Herbs have lots of wonderful qualities that make them of great use to humans. Some can treat illness or keep us healthy, while others prevent us from getting infections. The antiseptic herbs are very powerful but also gentle – you can use them to clean both your home and your body.
Perhaps the best -known antiseptic herb is tea tree oil. The tea tree is native to Australia and has nothing at all to do with the tea we drink. The tree’s leaves and small branches are harvested year round to make tea tree oil, a powerful antiseptic for all sorts of uses.
Great Uses for Tea Tree Oil….
Native Australians used the leaves to treat cuts, burns and insect bites long before Europeans arrived on the scene, and those are still great uses for Teat Tree Oil. You can also use this wonderful oil to treat acne, ringworm, athlete’s foot, yeast infections, boils, dandruff, infected nails and more.
No home should be without a bottle of tea tree oil. You can also buy gels that include tea tree oil, which are helpful for treating acne. Tea tree oil should not be used internally or by people who are allergic to celery or thyme. It should not be applied to large areas of broken skin or rash not related to a fungus.
Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil.
The mint family is another herbal powerhouse when it comes to killing germs. Peppermint is so effective at killing microorganisms that it’s used to treat food poisoning. It can actually stop the growth of salmonella bacteria on food that has been stored improperly (not that you’d want to eat it after that). Peppermint oil is the preferred method for treating food poisoning. Follow the recommended dose on the bottle you buy and do not exceed that dosage.
The Thyme Plant.
Also in the mint family is thyme, which is a strong antiseptic. It can be used externally on infected wounds and internally to heal respiratory and digestive infections. Listerine is made largely of oil of thyme. It’s also helpful for treating athlete’s foot and yeast infections. Thyme should not be used if you have a duodenal ulcer or are pregnant. Don’t take thyme oil internally or you could suffer vomiting, dizziness, convulsions or cardiac arrest. Consult a doctor before taking thyme if you have thyroid problems, as thyme may suppress normal action of the thyroid (its fine in your marinara, though).
Clove Oil Uses….
Clove oil is another anti fungal and antimicrobial herbal remedy. It is great for treating toothaches and periodontal disease, especially when combined with zinc oxide. Clove oil can also kill several pathogens that cause food poisoning. Clove oil is very strong and can cause upset stomach, so dilute it with olive oil and don’t give it to children under the age of six.It is also very good at preventing mold on windows. Simply mix a teaspoon full of clove oil with a bucket of warm water and wash your windows down.
Eucalyptus Oil .
Eucalyptus is a great antiseptic that is used on bug bites and minor cuts and scrapes. Even better, applying eucalyptus oil can keep mosquitoes from biting for up to five hours. Don’t use eucalyptus oil internally; don’t give it to children under the age of two or to people with liver problems or who have had seizures. Always follow the package directions to ensure against overdose.
Recipe for Natural Cleaning
If you want to use herbs to clean your home naturally, here’s a good basic cleaner to try. Combine a teaspoon of borax (on the laundry aisle) with two tablespoons white vinegar and two cups of hot water. Mix until the borax is dissolved; then add three drops of tea tree oil and about 10 drops of lavender essential or some other fragrance that you like. Store this in a spray bottle and use on kitchen surfaces (don’t use it on glass). Happy cleaning and a sweetly scented house!
Wishing you good health and happiness your friends,
To find out about Herbs that are Edible please visit our Edible Herbs Page..
