In recent years medical science has faced a crisis when it comes to treating people whose health issues have confidently been addressed with prescription antibiotics. These health conditions have included bacterial infections linked to illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and ear infections. Antibiotics are also often needed for patients about to undergo surgeries that carry a high risk of infection, such as hip or knee replacements or heart surgery.
Some types of bacteria, often referred to as “super bugs,” have become increasingly resistant to the healing powers of antibiotics. Doctors and surgeons have subsequently become reluctant to use antibiotics, concerned about the loss of efficacy when prescribed for patients who have a history of numerous treatments with antibiotics. Eventually, antibiotics, such as penicillin which has saved many lives since the 1940s, typically become much less effective, even outright inadequate over time.
8 Suggested Natural “Antibacterials”
Health-care professionals increasingly are seeking other types of safe medications and natural remedies to mitigate health issues that beg for a dose of antibiotics to counteract the invading bacteria. Even if these natural remedies haven’t yet been able to cure infections on their own, many have been shown able to at least mitigate the symptoms and provide some relief.
Most of these natural antibacterials are sourced from plants. They contain bioactive natural chemicals that can destroy or at least thwart the growth of living organisms, albeit invading bacteria. The even-better news is that many of these supplemental compounds operate in such a way that it is improbable that pathogens can develop resistance to them.
Following are short descriptions of each of eight supplements or herbs that have shown usefulness in pinch-hitting for antibacterials. As always, be sure to take the time to meet with your doctor or other qualified health-care expert to discuss your planned usage with any of these natural remedies. Do so before adding anything to your daily diet regimen. Also, be sure to read the instructions carefully:
Clove: Clove oil, which is constituted of aromatic dried flower buds that come from the clove tree, have long been used for treatments linked to Chinese and Ayurvedic medical practices, providing relief for mouth-related problems such as toothaches and combatting infections related to periodontal disease.
Echinacea: This herbal-based supplement has been used for centuries by traditional healers to remedy infections and wounds. One of its particular specialties is echinacea’s antibacterial outcome when aimed at unwanted respiratory bacteria.
Garlic: A popular type of food additive that works great with many types of salads, garlic’s potent antibacterial properties – a compound known as allium provides much of the punch – can kill both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fight off intestinal infections that cause diarrhea.
Ginger: This natural antibiotic is credited with several other “anti” attributes, to include being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant (how often do you see that one?). A recent study concludes that ginger can inhibit a diversity of bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus species, and the ever-detested Lactobacillus species.
Honey: This is considered one of the most effective natural antibiotics around, thanks in large part to its abundance of hydrogen peroxide and sugar content, which are adept at tamping down bacteria growth. On top of all that, honey’s low Ph factor wicks away moisture from present bacteria, which dehydrates the nasty invaders, causing them to die out.
Oregano: The main component of oregano is carvacrol, whose healing powers are ingested through inhalation. As an essential oil, oregano has been known to alleviate gastric ulcers, reduce inflammation, and treat sinus infections. The oil can also be applied to the skin to heal skin infections.
Thyme: This essential oil has shown prowess in retarding the growth of disease-causing organisms known to cause respiratory and skin infections. Thyme oil’s competence comes from thymol and carvacrol, a pair of phenolic compounds shown to be effective against a variety of bacterial strains, many of which have long been shown to be nearly invulnerable to prescription antibiotics.
Turmeric: Most anyone familiar with turmeric knows well that its bioactive substance is curcumin, which has shown to be a prize fighter when in the ring against assorted bacteria. Turmeric is found most abundantly in India, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia. Since ancient times it has been most closely associated with the treatment of chest pains, colds, and stomach cramps.
Just because personal physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals are shying away from frequent use of pharmaceutical antibiotics because of the growing resistance shown by infection-causing bacteria, all hope is not lost. Not even close. Many natural antibiotic remedies are available on the market and over the counter. Before starting use of any of them, be sure to talk it over with your personal physician and exercise an abundance of caution.