title: Sage tea-thyme-peppermint hydrosol oral rinse reduces chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: A randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of sage tea-thyme-peppermint hydrosol oral rinse used in conjunction with basic oral care on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open-label randomized controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two oncology hospitals in Ankara, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients receiving 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimens were divided into the intervention group (N=30) and control group (N=30). Basic oral care was prescribed to the control group, while the intervention group was prescribed sage tea-thyme-peppermint hydrosol in addition to basic oral care. All patients were called to assess their compliance with the study instructions on day 5 and 14.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral mucositis was evaluated using an inspection method or by assessing oral cavity photos based on the World Health Organization oral toxicity scale on day 5 and 14.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the patients in the intervention group did not develop oral mucositis on day 5. In addition, the incidence of grade 1 oral mucositis was statistically lower in the intervention group (10%) than the control group (53.3%) on day 5. By day 14, the majority of patients in both the groups had grade 0 oral mucositis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sage tea-thyme-peppermint hydrosol oral rinse has promising results in alleviating oral mucositis. This hydrosol can be recommended for clinical use as it is well tolerated and cost-effective. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed to support the study.
authors: Nursing Faculty, Hacettepe University, 06000 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: ezgmtly@gmail.com.
authors: Ezgi
authors: E
authors: Mutluay Yayla
authors: Nursing Faculty, Hacettepe University, 06000 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Nur
authors: N
authors: Izgu
authors: Nursing Faculty, Hacettepe University, 06000 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Leyla
authors: L
authors: Ozdemir
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, 06000 Tandogan, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Sinem
authors: S
authors: Aslan Erdem
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, 06000 Tandogan, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Kartal
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036142:Mentha piperita / Q000737:chemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D027543:Salvia officinalis / Q000737:chemistry; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013662:Tea
keywords: Nursing; Oral mucositis; Oral rinse; Peppermint; Sage tea; Thyme