Exploring Natural Solutions: A Systematic Review of Herbal Products Versus Conventional Antifungal Medications for Oral Candidiasis

Abstract

Oral candidiasis, a common fungal infection in the mouth, can be a real nuisance, and managing it has become trickier as antifungal medications face growing resistance. This systematic review dives deep into how well various plant-based remedies (phytotherapeutic agents) stack up against the usual antifungal drugs for treating oral candidiasis. We conducted a thorough search through scientific databases to find relevant studies, especially randomized controlled trials. We then carefully looked at the results, focusing on how well treatments cleared up infections, reduced symptoms, and what side effects people experienced. Our initial findings suggest that while traditional antifungals are still essential, a good number of herbal products show exciting promise. They might even offer alternative or additional ways to treat this infection, potentially helping us cut down on drug toxicity and the development of resistance. However, it's worth noting that many studies we looked at had some limitations in their design or reporting, meaning we need more robust, well-designed research to give truly definitive recommendations on bringing phytotherapy into standard oral candidiasis care.