Garlic extract has been found to offer antimicrobial effects that are on par with commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants such as chlorhexidine, according to medical researchers at the University of Sharjah. The study, published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, reports that garlic-based mouthwash may produce more discomfort than chlorhexidine, but appears to provide longer-lasting residual activity. “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.”

The researchers based their conclusions on a systematic review examining how garlic extract performs against chlorhexidine in clinical settings and whether it can realistically function as a herbal substitute. The selected literature consisted of randomised controlled trials and clinical studies with varying designs and low to moderate risks of bias. Overall, the authors found that higher concentrations of garlic extract mouthwash showed antimicrobial results similar to those of chlorhexidine.

“The effectiveness varied based on mouthwash concentration and duration of application, contributing to differences in outcomes”, the review noted. “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.” Even with these drawbacks, the review offers strong support for the clinical antimicrobial activity of garlic extract, reporting: “Significant reductions in bacterial counts from baseline … suggesting the possible use of garlic extract mouthwash as a viable alternative to chlorhexidine in certain contexts”.

From: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251207031338.htm.