Gentian violet – what is it for? Properties of gentian

Proven content

Gentian is a 1% water solution that has antiseptic (protecting the skin and preventing infection) and drying properties. This preparation is bactericidal, mainly against G + bacteria and yeasts. In addition, it is used to cleanse wounds and disinfect skin inflammations. One of the advantages is also the fact that the preparation can be purchased at any pharmacy for a low price – the gentian costs about PLN 5.

What is worth knowing gentians?

The gentian was first produced by the French chemist Charles Lautha in 1861. At that time, it was known as “Violet de Paris”. The substance is also known under names such as: gentian violet, pyoctane, gentian violet, gentian violet. The preparation can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription in two forms – alcohol-based or water-based.

Originally, the gentian was not related to medicine or pharmacology, but to the textile industry. It turned out to be more effective than natural dyes for fabrics, and at the same time it was cheaper. It was only used in medicine in 1880 – initially it was used only to color certain bacteria. The antiseptic effect of the gentian was scientifically confirmed in 1890 by the German ophthalmologist Jakub Stilling.

What does a gentian look like?

The gentian available in pharmacies is a solution of gentian violet. It is a mixture of crystal violet and methyl violet. Generally, the concentration of gentian does not exceed 1%, but versions ranging from 0,5% -2% are also available. Gentian is most often sold in the form of a 1% spirit solution. The chemical composition of gentian usually includes gentian violet, purified water and ethanol.

The color of the gentian is reminiscent of the petals of a gentian flower. Gentian violet has the form of brown-black crystals. It is easily soluble and, when mixed with water, gives it a light purple color. Gentian stains strongly both fabrics and leather and is difficult to wash off.

What are the properties of a gentian?

It is true that the glory days of the gentian have rather passed and is now considered a medicine from the grandmother’s first aid kit. Nevertheless, it can still be used on a daily basis. Its active ingredient is crystal violet. It is a compound from the triphenylmethane dyes family, suitable for coloring anilanes or as a component of paints and inks. In laboratories it serves, among others for staining microorganisms and dividing them into gram-positive and gram-negative.

Gentian was also used in fingerprinting during fingerprinting. However, what it is best known for is its disinfecting properties. In 1992, a research team led by Bakker found that the substance is an effective disinfectant that works at low temperatures. The advantage of the gentian was also the low cost of preparation. Thanks to this, poorer countries could benefit from it.

The substance helps in the treatment of dermatological infections, eliminates minor pathogenic yeasts, e.g. Candida albicans, staphylococcal strains and some strains of streptococcus. It has been scientifically confirmed that the gentian is effective in combating staphylococcus aureus. There is an assumption that the gentian binds to the DNA of pathogenic organisms and as a result inhibits the process of their reproduction.

Gentian has also been used in the fight against parasites, for example those that cause American trypnozosis, i.e. Chagas’ disease. It is a parasitic disease, often leading to death, which is transmitted to humans and animals by bugs, including of the genus Triatoma. Many Latin Americans avoided such a death thanks to genius drips.

What are the healing properties of gentian?

Gentian was once a cheap disinfectant. Currently, however, it is used to mark the cut line on the skin of the operated patient. Nevertheless, gentian violet is still considered in some cases as a disinfectant, e.g. when disinfecting the umbilical cord stump and in treating ulcers and mycosis, e.g. in HIV-infected people.

At home, the gentian is still used as a medicine. However, it should only be used externally. The preparation is considered an antifungal drug. It also helps in the treatment of bacterial skin infections, infected wounds and in the treatment of certain dermatological diseases. In order to wash the wound with the preparation, a cotton pad should be soaked with it – this way you can disinfect small wounds and scratches.

Gentian can not only disinfect damaged skin, but also disinfect rashes with chickenpox, treat mycosis, aphthae, infectious impetigo and dermatosis. Applying it to diseased areas prevents secondary infections and thus dries out the pimples – as a result, the disease, e.g. a rash, has a shorter course. Gentian can also be a first aid measure in the event of contagious impetigo.

What should you know when using gentian?

The use of gentian should not cause side effects. It is also allowed for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. However, it is worth remembering not to use the preparation on open wounds and deep skin lesions. Spirit-based gentian can cause skin irritation when applied to mucous membranes. Some people may experience an allergic reaction after using the preparation – its symptoms are burning and redness.

How does gentian work on hair?

The cosmetics industry has discovered a new application of the gentian. It turns out that the substances can be treated as a healthier alternative to hair rinses. Its use makes the hair acquire a cooler shade. Thanks to gentian hair, e.g. blond hair, yellow reflections can be removed. Women use it for the care of both colored and natural hair. Gentians can be used to create masks, shampoos and rinses.

• Hair mask with gentian

To make such a hair mask, you need to combine the gentian with a cosmetic for moisturizing dry hair, i.e. a colorless mask, available in pharmacies and drugstores. The total cost of preparing it will be about PLN 25. For a mild color, add no more than 2 drops of gentian to the colorless mask. If this dose is exceeded, the hair will be colored purple.

• Hair shampoo with gentian

It can be used, for example, by women with hair in a warm shade of blonde. To prepare such a shampoo, it is enough to add a drop of gentian to the shampoo used every day. If you have problems with properly mixing the gentian and shampoo, you can buy one of the purple shampoos from one of the well-known brands – these products are used both at home and in hair salons.

• Hair rinse with gentian

To prepare the solution, you will need a 0,5 liter vessel with water and a gentian. Pour a few drops of gentian into the water. In this case, the number of drops should depend on the effect you want to achieve and what color your hair is. When your goal is only to slightly change the shade, add no more than 1 drop of gentian. On the other hand, when you want to remove warm reflections on dark brown hair, add a little more gentian.

How does the gentian work on individual hair colors?

• Blond

The use of gentian hair in this color gives it a platinum color – the gentian reduces yellow reflections. However, the effect is short-lived. If you decide to prepare a gentle rinse yourself, instead of using one of the purple shampoos, do not pour over your hair in the first stage of care. For an ashy blonde hair color, add more gentian drops to your rinse or shampoo.

• Brown hair

Gentian helps owners of dark hair to get rid of red or copper reflections. Thanks to the substance, the hair can acquire a deep brown color – the gentian also has coloring properties. To remove bright highlights, combine the gentian with a banana mask. However, even brown-haired women should be careful not to use too much-colored solutions with gentian – otherwise the hair will become dull.

• Red hair

Grooming red hair is the most difficult due to its high susceptibility to sunlight. In women with red hair, like in blondes, yellow reflections appear in the summer. Thanks to gentian, they can be removed, but excessive use will make your hair dry faster – this is especially important when caring for red strands that tend to dry out.

• White hair

The use of shampoos with the addition of gentian by women with gray hair causes shiny glow on the strands. However, in this case, it is worth resigning from rinses in favor of shampoo with the addition of gentian – rinses could dry your hair. Gentian is best added to white shampoos. The use of such a mixture will be a guarantee that the hair shade will be natural.

How to wash the gentian?

Excess gentian cannot be removed immediately. When they are dyed with too much of it, you should wait for some time – the gentian will start to wash out with the next washing of hair. In some cases, the use of rinses with vinegar or alcohol will help, but also this does not guarantee that the ingredient will be removed quickly. What’s more, the aforementioned rinses can even worsen the condition of the hair.

Gentian can be washed off with lemon juice, citric acid, baking powder, and a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Rub them into the part of the skin colored by the substance – after a few washes the gentian should be washed off. It is much more difficult to remove from clothes. In this case, you can use e.g. bleach, nail polish remover or solvent.

What are the opinions on the use of gentian on hair?

Gentian is very popular among both professionals and amateurs of hair care. Many positive opinions about it can be found, among others on internet forums. Women appreciate the gentian the most for its high efficiency, quick action and a positive effect on hair color. They also appreciate it for the fact that it gives a short-term effect – thanks to this, its use does not cause a metamorphosis visible to everyone and is a nice variety.

Gentian and other disinfectants

Gentian outclasses many known preparations for disinfecting wounds. Unlike hydrogen peroxide, it is a stronger antimicrobial agent, it is not allergenic like, for example, octanisept. It is also more effective than rivanol, which can multiply bacteria and is a risk to pregnant women. Nevertheless, the gentian, like any disinfectant, can cause allergic reactions.