A true medical revolution, antibiotics marked a turning point in the fight against infectious diseases. However, taking antibiotic medications can cause significant side effects and lead to rather worrying antibiotic resistance issues.
Many studies have been carried out to demonstrate the antibacterial properties of natural substances. A natural antibiotic does exist! We present 10 here. See after the list to learn all about how antibiotics work.
N.B.: even though they are natural, these substances should be used with caution, being mindful of drug interactions. Never stop an antibiotic treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Garlic
It’s the quintessential natural antibiotic! This bulb, widely used in cooking, contains many benefits. It is notably prebiotic, antioxidant and antibacterial! In the Middle Ages, it was reportedly used to fight the plague. This study suggests its effect on reducing populations of Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Listeria. Its use is also studied in the context of treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Ajoene, a sulfur-containing compound in garlic, has antibacterial properties that, according to this study, may help reduce chronic infections.
How to consume it: you can chew one to two garlic cloves per day in cases of respiratory tract infections. Garlic can also be consumed as an infusion or decoction. For skin infections such as warts, some stores sell creams based on ajoene. It is also available as powder, in capsules, or as oil.
Manuka honey
It is a dark honey with a particularly pronounced taste. Its name comes from the tree on which it grows in New Zealand. It is particularly concentrated in methylglyoxal, a powerful antibacterial substance. The UMF index, “Unique Manuka Factor”, measures its antibacterial effect and its methylglyoxal content. This study suggests its effect on multidrug-resistant infections. It is also used to relieve the symptoms of acne.
How to consume it: prefer honeys with a fairly high UMF rating. For acne treatment, you can apply it as a thin mask to the face. You can also enjoy one to two spoonfuls per day to combat ENT infections such as tonsillitis. That way you can enjoy its delicious caramelized flavor!
Neem or margosa tree
Neem is a tree native to India. It is one of the flagship plants of Ayurvedic medicine. Its antibacterial action is thought to be due to the nimbidin, a compound extracted from its seeds as detailed by this study. This other study presents its beneficial effect on bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella. It should be used with caution to avoid any toxicity or danger.
How to use it: opt for a concentrated organic oil. It is generally used in oil form to relieve skin problems such as acne or fungal infections. It will soothe infections while softening the skin. On acne spots it can be used in synergy with clay.
Tea tree
Tea tree is native to Australia. An oil is extracted from it that has been used for centuries by Aboriginal people. It has been brought back into the spotlight because of the growing problem of antibiotic resistance nowadays. Its essential oil is one of the stars of aromatherapy; it is used to relieve many infections! This study, as well as this other study, analyze its antibacterial properties.
How to use it : to soothe acne or eczema, it is recommended to dilute the tea tree essential oil in a carrier oil. In case of a sore throat, you can gargle. To combat digestive issues such as parasitic infections, it can be ingested. Consult a therapist in all cases for supervised use!
Ginger
Here’s an excellent natural antibiotic. Ginger is a rhizome native to India. It is one of the pillars of traditional Indian medicine. Its antibacterial action would be due, according to this study, to its volatile compounds such as borneol or camphene. They would act on a wide spectrum of bacteria including Salmonella and Escherichia coli.
How to use it : ginger can be consumed as a decoction or as an infusion. It is also available in the form of juice and as a powder. Ginger essential oil helps treat ailments such as sinusitis or bronchitis.
Echinacea
It’s a pretty plant with pink petals. It is originally found in the plains of North America, where Native Americans used it to treat many ailments. Consumed as a preventive, it would boost the immune system and help the body fight against bacterial attacks! This study examined the action of Echinacea purpurea extract on a wide variety of bacteria including Legionella pneumophila.
How to take it : It is fairly easy to find it in the form of capsules or tablets. You can also drink it as herbal teas using its roots, leaves, or flowers. In case of infections, it is recommended to take it as a course of treatment.
Canadian goldenseal
This is an American plant whose wild form is endangered. In Canada, for example, the roots and rhizomes of this plant must come from a cultivated source to be processed. Several studies have demonstrated the broad-spectrum antibiotic effects of this plant against bacteria and fungi. Berberine is the compound in this plant that would confer its valuable properties.
How to take it : generally consumed internally, its root is ground and available in the form of capsules. It can be used in cases of bronchitis or urinary tract infection. It is also available as a tincture; it can be used as a gargle or to relieve ENT infections.
Turmeric
Native to India, turmeric is part of the same family as ginger. This spice is widely used in cooking to impart a mild flavor and a distinctive color to many dishes. It is also used topically on the skin to benefit from its antibacterial properties. This study shows its effect on a type of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus.
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How to consume it: there is turmeric essential oil that can be applied to the skin when diluted in a carrier oil. It can relieve acne or a skin fungal infection, for example. In case of gingivitis, you can make a homemade mouthwash with turmeric powder.
Royal jelly
The royal jelly is a milky substance secreted by bees to feed the hive’s distinguished residents (the queen and the larvae). It is particularly recommended to strengthen the immune system to protect the body from attacks by viruses and bacteria! This is due to the action of fatty acids and proteins such as the Major Royal Jelly Proteins. This study highlighted the antibacterial activity of various compounds in this jelly. It is recognized as a natural antibiotic.
How to consume it: you can savor spoonfuls to enjoy its slightly tangy taste and its antibacterial properties. You can also apply it topically to fight acne, for example. For greater effectiveness, it can be taken as a treatment; it is generally available in ampoules.
Cloves
Cloves are the flower buds of a tree native to Indonesia. They contain eugenol, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. This study presents their action on many types of bacteria. This other study highlighted the effectiveness in reducing bacterial activity of a mouthwash based on these cloves, tea tree, and basil.
How to consume it: clove is mainly used in the form of essential oil. It can be used diluted in a vegetable oil in case of urinary or respiratory infection. It can also be consumed as an infusion or decoction.
Antibiotics, substances derived from natural sources
Bacteria, targets of antibiotic action
A bacterium is a microscopic living organism; on average its diameter is about fifty times smaller than that of a hair! They were the first living organisms on land! Skin, mouth, intestine, vagina… Microorganisms colonize all these parts of the human body.
Coexistence with these germs is, fortunately, often peaceful and harmless. In the intestine, for example, bifidobacteria act beneficially, strengthening the immune system and protecting the intestinal barrier.
They are also ubiquitous in our environment; this study reveals the massive presence of bacillus- or staphylococcus-type bacteria on computer keyboards! But some bacteria can enter the body and be the cause of bacterial infections such as tuberculosis or Lyme disease.
Their danger is increased by the fact that they can multiply at breakneck speed! When the immune system fails to fight a bacterial infection, antibiotics are often used.
The recent discovery of antibiotics
When we say antibiotic we often think of synthetic substances used in modern medicine; however, antibiotics derive from natural substances!
An antibiotic, from the Greek “anti”, against, and “biotikos”, relating to life, is a substance that makes it possible to eliminate or reduce a population of bacteria. They have no effect on viruses or fungi. They will therefore, for example, be useless and ineffective for treating a viral sore throat.
And yes, we all have that striking slogan in mind: “antibiotics aren’t automatic”. The commonly used antibiotics are produced from molecules naturally synthesized by microorganisms. Others are designed to be 100% synthetic.
Penicillin, which comes from molds of a fungus, is considered the first among them. It was widely used during World War II to stem infections of combatants’ wounds such as gangrene!
From a medical revolution to the issue of antibiotic resistance
The discovery of antibiotics has helped extend human life expectancy, with the near-elimination of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera. They are widely used to overcome bacterial infections such as strep throat or urinary tract infections.
However, their widespread use has led to forms of bacterial resistance. Specifically, the bacteria that survive an antibiotic treatment will be the best equipped to defend themselves against that substance. This can make medical treatments less effective! The antibiotic resistance is considered by the WHO to be a major scourge of the 21st century.
Furthermore, prescribed antibiotics do not distinguish between harmful, pathogenic bacteria and harmless, beneficial bacteria. It is generally advisable to consume probiotics and prebiotics during an antibiotic treatment. Prebiotics will help reduce the damage antibiotics cause to the gut flora, and probiotics will act as fuel to enhance their beneficial effect.
Natural antibiotics, a proven antibacterial action
A natural antibiotic contains substances with proven antibacterial effectiveness. One advantage of a natural antibiotic compared to conventional forms is that it causes fewer side effects. It also reduces the risk of allergic reactions because the body sometimes regards conventional antibiotics as dangerous enemies to be neutralized.
Some natural antibiotics like garlic offer promising prospects in the fight against multidrug-resistant bacteria! They can help fight certain types of bacteria while boosting our immune system. However, they are substances to handle with care due to potential interactions with medications.
