Hold the prescription: Try these 7 natural antibiotics to fight and prevent infection
07/03/2021 / By Joanne Washburn / Comments
Hold the prescription: Try these 7 natural antibiotics to fight and prevent infection

It’s almost instinctual for some people to head to the doctor’s office and get prescription antibiotics when dealing with an infection. However, conventional antibiotics usually do more harm than good, killing both good and bad bacteria. Worse, antibiotics can even weaken your immune system, possibly giving viruses a leg up.

Luckily, there are many natural antibiotics sitting in your kitchen cabinet, such as garlic and oregano. They help fight off harmful bacteria. Some even help your body recover from an infection faster.

Best natural antibiotics

Listed below are natural antibiotics you can find in your very own kitchen:

1. Garlic

Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which it releases when crushed or chopped. Previous studies showed that allicin has antibacterial effects against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In fact, allicin is effective against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections.

When inhaled in aerosol form, allicin can also kill bacteria that target the lungs. It’s also a promising treatment for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis. Note that garlic should be eaten fresh to reap the benefits of allicin. The compound is destroyed when garlic is cooked. To use this natural antibiotic, crush fresh garlic until you extract oil from the cloves. You can also incorporate raw garlic into dressings, sauces and salads.

2. Honey

Honey has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It goes all the way back to the Ancient Greeks, who had made extensive use of honey as an ointment for wounds.

Today, experts know that honey helps treat wounds because it provides a protective coating. Plus, certain types of honey, like manuka honey, have potent antimicrobial properties that help prevent infection. Honey’s antimicrobial properties are usually attributed to its hydrogen peroxide content.

Honey is a versatile ingredient you can use in a variety of dishes. To add honey to your diet, add it to smoothies or shakes for a touch of sweetness, spread it on bread and homemade muffins or stir it into oatmeal.

3. Ginger

Ginger is renowned for its antibacterial properties. In fact, many studies have shown that ginger has antimicrobial activities against two serogroups of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some can cause digestive issues like severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea.

Ginger’s antimicrobial properties are attributed to its numerous potent compounds, such as borneol, camphene and linalool.

You can brew freshly sliced ginger to make an immune-boosting herbal drink or add sliced ginger root to soups and curries. You can also stir-fry ginger slices with vegetables, meat and noodles.

4. Echinacea

Echinacea, also known as purple coneflower, is a medicinal plant used to prevent the common cold and the flu. Traditionally, Native Americans also used echinacea to treat infections and wounds.

Scientists now know that echinacea can kill various bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes). This bacteria is responsible for strep throat, toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis or the “flesh-eating disease.” Echinacea is also believed to reduce inflammation associated with bacterial infections.

You can brew the flowers, leaves and roots of the echinacea plant to make an immune-boosting herbal tea. It’s also available as a dietary supplement in many health food stores.

5. Goldenseal

Goldenseal is an herb often consumed as tea or taken as a supplement alongside echinacea to prevent and treat the common cold. Traditionally, natural healers also used goldenseal to treat infections of the eyes, skin and urinary tract. Goldenseal is also used as a natural remedy for ailments like diarrhea, vaginitis and canker sores.

Experts believe goldenseal’s beneficial effects against infections are due to berberine, a substance that has been shown to kill certain strains of bacteria and fungi in in vitro studies.

6. Clove

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree, a tropical evergreen tree native to Indonesia. They are widely used in India’s Ayurvedic medicine as a natural treatment for toothaches. In fact, clove has been used traditionally in dental procedures. Some studies suggest clove is effective against E. coli.

Ground or whole, cloves are used to flavor meat, sauces and rice dishes. Cloves are often used with nutmeg and cinnamon in sweet dishes, especially “pumpkin pie” flavored foods for the fall, and in drinks like cider and mulled wine.

7. Oregano

Oregano, a staple ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which can be attributed to carvacrol and thymol. These two compounds are among the major components of oregano essential oil. Oregano, particularly its essential oil, is among the more effective natural antibiotics.

Oregano is typically used in tomato-centric recipes, such as pizzas and pasta dishes. Oregano is also commonly combined with olive oil to make delicious oregano oil, vinaigrette and marinades for meat.

Many common culinary ingredients have potent antibacterial properties. And according to past studies, a lot of them are just as effective as conventional medicines but without the side effects. The next time you’re dealing with an infection, grab any of the natural antibiotics listed above and whip up an immune-boosting remedy.

Sources:

MedicalNewsToday.com 1

MedicalNewsToday.com 2

NaturalHealth365.com

Nature.com

MDPI.com

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