Nature provides us with thousands of medicines and natural antibiotics but they have been forgotten since the introduction of Penicillin in 1928. The idea of eating garlic or drinking gallons of lemon Water to recover from a cold have been given the reputation of being earth loving and weird and wonderful.
But the fact is drug based antibiotics really should only be used for life threatening situations – as a last resort, when all other avenues have been exhausted.
When antibiotics became widespread in 1940, natural antibiotics became a thing of the past. The overuse of antibiotics over this time has now led to an increase of antibiotic resistant strains of infections such as MRSA ( methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) and TDR (Total Drug Resistant)
GPs are now constantly battling to fight off patients that believe that the general cold symptoms they are experiencing must be treated with yet another round of antibiotics, believing that to be the only cure.
If other more natural alternatives were used, we may just see a drop in the number of patients clogging up the GP surgeries.
Did you know that antibiotics not only kill the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria that the body needs to function?
Natural antibiotics to consider.
Garlic
It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral qualities. It is a strong antioxidant that kill off free radicals. (Rouge damaged cells) Garlic should be used daily in cooking but would be even better eaten raw! We eat ours with a lump of cheese and cracker!
Oregano oil
An antibiotic used to treat infections. Takes care of the bad bacteria without disrupting the beneficial bacteria that we have. The key ingredient in this oil is Carvacrol.
Cayenne pepper
Used for thousands of years for its healing power and antibiotic qualities.
Raw honey – Manuka
This is an ancient natural antibiotic.
Echinacea –
A herb widely used to fight infection, especially upper respiratory and the common cold.
Turmeric
Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic qualities. We like to make a hot tea of fresh turmeric, ginger and honey. It’s lovely, you should try it!
Colloidal Silver
It has been known as an effective antibiotic for centuries. Recent research has stated that it can even destroy antibiotic resistant microbes like MRSA.