Effectiveness of Lemon Verbena (<i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>) in Oral Candidiasis: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

The rise of phytotherapy has enabled the utilization of various plant species for medicinal purposes, such as <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> (<i>C. citratus</i>), providing solutions for oral pathologies, such as oral candidiasis. The PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SciELO databases were searched. In vivo and in vitro studies on the action of <i>C. citratus</i> against oral candidiasis were included, and ROBINS-I was used to determine study quality and risk of bias. The search yielded 1922 articles, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. Limited scientific evidence exists regarding the use of <i>C. citratus</i> for oral candidiasis. However, studies have indicated its potent antifungal effects. Further studies, preferably clinical trials, are necessary to confirm this effect and to enable its clinical use as a therapeutic option.