Gingivitis is a common but mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease.) If you have irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gums, you may have gingivitis. Luckily, we have natural remedies for gingivitis for you.
But first, we will look at the causes of gingivitis, the symptoms of gingivitis, and how to reverse gum disease with one of the best natural remedies for gingivitis: wormwood.
What Causes Gingivitis?
Even though gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease it is important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. So, what causes gingivitis in the first place?
The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Good oral health habits can prevent and even reverse gingivitis.
Gingiva is the gum tissue in your mouth and around you teeth. When gingival becomes red, inflamed and swollen due to infection, the condition is called gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease.

Your Best Tool in Prevention
If plaque is allowed to build-up on teeth, the naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth thrives. These bacteria produce toxins, triggering the immune response. The toxins, as well as the “good” enzymes involved in fighting infections, can damage gum tissue. Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and even tooth loss.
If the infection is left unattended, inflamed pockets of infection known as abscesses can form and the damage can extend to the bone. As a result, the gum tissue fails, leading to tooth loss and other serious complications.
One of the best natural remedies for gingivitis is proper and regular dental hygiene. According to the American Dental Association good oral hygiene includes the following:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day.
- Using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably.
- Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush.
- Good brushing technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle. Brush the area where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with short back-and-forth motions. Brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.
- Good toothbrush care. Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store in an upright position. Don’t cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, this can encourage the growth of bacteria.
- Replace toothbrush at least every three to four months.
- Floss every day.
- Regularly see a dentist
What are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?
If you have signs of discomfort in your teeth, mouth, or gums, you may have gingivitis – or even something more serious. Oral health is an important part of overall health. Our mouths are where gut health and thus good health begins.
When oral health is ignored or compromised by other conditions, bacteria can build-up and cause infection and inflammation of the gum tissue. Inflammation is often accompanied by pressure and tooth pain. This may not feel like a good thing, but pain and discomfort is what lets us know something is wrong. Other common signs of gingivitis include:
- Inflamed gums
- Tender gums
- Dark red or red swollen gums
- Gums that bleed easily when flossing or brushing
- Bad breath
- Receeding gums
How to Reverse Gum Disease
Can gum disease be cured? Yes! You can reverse gingivitis naturally.
If you have gingivitis and are looking for natural ways to reverse gingivitis, we have a wormwood remedy based on a recipe by Hildegard of Bingen that will help you. Even if you don’t currently have gingivitis, wormwood is one of the natural remedies for gingivitis that can be used to prevent gingivitis from forming.
Hildegard’s wormwood remedy is a natural cure for gingivitis. It is an effective, natural treatment for gingivitis and other minor discomfort in your mouth and teeth.
Fighting Gingivitis Naturally: Prevention is Key
Proper dental hygiene and regular dental care prevents gingivitis for most people with normal immune systems. Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory illnesses, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease, however, are more susceptible and should take extra care to ward off gingivitis.
Using Hildegard’s wormwood gingivitis remedy at the first sign of gingivitis or any pain or discomfort can be an effective way to reverse gingivitis and prevent more serious problems.
When dental hygiene can’t resolve the issue alone, doctors prescribe oral antibiotics. Antibiotics enter your bloodstream. This means the medicine is affecting your entire body. Antibiotics are a wonderful tool of modern medicine, but sometimes the side-effects can be greater than the benefits.
For example, antibiotics can harm the healthy bacteria you have in your digestive system. To lean about this, see our post on antibiotics and digestion. So as part of a regimen of holistic health and wellness, this wormwood wine natural remedy can be a great way to prevent the need for antibiotics.
In fact, long before antibiotics, Hildegard would recommend wormwood wine according to the practice of monastic medicine. So as far as natural remedies for gingivitis are concerned, Hildegard’s wormwood wine has been around a long time.
Of course, we always recommend consulting your physician if you have any serious health concerns. Generally, if you are already taking antibiotics or other treatments, you can still take this natural cure for gingivitis.

Wormwood Plant
Reversing Gum Disease with Wormwood Wine
Hildegard of Bingen describes the wormwood wine remedy in her Physica. This natural remedy for gingivitis and other oral ailments is easy to prepare. Here is how.
Ingredients:
- 1.25 ounces (50g) wormwood herb
- 1.25 ounces (50g) verbena (vervain)
- ½ liter wine
Preparation & Use:

Enjoy your natural cure for gingivitis!
In a kettle or saucepan, bring wine, wormwood, and verbena to a light boil. Simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and strain. Drink warm, 6-8 ounces throughout the day.
Learn More About Wormwood
Wormwood is also a powerful detoxifying herb. Learn more about wormwood and Hildegard’s recommended uses in our post on wormwood benefits.