What are natural antimicrobials?

In naturopathy and herbal medicine, natural antimicrobials are plant based substances used to inhibit or kill harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

They are used to help treat and prevent infections while supporting the body’s immune system and overall resilience.

These remedies are often derived from various plant parts, which can include leaves, flowers, roots, rhizomes and resins.

Their activity comes from naturally occurring bioactive compounds like allicin from garlic, carvacrol from oregano and curcumin from turmeric.

How natural antimicrobials work

Broad spectrum activity

Many herbal antimicrobials act broadly, meaning they may influence a wide range of pathogens at the same time, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, rather than targeting a single strain.

Multiple mechanisms of action

Natural antimicrobials can work in several different ways. For example, plant compounds may disrupt microbial cell membranes, interfere with enzymes or inhibit biofilm formation.

Holistic immune support

Alongside antimicrobial effects, many herbs also provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support, helping the body maintain balance. Which can be especially helpful while recovering from infection.

Why herbal practitioners use antimicrobials

Supporting mild and recurrent infections

Natural antimicrobials are commonly used to help manage mild, lingering or recurrent infections, particularly those affecting the respiratory tract, urinary system and the skin (1).

Protecting beneficial gut flora

These remedies are often chosen for their beneficial effect on the gut microbiome.

Research shows they can help here by promoting beneficial species and inhibiting harmful ones.

Well known natural antimicrobial examples

Garlic and garlic extracts

Garlic contains allicin and other organosulfur compounds with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity (2). Allicin, in particular, is a powerful compound that stimulates immune cell activity (like natural killer cells and macrophages) and has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties.

Products containing garlic may be taken internally or applied topically. Please note that higher doses may increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinning medications.

Allicin Max is a popular garlic supplement containing stabilised, pure allicin, designed to deliver garlic's powerful benefits directly without needing conversion in the stomach, unlike many other garlic products.

Oregano oil

Oregano oil is rich in carvacrol and thymol, compounds known to disrupt microbial cell membranes (3). It is commonly used for respiratory and fungal concerns. Essential oil forms should be used as per the instructions on the product packaging, or from the guidance of your practitioner.

Botanicals For Life Organic Oregano Oil is crafted using gentle steam distillation and blended with organic cold-pressed olive oil, this natural extract provides a clean and effective way to support the body’s defences.

Goldenseal (berberine)

Goldenseal contains berberine and is traditionally used for digestive, urinary and skin infections.

Berberine is recognised for its supportive role in managing digestive infections, with human studies showing benefits in cases of infectious diarrhoea linked to bacteria such as E. coli and Vibrio cholerae (4). In urinary health, berberine has demonstrated an ability to reduce bacterial adherence to the bladder lining in laboratory research (5).

Goldenseal extracts also have a long history of traditional use for skin care and wound support. Laboratory studies show activity against resilient bacteria (6).

Goldenseal Extract is made from 500 mg of pure Goldenseal Root Extract.

Thyme

Thyme owes much of its antimicrobial activity to thymol. It is especially valued for respiratory conditions and may be used internally or as part of topical or gargle preparations.

SIBO-Go is a practitioner-formulated, bioactive combination of herbs including garlic, oregano, thyme and clove, for a healthy and balanced microbiome.

Manuka honey

Manuka honey has the ability to release hydrogen peroxide and contains methylglyoxal, contributing to its antibacterial properties (7). It has a long history of topical use for wound care traditionally, and may also be taken internally. It is also now used in hospital settings. But, please note, it should never be given to infants under 1 year of age.

Erbenobili Protegol is a throat spray with manuka for coughs and colds and generally feeling under the weather to boost immunity.

Essential oils with antimicrobial properties

Thyme essential oil

Thyme essential oil has demonstrated effectiveness against a wide variety of microbes including bacteria, fungi, and some viruses and parasites (8).

Please note that it is intended for external use only and must always be diluted in a carrier oil.

Oregano essential oil

Oregano essential oil may be diffused to support the sinuses or applied topically in diluted form for fungal skin infections (9).

It should not be ingested or applied undiluted, and always follow the guidance of your practitioner.

Lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil inhibits bacteria (like E. coli, S. aureus) and fungi, making it useful for wound care by disrupting microbial membranes. Key compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate are responsible for these effects. Please do not use undiluted. Organic Pharmacy Aloe Disinfecting Hand Spray includes organic lavender essential oil for antimicrobial protection on the go.

Herbs commonly used in antimicrobial support

A wide range of herbs are recognised in herbal medicine for antimicrobial actions.

Many act against bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa and are frequently used during colds, flu and mild to moderate infections.

Combining antimicrobials with immune support

It is often helpful to pair antimicrobial herbs with short-term immunostimulating herbs during the early stages of illness.

Short-term immunostimulating herbs

These herbs are typically used acutely (short-term) at the onset and during an infection to kick-start and enhance the immune system's immediate response.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia): One of the most well-known immune-supportive herbs, and thought to increase white blood cell activity and macrophage activity, which helps the body fight off infections (10).

Spilanthes (Acmella oleracea): Often used for its antimicrobial and immune-supportive properties, it is particularly noted for its use in addressing infections in the mouth and throat due to its numbing properties (11).

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it is widely used to alleviate cold and flu symptoms and can inhibit viral replication, especially in the early stages of respiratory infections (12).

Nature’s Answer Sambucus Throat Spray combines black elder berry extract, echinacea, propolis and astragalus for enhanced immune support with sage and slippery elm as soothing aids. This comes as a throat spray which you spray directly on the back of your throat.

Garden sage and white sage

Garden sage and white sage have long been used for sore throats, wound washing and respiratory congestion.

White sage is considered more stimulating and with stronger antimicrobial benefits (13).

Please note that sage should be avoided in large doses during pregnancy and may reduce breast milk production when used medicinally.

Pine needle tea and Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol (a French maritime pine bark extract) has demonstrated significant antimicrobial properties against various harmful bacteria, yeasts, and fungi (14). Pycnogenol also acts systemically in the body, contributing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support. Studies show it may also assist in glucose regulation and maintaining respiratory health.

Pine needle extracts and essential oils contain compounds that have antimicrobial properties (15).

Pine needle tea also provides nutritional and immune support in a broader sense; its natural vitamins and antioxidants help support immune function, collagen formation and resilience (16).

Wild Harvested Pine Needle Tea is harvested from one of the most untouched ecosystems in Europe, near the Carpathian Mountains in Eastern Europe.

Key takeaways

Natural antimicrobials play an important role in herbal medicine by supporting the body during mild to moderate infections. Their broad spectrum actions, immune supportive qualities and traditional use make them indeed very valuable tools in a holistic health context.

More recommended antimicrobial products

100% Pure Lemon Myrtle Natural Essential Oil: A potent anti-microbial agent with high levels of naturally occurring Citral. Can be used in a variety of ways including potpourri, mould remover and massage oil.

Health Factory First Aid Silver Spray - Nano Silver: Nano Silver is ultra-fine nano silver particles suspended in purified water and play a role in killing harmful microbes.

Terranova Olive Leaf 450mg: Research suggests that olive leaf exhibits considerable immune supportive and antimicrobial activity, it’s also a remarkably potent source of antioxidants and may be useful in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

Myconutri Organic Chaga Capsules: Rich in antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.