Oral Ulcerations and Phytotherapy: Potential Role of Helichrysum Essential Oil—A Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common yet therapeutically challenging chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa, characterized by recurrent, painful ulcerations that substantially affect patients' quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This review summarizes current evidence on phytotherapy in RAS, with particular focus on the potential therapeutic relevance of Helichrysum italicum essential oil (HI EO). FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: Phytotherapy has been investigated as a therapeutic option for RAS, primarily due to its reported ability to reduce pain, shorten healing time, and promote ulcer resolution. Additionally, some phytotherapeutic preparations may offer a favorable tolerability profile, although their safety and comparative efficacy require further evaluation. Phytotherapy may therefore be considered as an adjunctive or complementary approach in the management of RAS. Previous research on HI EO provides a biological rationale for investigating its potential relevance to oral mucosal healing. However, its potential role in RAS remains hypothetical because direct clinical evidence regarding its efficacy and safety is currently lacking. This hypothesis therefore requires further investigation in clinical studies. CONCLUSION: Phytotherapy represents a potential supplementary approach to RAS management. The therapeutic potential of HI EO requires validation through rigorously designed preclinical and clinical studies evaluating its efficacy, safety, and clinical relevance.