Nutrition and Oral Medicine (Nutrition and Health)

153Table 2Botanical SupplementsSupplement General use(s) Oral use(s) Concerns Additional reference(s)*Aloe vera Anti-inflammatory Mouth rinse May cause diarrhea, malabsorption,electrolyte imbalance when ingestedBilberry Relieve diabetic neuropathy, As an astringent rinse to treat (52)antioxidant, improve eye- mildly inflamed mucous memsightbranes of mouth and throatCalendula Anti-inflammatory, reduce Applied topically to treat May cause allergic reactions in http://www.herbmed.orgswelling, improve wound inflammation of oral mucosa individuals sensitive to members ofhealingthe Asteraceae (daisy) familyCayenne Used topically for pain relief Topical application for pain Capsaicin is active compound in chili/ http://www.clinicaltrials.govrelief for toothache, trige- cayenne peppers; irritant to skin andminal neuralgia. NIDCR eyes; topical use onlyto test effectiveness ofcapsaicin in pain controlafter third molar extractionEchinacea Upper respiratory infections, Locally applied as antimicro- Research has not demonstrated efficacy (49,53)wound healing bial for oral health, inflam- in oral health; not to be used withmation of mouthimmunosupressants or hepatotoxicdrugs, or in patients with AIDS,tuberculosis, or autoimmune diseases;use to be discontinued prior to surgeryEphedra Stimulant, ergogenic aid Tachycardia, hypertension, (49,54)arrhythmias; possible additive effectwith epinephrine; reduces effectivenessof prednisoneContinued on next pageChapter 9 / CAM and Oral Health 153