Surprising
Halitosis reduction from a mouthwash made of clematis extract matched chlorhexidine in a 2-week trial — but this is the first study of its kind.
This small, early-stage trial suggests clematis might work for bad breath, but the evidence is too thin to act on — treat it as a preliminary signal, not a recommendation.
In a 2-week randomized trial with 67 participants, a mouthwash made from Clematis chinensis extract reduced perceived halitosis and salivary ammonia levels as effectively as the standard antiseptic chlorhexidine. Both active treatments outperformed saline. However, with only one small study so far, the finding is intriguing but far from proven — it needs replication before anyone should consider switching mouthwashes.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Clematis for Reduced Halitosis — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- n = 67
- 2026-06
- Complementary therapies in medicine
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.