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Forest Essence Toothpaste
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 6.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This toothpaste offers a blend of traditional botanical extracts and modern oral care ingredients like nano-hydroxyapatite. However, the presence of camphor, which can be toxic if ingested in significant quantities, is a notable concern for an oral care product, especially for young children who may swallow toothpaste. While many botanical ingredients are present, several are in trace amounts and unlikely to contribute significantly to efficacy. Individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies should be aware of essential oils like clove and camphor, even in trace amounts.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Black Pepper Extract
- Long Pepper Extract
- Tomar Extract
- Babul Extract
- Ginger Extract
- +5 more →
Contains camphor, an ingestion risk.
This toothpaste contains camphor, which can be toxic if swallowed in quantity, making it a concern for young children. While it includes several botanical extracts and nano-hydroxyapatite, some beneficial ingredients are present only in trace amounts.
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- Allergies. Peanut, milk, gluten, egg and more, checked against the ingredient list.
- Diet. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, no egg, no dairy.
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Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for oral care. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Infants under 1
AvoidContains Menthol, which is not recommended for infants and toddlers due to potential breathing reflex risks.
Other audiences
LimitContains Camphor Oil, which can be toxic if swallowed in quantity. Supervise young children closely to ensure they spit out toothpaste and do not ingest it.
Why the score is capped
Contains camphor in a product that is partly swallowed. Camphor is toxic when ingested, so US FDA limits it in consumer products; a toothpaste is not rinsed off the mouth
Rule PC-CAP-23 · Source: US FDA (21 CFR 310.545 and consumer warnings on camphor ingestion)
Undisclosed generic ingredient (specific compound not named)
Rule PC-CAP-08
What's good
Contains nano-hydroxyapatite for enamel remineralization
Rich in traditional botanical extracts with potential oral health benefits
Free from harsh sulfates and fluoride
Watch out for
Camphor ingestion risk, particularly for young children
Lack of transparency regarding specific preservative and excipients
Several beneficial ingredients are present in trace amounts, limiting their efficacy
Menthol is not suitable for infants and toddlers due to breathing reflex risk
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Menthol and Peppermint Oil
Menthol, the main component of peppermint oil, can trigger a reflex that slows or stops breathing in babies when applied or inhaled near the face. The European Medicines Agency herbal monograph for peppermint oil contraindicates it under 2 years of age because of this laryngospasm risk, and does not recommend it between 2 and 4 years because there is not enough experience. For adults and older children it is a normal cooling and flavouring agent in toothpaste and body products, and can irritate sensitive skin at higher strengths.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EMA/HMPC European Union herbal monograph on Mentha x piperita L., aetheroleum
Menthol and Peppermint Oil: regulation, sources and other products →Camphor
Camphor gives a cooling, medicinal sensation and is a traditional ingredient in Ayurvedic oral-care and balm products. Swallowed in quantity it is toxic: a US poison-centre practice guideline refers anyone who has swallowed more than 30 mg of camphor per kg of body weight to an emergency department, because convulsions can follow. That threshold is far above what normal brushing involves, and the label does not show how much camphor a dose of this product carries, so this is a caution about young children who swallow toothpaste, not a finding of harm from ordinary use. In the US, camphorated oil drug products need new-drug approval.
Peer-reviewed research Source: Manoguerra AS et al., Camphor Poisoning: An Evidence-Based Practice Guideline for Out-of-Hospital Management, Clinical Toxicology 44:357–370 (2006), American Association of Poison Control Centers; US FDA 21 CFR 310.502(a)(4)
Camphor: regulation, sources and other products →Aluminium
Aluminium salts block sweat glands in antiperspirants. Some researchers have proposed links to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease, though current evidence is inconclusive and regulatory bodies have not restricted its use. People who are concerned may prefer deodorants (not antiperspirants) which do not contain aluminium.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: Darbre 2005; SCCS 2020 Opinion; American Cancer Society
Aluminium: regulation, sources and other products →Sugar Alcohols (Polyols)
Polyols are bulk sweeteners and humectants (also used in toothpaste). They are only partly absorbed, so large amounts can cause gas, bloating and a laxative effect, and EU rules require foods containing them to say "excessive consumption may produce laxative effects". Xylitol is toxic to dogs.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1169/2011 Annex III (polyol labelling statement); EU Regulation 1333/2008
Sugar Alcohols (Polyols): regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Camphor Oil, which can cause seizures if swallowed in quantity. This is a significant concern for an oral care product, especially for young children who may accidentally ingest it.
Purified Alum contains aluminum, an ingredient with ongoing scientific debate regarding potential links to health issues like breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease, though exposure from oral care is generally low.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. While generally safe in oral care, excessive ingestion (e.g., by swallowing large amounts of toothpaste) can lead to a laxative effect.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The product name states 'Forest Essence Toothpaste', which is consistent with the product being a toothpaste.
The ingredient list includes Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) and numerous natural extracts such as Kali Marich, Pippali, Tomar, Babbula, Sonth, Baheda, Harad, Miswak, Neem oil, Clove oil, Camphor oil, Sondha namak, Sfatica bhasma, Gainika, Menthol, and Glycyrrhizin.
The ingredient list does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), parabens, or fluoride.
The ingredient list includes Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA), which is known for its role in enamel remineralization and care.
The product contains various herbal ingredients like Kali Marich, Pippali, Tomar, Babbula, Sonth, Baheda, Harad, Miswak, Neem oil, Clove oil, and Menthol, which are traditionally associated with oral health and wellness.
The ingredient list includes Menthol and Clove oil, which are commonly used for their breath-freshening properties.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
Black Pepper Extract 400mg ActiveKali Marich (Piper nigrum)
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2.
Long Pepper Extract 400mg ActivePippali (Piper longum)
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3.
Tomar Extract 400mg ActiveTomar (Zanthoxylum armatum)
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4.
Babul Extract 400mg ActiveBabbula (Acacia Arabica)
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5.
Ginger Extract 400mg ActiveSonth (Zingiber officinale)
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6.
Baheda Extract 400mg ActiveBaheda (Terminalia bellirica)
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7.
Harad Extract 400mg ActiveHarad (Terminalia chebula)
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8.
Miswak Extract 400mg ActiveMiswak (Salvadora persica)
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9.
Nano-hydroxyapatite 5% ActiveNano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA)
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10.
Neem Oil 1% Active trace amountNeem oil (Azadirachta indica)
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11.
Clove Oil 0.5% Active trace amountClove oil (Syzygium aromaticum)
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12.
Camphor Oil 0.5% Active trace amountCamphor oil (Cinnamomum camphora)
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13.
Rock Salt 2.5% ActiveSondha namak (Sodi chloridum)
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14.
Purified Alum 2.5% ActiveSfatica bhasma (Purified alum)
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15.
Red Ochre 2% Active trace amountGainika (Red Ochre)
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16.
Menthol 0.3% Active trace amountMenthol (Mentha spicata)
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17.
Glycyrrhizin 2% Active trace amountGlycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhizin)
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18.
Sorbitol 12% ActiveSorbitol (12%)
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19.
Preservative ActivePreservative (Potassium sorbate)
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20.
Excipients Active unnamedExcipients: q.s.
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
Present in trace amounts
Listed near the end of the ingredient list, so present in small quantities — not counted as a headline benefit.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
Compare with other toothpaste products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in Forest Essence Toothpaste?
The label of Forest Essence Toothpaste lists 20 ingredients, in label order: Black Pepper Extract, Long Pepper Extract, Tomar Extract, Babul Extract, Ginger Extract, Baheda Extract, Harad Extract, Miswak Extract, Nano-hydroxyapatite, Neem Oil, Clove Oil, Camphor Oil, Rock Salt, Purified Alum, Red Ochre, Menthol, Glycyrrhizin, Sorbitol, Preservative, Excipients. Flagged by the analysis: Camphor Oil, Purified Alum, Menthol, Sorbitol.
Is Forest Essence Toothpaste safe to use?
Forest Essence Toothpaste scores 6.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This toothpaste contains camphor, which can be toxic if swallowed in quantity, making it a concern for young children. While it includes several botanical extracts and nano-hydroxyapatite, some beneficial ingredients are present only in trace amounts.
Why does Forest Essence Toothpaste score 6.0/10?
What the analysis notes: Camphor ingestion risk, particularly for young children. Lack of transparency regarding specific preservative and excipients. Several beneficial ingredients are present in trace amounts, limiting their efficacy.
Who should avoid Forest Essence Toothpaste?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Young children (due to camphor ingestion risk); Individuals sensitive to essential oils; Avoiding undisclosed preservatives.
Is Forest Essence Toothpaste suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid.
Are the claims on the Forest Essence Toothpaste pack accurate?
Yes — all 6 claims on the pack checked out against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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