Natural Preservatives

There are a some natural preservatives that have been shown to have antibacterial properties, although these usually have a lesser effect on a smaller spectrum of bacteria and microbes. The strength of a natural preservative is primarily measured by its antioxidant activity, and its ability to prevent both oils and fats from becoming rancid.

Tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract, which is said to be effective on many types of fungi, viruses, and bacterium, are the newest of the natural preservative entries to consider. For it to truly act as a preservative, its recommended that grapefruit seed extract be used at both the 0.2 and 1% concentrations.

Anyone who uses all-natural products without preservatives, or mixes them with commercially-made products, should be aware of the fact that they are then susceptible to a variety of fungi and bacteria, some of which may be harmful.

Some excellent ways of keeping your homemade products from spoiling prematurely include:

- Using either distilled water, or water that's been sterilized by boiling for 20 minutes

- Making your products as you need them, rather than in larger batches that may spoil before they're even needed

- Being careful not to contaminate anything you make with your hands, instead using clean spoons, spatulas, and containers that have been disinfected with isopropyl alcohol (IPA), or that have been in boiling water for 20 minutes

- Taking care to store your products properly in the refrigerator with the time and date clearly marked

- Keeping products away from heat or the sun

A Handy List of Natural Preservatives

Bee Propolis: Bee propolis comes from a mixture of resin and beeswax that's collected by the honeybee as it travels from plant to plant, especially flowers and leafy buds. Bees then use the propolis to line their honeycomb, which helps protect it from both bacteria and fungus.

Bee propolis has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for its many healing properties, and has been known throughout history for its medicinal uses. Still widely used today throughout parts of Africa, bee propolis is touted as more than a medicine, and is creatively used there as a sealant and adhesive for fixing everything from canoes to drums to water containers.

Grapefruit Seed Extract: Grapefruit seed extract has long been used as a natural disinfectant, preservative, and antiseptic. Used for treating most types of irregular skin conditions, it has proven to be effective against over 800 different viral and bacterial organisms, 100 different strains of fungus, and a large number of both single and multi-celled parasites. This type of natural preservative is most often used in water-based products.

Honey: Honey has an incredibly low moisture content, low pH content, and contains a variety of antimicrobial fighting ingredients, which is why it is highly effective for protecting against microbial growth.

Lemon: Rich in vitamin C, lemons are a citrus fruit and thus a member of the Rutaceae family and produce an acid that promotes the preservation process. This acid, that's known as C6H807, is created by the citrusy ingredients in the lemon, and much like salt, lemons act as a preservative by removing moisture which prevents a product from rotting or spoiling. Lemons are most often grown in milder climates, and depending on how and where they were grown, can contain as much as 45% juice.

Neem Oil: Since the ancient times of Sanskrit in India, Neem oil has been used for its many various properties, including both antifungal and antibacterial. Today, it's known as one of the most powerful of all oils available and recognized widely for its many uses, such as an anti-protozoan and even as a spermicide.

Rosemary Extract: This powerful antioxidant also has a reputation for being an equally effective antibacterial and antimicrobial preservative. Many skin conditions attributed to the aging process, such as wrinkles, brown spots, as well as melanoma and other types of skin cancer, are largely thought to be caused by the accumulation of peroxides within the skin's cells and tissues.

Environmental factors, such as the heat and ultraviolet radiation from the sun, are known to be a major cause of both skin damage and melanoma and are what causes these peroxides to form. In one recent study done to test for photoprotectivity, scientists discovered that an active ingredient in Rosemary, Carnosic acid, actually protected the skin from UV damage.

Vitamin E (d-alpha Tocopherol): Vitamin E is often used in preserving oils to keep them from becoming rancid and spoiled, but it's also known to be a rather powerful antioxidant as well. You should be aware that there's a synthetic type of vitamin E available that is sold under various names, such as Alpha Tocopherol or Tocopherol Acetate, or just as Tocopherol.

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