Siwak: the natural toothbrush, how to use it

Siwak, also called miswak, is a stick cut from the root of the arak tree, Salvadora persica, a shrub from the dry regions of the Middle East, East Africa and South Asia. People have used it to clean their teeth for centuries, long before the nylon toothbrush. Ours comes from Pakistan and contains one thing only: the root.

What is in a siwak

Nothing but wood. The root provides both the fibres, which act as a brush, and a slightly sharp, bitter sap. No plastic, no additive, no added flavour. A used stick goes to the compost.

Why it is back in bathrooms

• Plastic-free: no plastic handle and no tube, a plant stick that can be composted
• Travel-friendly: no water is needed while brushing and no toothpaste, at the office, on a train, on a plane, on a hike
• Simple: a single ingredient on the label, Salvadora persica
• A feeling of freshness: the sap has a naturally lively taste

How to use it in four steps

1. Remove the bark over one centimetre, with your teeth or a knife
2. Chew the tip until the fibres separate and form a small brush
3. Gently brush each tooth, without pressing, including the inner surfaces
4. Rinse the stick in clean water, let it dry in the open air, and cut off the worn tip every two or three days to get fresh fibres

The first few times, the taste is surprising: green, a little sharp, close to radish or mustard. You get used to it quickly.

How long a stick lasts

A stick is used up from the tip, one centimetre at a time. How long it lasts depends on use and trimming: count a few weeks with daily use. A case protects it in a bag or wash kit.

How to store it

Dry, in the open air, never sealed damp in a plastic bag. A stick that has dried out too much softens again after a few minutes with its tip in water. A stick that has turned green or smells musty goes in the bin.

Siwak and the regular toothbrush

Many people keep both: brush and toothpaste at home, siwak in the pocket for the day. For those who want siwak in the tube as well, our organic clay and siwak toothpaste is made in France with an extract of the same root.

Our siwaks

The Alepia siwak comes from Pakistan, with one ingredient: Salvadora persica. It is also available with a case for travel, and in a pack of three refills for the family.