Say Bye to the Bamboo Toothbrush and Hi to the Branch
Did you know that most bamboo toothbrushes still come with plastic bristles? While marketed as sustainable or eco-friendly, many bamboo toothbrushes use nylon bristles, often derived from petroleum. These bristles are not biodegradable and are rarely recyclable, meaning that despite the bamboo handle, the brush still contributes to plastic waste. If you know of any toothbrush brands with genuinely plant-based bristles or plastic-free options, do share.
During my time in Morocco, I discovered a beautifully simple and powerful alternative that’s been used for thousands of years: the miswak.
What Is Miswak?
Miswak, also known as siwak, is a natural toothbrush made from the twigs of the arak tree (Salvadora persica). It’s not a new innovation. It’s an ancient, time-tested practice that predates the modern manual toothbrush. And it still holds up today! But not as much as it should.
In Morocco and across many parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, miswak is a common part of daily oral hygiene. You can find it in markets, herbal shops, or even offered at mosques. It’s cheap, compostable, and effective. Everything a so-called sustainable toothbrush should be, without the greenwashing.
Why Try Miswak?
- No toothpaste needed. Miswak contains natural antiseptic compounds that clean the mouth and help prevent plaque buildup, meaning no paste, no tubes, no chemicals.
- Completely plastic-free. No toothbrush handle made from plastic or bristle heads to replace.
- Ultralight for travel. I brought one on my GR11 thru-hike across the Pyrenees and love it. It weighs almost nothing, ideal for ultralight and zero waste adventurers.
- Naturally compostable. The entire stick, once used, can be returned to the earth. No landfill, no microplastics, no guilt. And I’m still on my first edition. It lasts very long!
- Affordable. In Morocco, one miswak stick costs 1 to 2 dirham, that’s around 10 to 20 euro cents.
- No waste generated. No need to recycle, toss, or clean used heads or replacement heads. Just compost it.
Compare that to modern toothbrushes, including “sustainable” electric toothbrushes, which often still rely on nylon bristles, plastic heads, or replaceable heads made from synthetic materials.
Ancient Wisdom to treasure
The miswak isn’t the only ancient toothcare example. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic health, offers its own deep oral care traditions. Long before biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes and eco toothbrushes were popular, Ayurvedic practitioners used neem twigs and babool twigs as natural brushes, both antibacterial and fibrous like miswak.
- In addition, Ayurvedic oral care includes:
Oil pulling. I swear by it! Swishing sesame or coconut oil in the mouth to cleanse toxins and support gum health. - Herbal powders. Using blends like triphala or clove for brushing teeth and reducing inflammation.
Tongue scraping. A daily ritual to remove toxins and enhance digestion.
Just like miswak, these practices are rooted in natural materials, sustainable sources, and a low-waste lifestyle. They remind us that good health doesn’t have to come in a package. We’ve simply forgotten how to use what grows around us.
In Indigenous communities, resin from trees or aromatic roots served similar purposes. Across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, plant-based oral care was the norm: clean, simple, renewable, and environmentally friendly.
Make Your Own Natural Mouthwash
Here’s another exciting natural toothcare discovery I recently tried. If you’re looking to pair your miswak or zero-waste toothbrush with a simple, travel-friendly mouthwash, here’s a recipe that fits into any nomadic or off-grid lifestyle. Inspired by Ayurveda, it’s made from herbs you can often find in bulk, and it stays fresh for a couple of days without refrigeration.
Clove & Fennel Herbal Mouthwash
You’ll need:
- 1 tsp whole cloves (antibacterial and breath-freshening)
- 1 tsp fennel seeds (soothing and digestive)
- Optional: ½ tsp cinnamon chips or a pinch of rock salt for added antimicrobial power
- 1 cup boiled or purified water (I use Maunawai for water purification when vanlifing and sailing)
Steps to take
- Crush the cloves and fennel seeds slightly with a spoon or the side of a knife.
- Add them to freshly boiled water.
- Let steep for 10–15 minutes.
- Strain and let cool.
- Pour into a clean bottle or small jar and store in a shaded spot.
- Use within 2–3 days.
Swish a small sip around your mouth for 30 seconds to 1 minute after brushing. Do not swallow.
If you’re hiking, vanliving, or wild camping, you can carry the dry herbs in a small pouch and steep a fresh batch on the go.
Why This Matters
Every year, it’s estimated that over a billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away globally. That’s billions of toothbrush handles, nylon bristles, and plastic manual toothbrushes ending up in landfills or the ocean, polluting the very wild places we hike, sail, and explore.
Even eco-friendly toothbrushes with biodegradable bamboo handles often fail at the bristle level. Toothbrushes made with truly plant-based heads and bristles are rare. And most manual toothbrushes with replaceable heads are still hard to recycle, especially without specialty programs.
In contrast, miswak leaves no trail. You use it. You compost it. You move on.And it works.
The Real Question
If something is natural, compostable, cheap, and effective, why are we not using it?
This is one of those discoveries that’s more than just a toothbrush. It’s a portal into ancestral knowledge, and a reminder that low-tech often means high wisdom. It’s an invitation to rethink not just our oral care, but the systems we’ve accepted without question.
If you’re exploring a sustainable lifestyle, the miswak might just be the easiest and most affordable shift you can make. If you’re exploring Morocco, get some!
So, have you tried miswak? Would you?
Sometimes the simplest things really are the most powerful.
