Additional Botanicals Worth Exploring¶

The chapters in this section have covered the major botanical players in oral health—the herbs and resins with the strongest evidence and longest traditions of use. But the plant kingdom is vast, and there are other botanicals that warrant attention for those who wish to explore further.

This addendum presents herbs with documented oral health benefits that didn't fit neatly into the main chapters. Some have strong traditional use but limited modern research. Others have emerging evidence that may grow stronger with time. All are worth knowing about.

Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Herbs¶

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)¶

Also known as pot marigold, calendula is renowned for wound healing and tissue repair. Its flavonoids and triterpenes provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Oral health applications:

Gum inflammation and bleeding
Mouth ulcers and canker sores
Post-surgical healing
General mucous membrane support

Studies have shown calendula extracts reduce plaque and gingivitis comparable to chlorhexidine in some trials. It's gentle enough for regular use and combines well with other herbs like myrrh and sage.

Preparation: Tea or tincture used as a rinse; often combined with other antimicrobial herbs.

Further reading: Calendula — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea and E. angustifolia)¶

Best known for immune support during colds, echinacea also has direct antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties relevant to oral health.

Oral health applications:

Gum infections and inflammation
Toothache (traditional Native American remedy)
Immune support during periodontal treatment
Combined with sage and chamomile in therapeutic rinses

Echinacea's alkamides and polysaccharides modulate immune function while providing antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens.

Caution: Avoid if allergic to ragweed or other Asteraceae family plants. Not recommended for those with autoimmune conditions.

Preparation: Tincture added to rinses; tea for gargling.

Further reading: Echinacea — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)¶

A powerful antimicrobial herb containing berberine, goldenseal has been called "nature's antibiotic." It's particularly valued for treating infections of the mucous membranes.

Oral health applications:

Acute gum infections
Mouth sores and ulcers
Combined with myrrh for severe gingivitis
Canker sore treatment

Berberine, goldenseal's primary active constituent, has demonstrated antibacterial activity against oral pathogens in laboratory studies.

Caution: Strong herb—not for daily use. Avoid during pregnancy. Sustainability concerns exist due to overharvesting; source responsibly or consider Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) as a berberine-containing alternative.

Preparation: Tincture diluted for rinse; direct application to infected areas.

Further reading: Golden Seal — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Plantain (Plantago major and P. lanceolata)¶

Not the banana relative, but the common "weed" found in lawns worldwide. Plantain has remarkable wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Oral health applications:

Mouth ulcers and sores
Gum inflammation
Drawing out infection
Soothing irritated tissues

The allantoin and aucubin in plantain promote tissue healing, while mucilage soothes inflamed membranes.

Preparation: Fresh leaf juice applied directly; tea as a rinse; often combined with calendula and echinacea.

Further reading: Plantain — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)¶

Named for Achilles, who legendarily used it for battlefield wounds, yarrow is a potent wound-healer with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Oral health applications:

Bleeding gums (styptic action)
Gum inflammation
Acute oral conditions
Post-extraction healing

Yarrow's combination of astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory actions makes it valuable for acute gum problems.

Preparation: Tea as a rinse; tincture for acute conditions.

Further reading: Yarrow — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Soothing and Demulcent Herbs¶

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)¶

The original marshmallow—before it became a confection—was a medicinal plant. Its root and leaves contain mucilage that coats and soothes irritated tissues.

Oral health applications:

Sore, irritated mouth tissues
Dry mouth relief
Mucositis (from chemotherapy or radiation)
Protecting inflamed gums

Marshmallow doesn't kill bacteria, but its soothing mucilage can protect damaged tissue while healing occurs.

Preparation: Cold water infusion (hot water destroys mucilage); tea swished and held in mouth.

Further reading: Marshmallow — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)¶

Another mucilage-rich herb, slippery elm bark creates a protective, soothing coating over irritated tissues.

Oral health applications:

Mouth ulcers
Sore throat extending to oral cavity
Dry mouth
Protecting healing tissues

Caution: Sustainability concerns due to Dutch elm disease and overharvesting. Use responsibly.

Preparation: Powder mixed with water to form a gel; lozenges.

Further reading: Slippery Elm — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Circulation-Enhancing Herbs¶

Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum)¶

Known as the "toothache tree" in North America, prickly ash bark has a long history of use for dental pain. Its alkaloids and aromatic compounds stimulate circulation and have a numbing effect on tissues.

Oral health applications:

Toothache (temporary relief)
Stimulating circulation to gum tissue
Combined with other antimicrobial herbs for acute conditions

Preparation: Tincture applied directly to painful area; tea as a rinse.

Further reading: Prickly Ash — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Hawthorn (Crataegus species)¶

Primarily known for cardiovascular support, hawthorn's circulatory benefits may extend to the microcirculation that nourishes gum tissue.

Oral health applications:

Supporting gum tissue health through improved circulation
Antioxidant protection
General tissue support

This is a more indirect application—hawthorn isn't applied topically to the mouth but may support oral health systemically.

Preparation: Tea, tincture, or capsules taken internally.

Further reading: Hawthorn — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Astringent Herbs¶

Oak Bark (Quercus species)¶

Rich in tannins, oak bark has powerful astringent properties that tighten tissues and reduce bleeding.

Oral health applications:

Bleeding gums
Loose teeth (traditional use)
Gum recession
Tightening gum tissue

Caution: Very astringent—can be drying with overuse.

Preparation: Decoction (simmered tea) used as a rinse.

Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)¶

Another tannin-rich herb with astringent properties, raspberry leaf is gentler than oak bark.

Oral health applications:

Mild gum bleeding
Mouth ulcers
General gum toning

Preparation: Tea as a rinse.

Further reading: Raspberry Leaf — Richard Whelan's comprehensive monograph

Additional Herbs of Interest¶

The following herbs also appear in traditional oral health remedies or have relevant properties worth noting:

Herb	Primary Actions	Potential Oral Applications
Barberry	Antimicrobial (berberine)	Gum infections; alternative to goldenseal
Cleavers	Lymphatic support	Supporting drainage during oral infections
Elder	Antiviral, anti-inflammatory	Cold sores, viral mouth conditions
Hyssop	Antimicrobial, antiviral	Traditional mouth rinse herb
Lemon Balm	Antiviral, calming	Cold sores (herpes simplex)
Mullein	Demulcent, anti-inflammatory	Soothing irritated tissues
Nettles	Nutritive, mineralizing	Systemic support for tooth/bone health
Peppermint	Antimicrobial, cooling	Breath freshening, mild antimicrobial
Red Clover	Alterative	Traditional for mouth sores
Valerian	Sedative, antispasmodic	Bruxism (teeth grinding)
White Willow	Anti-inflammatory, analgesic	Dental pain, inflammation

A Note on Silica and Bamboo¶

One mineral that deserves special mention for oral health is silica (silicon dioxide)—and one of nature's richest sources is bamboo (Bambusoideae species).

Why Silica Matters for Teeth and Gums¶

Silica is essential for:

Collagen synthesis — The periodontal ligaments and gum tissue that hold your teeth in place are largely collagen. Silica is required for the cross-linking that gives collagen its strength.
Calcium metabolism — Silica influences how calcium is deposited in bones and teeth. Some researchers consider it essential for proper mineralization.
Connective tissue integrity — The "scaffolding" around teeth depends on adequate silica for structural soundness.

The Modern Silica Deficit¶

Here's where your grandmother's garden matters again. Traditional agriculture maintained soil health through practices that supported mycorrhizal fungi—the underground networks that help plants access minerals, including silica, in bioavailable forms.

Modern industrial agriculture has disrupted these networks through:

Heavy tilling that destroys fungal hyphae
Synthetic fertilizers that bypass natural mineral cycling
Monocropping that reduces soil biodiversity

The result? Plants grown in depleted soils may contain less bioavailable silica than those our ancestors consumed.

Bamboo as a Solution¶

Bamboo is remarkable for its silica content—significantly higher than most other plant sources. Bamboo extract (particularly from the stem or "tabashir" from the nodes) provides silica in a form the body can use.

How to use bamboo for oral health support:

This isn't a topical application—you don't rinse with bamboo. Instead:

Bamboo silica supplements — Capsules or powders of bamboo extract
Bamboo leaf tea — Traditional preparation, though less concentrated
Food-grade bamboo powder — Can be added to smoothies

Dosage considerations: Most bamboo silica supplements provide 20-75mg of silica per dose. There's no established RDA for silica, but traditional diets likely provided 20-50mg daily from various plant sources.

Note: This is systemic support for the tissues that hold teeth in place, not a replacement for topical oral hygiene. Think of it as part of the nutritional foundation that makes everything else work better.

A Note on Herbal Combinations¶

Traditional herbalists rarely use single herbs in isolation. They combine herbs with complementary actions to create formulas that work synergistically.

A classic antimicrobial oral rinse blend might include:

Echinacea — immune support and antimicrobial
Calendula — wound healing and anti-inflammatory
Myrrh — antimicrobial and astringent
Plantain — soothing and healing
Sage — antimicrobial and astringent

For acute gum infections, practitioners might add:

Goldenseal — strong antimicrobial
Prickly Ash — circulation stimulant
Yarrow — styptic for bleeding

The art lies in matching the formula to the individual's needs.

Resources for Further Exploration¶

Richard Whelan's Herbs A-Z¶

The herb profiles linked throughout this chapter come from Richard Whelan's website, a comprehensive resource maintained by a medical herbalist in New Zealand with decades of clinical experience. His monographs include traditional uses, modern research, safety considerations, and practical application guidance.

Using These Herbs Safely¶

Remember the principles from earlier chapters:

Start with mild herbs before trying stronger ones
Use appropriate concentrations — more is not better
Watch for reactions — even natural substances can cause sensitivity
Combine thoughtfully — understand what each herb contributes
Know when to seek professional care — herbs complement but don't replace dentistry

The botanical world offers abundant resources for oral health. What's presented here is merely an introduction to the possibilities.