Wood creosote

Wood creosote is a natural mixture of phenolic compounds obtained from the distillation of wood tar, typically from beech, pine, maple, or oak. It has been used historically as an antiseptic and disinfectant and is the principal active ingredient in Seirogan—a popular Japanese antidiarrheal medicine. Wood creosote acts primarily as an antidiarrheal and antispasmodic agent by regulating intestinal motility and water content in the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike coal tar creosote (used industrially), wood creosote is considered medicinally safe at therapeutic doses. Its mechanism involves modulation of peristalsis rather than direct antibacterial action; it does not significantly disrupt beneficial gut flora. The main active components include guaiacol, creosol, o-cresol, and 4-ethylguaiacol[1][4][5]. It has also been used as an expectorant for respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis[7].

Brand names

SeiroganCreomulsion

Other names

beechwood creosotekreosotumkreosote