The overuse of antibiotics has become a modern-day epidemic. These drugs have depleted our natural immunity by killing the good bacteria in our guts and also creating super-bugs that have become resistant to almost any form of prescribed drug around. Instead of making yourself weaker and depleting your body’s natural ability to cure itself from any number of ailments, try utilizing natural foods and herbs to ditch the Big Pharma meds for good.
Here are 8+ foods which harness natural antibiotic properties.
1. Astragalus – An adaptogen, meaning it is an overall tonic for the body, astragalus has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicinal practices to boost the immune system and counteract physical, mental, and emotional stress. Research has shown that it can be very effective at treating colds, protecting the liver, and keeping viruses at bay.
2. Onions – This great tasting food is both antibacterial and antiseptic. If a person were to suck on a raw onion, it is thought that the healing components of the food could suck the disease right out of them. You can even place some cut up onions in your kitchen to protect against unwanted bacteria to keep your whole house healthy. When mixed with lime juice and a few other natural constituents, onions were even shown to eradicate antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli. Check out some other health benefits of onions here.
3. Cabbage – One of the cruciferous vegetables, cabbage has anti-microbial properties which can kill all kinds of diseases naturally. The antibiotic properties of cabbage are increased once it has been fermented as well. So eat your sauerkraut, or better yet, make your own.
4. Honey – Although honey has always been used to fight off infection, scientists have just recently identified one secret ingredient in honey that makes it a natural antibiotic because it kills unwanted bacteria. It’s a protein called defensin-1 which bees add to honey when they make it. It does what it sounds like too – makes your immune system a full defense against disease.
5. Fermented Vegetables – Reseeding your gut with good microbes, which can be found in just about all fermented vegetables, can keep your immune system on full-tilt. If you haven’t already heard, your gut health accounts for about 80% of your overall immunity to disease, so putting the good bacteria back in is essential.
6. Cinnamon – Sometimes called a ‘lethal’ natural antibiotic, cinnamon has been used medicinally for ages. Pure, real Ceylon cinnamon can even stop E.Coli in its tracks, a stubborn bacteria that causes many diseases. Experts at Kansas City State University found that not only does cinnamon act as a natural antibiotic, it is so full of antioxidants that it helps to boost the immune system in numerous ways.
7. Sage – This herb is a wonderful natural solution for upper respiratory system issues. It can also help with stomach ailments, reduce fever naturally, and help with the common cold and flu.
8. Thyme – Both thyme leaf and thyme oil are very effective natural antibiotics. A compound in thyme oil called thymol is also anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-protozoal properties.
There are other natural antibiotics out there too. They include:
- Rosemary
- Coriander
- Dill, mustard seed
- Anise
- Basil
- Lemon balm
- Wild Indigo
- Echinacea
- Olive leaf
- Turmeric
- Pau D’ Arco
- Cayenne pepper
- Colloidal silver
- Grapefruit seed extract
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Oregano oil
With such a large offering from Mother Nature to treat ailments naturally, with all of their vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to boot, why would we ever choose pharmaceuticals? These natural remedies also cost pennies per day to either grow or purchase and take as preventative medicine.
You did not mention the bee product propolis. It is just excellent!
Diatomaceous earth
^Does not cure AIDS
I wouldn’t use any of the suggested 8. If ill with a bacterium, virus, fungus, amoeba, use fresh-crushed clove of garlic or oregano oil. The rest are nearly worthless if battling an infection.
If this is the “Bill Sardi”, what’s your opinion on colloidal silver?
Oil Of Oregano is my choice when it’s flu or food poisoning related. I tried unpasteurized honey for a stomach flu once (because I didn’t have oil of oregano close by) and it did nothing.
The best is prevention using a holistic approach for a healthy mind, body and spirit. Antibiotics should not be necessary.
Holistic means whole or including all aspects of natural healing. And natural antibiotics are an important part of nature and a balanced natural approach to a healthy diet and natural medicine. A good doctor prevents disease, a mediocre doctor treats disease and heals the cause, a bad doctor treats the symptoms, which is our present system of school medicine. So natural “antibiotics” should actually be called “probiotics” because they support a natural balance and the life of the person taking them. They are used to keep the bad bacteria and viruses to a minimum so they can’t harm the body. You cannot exclude a part of nature and call it holistic. The more versatile our diet the more balanced and healthy we will be.
total bunkum……nature is out to kill you, not cure you.
Feeling suicidal? YOU are nature.
My friend, you are an angry young man but let me help you with this. Nature, which is God’s creation, has no ill intent whatsoever. Nature follows it’s own intrinsic laws which are there to keep order to achieve a harmonious balance between all living entities. If you are opposed to this order and you feel the laws of nature coming into effect against you by hangover or disease then don’t blame her. Blame your own ignorance and your sins that make you feel at odds with nature and amend your ways accordingly.
ACCURACY ISSUE: What about #6 Cinnamon – the Kansas City State University link goes to a Kansas City Star newspaper op-ed on food. Click on it, people. Plus, google Kansas City State University and you will find it does not exist. There is UMKC, and K State but not a Kansas City State University. Please clear this up.
OK but what about the effects of all these natural antibacterial substances on probiotic bacteria. For instance the defensin protein in honey. Does it kill the nasty bacteria and leave the nice ones alone? And if so, why?
Common sense would suggest that “good” bacteria sooth disturbances in the body, whereas”bad” bacteria irritate. One diminishes the other increases potential problems. Probiotic bacteria have been around for centuries, they are hardy and resistant and will often work as a nano soldier to fight off invading bacteria.
If you are looking for the absolute best antiviral, anti fungal,anti microbial all round treatment try tincture of myrrh. We have been told about this for hundreds of years as in Jesus being given it as a precious gift at birth. It takes a lot of bravery and a bit of daring to escape the rat race of Dr’s and medicine, but today I use would use Dr’s only as diagnosticians and trust in universal wisdom to guide me as I walk the path to health. In my own personal experience with myrrh I have found it relieve psoriasis, kill the pain in a burn, strengthen nails, and many other annoying concerns. I started very cautiously and grew at my own pace, using my commonsense to guide me. Today I take it with me everywhere it is my medicine chest in a bottle.
I have the Mannose-Binding Lectin Deficiency (genetic). I used to take antibiotics almost all the time. (12-15 x year,not a typo)
I’ve been taking Grapefruit Seed Extract when ill.
I’ve only been on antibiotics 2 x for the last 3 years.
My co-pays for Rx’s were approx. $800.00 per month. Since learning about herbal supplements, essential oils & MSM – I’m down to only 2 Rx’s & feel much better.
You forgot Eugenol (Clove oil) not much survives in it, including MRSA – and it’s a good numbing agent as well for painful skin infections.
Manuka honey ended my wife, Terry’s, pylori bacteria ulcers that gave her pain at every change of season. We each take one teaspoon before going to sleep. We get the lowest price by buying by the case. Much better then prescription medication.
I have tried so many of these, for many they work well. I have found some work better for specific types of illness better than others and since not everyone can eat the same thing, I am thankful there are such a variety that can narrowed down to be focused on the illness and the person.
I do an integrated approach where sometimes that extra bump to push through an illness is needed by using pharma. Fortunately, knowing how to restore the gut flora helps get me back on track since I don’t live in a perfect world and know the unexpected can and will happen from time to time. Thanks for the article.