An interesting Indonesian doctoral thesis this week: kaffir lime leaf extract has a strong antibacterial power against Porphyromonas gingivalis, in other words the cause of gingivitis. This very frequent and self-perpetuating inflammation of the gums, often due to insufficient oral hygiene, is suspected to be a contributing factor to many diseases from diabetes to Alzeimer's, to Covid19, and cardiovascular diseases.
The author shows (in Indonesian) that kaffir lime leaf infusion (ideal dilution 25%, and minimum 12.5%) significantly inhibits the growth of the terrible bacteria. He notices that this natural bactericide does not have the side effects of chlorhexidine gluconate present in toothpaste.
Of course I thought that a toothpaste with essential oil from our kaffir lime leaves would be something to experiment with and I immediately wrote to Omar Chairat. I'll let you know what happens.
