Turmeric - The Serendipitous Herb : A Review

Phytotherapy, the use of herbal agents as medicines has become the focus of research in the recent years. This increased interest in the discovery of natural compounds is due to the various adverse effects of allopathic drugs and emergence of resistant strains of common pathogens. Turmeric or curcumin is one of the oldest spices that has been a vital part of Ayurvedic medicine, and has proven properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, antiseptic and antimutagenic properties making it a very viable and economical substitute. The objective of this article is to provide a brief overview of the plethora of research regarding the health benefits of curcumin and its uses in dentistry

Honey the paradisiacal panacea - A Review

In folk medicine natural products have been used since ancient times. Honey has been used as a source of nutrient as well as a medicine. It shows an extensive range of biological effects such as antibacterial, antiallergic, antithrombotic, antiinflamatory action. The objective of this article is to provide an overview regarding the health benefits of honey and its uses in dentistry

Exquisite Herbal Bullets in Dentifrices - A Scientific Review

Ayurveda, known to be the science of life focuses on prevention of diseases rather than treatment. One's daily health and hygiene regimen referred to as Dinacharya in Ayurveda is essential to keep our mind and body in optimum health. Oral hygiene is vital to an individual’s overall health and well being. Natural phytochemicals isolated from plants used in traditional medicine are considered to be good alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Herbs with medicinal properties are useful and effective source for treatment of oral diseases and can be used for cleansing and maintaining oral hygiene. They have been proven to be safe, effective, easily adjustable and acceptable with body physiology. The present review focuses on herbs incorporated in dentifrices and their effects in oral cavity

Effect of Green Tea as a Mouth Rinse on Streptococcus Mutans

Plant extracts have been widely used in topical and oral applications for disease treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of green tea as mouth rinse for children on plaque streptococcus mutans and to compare it with that of a chlorhexidine mouth rinse. Plaque samples were tested for Streptococcus Colony Forming Units before and following a 21 day period of oral rinsing. A significant reduction in plaque S.mutans counts was observed with Green tea mouth rinse, which was not significantly different from that of the time tested chlorhexidine mouth rinse. The use of a green tea as a mouth rinse appears to be effective for regular use as part of a daily preventive regime in children

The Buzz Button to your Toothache – Spilanthes acmella : A Review

Spilanthes acmella, commonly known as toothache plant, is an important medicinal plant belonging to family Asteraceae. It has been reported to possess various biological activities like anti-pyretic, antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, anticancer and antitoothache etc. The bioactive chemical component is spilanthol, an alkamide which is present in roots and all aerial parts of the plant. Spilanthol has high industrial demand for its use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and toothpaste industry. S.acmella is quickly getting depleted from its natural habitat, because of its wider applications for commercial use

Oil Pulling - A Blessing in Disguise

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for oral health and detoxification. It involves the use of pure oils as agents to cleanse out harmful bacteria, as well as reduce fungal overgrowth. Oil pulling may also increase saponification in the mouth, creating a soapy environment that cleanses the mouth as vegetable fat is an emulsifier by nature. Most interesting is perhaps the ability of oil to help in cellular restructuring, and are related to the proper functioning of the lymph nodes and other internal organs. Apart from the various available scientific advancements in the medical field, there are age old traditional practices in Ayurvedic medicine which have to be encouraged. Oil pulling, which only requires one to swish oil in the mouth is known to cure many oral and systemic ailments. Though oil pulling is effective, none of the studies considered it as a replacement for the tooth brushing, but can definitely be a supplemental oral hygiene aid. This paper aims at throwing light on the various health benefits of this bygone practice

Aloe Vera – Nature’s Power

Aloe vera is a plant used in various fields like Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Allopathy, Siddha, Unani, cosmetology, dermatology and surprisingly even in dentistry. Aloe vera is richest source of health for humans with various benefits and properties like wound healing, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-septic, anti-helmenthic and anti-oxidant. Aloe vera is used in dentistry as active ingredient in tooth pastes, tooth gels and mouth rinse for plaque control, treatment of various oral lesions, halitosis and gingivitis, as decontaminant in endodontics, in extraction sockets, dental implants and in denture care. This paper gives an overview of aloe vera plant, its ingredients, properties and various therapeutic and dental applications

Spices - An imperative melange - back to the roots

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of India’s traditional health care systems. Natural products have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for many purposes. Ayurveda has many evidences for the utilization of spices to cure various diseases. They not only increase the flavor of food but also have several therapeutic values. The objective of this article is to provide an overview regarding the health benefits of most commonly used spices and their applications in dentistry

Effect of Propolis in Oral Health

Propolis is a natural product derived from plant resins collected by honey bees. It is used by bees as glue, a general-purpose sealer and as draught-extruder for bee hives. Propolis has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The main chemical classes present in propolis are flavonoids, phenolics and other various aromatic compounds. Flavonoids are well known plant compounds that have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proprieties. Propolis has been used in dentistry for various purposes and has a promising role in future medicine as well as in dentistry. Its natural resinous substance shows dental application based on its antimicrobial, antiinflammatory and immunomodulating effects. Propolis is used in dentistry as active ingredient as mouth rinse for plaque control, treatment of various oral lesions, intracanal medicaments, storage media for avulsed teeth, wound healing. This paper gives an overview of propolis, its ingredients, properties and various therapeutic and dental applications

Punica Granatum L - A Nutraceutical functional food

Pomegranate is a widely used plant having medicinal properties. Pomegranates and their extracts may serve as natural alternatives due to their potency against a wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens. The synergistic action of the pomegranate constituents appears to be superior to that of single constituents.Pomegranate provides health benefits, that is, a nutraceutical food. It is used in dentistry as an active ingredient such as mouth rinse for plaque control, treatment of various oral lesions, storage media for avulsed teeth, wound healing. This paper describes the uses of pomegranate, its mechanism and various therapeutic and dental applications