really taste strongly like licorice though? I'm not a huge fan of licorice flavor, but if it's mild enough, maybe I could handle it. Totally get what you mean about parsley—definitely had that awkward garnish-chewing moment myself, lol. Props for trying something new though, it's always tricky finding natural options that actually work.
Fennel seeds do have a licorice-like flavor, but honestly, it's pretty mild—definitely not as intense as actual licorice candy or anything. If you're not a fan of strong licorice taste, you might still find fennel seeds tolerable, especially if you chew just a small pinch. Personally, I find them pretty effective for freshening breath after meals, and they're also great for digestion, which is a nice bonus.
Totally relate to the parsley garnish moment though... been there myself more times than I'd like to admit, haha. Mint leaves are usually my go-to because they're reliable and easy to find, but fennel seeds are a nice alternative when you want something different. Worth giving them a shot at least once—you might be pleasantly surprised.
Mint leaves do offer a refreshing taste, but as you've noticed, the effect doesn't linger very long. Parsley can be effective because it neutralizes odors rather than just masking them, though the taste can indeed feel a bit grassy. Fennel seeds, as mentioned earlier, are a good alternative—many dental professionals recommend them for their antibacterial properties and mild flavor. Personally, I alternate between mint leaves and fennel seeds depending on what's available; both seem to do the job fairly well.
