Listerine is probably probably the most extensively used mouthwash these days, but it surely was initially created as a surgical antiseptic in 1879. (1) It helps kill oral micro organism to scale back plaque buildup contained in the mouth and thereby fights unhealthy breath in addition to oral infections. (2)
However there’s extra to Listerine than simply these makes use of.
Listerine incorporates alcohol, phenolic compounds, and a mix of important oils that exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, and anti inflammatory properties that may be utilized for quite a lot of functions, quite than simply oral hygiene.
Makes use of of Listerine Different Than as a Mouthwash
Listerine is useful in treating the next situations:
Notice: Use the unique brown formulation of Listerine for these treatments.
1. Fungal pores and skin and nail infections
Dermatophytes are a sort of fungi that naturally reside on the pores and skin, but when allowed to overgrow, they trigger a extremely contagious an infection referred to as ringworm or tinea.
Ringworm goes by completely different names, relying on which a part of the physique is affected. It’s referred to as athlete’s foot or tinea pedis if it impacts toes, toenail fungus or tinea unguium if it impacts the toenail, and jock’s itch if it impacts the groin space. (3)
Listerine may also help deal with all most of these ringworm infections by killing the underlying fungus. Its antifungal properties might be traced again to its thymol content material. Its antiseptic motion retains the an infection from spreading or worsening whereas additionally selling quicker pores and skin therapeutic.
Plus, Listerine works as an anti-inflammatory agent, which relieves the symptomatic discomfort related to such infections. The fungal overgrowth triggers irritation within the contaminated tissue, which results in redness, swelling, stinging, burning, and extreme itching. Making use of Listerine to the affected space offers quick aid from these signs.
Instructions:
2. Poison ivy rash
Poison ivy is a typical allergenic plant that may trigger a pink, bumpy, itchy rash if it touches your pores and skin. The plant incorporates an oil referred to as urushiol, which triggers pores and skin irritation that manifests within the type of a rash.
Making use of Listerine to the rash may also help subdue the underlying irritation, relieving the itching and pores and skin irritation whereas additionally accelerating the therapeutic course of.
Instructions:
Merely soak a cotton ball in Listerine, and gently dab it all around the affected space. Its cooling impact will assist calm the irritated pores and skin virtually instantaneously.
3. Gentle circumstances of dandruff
Dandruff is both attributable to fungal overgrowth on the scalp or scalp irritation.
Listerine can sort out each these causes. It has robust antimicrobial properties that assist curb the fungal an infection and cleanse your scalp. Plus, it helps convey down scalp irritation to scale back the itching and flaking related to dandruff.
Instructions:
A number of occasions every week, rinse your hair and scalp with Listerine after shampooing, and you need to begin to see outcomes.
4. Yellow nails
Yellow nail stains might be attributable to numerous elements, however fungal an infection is probably the commonest one. Listerine may also help take away such stains by killing the underlying fungus, because of its content material of a number of antifungal compounds akin to thymol, menthol, eucalyptol, and methyl salicylate.
Plus, the robust system of Listerine helps dissolve any meals pigment or nail paint settled on the enamel to whiten your nails.
Instructions:
Dip your arms or fingers in undiluted Listerine for half-hour every single day for 1 week. When you’ve got delicate pores and skin, dilute Listerine by mixing it with equal quantities of water.
5. Head lice
Listerine is likely one of the finest treatments for head lice. The explanation why it’s so onerous to pick lice out of your hair is as a result of they transfer so quick.
Listerine incorporates a number of compounds, together with alcohol, thymol, and menthol, amongst others, that immobilize the lice in order that they grow to be simpler to catch.
Furthermore, its alcoholic content material is poisonous to lice and results in their demise. Listerine additionally helps loosen the nits clinging to your hair shafts for straightforward elimination.
Instructions:
Tilt your head backward, and slowly pour Listerine in your hairline in order that it flows down your scalp. Use a lice comb and transfer it from the scalp down the size of your hair to take away the stunted lice. You’ll be able to moist your hair with water in order that the comb strikes extra swiftly as a substitute of tugging at your dry knotted hair.
Disclaimer: It isn’t secure to make use of Listerine to deal with head lice in kids as a result of its excessive alcohol content material can injury their delicate scalp and hair follicles. Additionally, kids are fidgety and might by accident get Listerine of their eyes, which might be fairly painful and damaging.
6. Blisters and cuts
Listerine can be utilized as an antiseptic to sanitize minor wounds akin to scratches, cuts, and blisters. Its antimicrobial results will assist stop infections and pace up therapeutic. It’s particularly helpful if in case you have run out of your common antiseptic resolution/ointment.
Instructions:
Soak a cotton ball, Q-tip, or paper towel in Listerine and gently dab it all around the wound.
7. Pimples pimples
Listerine will not be a remedy for pimples, however it might assist scale back the severity of breakouts when used topically. It has robust anti-inflammatory results that may shrink your pimples quicker whereas additionally relieving the related redness, ache, and irritation.
Listerine can also be credited with antiseptic properties that may assist battle the acne-causing micro organism and thus scale back breakouts.
Instructions:
Dip a cotton ball in Listerine and gently apply it to the affected space. Do that twice every day for finest outcomes.
8. Dry, cracked heels
Listerine may also help exfoliate and clear dry, cracked heels, making them easy and tender. It loosens the dry, onerous, useless pores and skin on high of the heels in order that it sheds simply, revealing contemporary new pores and skin beneath.
Plus, Listerine works as an antiseptic that may take away germs and impurities settled within the space.
Instructions:
Put together a Listerine foot soak by mixing equal elements of heat water and Listerine and a small quantity of lemon juice (elective) in a bowl, bucket, or tub giant sufficient to suit each of your toes. The answer must be sufficient to submerge your toes. Soak your toes within the liquid for 15–20 minutes.
9. Chilly sores
Chilly sores or herpes is a viral an infection that causes irritation across the mouth, resulting in the looks of small fluid-filled blisters alongside the border of the lips. The anti-inflammatory properties of Listerine may also help dry out these blisters quicker and soothe the related ache, redness, and irritation.
Instructions:
Use a cotton ball or Q-tip to use a small quantity of Listerine to the blisters to alleviate the discomfort and pace up the therapeutic.
10. Oily pores and skin and open pores
Listerine displays astringent properties (4) and might subsequently be used as a facial toner, however solely in diluted portions. When utilized to the face, Listerine helps take away the surplus sebum, grime, and useless cells out of your pores and skin whereas additionally shrinking your pores.
Instructions:
Combine one half Listerine with one half water, and cleanse your face with a cotton ball soaked on this resolution.
11. Physique odor
Listerine incorporates eucalyptol, thymol, and methyl salicylate, all of that are antimicrobial brokers that may assist scale back physique odor. Physique odor is actually attributable to the overgrowth of sure foul-smelling micro organism, and Listerine may also help battle that.
Additionally, Listerine leaves behind a refreshing nice perfume on the pores and skin. Thus, it might truly work as an alternative choice to your deodorant.
Instructions:
Soak a cotton ball or paper towel in Listerine, and dab it underneath your arms.
Notice: Don’t apply Listerine after shaving your underarms, as its alcohol content material could make your pores and skin burn.
12. Bruising
Bruising happens when the underlying blood vessels get broken as a consequence of trauma or harm and begin leaking blood that accumulates within the surrounding tissue. The pooling of blood underneath the pores and skin types a bluish-purple patch on the pores and skin, which could damage when touched.
Listerine when utilized to the bruise helps improve blood circulation underneath the pores and skin to disperse the amassed blood and heal the bruise quicker.
Instructions:
Soak a cotton ball in some Listerine and gently press it over the bruise.
Different Makes use of of Listerine
Listerine might be utilized to:
- Kill ticks and fleas
- Freshen laundry
- Clear the rubbish disposal
- Clear and freshen the bathroom
- Function a superb different to a journey hand sanitizer
Facet Results of Listerine
Listerine incorporates alcohol and potent important oils that may be too harsh in your pores and skin when utilized in concentrated quantities. Extreme topical use could trigger dryness, pores and skin irritation, and even allergic contact dermatitis, particularly if in case you have delicate pores and skin. (5)
For that reason, it’s extremely beneficial to conduct a patch check earlier than utilizing any Listerine-containing treatment. Furthermore, none of those treatments must be used on kids.
Ultimate Phrase
Listerine is a typical family merchandise that does greater than what it will get credit score for. The antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti inflammatory properties of this resolution make it helpful for addressing quite a lot of frequent illnesses together with different miscellaneous advantages.
This simply accessible and cheap product can get a lot finished, and it’s time that you just benefit from it.
