Antibiotics are very common in everyone's house, in fact, they are used so much that doctors warn to not take them too often.
Pharmacudical antibiotics destroy bacteria and therefore can be used to fight certain infections, this being said, unlike certain natural antibiotics (mentioned below) they cannot fight viral infections like flu, colds and most coughs.
If overused antibiotics can contribute to the growing number of bacterial infections that are becoming resistant to antibacterial medications.
According to the NHS, 1 in 10 people experiences side effects that harm the digestive system after taking antibiotics. Around 1 in 15 people are allergic to this type of medication.
Allergic reactions can vary in intensity, but often side effects can last for years and more often than not, many pharmaceutical medications do not help at all.
Interestingly enough the use of garlic and other natural remedies helped and improve overall health with minimal to no side effects.
In this post, we will show you fantastic natural antibiotics, which you most probably already have in your kitchen and compare these and their side effects to the common pharmaceutical antibiotics.
Garlic
Garlic is the most common form of natural antibiotic. It can be taken in various ways from adding it to meals, eating it raw, making drinks or even external use for fungus infections, sexually transmitted infections, colds, flu and many more infections.
We recommend using at least 3 raw cloves of garlic a day for it to have a medicinal effect.
Garlic has shown to be an effective treatment against many forms of bacteria, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Garlic has even been considered for use against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.
If you are using garlic for external use, please ensure to place a fabric below the garlic as the direct touch can create blisters on the skin.
When to avoid Garlic:
Do not take Garlic in big amounts if you are having heart issues, taking blood thinners or prepare for surgery as it can be a blood thinner. Below we are mentioning other great natural antibiotics which you can use instead.
Garlic taken in small amounts like in cooking is still a great way to improve your health and we do highly recommend the daily use of garlic in moderation.
Possible side effects:
unpleasant breath
heartburn, burning in your mouth or throat
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
Stop using garlic in high doses if you are experiencing the following and contact us or your healthcare provider if you experience:
redness, swelling or blistering (when applied to the skin)
easy bruising or nosebleeds and gum bleeds
These are rear and with appropriate use should not happen.
Onion
Onions are known to draw out infections and kill bacteria. They are great for ear infections, fighting off flu, tightness in the chest (i.g. Asthma) lower fever, cholesterol and blood sugar levels or clears sinuses.
Unlike garlic, the onion will not cause blisters to the skin in direct touch and therefore can be applied directly to the skin. If you do a poultice for the ears you do want to have a layer between the ear and the onion to not let the onion fall in the ear.
Onions, if applied on the feet (in a plastic bag or in the socks) will draw out all the toxins of the body and help to recover quickly.
For coughs, we recommend making syrup out of onions and honey to help the recovery.
If taken orally raw in excess it can cause stomach irritability and if uses in excess on the skin, it can cause itchiness but otherwise it is very safe. If you are planning surgery, you might want to avoid taking onion in higher amounts as it can, like garlic thin your blood.
Ginger
The scientific community recognizes it as a natural antibiotic and it has been shown that ginger has the ability to fight bacteria like E.coli, shigella and even viruses i.g. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
It also can be used against sickness e.g. morning sickness, seasickness and hungover.
Ginger treatments include raw use, poultices, teas and capsule supplements and juice.
To achieve medicinal effects not more than 4 grams of ginger are needed, especially when taken as a supplement unless prescribed otherwise.
When to avoid:
heart conditions
diabetes
gallstones
Possible side effects:
Increased bleeding tendency
abdominal discomfort
diarrhoea
heartburn
mouth or throat irritation
dermatitis - topical use only
If overdosed:
cardiac arrhythmias
central nervous depression
Manuka Honey
Honey has been shown to promote wound healing and even help with chronic wounds, burns, ulcers, bedsores, and skin grafts.
It cleans and disinfects the wound of bacteria, in fact, it has been shown that honey fights off about 60 different bacterias including Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
Honey is generally safe and should only be avoided if you are having allergic reactions against it, have diabetes or by children below the age of 1-year-old.
Honey taken in large quantities for medicinal use may interfere with medications taken or chemotherapy therefore it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider in these circumstances.
Echinacea
Echinacea is great to fight inflammation associated with bacterial infection, it has been proven to kill many different kinds of bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes).
Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for strep throat, toxic shock syndrome, and the “flesh-eating disease” known as necrotizing fasciitis.
Side effects can include:
nausea
fever
bad taste
stomach pain
diarrhoea
sore throat
dry mouth
headache.
If overtaken liver damage could be a result therefore follow the directions given when taking the supplement.
Clove
Clove can be taken as oil, tea, in foods and clove water. It has antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and antiseptic properties.
The active ingredient in clove is eugenol which fights infection and decreases pain.
In small amounts, it can have various other benefits such as supporting liver health or stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Only small amounts should be taken as eugenol in high amounts is toxic and can cause:
liver damage
erection problems
challenges when having an orgasm/ ejaculation
rashes or skin irritation, sore or even bleeding and swelling gums.
If any of these symptoms appear stop using clove immediately.
Pharmaceutical Antibiotics
Antibiotics are great when in a life-threatening situation, sadly there is an overuse of pharmaceutical antibiotics and the body is becoming resistant to antibacterial medications.
The good news is - there are many natural remedies as mentioned above which will do the same - if not even a better job.
Many antibiotics come with a long list of side effects and here are a few:
Common effects are (depending on the products, like natural antibiotics there are various pharmaceutical antibiotics too):
vomiting
nausea (feeling like you may vomit)
diarrhoea
bloating and indigestion
abdominal pain
pain in muscles, tendons and joints
pins and needles
numbness
shortness of breath
swollen ankles
loss of appetite
sensitivity to light
heart palpitations
Around 1 in 15 people have an allergic reaction to antibiotics, especially penicillin and cephalosporins.
Allergic reactions include:
a raised, itchy skin rash (urticaria, or hives)
coughing
wheezing
tightness of the throat, which can cause breathing difficulties
In rare cases, an antibiotic can cause a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
feeling lightheaded or faint
raised rash (hives)
breathing difficulties – such as fast, shallow breathing
wheezing
feeling or being sick
a fast heartbeat
clammy skin
swelling (angioedema)
confusion and anxiety
stomach pain
collapsing or losing consciousness
This list is quite long and includes side effects from various pharmaceutical antibiotics.
Probiotics
Probiotics are important to be taken after a treatment of antibiotics, as antibiotics wipe out all bacteria to stop infection - even the good bacteria!
Good bacteria will keep your immune system strong as it is constantly cleaning the body of bad bacteria. Taking probiotics after an antibiotical treatment will cultivate the good bacteria within the body.
Probiotics can be bought in supplements or found in sauerkraut, yoghurt, kombucha, kefir, miso, pickles and tempeh.
Summary:
There are many natural sources in which we can find antibiotic remedies - all have their particular strength to combat bacteria and viral infections. When taking antibiotics - both natural and pharmaceutical, it is important to take the right quantity and for a specific duration (mostly about 2 weeks).
Natural antibiotics can have side effects or interact with medications but generally are much easier to recover from.
Probiotics are also a great addition to antibiotics as they bring back good bacteria which strengthens the immune system.
Do not take certain antibiotics if you are allergic to this product.
There are many great recipes for remedies available that include the ingredients mentioned help above to make natural antibiotic and help the body fight off infections and bacteria.
If you are currently receiving medical care or are taking medications please speak to your health consult or contact us to ensure it is not interfering with your medical treatment.
We also offer consultation sessions in which we show you how you can overcome your current health challenges. Feel free to contact us here!
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