Abstract

RECENT ADVANCES IN THE FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL MOUTHWASHES: A NATURAL APPROACH TO ORAL HEALTH CARE

Sonia Rambachan Kanojia*, Dnyaneshwar S Vyavhare

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Abstract

Maintaining optimal oral hygiene is not only essential for preserving dental health but also for preventing systemic disorders linked to chronic oral infections. While synthetic mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine remain widely used due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, their long-term use is often associated with adverse effects including staining of teeth, mucosal irritation, altered taste perception, and disturbance of the oral microbiome. In response to growing consumer demand for safer, natural, and sustainable alternatives, herbal mouthwashes have emerged as a promising innovation in preventive and therapeutic dentistry. Formulated from medicinal plants like Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), and Mentha piperita (Mint), herbal mouthwashes harness potent phytochemicals that exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. These plantbased formulations not only address oral health conditions such as gingivitis, halitosis, and plaque accumulation, but also align with the principles of green pharmacy and cultural acceptability. Furthermore, advancements in formulation science have introduced techniques such as cold maceration, decoction, and nanoencapsulation to enhance stability and bioavailability of active herbal constituents. This review delves into the modern formulation strategies, selection of herbal ingredients, standard evaluation parameters, and recent scientific findings supporting the efficacy of herbal mouthwashes. It also explores regulatory frameworks, market trends, and emerging innovations such as AI-assisted phytochemical modeling and personalized oral care delivery systems. As the intersection of traditional botanical knowledge and pharmaceutical technology continues to evolve, herbal mouthwashes are poised to redefine the future of oral hygiene with solutions that are both clinically effective and ecologically sound.

Keywords: Herbal mouthwash, Oral hygiene, Tulsi, Clove, Mint, Phytochemicals, Natural antimicrobial, Dental care.