According to some statistics, the use of natural antibiotics in the world has increased multiple times in the last three decades. This practice has resulted in so-called antimicrobial resistance in many individuals. In addition, as a result of this unhealthy practice of taking more antibiotics, people have witnessed the emergence of superbugs.
This term is used to describe microorganisms that cause different diseases. They have developed resistance to standard antibiotics used to eliminate them.
Even though antibiotics are used by most people, even in cases of mild ailments like colds, we should be aware of the fact that people in the past have developed a myriad of natural remedies that can sometimes be even more efficient than pharmaceutical drugs.
With the help of herbs, foods, and other products given to us by Mother Nature, our ancestors have used natural means to fight these microorganisms. The following is a list of some of these natural remedies:
Completely Natural Antibiotics
1. Oregano
This herb is usually used in the kitchen because it gives a specific flavor to many different dishes. Besides that, oregano essential oil acts as a very efficient natural antibiotic. A scientific study conducted a couple of years ago has confirmed that this oil can successfully eliminate any type of bacterial strain and Escherichia Coli was not an exception.
Even though it has good taste, oregano proves to be more than a spice.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar has been used for its antibacterial properties for hundreds of years. However, many people don’t know that different kinds of vinegar are useful for different types of bacterial strains.
For instance, apple cider vinegar is great in cases of bacteria that lead to food-borne disorders and diseases while red wine vinegar is effective against bacteria that result in skin disorders and infections like epidermidis.
Vinegar is used externally to heal infections on the top of the skin, but it can also be consumed in small amounts to heal internal infections.
3. Honey
Honey is another well-known medicinal food used since ancient times.
A Medical News Today conducted not while ago has shown that bacteria that dwell in the stomach of honeybees have the ability to block the growth and expansion of bacteria resistant to pharmaceutical drugs like methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus for example.
Scientists have also concluded that many different infection-causing bacteria can’t handle LAB or lactic acid bacteria found in bees. These effective bacteria against different diseases can be located only in raw honey and last about a month before it is gone.
This means that if you are buying honey in regular stores, you probably won’t feel the benefits.
4. Turmeric
Many studies have shown that turmeric can effectively prevent the expansion of bacteria.
One study focused on the effects of a paste that consisted of two parts of water and one part of turmeric powder. The study has shown that this natural paste has strong antibacterial effects and it worked well against different strains of bacteria.
Scientists have also found out that there is a chance that this paste can provide even better results if we use more turmeric.
5. Garlic
Besides aiding your efforts to make delicious bread and saving us from vampires, it turns out that garlic has similar effects when it comes to viruses and bacteria that lead to different diseases and ailments.
In a study that was focused on proving the medicinal benefits of using garlic especially in fighting the common cold, scientists have concluded that the group of people who used garlic-based supplements on a daily basis had fewer chances of developing cold compared to the group of people who didn’t consume these supplements.
Scientists have also concluded that people who already had cold has been able to heal faster compared to those using pharmaceutical drugs.
6. Extract from Grapefruit Seeds
Another scientific study managed by the Alternative and Complementary Medicine Journal has shown that grapefruit seed extract is a very efficient antibacterial compound that shows positive results against more than 750 types of viruses and bacteria.
In addition, grapefruit is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants which make this fruit ideal for combating the common cold.
7. Echinacea
Even though this plant is not known worldwide, this doesn’t change the fact that Echinacea is very efficient in eliminating the common cold.
Scientists have concluded that Echinacea extract is great for enhancing the work of the immune system and on top of that it boosts the number of white blood cells which means more efficient elimination of infections.
There are also many studies that have confirmed that Echinacea has the ability to prevent common colds.
8. Cabbage
Cabbage may aid your body’s efforts to fight cancer. Glucosinolates are compounds found in cabbage and these compounds give a specific taste to this veggie. When they are processed in the body they are broken down and the byproduct of this process is known as isothiocyanates.
It is exactly this byproduct that is able to block the activity of carcinogens and flush them out of the body.
9. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Extra virgin coconut oil comes with medium-chain fatty acids that have the ability to block the spreading of some types of bacteria.
Sources NCBI | Medical News Today | NCBI | NCBI | WebMD | NCBI | NCBI