Horsemint (Monarda spp.), also known as wild bergamot or bee balm, has a history of traditional use by Native American tribes and herbalists for various oral health conditions, including gingivitis and mouth infections. The plant is rich in essential oils, notably thymol and carvacrol, which are compounds known for their antimicrobial properties. Traditional preparations often involved using horsemint leaves to make infusions or mouth rinses aimed at soothing oral mucosa and reducing gum inflammation.

However, while these traditional practices are documented in ethnobotanical literature, there is a lack of robust scientific studies specifically evaluating horsemint’s efficacy for gingivitis in humans. Most evidence is anecdotal or based on the general antimicrobial activity of its essential oils demonstrated in vitro. No clinical trials or systematic reviews currently support its effectiveness for gingivitis treatment. Thus, its use for gingivitis is primarily justified by tradition, with limited scientific validation.