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Natural Antiseptics
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Do you need an antiseptic around the home but want to avoid using antiseptic agents? There are some extremely effective natural antiseptics that are great for a wide range of applications. Read on to learn more.
Honey
Honey is a natural antiseptic and there are several studies on how honey has been used to treat wounds. Applying honey to wounds helps to prevent infections, as it contains antimicrobial agents that kill the bacteria in and around the wound. Many types of bacteria cannot survive in honey so the wound heals, swelling eases, and the tissues can regrow. Honey is also great for treating ulcers and burns. When treating diarrhea, honey promotes the rehydration of the body and more quickly clears the diarrhea and any vomiting and stomach upsets.
Lemon
Lemon has antiseptic properties and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function and the lymphatic, circulatory, and digestive systems. It is antibacterial and is beneficial for the skin. To sterilise the air, simply add a few drops of lemon to a spray bottle. To purify soy or rice milk, simply add two drops of lemon. Lemon can be used to treat verrucas, insect bits, and tension headaches. It can also be used for sore throats, in pruritis of the scrotum, in uterine haemmorhage after delivery, or as a lotion in sunburn.Pineapple
Pineapple is high in vitamins A, C, and B, and is rich in manganese, which is an essential part of certain enzymes that are necessary for metabolising proteins and carbohydrates. The pineapple enzyme, bromelain, is used for digesting proteins, and white it does so, it gives some effective anti-inflammatory benefits. It contains antibiotic properties and helps to enhance medical antibiotics. Pineapple is antiseptic and astringent. It reduces the acidity of urine, helps with normalising menstruation and can be used for abscesses, pneumonia, worm infestation, exhaustion, kidney infections, kidney stones, bronchitis, and digestive disorders. Pineapple also soothes sore throats.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a fantastic natural antibiotic and it contains antiseptic compounds that are a very effective skin disinfectant. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can be used at a strength of 5 to 15 percent daily. Tea tree oil has been proven to help with acne, athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, fungal infections of the toe or finger nails, yeast infections, wound healing, and bad breath, amongst other things.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract is both antimicrobial and antiseptic. For use as an antiseptic, make a solution of 4 to 40 drops in water and apply to affected areas two or three times a day. It can be used as a spray on larger areas.
Lavender
Lavender has natural antiseptic and astringent properties that can help with sunburn, bites, infections, and other minor skin problems when it is applied. It can be used on all skin types.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is naturally antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, and an insect repellent. It can be used to help fight colds, flu, throat infections, sinusitis, headaches caused by congestion; it eases tight, dry coughs; it relieves the breathlessness of asthma and bronchitis by loosening mucous; and is also useful in reducing fevers.
Other Antiseptics
Following are some other natural antiseptics that may prove useful:
- Molkosan – is derived from concentrated whey and can be used effectively against fungal infections and is an excellent antiseptic. Use in the same way as you’d use iodine.
- St John’s Wort – can be used as an external antiseptic.
- Colloidal Silver – is a powerful antibiotic and many organisms can only live for a few minutes in the presence of silver.
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