Antibiotics should really be a last resort when you are feeling unwell, and the misuse of them is leading to more and more bugs becoming resistant to antibiotics. These “superbugs”, such as MRSA, are very difficult to treat, and according to Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, “the rise of antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis. It is reaching dangerously high levels in all parts of the world.”
In a recent survey by the UN, 64% of people wrongly thought that they should be taking penicillin-based drugs and other antibiotics to treat cold and flu symptoms – when in fact these medicines have no impact at all on viruses, as reported by CBC News. Meanwhile, one-third of people also wrongly believed that they should cease taking antibiotics as soon as their symptoms subsided, rather than finishing the full course as prescribed by their doctors.
The danger of taking antibiotics to treat viral infections or not completing a full course of antibiotics is that bacteria can mutate and adapt to become resistant to the antibiotics normally used to treat the infections that they cause – meaning that those antibiotics will not work next time.
Superbugs are already responsible for the death of at least 23,000 people in the U.S. every year, according to Scientific American, with approximately 2 million U.S. citizens developing antibiotic-resistant infections each year. It is therefore crucial that antibiotics are not taken for viral infections and that we avoid taking them unless absolutely necessary. With this in mind, what are the alternatives to taking antibiotics?
Natural remedies for bacterial infections
Horseradish
A recent article by Mother Earth News states that scientific research has shown various herbs, fruits and vegetables can be used as natural antibiotics and contain health-enhancing compounds. Raw horseradish has long been used for its medicinal properties, with its healing components being thought to ease colds, coughs, kidney stones and even urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to Dr. John Christopher’s Herbal Legacy.
Horseradish contains a volatile oil called sinigrin, which is broken down in the body to produce allyl isothiocyanate – a powerful natural antibiotic. There are various other extremely active healing compounds contained within this spice that help clear congestion, thin down mucus, reduce inflammation and fight infections.
Its effectiveness at treating various conditions has led to it being a commonly used natural medicine in Germany as part of a formulation called Angocin Anti-Infekt N. Several studies have shown that this medication is very effective at treating both UTIs and respiratory infections.
Oregano
It seems that horseradish isn’t the only herb that contains volatile oils that act as natural antibiotics. Oregano contains thymol and carvacrol oils, which have been shown to inhibit the growth of various bacteria that can lead to UTIs, respiratory infections, systemic infections and bone infections.
Honey
This fantastic natural sweetener should actually be used as your first method of treatment, as it fights infection in several ways, making it harder for bacteria to develop resistance. Researchers are now advising doctors to prescribe it before turning to antibiotics, and it is also antiviral, which means that those viral infections which cannot be treated with antibiotics could be alleviated by honey.
The right way to take antibiotics
As with any medication, it is important to take antibiotics properly as per the instruction leaflet and your doctor’s recommendations. Be aware that they won’t work when you are trying to treat viral infections such as common colds, bronchitis or the flu, and once you start taking a course make sure that you finish it. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the overuse of antibiotics causes side effects and in the long-term reduces their effectiveness – always try natural alternatives first before turning to antibiotics as a last resort.
Sources include:
CBC.ca
Blogs.ScientificAmerican.com
