A Review: Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Mouthwash

Abstract

This study focuses on developing herbal mouthwash formulations. These mouthwashes may serve as antibiotics, topical pain relievers, anti-inflammatory agents, or even prevent dental caries. Alcohol and fluoride, commonly found in commercial mouthwashes, can be harmful if swallowed. However, this issue is less common with herbal variants. When mouthwash contacts the oral mucosa, its components can enter the bloodstream quickly. Herbal formulations are derived from natural ingredients such as clove, peppermint, ajwain, green tea, neem, tulsi, and guava leaves. These substances aid in fighting tooth decay, plaque, gingivitis, and help in maintaining fresh breath. Regular use can significantly improve oral hygiene. Medicinal plants are known for their antibacterial and antiviral benefits, making them effective in managing and preventing oral infections. Compared to synthetic alternatives, herbal mouthwashes are gaining popularity due to their quick action and fewer side effects

Introduction

Mouthwash is a water-based solution used to reduce oral plaque by swishing in the mouth. Herbal mouthwashes, made from natural plant extracts (leaves, seeds, oils), are favored for their extended antimicrobial effects and fewer side effects compared to chemical mouthwashes, which may cause staining or reactions. Herbal mouthwashes help prevent gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis by controlling plaque, reducing inflammation, and killing bacteria.

Types of mouthwash include fluoride (prevents decay), antiseptic (usually alcohol-based for bacterial control), cosmetic (temporary breath freshening), and natural (plant-based, alcohol-free).

Uses and benefits of herbal mouthwash cover breath freshening, plaque control, gum disease prevention, inflammation reduction, enamel strengthening, and safe cleansing without harsh chemicals.

Key herbal ingredients used are:

• Neem: inhibits plaque and bacteria, anti-inflammatory

• Tulsi: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, boosts immunity

• Peppermint oil: freshens breath, antibacterial

• Tea tree oil: antiseptic, fights bad breath

• Clove: antimicrobial, analgesic for oral pain

Preparation method involves soaking powdered neem, tulsi, and clove in water, filtering, boiling, then adding preservatives (salt), buffering agents, peppermint and tea tree oils, and adjusting volume.

Evaluation tests assessed color, odor, taste, consistency, pH, and stability under different temperatures, finding generally good flavor retention and physical stability.

Conclusion

Today, there is a noticeable shift toward using natural remedies due to their minimal side effects. Herbal extracts, whether used wholly or partially, have shown beneficial effects in dentistry. They effectively resolve gum issues and serve as mouth fresheners. These plant-based alternatives present a promising substitute to synthetic agents for treating dental caries, plaque, gingivitis, and periodontitis, offering both preventive and therapeutic benefits.

References

[1] American Dental Association (ADA). (2021). Mouthwash (Mouthrinse). [2] Van der Weijden, F., & Slot, D. E. (2015). Oral hygiene in the prevention of periodontal diseases: The evidence. Periodontology 2000, 68(1), 70-76. [3] WHO. (2020). Oral Health Fact Sheet. [4] Gupta, D., et al. (2017). Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of herbal and chlorhexidine mouthwash on plaque and gingivitis: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 11(6), ZE01-ZE05. [5] Pannuti, C. M., et al. (2020). Herbal mouthwashes for gingivitis and periodontitis: A systematic review. Brazilian Oral Research, 34, e123. [6] FDA. (2019). Antiseptic Mouthwash: Benefits and Risks. [7] Marinho, V. C., et al. (2016). Fluoride mouthrinses for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7, CD002284. [8] Prasad, K., & Sharma, V. (2018). Natural therapeutic approach in the management of oral mucositis. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 9(4), 267-272. [9] Groppo, F. C., et al. (2015). Antimicrobial activity of garlic, tea tree oil, and chlorhexidine against oral pathogens. Brazilian Dental Journal, 26(3), 236-241. [10] Tatikonda, A., et al. (2014). Efficacy of herbal and non-herbal mouthwash: A comparative study. Journal of Pharmacy &Bioallied Sciences, 6(Suppl 1), S109–S112. [11] NIH. (2021). Herbal Medicine for Oral Health. [12] Alzohairy, M. A. (2016). Therapeutics role of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and their active constituents in diseases prevention and treatment. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 7382506. [13] Cohen, M. M. (2014). Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 5(4), 251–259. [14] Kamatou, G. P., et al. (2013). Menthol: A simple monoterpene with remarkable biological properties. Phytochemistry, 96, 15–25. [15] Hammer, K. A., et al. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil against oral pathogens. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 125(5), 1294-1303. [16] Cortés-Rojas, D. F., et al. (2014). Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): A precious spice. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 4(2), 90–96. [17] Indian Pharmacopoeia. (2018). Guidelines for Herbal Extract Preparation. [18] European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2019). Quality of Herbal Medicinal Products. [19] FSSAI. (2020). Permitted Additives in Herbal Products. [20] ISO 5492:2008. Sensory Analysis – Vocabulary. [21] USP. (2021). pH Determination in Oral Care Products. United States Pharmacopeia. [22] ICH Q1A(R2). (2003). Stability Testing of New Drug Substances. [23] Lawless, H. T., & Heymann, H. (2010). Sensory Evaluation of Food: Principles and Practices. Springer.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Divya kamble, Nikhil Jadhav, Nitin Gawai. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.