Ever since drug-based antibiotics came around in the 1940s, natural antibiotics have taken a back seat. The scientific jury is still out concerning natural antibiotics. Man has used remedies like these for hundreds of years but most treatments have not been thoroughly tested. However, due to an ongoing increase in drug-resistant bacteria and the nasty side effects of antibiotics, scientists are looking to nature when developing new medications.
Every time you swallow a drug-based antibiotic, you cause significant harm to your digestive system by destroying the healthy bacteria in your gut that can cause:
- A weakened immune system
- Gut-related diseases (such as Crohn’s)
- Food sensitivities
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Chronic Inflammation
And it’s not like drug-based antibiotics damage the gut for just a few weeks. Certain changes last for up to 4 or more years! That being said, there are many severe conditions where pharmaceutical antibiotics are an absolute must, however many common ailments can sometimes be dealt with natural remedies instead of popping pills (under the advice of your treating physician of course).
In this blog, we share an overview of nature’s 10 most powerful antibiotics. We examine the science behind them, where to use them, and where to find them. Read on to learn more!
Fermented foods
These are extremely important for a strong immune system (among many other things). Fermented foods like sauerkraut or kombucha contain healthy bacteria. So, eating fermented food boosts and preserves the beneficial bacteria in our gut—this is called our gut flora. Our gut flora is destroyed by the pesticides in our food, antibiotics, alcohol, and NSAID drugs like Aspirin. Fermented foods are, hands-down, the best source of healthy bacteria you can get.
Primary uses
Supports a healthy immune system. Just aim to consume 2-3 different fermented foods every day to give your immune system a significant boost.
Some of the most popular fermented foods include
- Kombucha (a great substitute for soda)
- Sauerkraut & Kimchi
- Kefir (coconut water kefir)
- Fermented grains (like real sourdough)
Coconut oil
Populations that eat a lot of coconuts are among the healthiest people on the planet.
The fat in the Coconut contains a large quantity of lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride.
In our body, lauric acid turns into a monoglyceride with antibacterial properties, which can also be found in breast milk.
Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Best for – bacterial infections, viral infections, fungi, weight loss, metabolism improvement, skin care, the list goes on and on.
How to use – to get the most benefits from coconut oil, you should only use raw, unprocessed, extra virgin coconut oil.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
Made from fermented apples, ACV is a well-known disinfectant that can kill Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as certain fungi and yeasts. Best of all, it doesn’t damage mucous tissue, making it a great home remedy for pathogen-caused sore throat.
It’s also a powerful detoxifying agent that can be consumed in small doses every day.
Click here to buy apple cider vinegar
Onion
Onions are garlic’s cousins with many of the same phytochemical properties. Effective against various strains of pathogenic bacteria, onion (best raw when used as medicine) reduces fever, relieves nausea, clears ear infections, relieves respiratory ailments, and performs many other healing wonders. The very thin onion membrane between layers can be placed directly on a cut or abrasion to stop bleeding, relieve pain, and kill germs.
The very thin onion membrane between layers can be placed directly on a cut or abrasion to stop bleeding, relieve pain, and kill germs.
Click here to buy organic onions
Garlic
Garlic isn’t just a delicious vegetable to add to your meals. It’s also a powerful antibiotic that has been used for thousands of years by cultures around the world for its preventive and curative powers.
Garlic is known to fight a wide range of infections including bacteria like Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli), viruses, fungi, and even parasites. It doesn’t just kill infectious microbes, it also bolsters your immune system.
And unlike drug-based antibiotics, garlic provides a long list of additional health benefits including its ability to
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve cholesterol levels
- Prevent Alzheimer’s disease with antioxidants
- Boost athletic performance
How to use – In order to use garlic medicinally, it needs to be raw as cooking destroys the ingredients that are responsible for its antibiotic effects.
Primary uses – Internal use for general colds, flu, ear infections, immune system booster, and skin infections.
Honey
Since the time of Aristotle, honey has been used as an ointment that helps wounds to heal and prevents or draws out infection.
Healthcare professionals today have found it helpful in treating chronic wounds, burns, ulcers, bedsores, and skin grafts.
The antibacterial effects of honey are usually attributed to its hydrogen peroxide content. Manuka honey is one of the most unique and beneficial forms of honey on the planet— it’s like honey on steroids.
Studies have even found that manuka honey can kill off staph infections (MRSA), an antibiotic-resistant superbug. Most drug-based antibiotics, on the other hand, are completely useless for treating MRS.
Antibacterial properties aside, honey may help wounds to heal by providing a protective coating that fosters a moist environment.
Primary uses
Skin or oral infections (e.g., helps fight bacteria that cause plaque), general immune booster.
Manuka honey is primarily used topically (on the skin).
But since it’s honey, you can also eat it to give your immune system a boost. It’s the most delicious way to fight infection.
Click here to buy organic wild honey
Ginger
The scientific community also recognizes ginger as a natural antibiotic. Several studies have demonstrated ginger’s ability to fight many strains of bacteria.
Researchers are also exploring ginger’s power to combat seasickness and nausea and to lower blood sugar levels.
Click here to buy organic ginger
Clove
Clove has traditionally been used in dental procedures. Research is now finding that clove water extract may be useful against many different kinds of bacteria, including E. coli.
Click here to buy organic cloves
Turmeric
It is one of the most thoroughly researched plants in existence, and for good reasons.
A few studies have shown it to be effective against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Best for – everything. Seriously.
How to use – Turmeric root can be bought fresh and added to your green juice, soup, rice, potatoes, etc.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the world’s oldest and most common spices. But cinnamon isn’t just any ordinary spice as you may have guessed. Science has shown that cinnamon can fight off a wide range of dangerous bacterial and fungal infections. For example, one study found that cinnamon inhibits the growth and mycotoxin production of certain fungi.
Cinnamon is also well known for its countless medicinal benefits including its ability to treat
- Acne caused by bacteria
- Oral infections & bad breath
- Gut discomfort
- Haemorrhaging
There’s really nothing bad to say about cinnamon. It’s delicious and loaded with health benefits.
Primary uses
Internal immune booster with powder, external with oil (namely fungal infections like candida or athlete’s foot), best used in combination with other natural antibiotics. It can be used for internal infections like the cold or flu.
Whether you’re using cinnamon as a spice or medicine, you need to make sure it’s organic Ceylon cinnamon.
Click here to buy organic Ceylon cinnamon
Nice article to educate people about natural harmless medicines.