The world of nature offers an endless source of remedies. Even before the discovery of antibiotics, the traditional medicine of many cultures was familiar with natural substances that were successfully used against various infections due to their antibiotic effect.
The pharmaceutical industry nowadays is increasingly using powerful natural substances in addition to chemical active ingredients. However, many holistic doctors and health-conscious individuals prefer to go straight to the source, use natural remedies in their original form and integrate them into their everyday lives as naturally as possible.
We have selected three wonders of nature that are among the most effective known natural remedies with an antibiotic effect. In today's blog post, we will introduce you to their amazing superpowers. Enjoy the read!
Garlic
Garlic (allium sativum) is one of the true all-rounders of the natural pharmacy. It lowers blood pressure, promotes healthy intestinal flora and helps to regulate blood lipid levels - and these are just some of its many powers. Garlic is now even used as an alternative to treat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
It's definitely worth experimenting with the aromatic bulb in the kitchen and incorporating its Mediterranean flavour into your diet. We are big garlic fans and even grow it in our garden.
But keep in mind: The healing properties of the plant are mainly due to the active ingredient allicin, which is only produced when the garlic clove is damaged, by the breakdown of an amino acid it contains. It is therefore a good idea to always chop or crush the garlic cloves first in order to fully enjoy their health benefits.
Ginger
The next superstar on our list is ginger (zingiber officinale). It was already used in traditional Chinese medicine. 2000 years ago, ginger was considered a particularly valuable commodity and was imported from India to the Roman Empire, where the exotic plant was also used for medicinal purposes.
The classic use of ginger in naturopathy is for nausea complaints. The natural remedy is also traditionally used as an analgesic. In addition, several studies have shown that ginger extracts can fight certain bacterial infections.
It is assumed that the healing properties of ginger are to be attributed mainly to the ingredients gingerol and schogaol – essential oils to which the plant owes its spicy taste. You can benefit from this pleasant flavour and the healthy effect of ginger by using it as a curry ingredient, adding it freshly grated to salad dressings or enjoying it infused with hot water as a fresh ginger tea. Tastes best with a dash of lemon!
Propolis
And now, let us introduce our absolute favourite in the list of substances known as natural antibiotics: Bee Propolis. It is a secret bee superpower, a precious bee resin that is produced by the workers in the beehive and is essential for the entire life and health of the bee colony. Humans have also benefited from this valuable bee product for thousands of years.
Propolis is rich in flavonoids and has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and wound-healing properties. Healers apply it both internally and externally (more on this here), and it is also recommended for strengthening the immune system in general. Recent studies show further promising aspects of the healing effect of propolis, e.g. in the case of oral herpes.
Alcohol tinctures contain a particularly high amount of active ingredients from the bee resin. But remember to pay attention not only to the organic quality, but also to the actual propolis concentration in the respective product: In addition to highly concentrated tinctures with 30% propolis content, there are many products on the market that contain only 5% or 10% propolis, and also such that do not actually indicate the exact content.
As dedicated fans of propolis, our aim is to offer a pure, concentrated and particularly high-quality organic product - take a look in our shop!
Be cautious: Natural remedies can interact with certain medication. Potential allergies must also be taken into account. If you have health concerns, it is always best to consult your doctor or naturopathic physician.
