The Sunlight Experiment

Herbal Actions

Antimicrobial

Inhibits a broad range of microbes

Inhibits a broad range of microbes — bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Browse the whole group, or filter to herbs studied against a specific class of pathogen; serious or spreading infections still need professional and, where indicated, conventional treatment.

How it works

Antimicrobial is not one mechanism but several overlapping ones. Each of these is its own herbal action — follow a link for the herbs strongest in that mechanism.

Antibacterial Inhibits or kills bacteria. Antiviral Interferes with viral replication. Antifungal Inhibits or kills fungi such as Candida and dermatophytes. Antiparasitic Acts against parasites such as protozoa and worms. Anthelmintic Expels or kills intestinal worms (helminths). Vermifuge Expels intestinal worms — a traditional term for an anthelmintic. Antimalarial Acts against the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. Antiamoebic Acts against amoebic parasites such as Entamoeba.

Key constituents

The compound classes most often behind a antimicrobial action.

  • Volatile (essential) oils
  • Berberine & isoquinoline alkaloids
  • Tannins
  • Resins

Indications

What typically calls for a antimicrobial herb.

  • Acute and lingering infections
  • Colds, flu and respiratory infection
  • Digestive and urinary-tract infection
  • Skin and wound infection
  • Support through recovery from infection
⚠ Cautions

Herbs here are supportive; serious, spreading or persistent infection needs professional assessment and, where indicated, conventional treatment.

Energetics

Taste
Pungent, bitter or aromatic
Temperature
Often warming
Tradition
Dominated by the aromatic, resinous and pungent plants.

Herbs with a antimicrobial action (78)

Key herbs

Herbs for which antimicrobial is a headline action.

Abuta

Cissampelos pareira

AnalgesicAnti-AbortiveAntifertilityAntibacterial

Chinese Skullcap

Scutellaria baicalensis

AntiviralAnti-inflammatoryAntiallergicAntibacterial
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Abuta

Cissampelos pareira

AnalgesicAnti-AbortiveAntifertilityAntibacterial

Andrographis

Andrographis paniculata

BitterImmunomodulatorAnti-inflammatoryAntimicrobial

Astragalus

Astragalus membranaceus

AdaptogenAntioxidantAntiviralCardiotonic

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

VulneraryAnti-inflammatoryLymphaticStyptic

Cat's Claw

Uncaria tomentosa

ImmunomodulatorAnti-inflammatoryAntioxidantAdaptogen

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

SedativeCarminativeDiaphoreticNervine

Ceylon Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum

CarminativeCirculatory-stimulantAntimicrobialAntidiabetic

Chanca Piedra

Phyllanthus niruri

DiureticHepaticAntiviralAntioxidant

Chickweed

Stellaria media

DemulcentAntipyreticEmollientAntibacterial

Chinese Skullcap

Scutellaria baicalensis

AntiviralAnti-inflammatoryAntiallergicAntibacterial

Clavo Huasca

Tynanthus panurensis

AphrodisiacAnalgesicCarminativeAntibacterial

Couchgrass

Elytrigia repens

AntimicrobialDemulcentDiureticUrinary Demulcent

Damiana

Turnera diffusa

AphrodisiacAntimicrobialAntifungalAnticancer

Dan Shen

Salvia miltiorrhiza

CardioprotectiveAntihypertensiveAntiplateletHepatoprotective

Devils club

Oplopanax horridus

AntidiabeticAdaptogenAnti-inflammatoryExpectorant

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

ImmunomodulatorAntimicrobialAnti-inflammatoryLymphatic

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

CarminativeAppetite SuppressantAntispasmodicGalactagogue

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

Anti-inflammatoryVasodilatorEmmenagogueAperient

Frankincense

Boswellia serrata

AntioxidantAnti-inflammatoryAntimicrobialCarminative

Garlic

Allium sativum

AntimicrobialAntihypertensiveHypolipidemicCirculatory-stimulant

German Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

Anti-inflammatoryAntispasmodicAntiallergicAntibacterial

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

CarminativeAntiemeticAntispasmodicCirculatory Stimulant

Goldenrod

Solidago virgaurea

DiureticAnti-inflammatoryAstringentAntimicrobial

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica

NervineNeuroprotectiveNootropicVulnerary

Hops

Humulus lupulus

SedativeAntispasmodicAstringentBitter

Horopito

Pseudowintera colorata

AnalgesicAntibacterialAntifungalAnti-inflammatory

Jatobá

Hymenaea courbaril

AntifungalAntimicrobialAstringentAnti-inflammatory

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

AnalgesicAntibacterialAnticancerAnticonvulsant

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

CarminativeNervineAntispasmodicAntimicrobial

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus

NervineAntioxidantImmunomodulatorAntibacterial

Magnolia

Magnolia officinalis

AntioxidantAntiallergicAntiasthmaticAnxiolytic

Manuka

Leptospermum scoparium

Anti-inflammatoryAntibacterialAntifungalAntispasmodic

Melissa

Melissa officinalis

NervineCarminativeAntispasmodicAntiviral

Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

HepatoprotectiveAntioxidantCholereticCholagogue

Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

AntispasmodicAnthelminticAnticatarrhalAstringent

Nigella

Nigella sativa

Anti-inflammatoryAntioxidantAntiallergicAntidiabetic

Olive Leaf

Olea europaea

AntihypertensiveAntioxidantBitterAntiviral

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

AnalgesicAntibacterialAntifungalAntidepressant

Peppermint

Mentha × piperita

AntiemeticAntitussiveAntimicrobialAntispasmodic

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum

AdaptogenImmunomodulatorAnalgesicAntispasmodic

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

AntidepressantAntimicrobialAntispasmodicEmmenagogue

Rosewood

Aniba rosaeodora

Anti-inflammatoryAphrodisiacAntidepressantNervine

Sarsaparilla

Smilax spp.

Anti-inflammatoryAnalgesicAnticancerAntioxidant

Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana

HypoglycemicAntihypertensiveAnti-inflammatoryVasodilator

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

AlterativeAnti-inflammatoryAntilithicAntimicrobial

Suma

Pfaffia paniculata

AdaptogenAnticancerAntidiabeticChemoprotective

Tea

Camellia sinensis

AntioxidantDiureticNeuroprotectiveStimulant

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

AntimicrobialExpectorantAntispasmodicAntitussive

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

Anti-inflammatoryAntioxidantCholereticCholagogue

Vanilla

Vanilla planifolia

AphrodisiacCarminativeAntipyreticAntimicrobial