MADHUCA LONGIFOLIA (MAHUA) AS A NATURAL AGENT FOR ORAL HYGIENE: A DRUG REVIEW WITH ETHNOBOTANICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL CORRELATION
Dr. Madhavi Jagat*, Dr. Vinit Singh Jagat, Dr. Kush Kumar Sahu, Dr. Dushyant
ABSTRACT
Madhuca longifolia (Mahua) is a medicinal plant extensively documented in Ayurvedic texts and tribal traditions. Its twigs are customarily used as Dantadhavana (tooth-cleaning agents) and are believed to enhance oral hygiene through their Vata-Pittahara, Shita potency, and antibacterial properties. This drug review presents a comprehensive outlook on Mahua’s Ayurvedic relevance, ethnobotanical significance, phytopharmacology, and modern clinical data. Notably, a recent in-vitro study demonstrated Mahua twig extract’s superior antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans compared to chlorhexidine. The article consolidates classical references, scientific findings, and field applications to validate Madhuca’s role in preventive dentistry.
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