Every time you have a cold, flu, or an infection, it has become commonplace to pop an antibiotic pill and flush out the infection from your body. However, you don’t take into consideration that antibiotics are powerful microbe killers, and along with the infection-causing bacteria or viruses, they also kill many of the good bacteria and microbes in your gut.
If your infection is not severe, try switching to natural antibiotics instead of pills. They are mostly natural foods with strong antibacterial and anti-fungal compounds that can help stave off the infection without wreaking havoc on your system. Here are 10 of the most powerful natural antibiotics you can find.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric needs no introduction in the world of natural medicinal foods. The bioactive compound found in turmeric is called Curcumin and it has both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has been found effective against cancer, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory diseases. You can have turmeric in the form of a latte or add it to your cooking. It’s recommended that you have turmeric along with pepper since pepper helps your body absorb Curcumin better.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can naturally alkalize your body, a property which has been known to help prevent or fight some types of cancer. It is also a natural antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antiseptic. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as a natural cure for heartburn and increased cholesterol. When used on the skin, it acts as a natural sterilizer or disinfectant. You can have it regularly by adding it to salads and soups.
3. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano is a popular herb that has been used in Italian cooking for hundreds of years for its unique flavor. However, oregano also has several medicinal properties. Oregano oil aids digestion and weight loss and Carvacrol, an essential oil present in oregano, is a natural antimicrobial that can fight bacteria which cause infections and combat candida overgrowth. If you’re down with a cold or flu, oregano is one of the first natural antibiotics you should look for. But be careful about how much oregano you take. It is very strong and can upset your stomach. So make sure you dilute it with either water or carrier oil and consume it as per the recommended dosage.
4. Neem (Azadirachta Indica)
Neem has been utilized as a powerful antibiotic in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Neem can be taken in capsule form for purifying the blood and treating bacterial infections in the GI tract. I can also be used as a topical lotion/cream/oil to treat bacterial infections of the skin such as acne or boils.
5. Garlic
Raw garlic has been used since ancient times to cure cough, asthma, and digestive problems. It contains a compound called allicin which prevents the growth of yeast, parasites, bacteria, candida, and many other harmful microorganisms. The best way to have garlic as a cure is to have it raw so that you get most the allicin from it.
6. Colloidal Silver
This technically is not a food but a metal. Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic has been used for centuries to cure severe throat infections. It consists of a mixture of silver particles suspended in fluid. But one needs to remember that silver is a heavy metal and can be toxic to the body. It can, however, be used as a temporary treatment but should never be consumed long-term. Colloidal silver works by stopping the enzymes that single-cell bacteria need in order to multiply.
7. Ginger
Ginger is another time-tested remedy for many common infections. It is a natural antibiotic and anti-bacterial. If you’ve caught the bug, just sip on some ginger tea and watch your body recover in no time. You can either have ginger extract, powder, or just raw ginger. It’s also used for other medicinal purposes such as curing colds, nausea, asthma, colic, heart palpitations, swelling, and stomach aches.
8. Raw Honey
Honey is a natural food that has many healing properties and also tastes wonderful. An enzyme found in honey releases hydrogen peroxide, making it perfect for naturally treating wounds and preventing infection. Ancient Romans used honey during times of war to treat wounds and prevent infections. If you decide to use honey, make sure it is raw, unpasteurized, and organic. Commercial honey that you get in stores is highly refined and stripped of many of its health benefits. Honey can also be used to reduce inflammation, heal a sore throat and colds.
9. Horseradish Root
Horseradish contains more medicinally active compounds than most other spices. Horseradish root contains isothiocyanates, which are proven to hold antibacterial properties. Compounds present in horseradish can clear congestion, thin mucous, reduce inflammation, neutralize cell-damaging oxidants, fight bacteria and viruses, relax muscles, and stimulate the immune system.
10. Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb widely used to fight infections and has been the subject of wide scientific research. German scientists have studied echinacea using double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, the gold standard for scientific research on drugs. These studies showed that echinacea users experienced less frequent and less severe virus infections by one-third to one-half with no toxic effects compared to the group that took a placebo.
