Herbal Remedies by Symptom

Infection (general) — Medicinal Plants & Herbal Remedies

The Omnia Sana plant database documents 73 medicinal plants traditionally used for infection (general). Each is rated by strength of evidence and linked to its full monograph and cited scientific sources.

Also known as: bacterial infection, microbial infection.

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Aloe VeraAloe vera
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

American CranberryVaccinium macrocarpon
Traditional use

Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), especially in women

AndrographisAndrographis paniculata
Traditional use

Symptomatic relief of the common cold and acute upper respiratory tract infection (reduces symptom severity and duration)

AnisePimpinella anisum
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

ArnicaArnica montana
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

AstragalusAstragalus membranaceus
Traditional use

Supports resistance to colds and respiratory infection (immune)

Bay LeafLaurus nobilis
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Bay-leaf willowherbEpilobium parviflorum
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

BearberryArctostaphylos uva-ursi
Traditional use

Urinary antiseptic for mild, uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection / cystitis (short-term)

BirchBetula pendula
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

BistortBistorta officinalis
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Black CuminNigella sativa
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Blackberry LeafRubus fruticosus
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

BlackcurrantRibes nigrum
Traditional use

inferred from antiviral action

Blessed ThistleCnicus benedictus
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Blue gum eucalyptusEucalyptus globulus
Traditional use

inferred from antifungal action

Breckland ThymeThymus serpyllum
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

CarawayCarum carvi
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

CardamomElettaria cardamomum
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

CatnipNepeta cataria
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

ChagaInonotus obliquus
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

ChamomileMatricaria chamomilla
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Chili PepperCapsicum annuum
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

CleaversGalium aparine
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

CloveSyzygium aromaticum
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Common JuniperJuniperus communis
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Common SorrelRumex acetosa
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

CorianderCoriandrum sativum
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Corn SilkZea mays
Traditional use

Soothing demulcent for urinary-tract irritation and mild urinary infections; supports kidney function

CranberryOxycoccus palustris
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

CuminCuminum cyminum
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

DandelionTaraxacum officinale
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

DillAnethum graveolens
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

ElderSambucus nigra
Traditional use

inferred from antiviral action

ElecampaneInula helenium
Traditional use

Antimicrobial, notably anti-staphylococcal (membrane-damaging) and anti-mycobacterial (active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro); supports respiratory and skin infection

EyebrightEuphrasia officinalis
Traditional use

Soothes upper-respiratory catarrh and mild infection (traditional)

FennelFoeniculum vulgare
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

FireweedChamerion angustifolium
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

GarlicAllium sativum
Traditional use

inferred from antifungal action

GoldensealHydrastis canadensis
Traditional use

Antimicrobial (berberine) - supports skin, mucosal and gastrointestinal infections and sore throat; Topical for skin infections and irritation - whole-leaf extract is active in vitro against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Greater CelandineChelidonium majus
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Greater PlantainPlantago major
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

LavenderLavandula angustifolia
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Lemon balmMelissa officinalis
Traditional use

inferred from antiviral action

Licorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabra
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

LingzhiGanoderma lingzhi
Traditional use

inferred from antiviral action

MallowMalva sylvestris
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

MarjoramOriganum majorana
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

MugwortArtemisia vulgaris
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

NoniMorinda citrifolia
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

OliveOlea europaea
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

OreganoOriganum vulgare
Traditional use

Antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal via carvacrol and thymol) - supports respiratory and gastrointestinal infections; a small clinical study found emulsified oregano oil cleared enteric parasites (incl. Blastocystis hominis) and improved gut symptoms

Oregon GrapeMahonia aquifolium
Traditional use

Antimicrobial (berberine) - supports skin and mucosal infection

PelargoniumPelargonium sidoides
Traditional use

Common cold and acute respiratory tract infection

PeppermintMentha × piperita
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Pot marigoldCalendula officinalis
Traditional use

inferred from antifungal action

Purple coneflowerEchinacea purpurea
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Scots PinePinus sylvestris
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

SelfhealPrunella vulgaris
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Shiitake (mushroom)Lentinula edodes
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

TansyTanacetum vulgare
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

TeaCamellia sinensis
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

ThymeThymus vulgaris
Traditional use

Antimicrobial (thymol and carvacrol) - supports respiratory infection

True CinnamonCinnamomum verum
Traditional use

inferred from antifungal action

TumericCurcuma longa
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Turkey tailTrametes versicolor
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

YarrowAchillea millefolium
Traditional use

inferred from antimicrobial action

Educational information compiled from the Omnia Sana plant database. Not medical advice — always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.