Prescription antibiotics like penicillin have helped people recover from deadly diseases and conditions since the 1940s.
However, people tend to resort to natural antibiotic treatments.
According to the NHS, 1 in 10 people experience digestive side effects after taking antibiotics. 1 in 15 people are allergic to this type of medicine.
In this article, we’ll look at the evidence behind seven of the best natural antibiotics. It also discusses which ones to avoid and when to see a doctor.
Seven best natural antibiotics
The scientific jury is still out on natural antibiotics. People have been using these types of treatments for hundreds of years, but most treatments have not been thoroughly tested.
However, some are showing promising results under medical supervision, and further studies are underway.
As the number of drug-resistant bacteria continues to rise, scientists are turning to nature to develop new drugs.
Here, we explore the science of seven natural antibiotics.
- Garlic
Cultures around the world have long recognized garlic for its preventive and curative properties.
Studies have shown that garlic is an effective treatment against many types of bacteria, including salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Garlic is believed to be used against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
- Honey
Since the time of Aristotle, honey has been used as an ointment for healing wounds, preventing infection, and as an emollient.
Today, health professionals have found it useful in the treatment of chronic wounds, burns, ulcers, bed sores, and skin grafts. For example, a 2016 study found that honey poultices can help wounds heal.
The antibacterial properties of honey are often attributed to its hydrogen peroxide content. However, even though manuka honey is low in hydrogen peroxide, it also fights bacteria.
A 2011 study found that the most popular honey can inhibit about 60 types of bacteria. Honey has also been shown to successfully treat wounds infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
In addition to its antibacterial properties, honey aids wound healing by providing a protective coating that creates a moist environment.
- Ginger
The scientific community recognizes that ginger is a natural antibiotic. Several studies, including one published in 2017, have shown ginger’s ability to fight many types of bacteria.
Researchers are studying ginger’s power to fight seasickness, nausea, and lower blood sugar.
- Echinacea
Native American and other traditional healers have used echinacea for centuries to treat infections and wounds. Researchers are beginning to understand why.
A Trusted Source study published in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology reports that Echinacea flower extract kills many types of bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes).
S. pyogenes is responsible for strep throat, toxic shock syndrome, and the “flesh-eating disease” known as necrotizing fasciitis.
Echinacea can fight inflammation associated with bacterial infections. It can be purchased at health stores or online.