Many antimicrobials can be found in a wide range of plants, oils and moulds.
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Examples of Natural Antimicrobial Products
Saying the term “antimicrobial products” to someone might not generate the same knowing response as “antibacterial” or “antiviral”; the latter being more well-known terms when it comes to hygiene and cleanliness.
However, many household products contain antimicrobial agents and there’s a good chance that you’ve used some of them whilst undertaking your regular cleaning of the house, or even when cleansing your hands with hand sanitiser whilst out and about.
You might associate antimicrobial products with synthetic chemicals, with names and pronunciations that you’ve probably never heard of before but there are a wide range of natural antimicrobial products in existence – some commonly used everyday – and in this piece, we’ll take a closer look at them.
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What are antimicrobial products?
Antimicrobial products work to reduce the spread of bacteria, including viruses, germs and fungi. They kill harmful microorganisms and can be found in a wide range of products at home and in industrial settings.
If you’ve got bottles of handwash or liquid soap lying around, chances are they include antimicrobial ingredients. The same goes for bleaches, disinfectants and even cosmetic goods; these can contain antimicrobial properties that prevent the development and growth of bacteria and viruses.
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Why use antimicrobial products?
To understand why antimicrobial products are useful, it’s worth comparing them with antibacterial and antiviral goods and the jobs they all perform.
Antimicrobial products destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, mould and mildew. Antibacterial prevent the growth of bacteria only, while antiviral products are effective solely against viruses. In other words, antimicrobial products provide the most complete action in preventing the growth and spread of potentially harmful microorganisms.
There are thousands of naturally-occurring antimicrobials, particularly in essential oils and plant extracts.
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Natural Antimicrobial Products and their Benefits
Many antimicrobials are naturally occurring and can be found in a wide range of plants, oils and moulds. While they might not have always been called antimicrobial, natural antibiotics have been used for centuries to treat infections.
All kinds of plant extracts and moulds were applied. The ancient Egyptians, for example, used mouldy bread to treat infected wounds, despite the fact that it has only been in recent centuries we have discovered many infections were caused by bacteria.
There are thousands of naturally-occurring antimicrobials, particularly in essential oils and plant extracts, that provide protection against bacteria, fungi and viruses. Naturally occurring antimicrobials include:
- Tea tree oil
- Rosemary oil
- Green tea extract
- Turmeric oil
However, there are other natural antimicrobial sources that don’t derive from plant extracts or essential oils; they’re also present in metals such silver, zinc and copper. These metals can be used to target microorganisms, destroy them or stop them from spreading.
For example, Silver Ions have been woven into clothing such as t-shirts and socks and also been used in producing antibacterial coatings that prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading, such as wraparound door handles, light switches and frequent touchpoints in public places.
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Are antimicrobial products safe?
There has been much debate over the safety of antimicrobial products. If used incorrectly or in too high a quantity, they can be harmful to health and they are generally considered even in normal quantities to be more of a hazard than antiviral and antibacterial products in their nature.
Provided you follow the instructions carefully, antimicrobial products can be an effective tool against the spread of bacteria and viruses.
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Where can you find antimicrobial products?
Turn on your TV or walk through your local supermarket and you’ll probably find a wide array of antimicrobial products advertised and on sale. Hand sanitiser, liquid soaps and toothpaste contain antimicrobial properties, as do disinfectants such as bleach and sterilisers.
You’ll also find them in items of clothing, which are designed to repel bacteria, and on door handles, guard rails and heavy touchpoints in public places, with new technologies allowing the development of surfaces that destroy and prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
