BACKGROUND: A tear in the perineum experienced by postpartum women can occur due to an episiotomy process or a spontaneous tear. This cloak, in addition to causing curiosity, can also cause infection if not treated or treated appropriately. Based on several research results, the current treatment for perineal tears is the administration of antiseptic, anti-pain, and antibiotics orally or topically. Several Indonesian herbal plants can be used to accelerate the healing of torn wounds in the perineum due to the ability of these plants as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. These plants include red betel leaf and cinnamon oil. AIM: The objective of the study was to review the literature from research results that discuss the activity of red betel leaf and cinnamon oil as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory both orally and topically. SEARCH METHOD: Searching for articles through databases on Google Scholar, in the past years, that is, 2008–2021. INCLUSION: Review articles involving research on experimental animals with in vitro and in vivo activity tests using the Completely Randomized Design method. RESULTS: As well as, 12 relevant articles showed that both red betel leaf and cinnamon oil were tested in vitro and in vivo, showing that these two plants effectively act as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. CONCLUSION: Two herbal plants red betel leaf and cinnamon oil have the potential to treat and accelerate the healing of perineal tears through their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.

The process of episiotomy surgery during childbirth results in injury and pain in the perineum. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the topical combination of cinnamon oil and red betel extract on the healing process of episiotomy incision model in Swiss mice. The research subjects were divided into six groups: (I) Negative control, (II) positive control, (III) mice treated with cinnamon oil, (IV) mice treated with red betel extract, (V) mice treated with 2 ml cinnamon oil and 20% red betel extract, and (VI) mice treated with 4 ml cinnamon oil and 40% red betel extract. Each group of mice received a full-thickness skin wound on the back. The incision wound was then applied by using gel two times a day for 5 days which had been prepared previously. The results showed that the combination of cinnamon oil and red betel decreased the area and percentage of the wound, decreased the inflammatory cell infiltration, and increased the vascular endothelial growth factor expression. This study concludes that the combination of cinnamon oil and red betel extract have the potential to accelerate wound healing and reduce perineal pain in episiotomy incision models conducted in Swiss mice.