Natural Antibiotics and Probiotics

If you have ever been bitten by a wild animal, received a nasty cut, or perhaps were the unlucky recipient of a sexually transmitted disease, your friendly doctor probably prescribed you antibiotics. Antibiotics are medications that kill off, or slow down the growth of bacteria. Penicillin and Amoxicillin are two commonly prescribed antibiotics.

The problem with synthetic antibiotics is the human body's ability to become resistant to these medications. Every time you take an antibiotic, your body builds up more of a tolerance towards it. Therefore, taking antibiotics for every bacterial related illness you catch, weakens the body's ability to fight off infection. The good news is that there are ways to prevent infection and boost your immune system without these drugs!

Long before Alexander Fleming, a Nobel Prize winning bacteriologist, discovered these antibacterial medications, they existed naturally in different foods and herbs. Natural antibiotics and antimicrobials occur largely in onions and garlic, herbs, honey, cabbage, and fermented foods such as raw unpasteurized sauerkraut, raw pickles, and probiotic yogurt. All of these foods boost your immune system and have antibiotic properties. These foods support healthy digestion and will help your body's defense against infectious diseases.

Foods high in vitamin C such as Cabbage, Kale, Oranges and citrus fruits, Tomatoes, Papaya, Bell Peppers, and Kiwi all have great immune boosting natural antibiotic properties. These fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants that help protect cells against free radicals (unstable molecules) that may cause cancer.

Raw sauerkraut, raw pickles, and probiotic yogurt contain good microorganisms that aid in digestion. This good bacteria replaces bad bacteria in the gut, providing further defense against infection. Eating a diet high in these types of foods will help you fight off bad bacteria and improve your overall health and wellbeing.

What about the Onions and Garlic you ask? Onions and garlic contain natural antibacterial properties in the form of sulfur compounds. These compounds and are used as anti-inflammatories and help protect the body against colds and flu.

Honey's natural antibiotic properties were discovered way before doctor prescribed medicines were created. Honey has a naturally occurring enzyme that releases hydrogen peroxide in the body. Hydrogen peroxide has the ability to stop the growth of different types of bacteria that could otherwise spread and cause illness.

Herbs such as aloe, licorice and just about any other herb you can think of have good antibacterial properties that will help in the fight against infection. Aloe has is commonly applied to cuts, scraps, and burns to provide faster healing and prevent bacterial infection. It is also active against herpes simplex type 1 and type 2. Licorice is active against strep, e-coli, staph infection, and even tuberculosis.

These all natural antibiotics when incorporated into your daily diet will promote a strong immune system. When your body needs a little backup to fight against an army of bacteria, consuming these foods will aid in your body's defense. So the next time you feel a cold coming on, scrape your knee, or burn your hand on that dinner pot, reach for a natural antibiotic to aid in your quick recovery!