Patients looking for a herbal toothpaste might be interested in Sarakan which contains extract of a salvadora bush and is lightly flavoured with peppermint oil, clove and geranium. It contains no alcohol, sugar, artificial colours, sodium lauryl sulphate, or fluoride and is suitable for adults, children and vegans. The toothpaste has its origins in the Middle East where twigs from the salvadora persica shrub (the toothbrush tree) are chewed or beaten with a stone to form a fibrous brush which is then used to clean teeth and massage the gums. Sarakan was recently accredited by The British Dental Health Foundation and is available from health food stores and selected pharmacies.