Natural Antibiotics
Healing properties of certain plants and molds were known and used already by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks although the modern knowledge and use of antibiotics dates from the 20th century. However, progress of science also proved antimicrobial properties of some plants which can be used as a natural alternative to synthetic antibiotics for treatment of milder infections. Prescribed antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but they often result unwanted side effects, while experts do not recommend use of antibiotics unless it is not really necessary because excessive use of antibiotics may lead to antibiotic resistance of bacteria.
In milder bacterial infections can be used some herbs and plants as natural antibiotics which are sometimes even more effective than the prescribed antibiotics. Besides that use of natural antibiotics also reduces the risk of potential side effects although it is very important to follow the directions for use. Excessive and/or improper use of any kind of herbs including those with antibiotic properties may also result severe reactions and side effects, while especially careful with herbs and herbal remedies must be pregnant and nursing women, children, people suffering from epilepsy and high blood pressure as well as all who went under surgery recently.
One of best known natural antibiotics is garlic that has been used in culinary and medicine already for thousands of years, while scientific researches shown that it has antimicrobial properties and that it is effective against many bacteria and even against fungi such as Candida albicans and viruses such as herpes simplex virus type I. Natural antibiotics are also oregano, thyme, sage and parsley which can be added to food fresh or used in tincture. Very popular natural alternatives to antibiotics are also echinacea, eucalyptus, olive leaf extract and berberis vulgaris, while goldenseal which has turned out more effective for treatment of cholera than the powerful antibiotic Chloromycetin is very rare and is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Raw unrefined honey can be also used as topical natural antibiotic and is very effective in treatment of wounds, cuts, burns and abrasions.