Abstract

SARRAZOLA MONCADA, Ángela María et al. Social practices associated with the use of Lycopersicum esculentum plant in oral diseases in a group of adults, 2004.. Rev Cubana Estomatol [online]. 2006, vol.43, n.2. ISSN 0034-7507.

A study was conducted to describe the use of Lycopersicum esculentum plant in oral mucous for which a semi-structural survey was administered to 286 patients in May, 2004, who had been seen at Emergency Clinics and at Comprehensive Adult Care clinic of the Odontology School of University of Antioquía. It was found that 51,2% of the surveyed people had sometimes used this plant because their families and friends had encouraged to do so, mainly for management of oral swellings (83,9%). Leaves are the most used part of this plant (94,4%) for mouthwash (97,01%), boiled preparations and infusions to be used 3 times a day as an average. The acceptance of alternative medicine favours its use due to its therapeutic qualities for treating infections and swellings of oral mucous. It was recommended to prove by means of future clinical studies the therapeutic effectiveness of the plant so that it can be legally accepted as a medicinal plant in Colombia.

Keywords : Lycopersicum esculentum; oral problems; inflammatory processes; social practices.