Synopsis

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

Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) has a traditional history of use for oral health, particularly among Indigenous peoples in western North America. The leaves of manzanita have been used in the form of teas, poultices, and mouth rinses to address mouth sores, gum inflammation, and other oral complaints. This traditional use is attributed to the astringent properties of manzanita leaves, which are rich in tannins and other polyphenolic compounds. These constituents can help tighten and tone mucous membranes, potentially reducing minor inflammation and promoting oral tissue health.

However, there is little to no direct scientific research specifically examining manzanita's efficacy for gum health or periodontal disease. Most available evidence comes from ethnobotanical records and historical accounts rather than clinical studies. While related plants in the Ericaceae family (such as bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) have demonstrated mild antimicrobial and astringent effects in laboratory studies, these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to manzanita or to human oral health outcomes.

In summary, while manzanita is traditionally used to support gum health, especially in folk and Indigenous medicine, there is a lack of modern scientific validation for its effectiveness in this context. Its use is supported primarily by tradition and not by robust clinical evidence.

More about manzanita
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Products containing manzanita

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