Herbal antiseptics. Natural antiseptics - a doctor at home The best antiseptics of natural origin

The composition of some medicinal plants includes substances that can have an antiseptic effect: phenolic compounds, tannins, essential oils, phytoncides, flavonoids and organic acids. Such plants, prepared in the form of juices or concentrated infusions, are able to have an antiseptic (static) and wound-healing effect. Not all plants - antiseptics can be used orally, many of them are designed only for external use due to the fact that, in addition to useful antiseptic substances, they can also contain toxic compounds.

Antimicrobial activity from the group of phenolic compounds is possessed by arbutin, obtained from the leaves of bearberry and lingonberry, and hydroquinone (arbutin derivative), obtained by hydrolysis of arbutin.

Tannins (tannins)- These are polymeric phenolic compounds, which also have an anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic effect. Tannins have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties due to the fact that when tannin interacts with protein structures, proteins coagulate, forming a protective film (albuminates) that prevents the development of the inflammation process. To herbal antiseptics with tannic properties include: mountaineer snake (rhizomes), burnet officinalis (rhizomes), alder (cones), bergenia (rhizomes), erect cinquefoil (synonym: galangal - rhizomes), oak bark, tea leaves, plantain leaves.

Herbal essential oils soluble in ether, alcohol, oil, but insoluble in water. Easily isolated from plants with hot water or steam, but very volatile. Some essential oils have anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects: chamomile (substance - chamazulene), thyme (substance - thymol), sage (leaves), calendula (flowers), fir (needles), eucalyptus (leaves), St. John's wort (aerial part of the plant) . The composition of the essential oil of clove and bay tree includes eugenol, which is considered a strong antiseptic.

Phytoncides- a group of volatile compounds with an active antiseptic effect. Phytoncides are found in plants such as garlic, onion, nettle, St. John's wort, pine, oak, birch, juniper, radish, horseradish, lichen, plantain. The composition of phytoncides and their antiseptic action vary depending on the season, climatic conditions, and the stage of vegetation of the plant. When the plant is destroyed (chopped), after a few minutes (or seconds), the release of phytoncides stops. But there are plants that produce phytoncides for a long time and in a plucked form (garlic, onion).

Flavonoids, enzymes and organic acids in the composition of the juice from the leaves of Kalanchoe Degremont, aloe and plantain (seeds and aerial parts of the plant) have anti-inflammatory, anti-granulation, anti-necrotic effects.

Herbal antiseptics can be purchased at the pharmacy in the form of liquid extracts or ointments:

Rotokan (composition: chamomile, calendula, yarrow),
Chlorophyllipt (composition: essential oil and eucalyptus extract),
Rekutan (composition: chamomile extract),
Calendula tincture (composition: marigold flower extract),
Japanese Sophora tincture (composition: Japanese Sophora flavonoids and excipients),
Vundehil - ointment (composition: cinquefoil extract, yarrow extract, Japanese Sophora extract, calendula extract, propolis and excipients),
Calendula ointment (composition: calendula extract and excipients),
Altan ointment (composition: alnitanins and flavonoids from alder, birch family).

Almost all medicinal plants have several healing properties at once - this is their advantage over chemical preparations. There are a lot of herbs that have an antiseptic, that is, antibacterial, cleansing effect.

If grass and flowers are used, an infusion is prepared from it - medicinal raw materials are poured with hot boiling water and infused from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Roots, rhizomes and bark are used to make decoctions. They are poured with cold water and boiled in a water bath for 30 minutes.

Alcohol tinctures for washing, rinsing and irrigating the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, as well as the ears, are not recommended - they can cause burns. In extreme cases, they can be diluted with water.

Marshmallow (root) - the antiseptic effect of marshmallow is not as strong as that of other plants, but it contains a lot of mucus, so it is good for them to treat the mucous membrane of the nose and throat with their increased dryness. Marshmallow also relieves coughs and relieves irritation.

It is not necessary to prepare a decoction of marshmallow roots - 2 tsp is enough. crushed raw materials pour a glass of warm water and let it brew for half an hour, stirring occasionally.

Oak (bark) - a decoction of oak bark, on the contrary, is used in cases where the mucous membrane needs to be dried and a lot of pus is released. Oak well relieves inflammation and disinfects the mucous membrane. 1 st. l. boil the bark in a glass of water for 20 minutes.

Willow (bark). Willow bark contains salicylic acid and tannins. Before the invention of aspirin, it was willow bark decoctions that were the main anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent in medicine. Willow bark tea can be drunk as an antipyretic.

St. John's wort (herb). If for internal use with this plant you need to be careful (in large quantities it has a toxic effect), then there are no contraindications for rinsing and washing the nasopharynx and ears. St. John's wort also has a wound-healing effect and relieves inflammation well.

Calendula (flowers). To prepare the infusion 2 tsp. flowers are poured with a glass of boiling water in a thermos and infused for 2 hours (you can cook in a water bath for 10-15 minutes). Calendula, in addition to antiseptic, has a wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effect, it is not toxic, so if you swallowed the infusion when rinsing, nothing bad will happen. Calendula tincture can be used to treat the skin around ear boils.

Lemon. Lemon juice disinfects kitchen utensils, which prevents the growth of bacteria. Lemon juice well quenches thirst with fever, and even prevents the formation of blood clots. Lemons are especially effective in fighting bacterial chest infections and thrush.

Onion is a versatile antiseptic. This natural antibiotic, ruthless to streptococci, diphtheria, tuberculosis and dysentery bacillus. Eating fresh onions increases the chances of not getting sick with colds. Its sulfur compounds cause tears, but they have antimicrobial properties.

A poultice of raw grated onion helps with minor cuts, burns and scalds; chopped raw onion helps with sore throat, cough and bronchitis.

Juniper. Juniper berries contain a large amount of volatile oils, in this regard, they are a powerful antiseptic for the urinary system. It should be taken as a tincture or decoction.

Plantain (leaves) is one of the most popular medicinal plants. If there was no iodine or peroxide at hand in the country, then you can always attach plantain leaves to the wound. For the treatment of diseases of the ear and nose, fresh juice is used, which can be instilled without harm. An infusion of leaves (1 tbsp per 0.5 cup of boiling water, leave for 1 hour) is used for gargling and washing the nasal cavity.

Turnip - curative for both respiratory and stomach infections. You can eat it raw or drink turnip juice. A poultice of grated turnips heals minor wounds and skin scrapes.

Turnip is a good prophylactic against tuberculosis and leprosy, and boiled turnip helps to strengthen the immune system. A decoction of turnips is treated for tonsillitis and toothache.

Chamomile (flowers) is the undisputed leader in the list of natural antiseptics. Chamomile tea helps with intestinal infections, and many skin diseases are treated with its infusion. Rinsing with chamomile infusion is an excellent remedy for fighting sore throats and even a runny nose.
Licorice (root) - like marshmallow, licorice is used to treat mucous in cases where it is too dry. Licorice forms a protective film while fighting microbes. With laryngitis, a decoction of licorice roots relieves cough and sputum discharge. To prepare a decoction 1 tbsp. l. boil the roots in a glass of water for 15 minutes in a water bath.

Yarrow (herb) - This plant is rich in tannins, flavonoids and essential oils, one of which - azulene - makes it an excellent disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agent. In infectious diseases, you can use yarrow infusion not only for rinsing, but also as tea - this helps to quickly cope with the infection.

Thyme, or thyme (herb) - it is better to use its essential oil. For rinsing, it is diluted in warm water, and for treating the nasal cavity and ear, you can apply it with cotton swabs. You can also use the infusion (1 tablespoon per glass of water).

By infusing thyme leaves, you get an antimicrobial tea that fights coughs and colds. It is also effective for gastroenteritis and other digestive infections. The essential oil contains thymol, it is useful for rinsing the mouth with inflammation of the gums.

Sage (leaves) - tips to gargle and rinse your nose with sage infusion are found in all recommendations. It has very strong antimicrobial properties, so it is indispensable for tonsillitis and sinusitis.

Garlic - The antimicrobial active ingredients of garlic are able to overcome bacterial and viral infections. To disinfect an abscess, you can apply garlic juice to it, and ingestion, getting into the bloodstream, disinfects the entire body.

Garlic is highly effective in diseases of the upper respiratory tract, whooping cough, pneumonia, bladder. Improves overall metabolism - all vessels in the body, especially blood vessels, become elastic; prevents hypertension, myocardial infarction, angina, sclerosis, the formation of various tumors. Relieves headaches, tinnitus.

Antiseptics, as the name implies, are needed in order to fight germs. Most often, externally. The disinfectants we are used to, which are in every home, include hydrogen peroxide, iodine, brilliant green and alcohol. But if they were not at hand, or are there medical contraindications? For example, it is absolutely impossible to treat an open wound with iodine. What to do?

In folk medicine, a wealth of experience has been accumulated in the use of natural antiseptics - plants with anti-inflammatory effects.

What plants can be used as antimicrobial agents?

pharmaceutical camomile . This wonderful plant has antimicrobial, astringent, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic action. For the preparation of infusions and decoctions, flower baskets are used, which are harvested in the summer - from May to August. They contain essential oil (the main part of which is called chamazulene), bitterness, gums, mucus, proteins. These substances determine the medicinal properties of chamomile, actively turning into infusions, but partially decompose when boiled. Gargles with tincture of chamomile flowers eliminate inflammation of the gums and mucous membranes, throat with sore throat. There is such a pharmacist, but completely natural remedy like rotokan - this tincture can be added to the bath. For pain in the stomach and ulcers, diseases of the liver and kidneys, it is useful to drink a decoction of chamomile ½ cup before meals. Externally, in the form of compresses, a more concentrated decoction is used to treat boils and burns.

Calendula. In folk medicine, calendula infusions are used. The main healing substances are concentrated in the flowers. The unique properties of this plant make it possible to alleviate many diseases, and externally it is used to gargle, disinfect wounds, burns, cracks and treat skin diseases.

Sage . Sage leaves are excellent natural antiseptics, which also contain phytohormones that are beneficial for the female body. A tincture is made from sage leaves, which is useful for gargling with colds, gargling with sage broth facilitates the course of stomatitis.

Thyme . Contains essential oil, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes, which have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral effects. Prevents the development of putrefactive bacteria, anthelmintic. The most effective is thyme essential oil, as it can be used not only externally, but also in the form of inhalations.

pine buds . The high content of essential oils, resins, bitter and tannins, starch, ascorbic acid, carotene, flavonoids and phytoncides - determines the unique medicinal effect on the human body. These substances stimulate the secretory activity of the epithelium of the respiratory tract, reduce the viscosity of sputum, and have an antiviral effect on the pathogenic microflora of the nasopharynx and oral cavity. Decoctions, tinctures and inhalations are used - mainly in the treatment of the upper respiratory tract. And pine tar, included in the composition of ointments, treats skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, scabies and psoriasis; is part of the Vishnevsky ointment, recommended for the treatment of wounds, ulcers and bedsores. Phytoncides secreted by the Crimean pine help even in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Plantain leaves and elecampane - applied to wounds to prevent the spread of infection.

All these herbs are used either as self-sufficient medicines, or as part of various specialized collections, or as components of medicinal ointments.

Garlic . This is probably the most famous natural antiseptic. No wonder it is still harvested for the whole winter. Garlic is not only a spicy seasoning for meat, salads and other dishes, but also an excellent prophylactic and fights viral infections, and its juice cleanses from the inside - as an antiseptic acts on the digestive organs.

Onion . Onion phytoncides act in a similar way. And if there is a patient with a cold in the house, you can put finely chopped onions on saucers and distribute them around the house - as an antimicrobial agent.

Horseradish . This is a herbaceous perennial, roots, sometimes leaves, are used as medicinal raw materials. The roots are rich in carbohydrates, vitamin C, mineral salts. Grated roots are used in their pure form, or mixed with sour cream, vinegar, vegetable oil, lemon juice and other bases. The spectrum of action is the widest - from the reduction of spurs and the removal of acne and freckles to the treatment of sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media, and the treatment of urolithiasis.

Ltd-

In nature, everything is thought out, and for every disease you can find your own medicine, and even natural antiseptics can be listed in general ad infinitum. Adapting to life, many plants have learned to fight microbes: some of the substances they produce are toxic to pathogens. Properly using these properties, a person can get a lot of benefits for his health without any negative side effects, which are so rich in conventional medicines.

The most powerful natural antiseptics

List of plants with the most powerful antimicrobial activity.
Phytoncides are usually called plant antibiotics. These are special volatile substances and juices produced by plants. They have the ability to destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.
Plants rich in phytoncides are successfully used in the treatment and prevention of many viral infections.

The death of microorganisms from the action of plant antibiotics occurs very quickly. So, for example, within a few minutes, the volatile substances of the bird cherry branch kill bacteria in a glass of water standing nearby.

What plants have the most powerful antimicrobial activity?

The best-known herbal antiseptics for treating colds include ledum, calendula, elecampane, juniper, pine buds, thyme, oregano, sage, echinacea, and eucalyptus. Food products include garlic, onion, horseradish, red capsicum and black radish.

In case of kidney ailments, preference is given to those plants whose phytoncides are excreted in the urine. These include lingonberry, birch, elecampane, kidney tea, eucalyptus, cornflower, bearberry, and St. John's wort.

St. John's wort, chamomile, plantain, erection cinquefoil, sage, cumin, wormwood and yarrow have the best effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Of the vegetables for bowel diseases, radishes, radishes, onions, garlic, horseradish, carrots, celery are recommended.

Of the fruits and berries, citrus fruits, raspberries, strawberries, black currants, chokeberries, pomegranates, cranberries and lingonberries have the highest antimicrobial activity. Rich in antibacterial substances and spices: cloves, cinnamon, basil, thyme, marjoram and bay leaf.
Cranberries and lingonberries have unique phytoncidal properties. These berries contain benzoic acid, which, when excreted in the urine, inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

The most potent natural antibiotics that you can prepare yourself include 40% alcohol extracts from garlic and onions, as well as an alcohol tincture from calendula flower baskets.

For room disinfection

Along the perimeter of the house, you can hang bouquets of dry plants (lavender, savory, cistus (labdanum), myrrh, opoponax (sweet myrrh)), use scented balls, smoke the rooms with incense, styrax, galbanum, mint sprigs of pine, spruce and juniper