Traditional Natural Antibiotics

Natural Antibiotics & Home Remedies

Natural antibiotics were the primary method of treating bacterial infections until the introduction of synthetic antibiotics in the early 20th Century.

Since Alexander Fleming first discovered penicillin, the pharmaceutical industry has revolutionised how we treat internal and external bacterial infections by making synthetic antibiotics widely available.

Natural Antibiotics & Natural Antibiotics

While synthetic antibiotics are proven to heal, they do come with certain risks; namely, overuse could lead to resistance, which reduces their effectiveness and is common among long-term users.

Natural antibiotics are found in a variety of organic matter, from fruits and vegetables to herbs. Most sources of natural antibiotics have been known and used for centuries in traditional medicine, locally in the areas where they are found.

Although natural antibiotics appear to originate from relatively innocuous sources and are considered safe, one should always discuss their use with a physician, as allergic and adverse reactions are a distinct possibility with organic matter just as much as with synthetic ones. 

Natural Antibiotic Foods

Garlic As A Antibiotic

A staple in kitchens throughout the world, garlic does more than add delicious flavour and seasoning to dishes. Dating back centuries, the use of garlic as a natural antibiotic arrived at our modern doorsteps during World War II. As pharmaceutical antibiotic supplies dwindled, field doctors turned to garlic to help slow bacteria growth.

Allin & Allicin: The Active Natural Antibiotic Ingredient

According to NYU Langone Medical Centre, the active compounds in garlic, alliin and its derivative allicin, exhibit antibiotic activity when applied topically. It's important to note that these elements are not found when consumed internally.

How To Use Garlic As An Antibiotic

Seemingly an unlikely medicine, garlic has a well-documented history of being used as a medicine for various ailments. The Romans noted some of the earliest evidence of its powerful medicinal uses.

Found growing nearly everywhere on earth, from the central Asian plains of Mongolia to the remotest Islands of the Pacific. Early work by Louis Pasteur focused on garlic and its properties as a natural antibiotic.

In addition to its antibiotic properties, garlic is widely used to ease atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries. It has a role in nursing stroke and heart attack victims back to health.

For non-open wounds, crush garlic cloves to release their allicin and combine with a carrier oil. Apply liberally at the injury site.

Coconut Oil: The Perfect Antibiotic & Antiviral

Indigenous Pacific islanders have been the focus of many studies; they are of interest because they live on a mainly high-fat diet, but have virtually zero heart disease and obesity. The reason for this anomaly has been attributed to the high amounts of coconut oil they consume.

How Coconut Oil Protects

Coconut oil is a known natural antibiotic; coconuts provide the body with lauric acid, which it then converts into monolaurin. Monolaurin has antibacterial and antiviral properties, noted as especially effective against the herpes virus and influenza.

Search For Alternative Treatments

As the push for natural alternatives to synthetic medicines strengthens, it seems that the research on the medicinal uses of coconut oil as a natural antibiotic and antiviral follows suit.

Coconut oil is being touted as a treatment for internal and external ailments due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.

Coconut Oil: The Antibiotic of The Future

However, a recent study highlights its potential as an antibiotic. In the Nov-Dec 2008 issue of Dermatitis, researchers found virgin coconut oil reduced and eliminated staph infections in participants due to its antibiotic properties.

Unlike garlic, the effectiveness of coconut oil as an antibiotic is not determined by mode of application. In layperson's terms, it's effective both internally and externally.

Cinnamon & Antioxidants

 Antioxidants in food are measured by the ORAC score, which stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity; cinnamon contains the 7th highest amount of antioxidants in all the known foods tested to date.

Traditional Home Remedy

Used as a seasoning ingredient, cinnamon can be added to a wide range of dishes. Regarded as not only a tasty additive but also a powerful medicine. Cinnamon has long been used as a traditional home remedy, it is another food that has been used as a medicine, civilisations have called upon cinnamon to heal a variety of ailments.

Cinnamon & E. coli

Somewhat ironically, as well as being used to season food lacking flavour, cinnamon is also effective against food lacking hygiene; it is extremely effective against the bacterium E. coli.

Used in traditional medicine just as often as it's used to season dinners, cinnamon has recently seen some of its promoted claims validated by modern science.

Spicy Antibiotic

As a natural antibiotic, cinnamon was found to eradicate bacteria upon contact and inhibit the growth of additional bacteria. Student researchers at Drew University tested this theory and found cinnamon to be as effective as, if not more effective than, synthetic antibiotic mouthwashes.

Due to its spicy nature, only consume small doses of cinnamon or apply a small amount topically. Check with your doctor about the potential of allergic reactions, as this spice can cause severe reactions if you're allergic.