**2.14 Peppermint**

*Mentha piperita* can be used in a toothpaste or mouthwash, which showed antibiofilm properties against *Streptococcus mutans* and dental plaque (**Table 1**, [48]). It can be used topically as an analgesic and to reduce pain. It can also reduce a toothache [48]. It showed antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and astringent properties. It can be used in treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral mucosa of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal etiology (**Table 1**). It can lead to a decrease in treatment time, faster tissue regeneration, faster relieved pain and swelling, and improved quality of life for the patients. It has also been used as a mouthwash [48]. It can be used safely in most of the cases [48]. However, it may interfere with iron absorption [48]. It can cause burning and gastrointestinal distresses in some cases. It is contraindicated in patients with chronic heartburn, severe liver damage, gallbladder inflammation or obstruction [48], and peppermint oil should be avoided in any facial application on children and infants [48].

#### **2.15 Bloodroot**

Bloodroot is an alkaloid known as *Sanguinaria canadensis*. It has been used for periodontal disease due to its ability to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria such as *P. gingivalis* (**Table 1**, [43]). It's available in toothpaste or as other oral hygiene products, and it is safe in long-term use. However, a recent report found that dental preparations with bloodroot may be associated with leukoplakia which is a precancerous lesion [43]. It is contraindicated in children, pregnant or lactating women [43]. The overdose can lead to stomachache, diarrhea, visual impairment, glaucoma, miscarriage, paralysis, and heart disease [43].

#### **2.16 Caraway**

The main components of *Carum carvi* are carvone and limonene. It can be used as a mouthwash in gingivitis or periodontal disease (**Table 1**, [43]). It can also be used as a flavor component in toothpaste and mouthwash products. It can target *Fusobacterium nucleatum* and early- and late-bacterial colonizers on tooth surfaces [43]. However, it should not be used in children under 2 years old because it may be cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes [43].

#### **2.17 Eucalyptus**

Eucalyptus is effective against *A. actinomycetemcomitans* and *P. gingivalis* (**Table 1**). It can be used as a promising alternative to antibiotics and oral infections prevention [49]. It can stimulate the innate cell-mediated immune response, tumor chemotherapy [50]. Eucalyptus oil has the ability to dissolve root canal sealer (**Table 1**, [51]). It has anti cariogenic activity against *Streptococcus mutans* and *Lactobacillus acidophilus* [49–51]. There are several potential side effects associated with the use of Eucalyptus such as: allergy, rashes, burning sensation, drowsiness, difficulty in breathing, cardiovascular collapse and multi-organ failure due to substantial ingestion of eucalyptus mouthwash [49–51].

#### **2.18 Phyllanthus Emblica**

*Emblica officinalis* has several properties, such as cytoprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-resorptive, and anti-inflammatory activity. It can be used as a locally delivered gel and as an adjunct to scaling and root planning, which will reduce the periodontal inflammation in chronic periodontitis cases compared with scaling alone [52]. It can reduce all strains of yeasts stick in the buccal epithelial cells compared with normal saline solution [53]. It can be used a mouthwash to treat mouth ulcers, and aphthous [52, 53]. It is the best remedy for scurvy due to vitamin C contents and pain reliefs [52, 53]. Even though Phyllanthus has been used as traditional medicine for long term, side effects may include stomach upset and diarrhea [52, 53]. It should be avoided in children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and patients with Wilson's disease [52, 53]. It can inhibit blood clotting and should not be used plavix (clopidogrel) because it increased bleeding [52, 53].

#### **2.19 Black seed**

Miracle herb, or *Nigella sativa*, can reduce nitric oxide levels and inhibit proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-c, and PGE2. It can also *Herbs and Oral Health DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103715*

increase the anti-inflammatory IL-10 [54, 55]. It works against *Porphyromonas gingivalis*, *A. actinomycetemcomitans*, and *Prevotella intermedia* **(Table 1**). It also decreases oral halitosis [54–58]. The black seed were found to have a bactericidal effect surface inhibition against *S. mutans* [54–58]. It can be used as an intracanal antisepsis in root canal therapy due to its activity against *Enterobacter cloacae*, *Streptococcus oralis*, *Streptococcus anginosus*, and *Staphylococcus epidermides* [54–58]. It has beneficial effects on oral ulcerations, oral mucositis, bone and wound healing after extraction or surgery [54–58].

#### **2.20 Myrrh**

*Commiphora molm* has three components: the resin, the gum, and the volatile oil. It has antimicrobial properties and immune enhancer [59–61]. It can be used as a topical or a mouth wash to manage pharyngitis, tonsillitis, gingivitis and ulcers with 2–3 times per day [59–61]. There is no known side effects with its used [62–65]. It works against caries bacteria such as *Streptococcus mutans* and *Lactobacillus spp,* and periodontal disease microbes such as *Porphyromonas gingivalis*, *A. actinomycetemcomitans*, *Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia* **(Table 1**, [62–65]). It has anti-inflammatory activity through proinflammatory cytokines reduction such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α [66]. It can be used in cases with gum swelling, aphthous ulcers, and intramucosal wounds [62–66]. It can lead to significant reduction in plaque and gingival inflations compared with 0.2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate mouthwash [64].

#### **2.21 Rosemary**

*Rosmarinus officinalisy* has antioxidant activity and effective as an antibacterial and antifungal agents [43]. It can inhabit cancer development in animal studies [43]. It works against *Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli* **(Table 1**, [43]). However, it should be avoided during pregnancy to minimize the risk of abortion [43]. It can lead to iron deficiency in same cases as well [43].

#### **2.22 Sage**

The main components of *Salvia officinalis* are alpha and beta-thujone, rosmarinic acid, camphor, tannins, flavonoids, and cineole [43]. It can be used as mouthwash or gargle several times to treat a sore throat and gingivitis [43]. It has antibacterial (*Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Actinomyces viscosus*), and antifungal (*Candida albicans*) (**Table 1**, [43]). The long term used can increased heart rate, caused mental confusion and convulsions [43]. It should be avoided during pregnancy and cases with fever [43].

#### **2.23 Thyme**

*Thymus vulgaris* is one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe in spasmodic and whooping cough [43]. It can be used to treat oral herpes, chronic candidiasis and halitosis [43]. It targeted *S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans* [43]. Patients with orthodontic brackets can used it as varnish to reduce *Streptococcus mutans* near the bracket (**Table 1**, [43]).
