Indian government regulators have objected to a patent application registered by Colgate-Palmolive for a mouthwash formula.

The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a unit of the government’s science regulator Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), claimed that Colgate Palmolive’s trademark application contained herb extracts traditionally used in ancient medicinal practices, and thereby did not hold exclusive rights. 

Colgate-Palmolive registered the patent with the Indian Patent Office in 2011 to protect an oral composition containing extracts of Myristica Fragrans or nutmeg. Yet an update on its status last month showed it was deemed to have been withdrawn.

“There are several references where Myristica fragrans and some others were used alone or in combination to eliminate bad breath, teeth strengthening, treatment of gingivitis, fissures of the tongue and palate, diseases of the mouth and excess salivation. These herbs were also used for dryness of the mouth, diseases of the pharynx, lips, tongue and teeth in Indian medicine for a long time, a spokesperson for TKDL told the Hindustan Times.