Top 3 Minerals That Can Be Used As Antiseptics

Minerals are one of many things in nature but have you ever thought of them as drugs? Today, you will discover minerals that can be used as antiseptics along with some other medicinal properties.

MINERAL DRUG NO. 1

PHARMACOGNOSTIC FEATURES OF CRUDE DRUG

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Potassium aluminum sulfate

LOCAL NAME: Phitkari, Ma'al shib

ENGLISH NAME: Alum, Alum water

NATURE/ IDENTIFICATION: Mineral

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS: Astringent, sedative, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, and emetic.

USES/INDICATIONS: Alum is useful against bleeding gums, loose teeth, and ulcers in the mouth. Its astringent property is beneficial for tongue and excessive salivation. When used with catechu, it is significant for the application in swollen gums and toothache. When locally applied it checks bleeding and sweating. On putrefied wounds or ulcers of the skin, it is sprinkled in powdered form as a desiccative and antiseptic. With honey, it is more beneficial in aphthae and thrush. Cloth saturated with alum solution in gum acacia is effective on bleeding piles. As collyrium in rose water, applied in ophthalmia and conjunctivitis.

DOSAGE: 25-50 mg

SIDE EFFECTS: Continuous use or large dose is harmful to the lungs, stomach, intestines, and kidneys. It may cause gum necrosis.

MINERAL DRUG NO. 2

PHARMACOGNOSTIC FEATURES OF CRUDE DRUG

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Borax

LOCAL NAME: Sohaga

CHEMICAL NAME: Sodium tetraborate decahydrate

ENGLISH NAME: Borax

NATURE/ IDENTIFICATION: Mineral

CONSTITUENT: Boric Acid and Soda

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS: Antacid, antiseptic, anti-microbial, carminative, diuretic, local sedative, desiccative, emmenagogue.

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY/ USES/ INDICATIONS: Borax is used in gastrointestinal troubles for treating inflammation and spasm of the urinary bladder and in excessive secretion from the vagina (leucorrhea). It is used in the production of many detergents, cosmetics, and enamel glazes. It is used as an insecticide, herbicide, and pesticide. It is also used to make buffer solutions.

DOSAGE: 50mg Approx.

SIDE EFFECTS: Sufficient exposure to borax dust can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Ingestion may cause GI disturbances including nausea, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Severe poisoning may lead to respiratory depression and renal failure.

MINERAL DRUG NO. 3

PHARMACOGNOSTIC FEATURES OF CRUDE DRUG

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sulphur

LOCAL NAME: Gandhak

CHEMICAL NAME: Brimstone

ENGLISH NAME: Sulphur

NATURE/ IDENTIFICATION: Mineral

CONSTITUENT: Sulphur

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS: Stimulant, emollient, alternative, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, fungicide, bactericide, disinfectant

USES/INDICATIONS: Elemental sulfur is used as a fungicide, insecticide, and fumigant and in the treatment of certain skin diseases such as scabies, ringworm, psoriasis, eczema, and acne. It reduces the bacterial growth causing acne and helps in keratolysis. The principal use of sulfur, however, is in preparing its compounds. For example, sulfuric acid is the most common and important compound of sulfur. Other include sulfur dioxide (bleaching agent, disinfectant, and refrigerant) and sulfa drugs. Used as fumigant, and in balms. In organic form, it is present in the vitamins biotin and thiamine. Sulfur is an important part of many enzymes and is an antioxidant molecule.

DOSAGE: 240mg -1g in a desired preparation or with a suitable vehicle.

SIDE EFFECTS: Dryness, uncomfortable sensation, or peeling at the application site might occur. In large doses, it acts as a purgative and is harmful to the stomach.