Acute Oral Health Benefits of Chewing Plectranthus amboinicus: A Clinical Pilot Study on Salivary Pathogens, pH, and Plaque

Objective: To evaluate the acute effects of chewing fresh Plectranthus amboinicus leaves on oral health parameters, including salivary microbiology, physicochemical properties, and clinicalindices. Materials and Methods: A single-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover pilot study was conducted with 25 healthy adults. Participants underwent two interventions on separate days: chewing fresh P. amboinicus leaves (experimental) or a tasteless cellulose gum (control) for 5 minutes. Salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, pH, flow rate, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention (T1), and at 120 minutes (T3). Acceptability was recorded via questionnaire. Results: Chewing P. amboinicus resulted in a significantly greater and sustained reduction in salivary S. mutans and C. albicans counts compared to control (p