Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Catechu (commonly derived from the heartwood of Acacia catechu) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, for supporting oral health and gum care. Historically, catechu extracts have been used as an ingredient in herbal tooth powders and mouthwashes intended to strengthen gums, reduce bleeding, and promote general oral hygiene. The traditional rationale is largely based on catechu’s astringent properties, which are thought to help tighten gum tissue and reduce inflammation.

While there is some laboratory evidence indicating catechu has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, clinical studies specifically evaluating its effectiveness for gum health or periodontal disease in humans are limited and generally of low quality. Most support for its use comes from ethnomedicinal practices and long-standing oral care traditions in South Asia. Modern herbal toothpastes and powders sometimes include catechu for its astringent and antimicrobial qualities, but robust scientific validation in the context of gum health is lacking.

In summary, the use of catechu to support the gums is primarily justified by tradition, with moderate historical and anecdotal evidence but only preliminary scientific support. The overall evidence rating is 3, reflecting substantial traditional use and limited but suggestive scientific findings.

More about catechu
More about Gums

Other ingredients that support Gums

Acacia
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Alchemilla
Alkanna
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Allspice
Aloe vera
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
Areca
Ascophyllum nodosum
asiaticoside
aucubin
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Baccharis dracunculifolia
bai ji
balsam
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
benzoin
berry
betel
betony
bilberry
bioflavonoids
bistort
blackberry
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bloodroot
Boswellia
Brazilian peppertree
cajuput
Calendula
Calycophyllum
canaigre
capsicum
cardamom
carvacrol
Casearia sylvestris
catechins
catechu
cayenne pepper
cinquefoil
Cistus
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coca
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
Collinsonia
comfrey
commiphora
cranesbill
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cutch
Cyanthillium cinereum
dragon\'s blood
Drynaria
Echinacea
emblicanin
eugenol
European five-finger grass
fiber
flavanones
flavans
flavonoids
flavonols
flavonones
fleabane
fluoride
fluorine
frankincense
fructoborate
Gambir
garlic
Glechoma hederacea
goldenseal
goldenseal
goldthread
gooseberry
Guava
heal-all
Heliopsis
henna
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperidin
honey
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
Jaboticaba
Kigelia africana
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoperoxidase
Lady's Mantle
lemon
Leptospermum scoparium
leucoanthocyanidins
licorice root
lime
lingonberry
lodhtree
lysozyme
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
mango
manzanita
marigold
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melaleuca alternifolia
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mixed carotenoids
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Nimbidin
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Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
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Pacific madrone
pagoda tree
Pedra hume
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Persimmon
phenolic compounds
Phosphate ascorbate
pine bark
Plantago
plantain
polyphenols
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prickly ash
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
procyanidol
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punicalagins
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raspberry
Rhus coraria
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Rhus glabra
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rose hips
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sage
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Sapindus mukorossi
Self-Heal
shepherd's purse
Silverweed
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slippery elm bark
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Tannins
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Terminalia
Thymol
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Tridax
Triphala
turmeric
Ulmus
Vestitol
vitamin C
vitamin K
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White oak
White Tea
white willow
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zanthoxylum
Zinc

Other body systems supported by catechu

Blood
Digestive System
Gastrointestinal Tract
Gums
Liver
Mucus Membranes
Respiratory System
Skin
Teeth

Products containing catechu

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