THE EFFECT OF HERBAL APPROACHES ON ORAL MUCOSITIS IN ADULT CANCER PATIENTS - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF NURSING STUDIES

Objective: to examine the effects of herbal approaches on oral mucositis in adult cancer patients. Method: systematic review following Cochrane guidelines, with a search for experimental and randomized studies from 2013 to 2023. English studies on herbal interventions in patients over 18 years were included. Results: eight studies that used herbal interventions to treat oral mucositis were evaluated. The herbs tested included aloe vera, althaea root, turmeric, chamomile, grape vinegar, rose water, fruit/vegetable juice, and mulberry extract. The interventions varied in frequency and duration but showed positive results, reducing oral mucositis intensity, pain, and other symptoms. Some interventions were as effective as conventional treatments like chlorhexidine. Conclusion: the research suggests that herbal approaches can be beneficial in managing oral mucositis in cancer patients, but more studies are needed to confirm these results.