n. an agent that destroys microorganisms, particularly those causing disease. See also antibiotic; antifungal; antiseptic; disinfectant.
Aromatherapy oils: Borneol, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Cloves, Lavender, Niaouli, Pine, Rosemary, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.
In present practice: (General) Abscess root, Black Catechu, Boldo, Barberry, Bearberry, Balm of Gilead, Buchu, Blood root, Composition powder or essence, Cudweed, Eucalyptus, Echinacea, Garlic, Goldenrod, Juniper, German Chamomile, Marigold, Myrrh, Oak bark, Peppermint, Onion, Peruvian bark, Poke root, Poplar (white), Rosemary, Sage, Sarsaparilla, Saw Palmetto, Southernwood, Thyme, Wild Indigo, Wild Thyme, White Willow bark, Wintergreen.
Eyes: Marigold, German Chamomile.
Intestines: Goldenseal, German Chamomile.
Lymph glands: Poke root, Echinacea, Garlic, Sarsaparilla, Wild Indigo.
Mucous membranes: Goldenseal, Myrrh, Echinacea, Sarsaparilla.
Genital system: Saw Palmetto, Goldenseal.
Nose: Eucalyptus (oil) injection.
Respiratory system: Balm of Gilead, Cudweed, Pine (oil of).
Skin: Myrrh, Cinnamon, Goldenseal, Sphagnum
Moss, Marigold; Oils of Garlic, Thyme, Sage,
Juniper, Blood root, Marigold.
Throat and mouth: Poke root, Goldenseal, Cinnamon, Sage.
Urinary system: Barberry, Bearberry, Boldo, Couch Grass, Echinacea, Juniper, Meadowsweet (mild), Onion, Wild Indigo, Yarrow. ... antiseptics
Treatment: First aid: Capsicum, Ginger, Cinnamon. Cider vinegar in water, sip slowly every few minutes until specific treatment is available. Spices are powerful germicides. See: SALMONELLA, LISTERIA, SHIGELA, etc.
Re-hydration, after heavy loss of fluids: glass of water containing 1 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons sugar. Preventative: 2-3 Garlic tablets/capsules at night.
To be treated by or in liaison with a qualified medical practitioner. ... food poisoning
FAMILY: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
SYNONYMS: T. ammi, Ammi copticum, Carum ajowan, C. copticum, Ptychotis ajowan, ajuan, omum.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An annual herb with a greyish-brown seed, which resembles parsley in appearance.
DISTRIBUTION: Chiefly India, also Afghanistan, Egypt, the West Indies and the Seychelle Islands.
OTHER SPECIES: see Botanical Classification section.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The seeds are used extensively in curry powders and as a general household remedy for intestinal problems. The tincture, essential oil and ‘thymol’ are used in Indian medicine, particularly for cholera.
ACTIONS: Powerful antiseptic and germicide, carminative.
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the seed.
CHARACTERISTICS: A yellow-orange or reddish liquid with a herbaceous-spicy medicinal odour, much like thyme.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Thymol, pinene, cymene, dipentene, terpinene and carvacrol, among others.
SAFETY DATA: Possible mucous membrane and dermal irritant. Due to high thymol level, should be avoided in pregnancy. Toxicity levels are unknown.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE Not recommended.
OTHER USES: It has been used extensively for the isolation of thymol, but this has largely been replaced by synthetic thymol.... ajowan
FAMILY: Myrtaceae
SYNONYMS: Narrow-leaved paperbark tea tree, ti-tree, ti-trol, melasol.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A small tree or shrub (smallest of the tea tree family), with needle-like leaves similar to cypress, with heads of sessile yellow or purplish flowers.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to Australia. Other varieties have been cultivated elsewhere, but M. alternifolia is not produced outside Australia, mainly in New South Wales.
OTHER SPECIES: Tea tree is a general name for members of the Melaleuca family which exists in many physiological forms including cajeput (M. cajeputi) and niaouli (M. viridiflora), and many others such as M. bracteata and M. linariifolia – see Botanical Classification section.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The name derives from its local usage as a type of herbal tea, prepared from the leaves. Our present knowledge of the properties and uses of tea tree is based on a very long history of use by the aboriginal people of Australia. It has been extensively researched recently by scientific methods with the following results: ‘1. This oil is unusual in that it is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi and viruses. 2. It is a very powerful immuno-stimulant, so when the body is threatened by any of these organisms ti-tree increases its ability to respond.’ .
ACTIONS: Anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, balsamic, cicatrisant, diaphoretic, expectorant, fungicidal, immuno-stimulant, parasiticide, vulnerary.
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam or water distillation from the leaves and twigs.
CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellowy-green or water-white mobile liquid with a warm, fresh, spicy-camphoraceous odour. It blends well with lavandin, lavender, clary sage, rosemary, oakmoss, pine, cananga, geranium, marjoram, and spice oils, especially clove and nutmeg.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Terpinene-4-ol (up to 30 per cent), cineol, pinene, terpinenes, cymene, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene alcohols, among others.
SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization in some individuals.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE
Skin care: Abscess, acne, athlete’s foot, blisters, burns, cold sores, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, oily skin, rashes (nappy rash), spots, verrucae, warts, wounds (infected).
Respiratory system: Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, tuberculosis, whooping cough.
Genito-urinary system: Thrush, vaginitis, cystitis, pruritis.
Immune system: Colds, fever, ’flu, infectious illnesses such as chickenpox.
OTHER USES: Employed in soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, disinfectants, gargles, germicides and, increasingly, in aftershaves and spicy colognes.... tea tree
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