Frankincense and Herbal Extracts for Plaque-Induced Gingivitis: A Double-Blind RCT

Summary

Frankincense, a natural resin obtained from trees of the Boswellia genus, has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. It is well-documented for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects, making it a candidate for therapeutic applications beyond its conventional uses. Despite its known pharmacological benefits, scientific evidence supporting the use of frankincense in oral health care, particularly in the management of periodontal diseases, remains limited. Gingivitis is one of the most common forms of gum disease, characterized by inflammation of the gingival tissues due to dental biofilm (plaque) accumulation. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, leading to irreversible damage to the supporting structures of the teeth. Standard treatment approaches typically involve mechanical plaque control and the use of fluoride-based oral health care products, which are effective but may not be well-tolerated or preferred by all individuals. This study aims to explore the potential of frankincense-based oral care products as a natural alternative or adjunct to conventional oral products in the management of gingivitis. By comparing the clinical outcomes of patients using a frankincense-containing oral health care product with those using a commercially available oral care product, the study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of frankincense in reducing gingival inflammation, dental biofilm (plaque) accumulation, and associated symptoms. Thus, improve oral health mainly by reducing gum inflammation. The findings could provide insights into the viability of incorporating natural products like frankincense into routine oral hygiene practice.

Timeline

Start

2026-04-15

Primary completion

2026-09-30

Completion

2026-12-31

Publications

• Background Soltani R, Saberi Z, Ghanadian SM, Taheri A, Entezarhojjat A. The effectiveness of olibanum orally disintegrating tablet in the treatment of oral aphthous ulcers: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2022 Jan 29;27:8. doi: 10.4103/jrms.jrms_247_21. eCollection 2022.
• Background Muresan, S.M., Muresan, C.C., Mironescu, A., Surlin, P., Popescu, S.M. and Popescu, D.M., 2023. Dental hydrogels with essential oils with potential activity in periodontitis. Applied Sciences, 13(3), p.1787. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031787.
• Background Mohsenzadeh A, Karimifar M, Soltani R, Hajhashemi V. Evaluation of the effectiveness of topical oily solution containing frankincense extract in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Res Notes. 2023 Mar 4;16(1):28. doi: 10.1186/s13104-023-06291-5.
• Background Khosravi Samani M, Mahmoodian H, Moghadamnia A, Poorsattar Bejeh Mir A, Chitsazan M. The effect of Frankincense in the treatment of moderate plaque-induced gingivitis: a double blinded randomized clinical trial. Daru. 2011;19(4):288-94.
• Background Daly S, Seong J, Newcombe R, Davies M, Nicholson J, Edwards M, West N. A randomised clinical trial to determine the effect of a toothpaste containing enzymes and proteins on gum health over 3 months. J Dent. 2019 Jan;80 Suppl 1:S26-S32. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2018.12.002.
• Background Almeida-da-Silva CLC, Sivakumar N, Asadi H, Chang-Chien A, Qoronfleh MW, Ojcius DM, Essa MM. Effects of Frankincense Compounds on Infection, Inflammation, and Oral Health. Molecules. 2022 Jun 29;27(13):4174. doi: 10.3390/molecules27134174.
• Results Alghamdi N, Alshamrani L, Alboryah S, Alsenan JF, Alshehri T, Abogazalah NN, Balhaddad AA. The Effect of Coconut and Frankincense Oils on the Biofilm Growth of Streptococcus mutans. F1000Res. 2025 Sep 1;14:846. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.168621.1. eCollection 2025.
• Results Khoshbakht Z, Khashabi E, Khodaie L, Torbati M, Lotfipour F, Hamishehkar H. Evaluation of Herbal Mouthwashes Containing Zataria Multiflora Boiss, Frankincense and Combination Therapy on Patients with Gingivitis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial. Galen Med J. 2019 Jul 15;8:e1366. doi: 10.31661/gmj.v8i0.1366. eCollection 2019.
• Results Yousef, D.A., El Sayed, H.S., Abd El Ghaffar, M.M., and Ramadan, M.F., 2024. The adjunctive effect of frankincense extract gel to nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: A randomized clinical study. Tanta Dental Journal, 21(3), pp.312-318. https://doi.org/10.4103/tdj.tdj_28_24.

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