Eco-Friendly Oral Care

Many chemical mouthwashes contain ingredients such as chlorhexidine and alcohol. While these products are effective in eliminating harmful microorganisms, prolonged use may lead to side effects, including tooth staining, dry mouth, altered taste, and oral irritation. Because of these limitations, there is increasing interest in safer, natural alternatives. Guava leaves (Psidium guajava) have long been used in traditional medicine and contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds, which possess antibacterial properties. These characteristics make guava leaves a promising natural ingredient for promoting oral health. In this study, guava leaf extract was used as the primary ingredient in the formulation of a herbal mouthwash. The main objective was to prepare and evaluate a herbal mouthwash containing guava leaf extract. The extract was obtained using the maceration method, a simple and widely used technique for extracting bioactive compounds from plant materials.