Nature’s remedies – A comprehensive review of herbal products in dentistry

ABSTRACT Interest in plant-derived and bee-derived remedies for oral health care has surged in the last two decades, driven by patients’ preference for “natural” products, rising antibiotic resistance and concerns about long-term side effects of conventional agents such as chlorhexidine. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence on commonly used herbal products in dentistry – including Salvadora persica (miswak), Azadirachta indica (neem), Curcuma longa (curcumin), propolis, aloe vera, Punica granatum (pomegranate), Camellia sinensis (green tea), and others – focusing on antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticariogenic, and wound healing properties, delivery systems, clinical efficacy, and safety. Evidence supports the modest-to-strong efficacy of several herbal agents as adjuncts to mechanical therapy for plaque control and gingivitis, and growing data endorse curcumin and aloe vera for the management of oral mucositis and wound healing. Propolis and pomegranate extracts show promise as antiplaque/antimicrobial adjuncts; green tea catechins demonstrate periodontal benefits. However, heterogeneity in formulations and concentrations, small sample sizes, short follow-up, and variable outcome measures limit generalizability. Safety signals – contact allergy to propolis, tooth abrasion with inappropriate miswak technique, taste disturbances, and rare mucosal reactions – are documented. We present case-based discussions drawn from recent PubMed case reports illustrating important adverse events and management strategies. Finally, we propose a pragmatic research agenda: standardization of extracts, robust placebo-controlled trials, pharmacokinetic and safety profiling, and regulatory pathways for dental phytotherapeutics. Herbal products offer clinically useful, often well-tolerated adjuncts in oral care, but clinicians must balance enthusiasm with evidence and remain vigilant for adverse effects.