World Oral Health Day 2025: What Is Mukhwas? Here’s What You Need To Make India’s Favourite After-Meal Snack At Home

What is Mukhwas?: As the name suggests, mouth fresheners are refreshing, adding sweetness while helping you stay confident. March 20th is observed annually as World Oral Health Day, and what better way to celebrate than by making your DIY freshener to keep your oral hygiene at its best?

What is Mukhwas?

What makes these mouth fresheners even more intriguing is their historical significance. They are not just ordinary breath fresheners but a cherished after-meal tradition in Indian households namely Mukhwas.

Also read: World Oral Health Day 2025: 10 Foods And Drinks To Maintain Fresh Breath All The Time

Medically, fennel seeds help increase pH levels in the mouth and stimulate saliva production, keeping the mouth naturally moist and fresh.

Although the National Institute Of Health (NIH) states “Chewing of fennel seeds after food is a common culture in the Indian Sub-continent. A review of previous studies on fennel seeds showed that some of them have an anti-microbial efficacy, but there are no extensive data available on the effect of chewing fennel seeds on the pH of saliva.”

Nevertheless, fresh breath is a confidence booster, so check out this traditional mouth freshener recipe.

Mukhwas recipe

Ingredients

• 200 grams white sesame seeds
• 100 grams black sesame seeds
• 100 grams fennel seeds
• 50 grams of flax seeds
• 15 grams of carom seeds
• 15 grams of suva seeds
• 150 grams of dhana dal seeds
• ½ cup grated dry amla - optional
• Turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Water as required

Instructions

• In a bowl, add white sesame seeds, 1 tsp turmeric, ¾ tbsp salt, and 1-2 tbsp water. Mix well.
• Then in a bowl, add black sesame seeds, salt, and some water. Mix well.
• Now in fennel seeds add ¼ tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp salt, and some water. Mix well.
• Then in flex seeds, add ½ tsp salt and 1 tsp lemon juice. Mix well.
• Now in a bowl, add ajwain and Suva seeds. Then add ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, and some water. Mix well.
• Then dry all ingredients for 30 minutes to 1 hrs.
• Now in a Kadai, roast all seeds on medium flame till they become crispy.
• Mix all roasted seeds and sieve them with a very small hole Jara. (refer to video)
• Then add chana dal and grate dry amla. Mix well.
• Gujarati Mukhwas is ready. Store it in an air-tight container.

(Recipe credit: nehascookbook.com)