title: Evaluation of the effectiveness of a chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) saliva substitute in the relief of xerostomia in elders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) saliva substitute in the relief of xerostomia in older participants.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In elders, xerostomia is a permanent and progressive condition that significantly affects their quality of life. The treatment for progressive xerostomia is currently restricted to palliative measures, and saliva substitutes are indicated. A lack of evidence on the effectiveness of the saliva substitutes in the relief of symptoms of xerostomia has been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four elderly participants presenting xerostomia of diverse origin were selected. Herbal saliva substitute and carboxymethyl cellulose conventional saliva substitute were tested using a double-blind, randomised, cross-sectional clinical trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Every participant of the study exhibited dry mouth sensation. A sensation of thick saliva was described in 59.5% of the participants. The need for liquid intake to swallow food, the sensation of difficulty in swallowing and the burning sensation in the tongue were observed in 54.1, 56.8 and 27.0% of the participants, respectively. The most prevalent diseases were hypertension, depressive symptoms and arthritis. Results of the clinical tests showed that the herbal saliva substitute produced a greater relief of dry mouth symptoms, thick saliva sensation and the sensation of difficulty in swallowing than the conventional substitute (Wilcoxon test p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New chamomile- and linseed-based saliva substitute was effective in relieving xerostomia symptoms in older participants of this study.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morales-Bozo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ortega-Pinto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rojas Alcayaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Juan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Aitken Saavedra
authors.affiliation: Health Reference Centre of Peñalolén Cordillera Oriente, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Salinas Flores
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lefimil Puente
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lozano Moraga
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Manríquez Urbina
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Urzúa Orellana
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020843:Chamomile; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax; D029001:Herbal Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000401:mortality*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012464:Saliva, Artificial
keywords: chamomile; elderly; linseed; xerostomia