A 12-week clinical trial involving 175 adults found that a chamomile-based mouth rinse reduced plaque and gum inflammation to a degree statistically comparable with chlorhexidine, while producing none of the staining, taste disruption or oral irritation reported with the prescription antiseptic.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A common herbal remedy may have an unexpected role in oral health, with new clinical research finding that a chamomile mouth rinse performed comparably to prescription-strength chlorhexidine in reducing plaque accumulation and gum inflammation.
The trial, published in April 2026 and conducted by researchers at a university in Romania, enrolled 175 healthy adults and assigned participants to one of five daily mouth rinses: chamomile, sage, ginger, placebo or chlorhexidine.
After 12 weeks, every active treatment performed significantly better than the placebo, according to the report. Chamomile’s results were statistically comparable to those produced by chlorhexidine, an antiseptic commonly regarded by dentists as a gold-standard treatment for controlling dental plaque.
“Every active rinse, including chamomile, produced significant reductions compared to placebo. Chamomile performed statistically on par with chlorhexidine, the rinse most dentists reach for first,” the report said.
Researchers monitored participants throughout the study using standardized dental measurements of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue that is commonly associated with bacterial plaque. Left unaddressed, persistent inflammation can become part of a broader periodontal disease process.
The similarity between chamomile and chlorhexidine was notable because the two appear to work through different biological mechanisms.
Chlorhexidine is a powerful antimicrobial agent that suppresses bacteria in the mouth. Chamomile, by contrast, contains naturally occurring compounds including apigenin and chamazulene that are associated with anti-inflammatory activity.
Chamomile flower material also contains acylated derivatives of apigenin 7-O-glucoside, compounds that have previously been identified in laboratory analysis of the plant.
Despite those mechanistic differences, both approaches produced similar clinical outcomes over the 12-week period.
The comparison may be particularly relevant because chlorhexidine can be difficult to use over extended periods.
Long-term use is commonly associated with brown staining of the teeth, changes in taste and irritation of the soft tissues inside the mouth. Because of those effects, dentists generally reserve chlorhexidine for limited periods rather than indefinite daily use.
Researchers reported no cases of tooth staining, altered taste or mucosal irritation among participants assigned to the chamomile rinse during the full 12 weeks.
That does not mean chamomile is free of potential adverse effects.
The trial did not evaluate allergic reactions, and chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae botanical family, which includes plants capable of provoking reactions in people who are hypersensitive to members of that group.
The findings add to research examining chamomile’s biological effects beyond traditional tea use.
Apigenin, one of the compounds associated with chamomile’s anti-inflammatory activity, can also interact with brain receptors involved in relaxation. Laboratory research has found that fractions derived from methanol extracts of chamomile can bind to both central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in vitro, helping provide a possible explanation for the herb’s longstanding use as a calming bedtime drink.
Chamomile has also traditionally been used for digestive complaints such as mild bloating and stomach discomfort after meals.
Separate extraction research has examined the development of chamomile preparations with potential anti-inflammatory properties for use in beverages.
The oral-health findings have also prompted interest in whether a simple chamomile infusion could be incorporated into everyday dental care.
The report suggested steeping two chamomile tea bags in one cup of hot water for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the liquid to cool to room temperature and then swishing it in the mouth for about 30 seconds after meals in an effort to approximate the concentration evaluated in the trial.
Such a rinse would be intended to supplement — not replace — routine brushing and flossing. Mechanical removal of plaque remains the foundation of daily oral hygiene.
For people attempting to reproduce the type of chamomile preparation evaluated by researchers, pure Matricaria chamomilla in loose-flower form or high-quality tea bags would most closely resemble the botanical material tested. Flavored or blended teas may contain smaller quantities of chamomile and therefore lower concentrations of its active compounds.
German chamomile is also commonly identified botanically as Matricaria recutita or Matricaria chamomilla.
Preparation may matter as well. Research examining chamomile extraction has found that water temperature and steeping duration can influence the resulting concentrations of phenolic compounds and apigenin.
The study’s results are promising, but they do not establish chamomile as a complete treatment for periodontal disease.
The investigation lasted 12 weeks, while gum disease can develop over much longer periods and involves multiple influences beyond plaque accumulation alone.
Chronic inflammation and nutritional status may also affect gum tissue. Previous references have reported that coenzyme Q10 can be deficient in the gingival tissues of some people with periodontal disease.
Other nutritional approaches discussed in alternative dental literature include flavonoid-rich foods such as blueberries, grapes and hawthorn berries for supporting gum tissue.
Clove, oregano and peppermint essential oils have also been discussed in reports involving homemade oral preparations for gum discomfort and inflammation, although those approaches were separate from the chamomile trial and were not tested as part of the 12-week comparison with chlorhexidine.
The principal finding from the Romanian study remains the direct comparison between chamomile and one of dentistry’s most widely used antiseptic rinses.
Among the 175 adults studied, daily chamomile rinsing reduced plaque and gingival inflammation to a degree statistically similar to chlorhexidine over 12 weeks, while avoiding the staining, altered taste and mucosal irritation associated with the antiseptic in the report.
The findings suggest chamomile could warrant further study as a gentler option for people managing mild gum inflammation over longer periods, particularly when used alongside conventional brushing, flossing and professional dental care.
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