Evidence supporting the use of: Balsam
For the health condition: Gingivitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Balsam, particularly Peru balsam (Myroxylon balsamum) and Tolu balsam, has a long history of use in traditional medicine for treating oral conditions, including gingivitis. Its use is primarily based on its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, which have been recognized in folk medicine for centuries. Traditional dental care products, such as mouthwashes and toothpastes, have occasionally incorporated balsam extracts to help soothe inflamed gums and reduce bacterial load in the oral cavity.
However, while there is some in vitro evidence that balsam extracts possess antimicrobial activity against common oral pathogens, robust clinical trials specifically evaluating their efficacy for gingivitis are lacking. The available scientific literature generally points to the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial constituents of balsam, such as cinnamic acid derivatives and benzyl benzoate, as potentially beneficial. Yet, these findings are mostly from laboratory studies, and there is insufficient high-quality clinical research to conclusively recommend balsam as a primary treatment for gingivitis.
Overall, the use of balsam for gingivitis is justified mainly by traditional use, and the evidence supporting its effectiveness in this context is limited. Individuals considering balsam-containing products should be aware of potential allergic reactions and consult a dental professional for evidence-based treatments.
Other ingredients used for Gingivitis
AcaciaAcemannan
Ajoene
Ajuga
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
Alpha hydroxy acids
alpha-terpineol
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
ananain
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
apple cider vinegar
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
aster root
avens
babchi
Bacillus
bacteria
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee pollen
bee propolis
bentonite
benzyl isothiocyanate
betel
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bioflavonoids
bitter grass
black garlic
black nightshade
black pepper
black seed
black walnut
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Boswellic Acid
bromelain
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
Calendula
Camellia sinensis
Carthamus
carvacrol
caryophyllene
cat's claw
catechins
cayenne pepper
Celosia
Centella asiatica
Centipeda
chamomile
chlorophyllin
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut milk
coconut oil
commiphora
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
corktree
costus
Dianthus
Dichrostachys glomerata
elephant\'s head
ellagic acid
empresstree
enzymes blend (proprietary)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eugenol
Euphorbia
Evodia
ferula assafoetida
Ficus religiosa
flavans
flavonols
flavonones
frankincense
fucoidan
fulvic acid
Galangal
Gallesia
gallic acid
Gambir
garlic
genipap
geraniol
geranium
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
glyceryl monolaurate
Glycolic acid
Gnaphalium
goldenseal
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Guava
gum
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
iridoid glycosides
iridoids
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Kefir
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Laggera pterodonta
lauric acid
lemon
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
liverwort
Loranthus
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Macaranga indica
mallow
mangostin
Matapalo Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Menthol oil
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Monolaurin
Morinda
Moringa
Mustard
mustard seed
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nimbidin
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
onion
Onosma bracteatum
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Orris
pagoda tree
parsley
paw paw
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Pepper Bark Tree
Peppermint
Persimmon
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phlorotannins
Phosphate ascorbate
Physalis angulata
Pimpinella
Piper nigrum
Plectranthus amboinicus
polyphenols
Portulaca
proanthocyanidins
probiotics
procyanidin
procyanidol
Propolis
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
quercetin
Quisqualis
raspberry
Rhus coriaria
rosmarinic acid
Rubus
rutin
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
schizonepeta
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
Sichuan Lovage
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
Sophora
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spilanthes
Stereospermum
Streptococcus oralis
Streptococcus salivarius
streptococcus thermophilus
Sumac
sweet flag
Sword Bean
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tannins
Tea Tree Oil
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
Thymol
trace minerals
Trichosanthes
Triphala
Tulbaghia
turmeric
typhonium
Viola
Violet
vitamin C
vitamin E
Water Pepper
White oak
White Tea
Winter Begonia
Wulinshen
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zinc
Zingiberene
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by balsam
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Afterbirth Pain
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bedwetting
Belching
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Chest Pain
Chills
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Cuts
Dandruff
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Emphysema
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Infection
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Itching
Laryngitis
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Menstrual Irregularity
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
