Pharyngitis is a type of bacterial infection which, if not treated properly, will develop into more severe respiratory tract infection. In addition to basic therapy using antibiotics, supporting therapy is also needed. The use of antiseptic mouthwash is one of these supporting therapies. The use of conventional antiseptic mouthwash has the potential to cause various other health problems. Thus, mouthwash preparations from safer natural ingredients are needed One of the natural ingredients that have potential in supporting therapy is apple rose [Eugenia aqueum (Burn F.) Alston] leaf. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether apple rose leaves can be used for pharyngiyis supportive therapy. The results showed that apple rose leaves had broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Preparartion of mouthwash with active ingredients of ethyl acetate fraction was also proven to be effective against bacteria that cause infection in the oral cavity, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Based on the contact test, mouthwash preparations containing the active ethyl acetate fraction are able to inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa after 75 seconds of contact. Based on these observations, it can be concluded that apple rose leaves have the potential as an antiseptic for supporting therapy for pharyngitis in the form of mouthwash preparations.
