Received : 10‑09‑15 Review completed : 18‑11‑15 Review Article Accepted : 26‑11‑15 AYURVEDIC MEDICINE AND ORAL HEALTH - A REVIEW Deepthi S, * Anshad, ** Supreetha S, *** Shylaja MD, † Shilpa M, †† Vinay Kumar K ††† * MDS, Oral medicine and Radiology, Manvi, Raichur, Karnataka, India ** Post Graduate Student, Department of Conservative and Endodontics, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Maggula, Virajpet Karnataka, India *** Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Maggula, Virajpet, Karnataka, India † Reader, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Visnagar, Gujarat, India †† Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Century International Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Kasaragod, Kerala, India ††† Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Pathology, Sridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Tumkur, Karnataka, India _________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT complementary or alternative medicine. Plants have been the major source of medicine Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional since the time immemorial. Medicinal plants Hindu medicine[1] native to the Indian have been used as a traditional treatment subcontinent. Contemporary practices derived agent for numerous human diseases since ages from Ayurvedic traditions are a type of alternative [2] in many parts of the world. In rural areas of medicine. The literal meaning of Ayurveda is the developing countries, they continue to be “science of life,” because ancient Indian system used as the primary source of medicine. About of health care focused on views of man and his 80% of the people in developing countries use illness. Ayurvedic treatment is aimed at patient as traditional medicines for their health care. an organic whole and treatment consists of Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional salubrious use of drugs, diets and certain [3] Hindu medicine. The aim of this review is to practices. According to the Shalyatantra and provide a contemporary overview and Shalakyatantra (one of the braches of Ayurveda), introduction to medicinal practices in 65 varieties of oral disease can arises in seven ayurvedic system and its utilization for various anatomic locations-eight on the lips, 15 on the oral diseases. Several unconventional alveolar margin, eight in connection with the medicinal herbs are described to familiarize teeth, five on the tongue, nine on the palate, 17 in [4] dental practitioners and researchers with a the oropharynx and three in a generalized form. variety of theories that are specifically Ayurveda and the Concept of Health Sushruta Samhita, the surgical compendium of applicable to dentistry. Ayurveda, defines health as “the equilibrium of KEYWORDS: Aloe vera; Ayurveda; curcumin; the three biological humors (doshas), the seven traditional medicine body tissues (dhatus), proper digestion and a state of pleasure or happiness of the soul, senses and INTRODUCTION the mind”.[5] A balance among the three doshas is Traditional medicine is the sum total of necessary for health. Together, the three doshas knowledge, skills and practices based on the govern all metabolic activities. When their actions theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to in our mind-body constitution are balanced, we different cultures that are used to maintain health, experience psychological and physical wellness. as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat When they go slightly out of balance, we may physical and mental illnesses. India is known for feel uneasy. When they are more obviously its traditional medicinal systems - Ayurveda, unbalanced, symptoms of sickness can be Siddha, and Unani. Medical systems are found observed and experienced.[4,6] Ayurveda mentioned even in the ancient Vedas and other recommends some daily use therapeutic scriptures. Traditional medicine that has been procedures for the prevention of and maintenance adopted by other populations (outside its of oral health. These include: Dant Dhavani indigenous culture) is often termed IJOCR Oct - Dec 2015; Volume 3 Issue 4 48 Ayurveda & oral health Deepthi S, Anshad, Supreetha S, Shylaja MD, Shilpa M, Kumar KV (Brushing), Jivha Lekhana (Tongue scrapping) They are native to the Maluku and Gandoosha (gargling) or oil pulling and tissue Islands in Indonesia, and are commonly used as regeneration therapies. a spice. Cloves are commercially harvested Various Ayurvedic Medicines used in primarily in Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Dentistry Zanibar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Aloe Vera Colves are used in Indian Ayurvedic Aloe Vera called as the ayurvedic miracle plant medicine,Chinese medicine, and western comes from the family “Asphodelaceae” genus herbalism and dentistry where the essential oil is ‘Aloe’. The most common and usefully among all used as an anodyne (painkiller) for dental in that species is Aloe Vera Barbadensis in which emergencies. Cloves are used as a carminative, to the species name ‘vera’ means true.[7] It is a native increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach and to plant of Africa which is found in Africa, Northern improve peristalsis. Cloves are also said to be a America, India, Egypt and Sudan. natural anthelmintic.[11] They yield a volatile oil There are eight main uses of aloe vera in dental used medicinally and in perfumes. Cloves have practice:[8] antiseptic, stimulant, and antiemetic (vomiting 1. Periodontal surgery. preventive) properties and are used to treat the 2. Applications to the gum tissues when they mouth, stomach, intestines, circulation, and lungs. have been traumatized or scratched by Oil of cloves can be used on sore gums and teeth toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion, sharp foods, to ease pain. Chew whole cloves to diminish bad dental floss, and toothpick injuries. breath. They are also used to flavour paan. Clove 3. Chemical burns from accidents with aspirin. oil is used in the manufacture of perfumes, soaps, 4. Extraction sockets bath salts and as a flavouring agent in medicine 5. Acute mouth lesions such as herpetic viral and dentistry. Cloves help stimulate sluggish lesions, aphthous ulcers, canker sores & circulation and thereby promote digestion and cracks occurring at the corners of our lips. metabolism. The use of a clove in toothache Gum abscesses are soothed by the applications decreases pain. It also helps to decrease infection as well. due to its antiseptic properties. Clove oil, applied 6. Chronic oral diseases Lichen Planus and to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also relieves Benign Pemphigus, gum problems associated toothache. with AIDS and Leukemia. Migratory Eucalyptus glossititis, geographic tongue and Burning A tall tree native to Australia, the eucalyptus Mouth Syndrome. yields a powerfully antiseptic essential oil that has 7. Denture patients with sore ridges and ill- long been used medicinally. As its leaves have fitting dentures & partials commonly been used to lower fevers, the 8. Dental implants eucalyptus is sometimes known as the "fever Aloe vera can be used in root canals as sedative tree” Eucalyptus oil can be used on sore, inflamed dressing & as file lubricant. Aloe Vera greatly gums for temporary relief.[12] helps to lessen its sensitivity. This gel can be Peppermint placed inside the pulp chambers while broaching One of the oldest of household remedies, it has to make aloe work in the pulp canals. Aloe can been used to treat the stomach, intestines, and also be used as canal lubricant. During closed muscles, and to improve circulation. The leaves dressings cotton pellet with CMCP drops could be and flowering tops are now used to treat colic, added with a drop of aloe vera gel and then sealed fever, convulsions, and especially nausea and with temporary restorations.[9] Aloe vera gel diarrhea. Peppermint (Meutha piperita) this mint placed around dental implants is found effective grows in moist, open areas to a height of three to reduce inflammation. Aloe vera reduces feet and has dark green, lance-shaped leaves and inflammation by its antimicrobial & anti- purple flowers. One of the oldest of household inflammatory effects.[10] remedies, it has been used to treat the stomach, Cloves intestines, and muscles, and to improve Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in circulation. The leaves and flowering tops are the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. now used to treat colic, fever, convulsions, and IJOCR Oct - Dec 2015; Volume 3 Issue 4 49 Ayurveda & oral health Deepthi S, Anshad, Supreetha S, Shylaja MD, Shilpa M, Kumar KV especially nausea and diarrhea. Peppermint study effects of curcumin on mucositis in HNCP contains menthol, methyl acetate, tannic acid, and undergoing radio-chemotherapy was evaluated. vitamin C. Peppermint oil is used for toothache Results showed a remarkable adjuvant protective by soaking a cotton ball in the oil and placing it in activity in radio-chemotherapy.[16] the cavity or rub it on the tooth will relieve pain. CONCLUSION Peppermint mouthwash can be used to relieve Oral diseases are one of the most important gum inflammation.[13] problems in public health and are on the rise in Turmeric developing countries. Most of the oral diseases Turmeric (haldi), a rhizome of Curcuma longa, is are caused due to lack of oral hygiene and a flavourful yellow-orange spice. Its plant is 3 bacterial infections. The procedure and the drugs feet in height and has lance-shaped leaves and useful for oral health are very well described