Scientists find mouthwash rival—and it’s made from a common kitchen staple
Garlic extract may work just as well as in mouthwash as some of the most widely used antiseptics according to new research from medical scientists at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
The study, published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, found that although garlic-based mouthwash can be more uncomfortable to use, it may offer longer-lasting effects than chlorhexidine, one of the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial rinses.
“Chlorhexidine is widely used as a gold standard mouthwash but is associated with side effects and concerns over antimicrobial resistance,” the authors explain.
“Garlic (Allium sativum), known for natural antimicrobial properties, has emerged as a potential alternative.”
What the Researchers Did
The findings come from a systematic review in which researchers examined existing studies comparing garlic extract and chlorhexidine. Their goal was to see whether garlic could work as a natural substitute in clinical settings.
The review followed strict scientific guidelines: PRISMA 2020, which ensures systematic reviews are thorough and transparent; and the PICO framework, a method used to develop clear clinical research questions.
“A total of 389 articles were identified from six electronic databases in January 2024, and an additional 13 articles were included through manual citation searching. After removing duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, only five articles were included,” the authors explained.
These five studies included randomized controlled trials and other clinical research, though study designs varied and some had moderate risks of bias.
How Garlic Stacked Up
Overall, the results showed that stronger concentrations of garlic extract mouthwash performed about as well as chlorhexidine in fighting microbes.
“The effectiveness varied based on mouthwash concentration and duration of application, contributing to differences in outcomes,” the review states.
“Some studies favored chlorhexidine for maintaining higher plaque/salivary pH, while others reported garlic extract to be more effective at certain concentrations. However, garlic mouthwash may cause greater discomfort.”
Side effects of garlic mouthwash—such as a burning sensation and strong odor—were noted, though they tended to be less severe than the side effects associated with chemical agents like chlorhexidine. Still, these reactions may discourage some patients from switching.
Even with these limitations, the authors say the evidence points to garlic extract having real clinical potential, with the review noting “significant reductions in bacterial counts from baseline … suggesting the possible use of garlic extract mouthwash as a viable alternative to chlorhexidine in certain contexts.”
More Research Still Needed
The scientists caution that the current evidence isn’t strong enough to change dental practice just yet. Most available studies are small and differ widely in methods, and many are conducted only in laboratories rather than with real patients.
They emphasize the need for larger, longer-term clinical trials to better confirm garlic’s “effectiveness and improve clinical applicability.”
Why Garlic?
Garlic is one of nature’s best-known antimicrobial foods. Its active compound, allicin, has been studied for decades for its ability to fight bacteria and fungi. While botanically a vegetable, garlic is used widely as a herb or spice.
Global demand remains huge: about 30 million metric tons of garlic were consumed in 2024, with China producing and consuming nearly 80% of the world’s supply. That same year, the garlic extract market was valued at more than $15 billion.
Garlic-based health products can be purchased over the counter, while synthetic agents like chlorhexidine generally require a prescription.
A Growing Interest in Natural Oral Care
Mouthwashes play an important role in preventing gum disease, cavities, bad breath, and other oral issues. As the review notes, “Antimicrobial mouthwashes constitute an essential adjunct element in oral and dental care, acting against oral diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses attacking oral hard or soft tissues.”
The authors highlight numerous studies showing garlic’s antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microbes. They also point to its use in other dental contexts, including treating denture-related infections, disinfecting dentinal tubules, and as a medicament inside root canals.
“These studies have contributed to understanding the antimicrobial role of garlic extract in comparison to synthetic agents like chlorhexidine,” the authors write.
The authors noted that previous studies had helped clarify the antimicrobial role of garlic extract compared with synthetic agents like chlorhexidine, but they also said that most of the existing research was conducted in laboratory settings, used inconsistent methods, and lacked clinical standardization, creating a significant gap in evidence-based antimicrobial therapy.
For now, garlic mouthwash shows real promise—but more science is needed before it can replace established treatments.
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Reference
Abdelaal, Y. A., Saeed, H. T., Elayyan, M. A., Bkairat, S. M., & Dib, S. Y. (2025). The Clinical Antimicrobial Efficacy of Garlic Extract (Allium sativum) Compared to Chlorhexidine Mouthwash: A Systematic Review. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101053