ICELANDIC MOSS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATME NT OF INFLAMMATION AND DRYNESS OF THE ORAL-MUCOSA

Background: Icelandic Moss (Cetraria islandica) has been used to treat inflammation and dryness of the pharyngeal mucosa in the naturopathy for many years. It contains substances with protective and antiinflamm atory effects for the oral mucosa. The necessary concentration of Icel andic Moss and its therapeutic effectiveness were analysed in this cli nical study. Methods: Sixty-one patients who recently underwent surger y of nasal septum were evaluated for this randomized study. These pati ents suffer especially from dryness and inflammation of the oral cavit y due to breathing only through the mouth while the nose is permanentl y closed by a nasal package. Three groups of patients treated with thr ee different concentrations of the active substance were compared. Coa ting, dryness, and inflammation of the mucosa, lymph nodes, tongue, th e tolerance of the drug, and symptoms like hoarseness and sore throat were documented. The oral application was performed from the first to the fifth day after the operation. Results: The treatment with Iceland ic Moss caused a direct reduction of the observed pathological changes . There were no significant differences beween the three test groups. A dose of 0.48 g per day (10 Isla-Moos(R) Pastillen per day) is a suff icient treatment. Conclusions: Icelandic Moss is an advisable therapeu tic opportunity without interactions and side effects for the treatmen t of inflammation of the oral mucosa occuring after nasal surgery, aft er intubation, and for simple infections of the throat.