Salvia officinalis, as a vaginal tablet, alone and in combination with clotrimazole, can potentially treat vulvovaginal candidiasis, suggested a study published recently in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research.

A triple‐blind randomized controlled trial was conducted to ascertain the effect of vaginal tablet of S. officinalis, alone and in combination with clotrimazole, on vulvovaginal candidiasis. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups using block randomization and allocation ratio of 1:1:1. Treatment interventions included vaginal tablet of clotrimazole and placebo (CP), vaginal tablet of S. officinalis and placebo (SP), and vaginal tablet of S. officinalis and clotrimazole (SC), once daily for 7 days. On the seventh day after the treatment was ended, vulvovaginal candidiasis was examined by vaginal symptoms and wet test, and if positive, it was further evaluated by culture.

Socio‐demographic characteristics were similar (P > 0.05). Thirty‐six, 36 and 35 patients, respectively were recruited in CP, SC and SP groups. The frequency of a positive wet test 7 days after treatment was significantly lower in SC group as compared to the reference group of CP (adjusted odds ratio = 0.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.93–0.932, P = 0.043). There was no significant difference between SP and CP groups (P = 0.071, 95% confidence interval: 0.032–1.151, adjusted odds ratio = 0.192). There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of vaginal symptoms at the baseline (P > 0.05); however, statistical differences were noted after the intervention in cheesy discharge, pruritus and vulvovaginal edema (P < 0.05).