2016, Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part A

author(s)
Nor Amiyah binti Bismelah, Dr. Zethy Hanum Mohamed Kassim, Assoc. Professor Dr. Rohana Ahmad, Assoc. Professor Dr. Nor Hadiani Ismail

abstract
Rising cost of drugs, emerging antibiotic resistance and perceived safety of herbal medicine has led to its popularity among consumers, medical practitioners and researchers alike. The increase in awareness had lead to studies being conducted addressing its properties, mode of action, efficacy and toxicity of herbs in hopes of improving the safety and efficacy of herb derived alternative medicine. Plants are widely used as antibacterial agents because they produce a wide array of bioactive components, most of which probably function as chemical defense against predation or infection and have attracted researchers to exploit these bioactive components for application in the dentistry field. Despite its effectiveness in treating a diseases with a less side effects in comparison with the traditional medicines, side- effects do occur. This article will discuss some of herbs used in dentistry, which will covers its application,rnresearch findings, toxicology profiles and side effects. The plants include Miswak (Salvadora persica), Bloodroot plant (Sanguinarine), Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza root), Chicory (Cichorium Intybus Linn), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Garlic (Allium sativum), Betel (Piper betel), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), and Triphala (T. chebula).