Herbal medicines in dentistry: history, obtainment methods, and properties of Copaifera multijuga hayne and Baccharis dracunculifolia dc

Abstract

The aim of this study was to do a literature review on herbal medicines used in dentistry. For that purpose, an electronic search of papers in Portuguese, Spanish, and English was performed in the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, SciELO, Science Direct, LILACS, and BBO, supplemented by hand search in books, theses, and journals. For the search, the following keywords were used: phytotherapy, Copaifera, and Baccharis dracunculifolia. Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times and some of them such as the Copaifera multijuga Hayne and Baccharis dracunculifolia DC have shown medicinal properties. Different ways to obtain extracts from those plants have been described, as well as their many important properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic effects. However, studies on their medicinal properties are still scarce, which indicates the need for further studies to unravel their effects and possible side effects, as well as implications of improper use of these plants.