Formic Acid / Formate
Return to Organic Acids
Solvents: Water, good; alcohol, good; glycerin, excellent; vinegar, fair; oil, poor
Synthesis of Formic Acid:
Varroa mite control in a honey bee hive using formic acid
HCO2H formula
This acid is a defense mechanism used by biting ants and several members of the Stinging Nettle family. The acid is injected under the skin causing a temporary inflammation. It easily breaks down with cooking. Medicinally, formic acid has been used as an irritant to stimulate healing in cases of arthritis. The arthritic joints are whipped with stinging nettles; the irritation improves circulation and healing.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Formic acid applied to the skin acts as an irritant, and produces a violent, burning pain, and may vesicate. If kept in contact with the tissues, it will even cause ulceration. Gastro-intestinal inflammation and bloody urine were the results of its administration to rabbits. In man it acts as an excitant to the circulation, and increases the renal secretions, sometimes causing the passage of clouded, offensive urine. Moderate doses induce hurried respiration and rise of temperature, while larger doses cause rapid breathing, and lower the temperature. If administered at all, it should be largely diluted.
Formic acid is rarely employed in medicine; it was, at one time, used externally as a local irritant, in sluggish capillary circulation, in certain painful affections, and in enfeebled or paralytic conditions of the limbs. The German Pharmacopoeia has a "spirit of ants" [Spiritus Formicarum=Formic acid (2), water (26), alcohol (70)], used in chronic rheumatism, etc., in doses of from 10 drops to a fluid drachm; also as an external rubefacient. It may also be made by macerating, for 2 days, 1 part of fresh red ants in 1 ½ parts, each, of alcohol and water, and then distilling off 2 parts. It forms a clear, acid fluid, yielding feathery crystals when mixed with 1/20 part of subacetate of lead solution. Combined with ammonium (formiate of ammonium), the salt formed has been tried in chronic paralytic affections, and even in epilepsy, but without success; the dose is 4, 5, or 6 grains.
Biological Activities
Antiseptic
Antisyncopic
Astringent Reference: M11
Corrosive Reference: ARC
Counterirritant Reference: M11
FLavor Dosage: FEMA 500-2,500; Reference: ARC
Fungistat Reference: JBH
Fungitoxic Reference: JBH
Irritant Reference: M&R670
Preservative Reference: ARC
Toxic Reference: JBH
Plant species with highest amount
Croton tiglium L. -- Purging Croton; 2,400 - 4,000 ppm in Seed;
Achillea millefolium L. -- Milfoil, Yarrow; in Plant;
Aloe vera (L.) BURM. f. -- Aloe, Bitter Aloes; in Plant;
Anamirta cocculus WIGHT & ARN. -- Levant Berry; in Fruit;
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) SPRENGEL -- Bearberry, Uva Ursi; in Leaf;
Arnica montana L. -- Leopard's-Bane, Mountain Tobacco; in Rhizome;
Artemisia absinthium L. -- Wormwood; in Plant;
Boronia megastigma NEES ex BARTL. -- Scented Boronia; in Flower;
Cananga odorata (LAM.) HOOK. f. & THOMSON -- Cananga, Ylang-Ylang; in Flower;
Ceratonia siliqua L. -- Carob, Locust Bean, St.John's-Bread; in Fruit;
Chelidonium majus L. -- Celandine; in Plant;
Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) NUTT. -- Black Cohosh, Black Snakeroot; in Plant;
Cinnamomum camphora (L.) NEES & EBERM. -- Camphor, Ho Leaf; in Plant;
Citrus aurantium L. -- Bitter Orange, Petitgrain; in Pericarp; in Plant;
Datura stramonium L. -- Jimsonweed; in Plant;
Daucus carota L. -- Carrot; in Plant;
Digitalis purpurea L. -- Purple Foxglove; in Leaf;
Eriodictyon californicum (HOOK. & ARN.) TORR. -- Bear's Weed, California Yerba Santa, Consumptive's Weed, Gum Bush, Hierba Santa, Holy Herb, Mountain Balm, Tarweed, Yerba Santa; in Plant;
Ginkgo biloba L. -- Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree; in Fruit;
Glycine max (L.) MERR. -- Soybean; in Root;
Hedeoma pulegioides (L.) PERS. -- American Pennyroyal; in Plant HHB;
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. -- Acedera de Guinea (Sp.), Indian Sorrel, Jamaica Sorrel, Kharkadi, Malventee (Ger.), Red Sorrel, Rosa de Jamaica (Sp.), Rosella (Ger.), Roselle, Sereni (Sp.), Sorrel; in Fruit; in Seed;
Juniperus communis L. -- Common Juniper, Juniper; in Fruit;
Laurus nobilis L. -- Bay, Bay Laurel, Bayleaf, Grecian Laurel, Laurel, Sweet Bay; in Leaf;
Lycopersicon esculentum MILLER -- Tomato; in Fruit;
Malus domestica BORKH. -- Apple; in Plant;
Mentha aquatica L. -- Water Mint; in Leaf;
Mentha arvensis var. piperascens MALINV. EX L. H. BAILEY -- Cornmint, Field Mint, Japanese Mint; in Plant GEO;
Mentha pulegium L. -- European Pennyroyal; in Essential Oil JAD;
Musa x paradisiaca L. -- Banana, Plantain; in Fruit;