Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Background: Mukhapāka (stomatitis), clinically comparable to minor recurrent aphthous ulcers, is a common painful oral mucosal condition that affects eating, speech, and oral‑health-related quality of life. Conventional dental management often provides incomplete relief and limited recurrence prevention. Ayurvedic local measures such as Mukhalepa (medicated paste application) and Gandūṣa (retention of medicated liquid in the mouth) are traditionally indicated but lack controlled evidence.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a standardized Mukhalepa plus Gandūṣa protocol as an adjunct to standard stomatitis care compared with standard care alone in adults with minor aphthous‑type Mukhapāka.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, parallel‑group trial, 60 adults with minor aphthous ulcers were allocated to Group A (Mukhalepa with Khadira-Ashvattha-Yashtimadhu-Madhu plus Gandūṣa with Triphalā Kwātha and honey, in addition to standard care) or Group B (standard care alone: 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthrinse, topical anaesthetic gel, and B‑complex supplementation). Interventions were given for 7 days. Follow‑up occurred on Days 3, 7, and 14, with recurrence assessment 4 weeks after healing. Primary outcomes were changes in pain and burning VAS scores, percentage reduction in ulcer area, and time to complete clinical healing.

Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable. Both groups improved, but Group A showed significantly greater reductions in pain and burning by Days 3 and 7 (p<0.001) and a larger reduction in ulcer area by Day 7 (92.1% vs 74.8%; p<0.001). Complete healing by Day 7 occurred in 90.0% of Group A vs 56.7% of Group B (p=0.004), with shorter median healing time (5 vs 7 days; log‑rank p<0.001). Functional difficulty scores improved more in Group A. Four‑week recurrence was lower in Group A (13.3% vs 36.7%; p=0.03). No serious adverse events occurred.

Conclusion: A standardized Mukhalepa plus Gandūṣa protocol as an adjunct to standard care provides superior symptomatic relief, faster ulcer healing, improved oral function, and reduced short‑term recurrence compared with standard care alone, with good tolerability.