About 20 percent of patients who are prescribed conventional antibiotics experience adverse side effects. And things can get much worse if you’re allergic to the drugs. But did you know that Mother Nature’s remedies can be just as effective? Here are a few natural antibacterial products you could try out right at home:
- Goldenseal: This popular tea flavoring also doubles up as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent. Goldenseal is rich in berberine, an alkaloid that’s been shown to suppress certain strains of fungi and bacteria. It’s particularly effective against MSRA, a pathogen that causes everything from skin infections to pneumonia. It can also prevent E. coli from setting up camp in the gut. Goldenseal extracts are readily available in supplement form.
- Raw Honey: Honey’s therapeutic properties have been recognized the world over since time immemorial. It has a high sugar content that’s hostile to bacterial growth, plus a low pH that causes the microorganisms to lose hydration and die off. The best thing about honey is that it’s safe for both internal and external use. Just be sure to get raw, unrefined honey.
- Garlic: There’re those who abhors the smell that raw garlic emits when cut, and then there are healthy people. No, seriously; garlic gets its scent from allicin, a sulfur-rich compound with ultra-potent antimicrobial capabilities. Besides combating a wide range of bacteria strains, allicin also breaks down the biofilms used by the microorganisms to resist treatment. It’s clearly time to reconsider your stance towards garlic.
- Olive Leaf: Most people are aware of the therapeutic benefits of olive oil, but the herb has yet another trick up its sleeve. Olive leaf packs oleuropein, a phenol that suppresses many different kinds of bacteria and viruses. Its antioxidant capabilities will also come in relieving inflammation.
- Oil of Oregano: This Mediterranean herb is rich in phenols, terpenoids and terpenes; a trio of phytonutrients with immense therapeutic potential. It has proven highly effective against bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Bacillus subtilis, as well as fungi. Oregano can be found in dried and capsule form, but research indicates its essential oil derivative is the most potent. Make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil to avoid irritating your skin.
- Caprylic Acid: One of three fatty acids that make up coconut oil, caprylic acid is yet another compound that combats drug-resistant strains of bacteria. It also has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, and can therefore be useful in treating a wide range of infections. And like other natural antibacterial products, caprylic acid is most effective in its unadulterated form; raw coconut oil is your best bet.