Evidence supporting the use of: Alkanna
For the body system: Gums

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alkanna tinctoria, commonly known as alkanna or alkanet, has been used traditionally in various cultures for oral and dental care, particularly for supporting gum health. In some traditional practices, the root is powdered and used as an ingredient in herbal tooth powders or mouth rinses. The rationale is based on alkanna's purported astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to help tighten gums and reduce minor oral infections or inflammations. However, most of these uses are derived from folk medicine and Ayurvedic practices, rather than being supported by a robust body of scientific evidence.

A few in vitro studies have shown that alkanna root extracts possess antimicrobial activity against certain oral pathogens, such as Streptococcus mutans, which is involved in dental caries and periodontal disease. However, these studies are preliminary and do not directly demonstrate efficacy in human subjects for gum health. There are no large-scale clinical trials or systematic reviews confirming the effectiveness of alkanna for supporting the gums or treating periodontal disease. Therefore, while there is a tradition of use, scientific validation is limited, and the evidence rating is moderate at best.

In summary, alkanna's use for gum support is primarily rooted in traditional medicine, with limited scientific data to corroborate these claims. Caution is advised, as alkanna also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which may have toxic effects if used inappropriately.

More about Alkanna
More about Gums

Other body systems supported by Alkanna

Blood
Gums
Hair
Liver
Skin

Products containing Alkanna

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.