Sugardine: How to Make an Emergency Antiseptic

What is Sugardine?

Sugardine is a homemade remedy of sugar and iodine that you do not see too often outside of stables these days. It is an antiseptic, meaning it reduces the chance of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction when applied. Basically, it disinfects wounds. People use sugardine often when treating wounds on horses, especially on hooves because it does not dry them out. Sugardine is referenced in many veterinary manuals and recommended by many horse trainers.

How to Make Sugardine

You can whip up a batch of sugardine in no time. First, gather the ingredients:

• Iodine (10% solution) or you can use betadine, which is easier to find
• White sugar

Then, mix one part iodine with two parts white sugar. Stir it until the sugar is thoroughly mixed. You know you have it right when it is the same consistency as toothpaste or honey. You will want to store sugardine in a container with a lid so it lasts a good while. It may harden a little, but working it and stirring it back up will get it back to it’s peanut butter consistency.

How Sugardine works

It is pretty commonly known that sugar feeds bacteria. But in large quantities, sugar keeps bacteria from growing by absorbing moisture. That is why sugar keeps well and solidifies rather than growing mold- it absorbs moisture. While the iodine is an antiseptic itself, the sugar allows the iodine to become a paste and is antimicrobial as well, since the sugar cannot be diluted by blood or other fluids when it is suspended in the iodine. Sugar has been known for its wound healing properties since pre-modern times. At Cairo University, they published an article not too long ago about treating Ulcers with sugardine. They found that sugar not only pulls moisture from bacteria, essentially killing it, but it also helps repair damaged tissue. They wrote about sugardine: “The mixture is applied as a paste. It’s easy to use, painless, inexpensive, and it works.”

When to Use Sugardine

I am not a doctor and would not pretend to be one. There are plenty of store bought antiseptics or antibiotics that work just fine. If you are in dire need of medical attention, do not break out the sugar and iodine- find a doctor immediately. Sugardine is a last resort for when other options are not available. As with all homemade medical solutions, be sure to do your research before using and make sure you are not allergic to any of the materials.

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