Rising antibiotic resistance has prompted the search for natural alternatives. This study aimed to assess the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of 16 extracts derived from Mediterranean herbs. Extracts were characterized by High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Achillea taygetea, Cistus creticus ssp. creticus, Cistus monspeliensis, Lavandula stoechas, Mentha aquatica, Mentha longifolia, Origanum vulgare, Phlomis cretica, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia sclarea, Satureja parnassica, Satureja thymbra, Sideritis euboea, Sideritis syriaca, Stachys spinosa, and Thymus longicaulis were tested against eight oral bacterial species and Candida albicans. Antibiofilm activity against Streptococcus mutans was determined using microtiter plate assays. All extracts strongly inhibited obligate anaerobic bacteria. At ≥0.15 mg/ml, they demonstrated moderate-to-strong antibiofilm activity, similar to chlorhexidine (CHX) against S. mutans. Among the extracts, R. officinalis (MIC: 0.01–0.06 mg/ml) and O. vulgare (MIC: 0.04–1.25 mg/ml) exhibited the greatest antibacterial activity. Furthermore, R. officinalis and L. stoechas effectively suppressed S. mutans biofilm formation at 0.15 mg/ml. These findings suggest that the tested Mediterranean herb extracts may serve as natural agents with both antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. Extracts from Mediterranean herbs could provide a natural approach to controlling oral pathogens and biofilm formation, representing a potential alternative therapy in the context of rising antibiotic resistance.
