REVIEW ON "EVALUATIONS AND FORMULATIONS OF HERBAL TOOTHPASTE"

Vaibhav I. Kolekar*, Sanjay K. Bais

Toothpaste is an essential oral-care product widely used as part of daily hygiene practices. Its primary function is cleaning of teeth and the oral cavity, while also supporting management of various dental issues. Many dental professionals recommend toothpaste formulations for conditions such as dentinal hypersensitivity, plaque accumulation, and chronic gingivitis due to their therapeutic components and targeted action. In recent years, herbal toothpastes have gained significant attention as consumers increasingly prefer natural, plant-based alternatives to conventional synthetic formulations. These products are developed using extracts from healing plants recognized for their antimicrobial germ-fighting, anti-inflammatory, also antioxidant features. Usual botanical contents include fresh ginger root, Chinese cinnamon simnia, Indian copal resin, Indian gum Arabic tree (Acacia nilotica) leaf essence, fresh lemon essence, margosa bark and stem, guava leaves, Kalmi bark, and various other phytochemicals traditionally utilized in oral healthcare. The evaluation of herbal toothpaste involves several analytical, physicochemical, and quality-control tests. Standard assessments include physical appearance, roughness, malleability, acidity and alkalinity, uniformity, Foam ability, and overall formulation constancy. Additional investigative parameters such as moisture and volatile matter content, water content, sensory characteristics, fragrance quality, retention behavior, shelf-life stability, and total flavonoid concentration provide deeper insight into product performance. Studies focusing on antimicrobial activity and long-term stability further contribute to determining product efficacy and consumer safety. This review article aims to consolidate and analyze available scientific literature on herbal toothpastes, covering their composition, formulation strategies, traditional medicinal relevance, and evaluation criteria. By compiling current evidence, formulators, & industry professionals curious in exploring or developing herbal oral-care products.