How Ancient India Fought Germs Naturally — Without Modern Chemicals

Imagine walking into a home where the floors are swept with neem leaves, the dishes are scrubbed with ash, and a hint of camphor smoke lingers in the air.

No bottles of sanitiser by the door, no chemical sprays under the sink — just the quiet presence of things trusted for generations to keep the space clean and pure.

Long before modern disinfectants found their way into homes, Indian households followed their own thoughtful practices. Neem leaves, cow urine, ash, copper, camphor — simple, everyday substances — were woven into routines and rituals, keeping spaces clean in ways that balanced practicality with belief.

Some of these methods were rooted in observation, others in deep-seated traditions. Together, they remind us that the need to live in clean, healthy spaces isn’t new — and neither is the creativity with which we’ve tried to achieve it.

Here’s a glimpse at five substances once used in ancient India to fight germs — and why they still leave behind a story worth remembering.

1. Neem leaves

Walk through any old Indian village, and neem trees were never far away. Known as sarva roga nivarini — “the curer of all ailments” — neem leaves found their way into every corner of daily life. They were scattered at doorways, tucked into bedding, and even boiled to mop floors.

It wasn’t just about keeping mosquitoes and insects at bay. Neem was believed to purify the air and bring a quiet sense of calm to the home.

Today, we know that neem carries antibacterial and antifungal properties. But back then, the trust was simpler — built on generations of lived experience and the sharp, familiar scent that lingered in the air.

Pro tip: If you’d like a natural way to keep pests away, try tucking a few dried neem leaves into your cupboards or bookshelves — just like it was done for generations.

2. Cow urine

It might raise eyebrows today, but cow urine, especially from native Indian cows, was once a symbol of purification. Part of the traditional Panchagavya — five sacred substances from cows — it was mixed with water to mop floors, sprinkled in homes, and used in rituals.

The belief was clear: the cow was sacred, and what came from it carried cleansing powers — for homes and for souls.

While modern science debates its efficacy, in ancient India, cow urine was more than a disinfectant — it was a link between daily life and spiritual practice.

Pro tip: If you're curious about traditional natural cleaners, opt for bio-enzymes made from citrus peels — a modern, eco-friendly nod to old, chemical-free practices.

3. Ash

Before soap bars and detergents became household essentials, ash from wood fires or dried cow dung was the go-to cleaner. Kitchens kept a pot of ash handy, using it to scrub utensils and sometimes even floors.

Ash was simple, accessible, and endlessly available. Rich in alkaline compounds, it could neutralise odours and act as a mild abrasive — perfect for cleaning when resources were few, and habits were tied closely to nature.

For many, ash wasn’t just about hygiene — it carried a quiet symbolism of purity, passed down from one generation to the next.

Pro tip: If you have access to pure wood ash (without chemical additives), you can use it sparingly to polish silverware or even as a mild cleaner for outdoor utensils.

4. Copper

Copper had a special place in Indian homes. Beyond its use for cooking pots and water vessels, it was sometimes ground into fine dust and mixed with water to clean altars and doorways.

Ancient texts spoke of copper’s purifying qualities, and even today, science supports the idea that copper surfaces can reduce microbial presence.

But back then, it wasn’t about studies or data. Copper was trusted because it had always been trusted — part sacred metal, part silent protector.

Pro tip: Try storing drinking water overnight in a copper vessel (tamba lota). It’s a simple practice believed to naturally purify water — and it’s easy to include in daily life.

5. Camphor smoke

The gentle curl of camphor smoke during evening prayers wasn’t only about devotion. It was also believed to cleanse the air, ward off illness, and create a calm, positive space.

Lit after festivals, during outbreaks of illness, or simply at the end of a busy day, camphor brought a sharp, familiar scent — one that signalled both spiritual closure and physical protection.

Today, we know camphor has antimicrobial properties, but for those who lit it centuries ago, it was simply a way to bring a little peace — and purity — into their homes.

Pro tip: Burn a camphor tablet occasionally during seasonal transitions — it refreshes indoor air naturally and leaves a calming aroma without artificial fragrances.

Edited by Khushi Arora