Most antibiotics come actually from natural sources but are usually synthetically made in part. This could be because things are just more efficient that way. Antibiotics are so widely used that they have to be mass-produced after all. The demand for them is high. The CDC reported that they were 258.2 million total antibiotic prescriptions just in 2017 alone!
Antibiotics are used to help stop infections caused by bacteria. WebMD says they do this by killing the bacteria or by preventing them from duplicating themselves and reproducing.
Antibiotics can treat ear, eye, dental, skin, bladder, kidney, and fungal infections as well as meningitis, strep throat, some pneumonia, and whooping cough. As long as the infection isn’t viral, antibiotics can help.
However, many antibiotics come with side effects. Such as digestive issues and discomfort or allergic reactions.
Medical News Today provides that 1 in 10 people experience such side effects and that 1 in 5 people are allergic.
If you’d prefer to avoid synthetic medications, there are still options. Natural alternatives could be the solution for you to avoid experiencing the negative side effects of antibiotic use.
Chaunie Brusie, RN, BSN, calls natural antibiotics “the original antibiotics.” Many foods including vegetables and herbs can act as antibiotics or contain antibiotic properties. She says some therapies can be just as effective as a chemical antibiotic.
Types of natural antibiotics include:
- Garlic
- Honey and manuka honey
- Ginger
- Echinacea
- Oregano
- Cinnamon
- And more!
Photo by Michele Blackwell on Unsplash” width=”186″ height=”124″>Garlic is particularly proven to combat the bacteria forms of salmonella and E.coli. You can buy garlic at a grocery store. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The allicin found in garlic is what gives garlic such properties. The ingredient ajoene also helps treat fungal infections.
Honey has been used for healing since the olden days. It can help heal wounds probably due to its antibacterial properties in addition to the protective coating it provides. Manuka honey has been shown to impede drug-resistant pathogens on a broad spectrum. You can eat it or apply it topically. 
Photo by Lawrence Aritao on Unsplash” width=”164″ height=”109″>
Ginger also fights many strains of bacteria. It fights nausea and high blood sugar too. Ginger makes a good spice, but the flavonoids it contains is what’s really beneficial about it. Flavonoids is a class of phytonutrients. They give ginger its antimicrobial properties.
Echinacea is a type of flower used to treat infections and wounds and fight inflammation because of its antibacterial and antifungal effects. It can kill all kinds of bacteria including the ones responsible for rotavirus, herpes, influenza, strep throat, toxic shock syndrome, and necrotizing fasciitis.
Oregano is often used in cooking, but to use it as an antibiotic it comes as an essential oil. It influences healing and reduces inflammation as well as treats skin infections. Its ingredients carvacrol and thymol are what causes it to have these antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Photo by Mockup Graphics on Unsplash” width=”126″ height=”126″>Not everyone is fond of cinnamon. I admit it’s an acquired taste, but consuming it may be worth it to get its benefits. Cinnamon can act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory as well. The cinnamaldehyde and eugenol it contains are what make it so effective in treating conditions.
Using natural antibiotics also comes with risks though (depending on the form, amount, and concentration of them). For instance, garlic is safe to consume cooked but concentrated garlic could increase the risk of bleeding and reduce the effectiveness of certain medications. Some of these can also interact with various drugs so be sure to do your research.
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