Some medicinal plants contain 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 capable of having an antiseptic (static) and wound healing effect. Not all plants - antiseptics can be used internally, many of them are designed only for external use due to the fact that, in addition to useful antiseptic substances, they may also contain toxic compounds.
Arbutin, obtained from the leaves of bearberry and lingonberry, and hydroquinone (a derivative of arbutin), obtained by hydrolysis of arbutin, have antimicrobial action from the group of phenolic compounds.
Tannins (tannins)- These are polymeric phenolic compounds, which are also characterized by anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic effects. Tannins have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties due to the fact that when tannin interacts with protein structures, proteins fold, forming a protective film (albuminates) that prevents the development of inflammation. TO plant antiseptics, with tanning properties, include: snake mountaineer (rhizomes), medicinal burnet (rhizomes), alder (cones), badan (rhizomes), erect cinquefoil (synonym: galangal - rhizomes), oak bark, tea leaves, plantain leaves.
Vegetable essential oils well 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 essential oils of clove and laurel trees contain eugenol, which is considered a powerful antiseptic.
Phytoncides- a group of volatile compounds with an active antiseptic effect. Phytoncides are found in such plants as garlic, onion, nettle, St. John's wort, pine, oak, birch, juniper, radish, horseradish, lichens, plantain. The composition of phytoncides and their antiseptic effect vary depending on the season, climatic conditions, and the stage of plant vegetation. When the plant is destroyed (crushed), after a few minutes (or seconds), the release of phytoncides stops. But there are plants that produce phytoncides for a long time and in the plucked form (garlic, onions).
Flavonoids, enzymes and organic acids in the juice from the leaves of Kalanchoe Degremon, aloe and plantain (seeds and aerial part 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),
- Recutane (composition: chamomile extract),
- Tincture of calendula (composition: calendula flower extract),
- Japanese Sophora tincture (composition: Japanese Sophora flavonoids and excipients),
- Wundehil - 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).
Antiseptics, as the name implies, are needed to fight germs. Most often, externally. The disinfection preparations 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 that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
What plants can be used as antimicrobial agents?
pharmaceutical camomile
... This remarkable plant has antimicrobial, astringent, anti-inflammatory and 
antispasmodic action. For the preparation of infusions and decoctions, flower baskets are used, which are collected 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. Gargling with a tincture of chamomile flowers eliminates inflammation of the gums and mucous membranes, throat with angina. There is such a pharmacy, but a completely natural remedy like rotocan - this tincture can be added to the bath. For stomach pains and ulcers, liver and kidney diseases, it is useful to drink ½ cup of chamomile decoction before meals. Outwardly, in the form of compresses, a more concentrated broth is used to treat abscesses and burns.
Calendula.
In folk medicine, calendula infusions are used. The main medicinal substances are concentrated in flowers. The unique properties of this plant can alleviate many diseases, and is used externally for gargling, disinfecting wounds, burns, cracks and treating skin diseases.
Sage ... Sage leaves are excellent natural antiseptics containing phytohormones that are useful for the female body. A tincture is made from sage leaves, which is useful for gargling with colds, rinsing with sage decoction facilitates 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, since it can be used not only externally, but also in the form of inhalation.
Pine buds
... The high content of essential oils, resin, bitter and tannins, starch, ascorbic acid, carotene, flavonoids and phytoncides - determines a 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 conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, scabies and scaly lichen; is part of Vishnevsky's ointment, recommended for the treatment of wounds, ulcers and bedsores. Phytoncides secreted by the Crimean pine help even in the treatment of tuberculosis.
Plantain and elecampane leaves - applied to wounds to avoid 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 agent and fights viral infections, and its juice cleanses from the inside - as an antiseptic acts on the digestive organs.
Onion ... Onion phytoncides work in a similar way. And if there is a patient with a cold in the house, you can spread the finely chopped onions on saucers and distribute them around the house - as an antimicrobial agent.
Horseradish
... It is a herbaceous perennial, roots and sometimes leaves are used as medicinal raw materials. The roots are rich in carbohydrates, vitamin C, mineral salts. Use grated roots in pure form, or mixed with sour cream, vinegar, vegetable oil, lemon juice and other bases. The spectrum of action is the broadest - from reducing spurs and removing acne and freckles to treating sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media, and treating urolithiasis.
OOO-
In nature, everything is thought out, and for each disease you can find your own medicine, and natural antiseptics can be listed ad infinitum. Adapting to life, many plants have learned to fight microbes: some of the substances they produce are poisonous to pathogens. Using these properties correctly, a person can derive many benefits for his health without any negative side effects, which are so rich in conventional medications.
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. Therefore, we will only talk about those that you can easily find here or that are sold in almost every pharmacy.
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 prepare the decoctions. They are filled with cold water and boiled in a water bath for 30 minutes.
Alcoholic 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. As a last resort, they can be diluted with water.
Marshmallow (root)
The antiseptic effect of marshmallow is not as strong as in other plants, but it contains a lot of mucus, so it is good for them to treat the mucous membranes of the nose and throat with their increased dryness. Marshmallow also relieves coughing and irritation. It is not necessary to cook a decoction from the roots of marshmallow - 2 tsp is enough. Pour the crushed raw materials with 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 relieves inflammation well and disinfects mucous membranes. 1 tbsp. l. boil the crust 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 broths that were the main anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent in medicine. Willow bark tea can be drunk as an antipyretic agent. For the preparation of the broth 1 tsp. the bark is poured with a glass of water and boiled for 15-20 minutes.
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. For infusion 1 tbsp. l. herbs are poured with a glass of boiling water.
Calendula (flowers)
For the preparation of the infusion 2 tsp. flowers are poured with a glass of boiling water in a thermos and insisted 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 swallow the infusion while rinsing, nothing terrible will happen. Tincture of calendula can be used to treat the skin around the boils of the auricle.
Plantain (leaves)
It 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 tablespoon per 0.5 cups of boiling water, leave for 1 hour) is used to rinse the throat and rinse the nasal cavity.
Chamomile (flowers)
The undisputed leader in the list of natural antiseptics. Chamomile tea helps with intestinal infections, and many skin diseases are treated with its infusion. Gargling with chamomile infusion is an excellent means of combating sore throats and even a runny nose.
Licorice (root)
Just like marshmallow, licorice is used to treat mucous membranes in cases where it is too dry. Licorice forms a protective film while fighting germs. With laryngitis, decoction of licorice roots relieves cough and sputum discharge. For the preparation of a decoction 1 tbsp. l. boil 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 case of infectious diseases, you can use the yarrow infusion not only for rinsing, but also as tea - this helps to quickly cope with the infection. For infusion 2 tsp. dry herbs are poured with a glass of boiling water.
Thyme, or thyme (herb)
Better to use its essential oil. For rinsing, it is diluted in warm water, and for the treatment of the nasal cavity and ear, you can apply it with cotton swabs. You can also use infusion (1 tbsp. L. Per glass of water).
Sage (leaves)
Tips for gargling and rinsing your nose with sage infusion are found in all recommendations. It has very strong antimicrobial properties, therefore it is indispensable for angina and sinusitis.
Fir rinse
When my throat starts to hurt and sore throat appears, gargling with fir water helps me. I think that in areas where fir does not grow, you can use pine or spruce. I take several branches of fir and pour boiling water over them. When the water cools down, I rinse my throat with it every 2 hours. I also do inhalations with fir, which also help with a cold. Once I tried to drip fir oil into my nose, somewhere I read such a recipe - it just burned the mucous membrane, and then my throat sore. So I do not recommend this remedy.
A.M. Makhrushina, Krasnoyarsk
Soap root
There is such a plant - soapwort, which grows right outside the outskirts or in the meadows. Its root is very good at relieving swelling with a runny nose and inflammation with sore throat. Since the plant is toxic, its broth cannot be swallowed. It's okay if a little gets into the stomach, it will not happen, but if you swallowed a lot, then it is better to rinse.
I do the remedy as follows: 1 tsp. crushed soap root, I insist overnight in a glass of cold water, then boil for 3-5 minutes, cool, filter. I pour the warm solution into my folded palm and, holding my nostril, draw in the liquid with the other, spitting it out through my mouth. Alternately draw in fluid from each nostril several times.
The procedure should be done 2-3 times a day for 5 minutes at short intervals. With angina, you should often gargle with the same broth.
Andrey Evgenievich Cheremisov, Kirov
People have known for a long time that many plants have a unique antimicrobial effect. They are able not only to disinfect the skin, but to prevent ingestion, as well as the further spread of infection inside the body. In this article, we will look at the main natural antiseptics that can be safely used at home.
Pharmacy chamomile
One of the cheapest and most common folk remedies. This plant has many beneficial properties as it has anti-inflammatory, astringent and antimicrobial effects. Easy to prepare, it is great for gum disease, sore throat and sore throat.
Bergamot essential oil
It is used to treat acne, as well as to eliminate many other diseases of the skin. It also helps to increase the body's resistance to various viral infections and helps with coughs, runny nose or inflammation of the tonsils.
Horseradish
Horseradish has the most powerful bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. Its regular use in food helps to strengthen the immune system. In addition, the use of horseradish is considered an effective prevention of colds and flu.
Eucalyptus
This plant is used in the skin care process. It has pronounced wound healing properties and helps with acne. It is recommended to wipe your face with a decoction of eucalyptus if you have acne, and also to wash your hair to eliminate dandruff. indicated for owners of oily and problem skin. With its help, the skin becomes elastic, and also acquires elasticity and a healthy color.
Tea tree oil
It is this oil that is called the best remedy for fighting infectious agents. It remarkably cleans abscesses and wounds from pus. In addition, with its help, furunculosis is effectively treated. It relieves irritation, redness from the skin, and also effectively eliminates itching.
Onion
Everyone is well aware of the bactericidal properties of onions. It can be used as a prophylactic agent during the spread of viral infections and influenza. Saucers with sliced slices placed around the apartment will not allow pathogenic bacteria to multiply and enter the human body.
Common heather
Heather has a diuretic, diaphoretic, bactericidal and sedative effect. It is used for arthritis, bronchitis, cough, rheumatism and nervous disorders. Decoctions from this plant are used as an external remedy for eczema, purulent wounds, and allergic reactions.
The unique medicinal properties of this plant have been known to mankind for many centuries. It perfectly helps with coughs and colds, relieves inflammation of the bladder. Effectively acts on diseases of the kidneys and digestive organs. In addition, cornflower is a wonderful antihelminthic and anti-febrile remedy. It is often used for various eye diseases.
Plantain leaves
This is the most famous remedy used for disinfecting wounds. Even in childhood, we all applied plantain leaves to broken knees, thereby preventing infection from getting under the damaged skin.
Pine buds
Tinctures made from pine buds have a therapeutic effect in diseases of the upper respiratory tract. A decoction from these kidneys can be used as a remedy for flu and colds. Also today there are many pharmaceutical preparations, which include pine bud extract. They effectively help with complex skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
A decoction of sage leaves has a pronounced antiseptic effect. used for colds, stomatitis and sore throat.
Thyme
Thyme essential oil is capable of providing antiviral and antimicrobial effects. It is often used for inhalation during colds.
Cedar and pine
These trees are rightfully called excellent natural antiseptics. They secrete special medicinal substances - phytoncides, which are an effective remedy for the treatment of many diseases of the respiratory system, and especially tuberculosis.
Cranberry
There are piracitamons. This substance is able to effectively prevent the growth of bacteria. Regular consumption of cranberries helps to get rid of many diseases of the genitourinary sphere and diseases of the prostate gland.
Propolis
This is the most popular and demanded remedy, which is widely used in modern pharmacology. It is difficult to overestimate its analgesic, antiviral and antibacterial effect. Used to treat tonsillitis and various infections of the oral cavity.
Calendula
Various medicinal tinctures are made from calendula. They rinse the throat and oral cavity with inflammation of the tonsils. Also, these tinctures are applied to burns, small wounds and cracks. The medicinal substances contained in calendula contribute to their early healing and disinfection.
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