Antibiotic use, or perhaps I should say overuse, causes catastrophic damage to the health of an individual. What one may think of as a “quick fix” may cause a short-term remission of infection. However, the eventual long-term damage is far more distressing, often overlooked, and points to the original problem – compromised gut health.

 Prescription strength antibiotics will indeed wipe out the bad bacteria (infection), that one is facing, but they are nondiscriminatory and wipe out good bacteria as well. This leaves one more open to allergic reactions, auto-immune distress and all sorts of maladies that would have naturally been prevented if the microbiome, of the individual, had not been tampered with.

The bacteria, in our gut, is our first defense against sickness and disease. When we don’t take care of the bacteria, we lose that protective barrier.

One way to protect gut bacteria is to avoid taking prescription strength antibiotics. If you do find yourself with an infection, internal or external, before turning to prescription strength medication, consider trying one of the natural substances that Creator God has blessed us with.

There are many options, readily available to us, found within nature. These God given antibiotics won’t wipe out good bacteria and will give your immune system a boost in the process.

 BLACK SEED OIL

Touted as the “cure for everything except death”, black seed oil (Nigella sativa) is a powerful ally against many physical maladies, including internal and external infections. It also works to speed up healing.

In fact, research shows that black seed oil can even be used against “super bugs” – infections that are antibiotic resistant.

As with any oil, used therapeutically or to cook with, black seed oil must be purchased in an organic, raw and “cold pressed” state. When an oil is created using a pressing method that utilizes heat, it creates free radicals and can cause more harm than good, when consumed.

*Caution: Due to its tendency to burn the throat, you may want to add the black seed oil to some juice, and then swallow. I would recommend against taking on an empty stomach.

COLLOIDAL SILVER

Used as far back as ancient Greco Roman times, solid silver has long been known as a very effective healing substance. In modern times, silver has been used in colloidal form which simply means that it has been broken down into very small particles and is now suspended in a different matter, or liquid.

Once in the presence of colloidal silver, single-cell bacteria (such as fungus, some infections and viruses) are destroyed. The silver literally chokes out the enzymes that feed single-cell bacteria, thus starving out the bacteria and killing them.

Another major benefit of using silver, as a natural antibiotic, is that it leaves good bacteria alone – unlike prescription antibiotic drugs. This is good news for the times we’re living in, where over[1]usage of prescription strength antibiotics has created infections that no longer respond to modern drugs.

Colloidal silver is a secret weapon that more people are waking up to. It can be used to help benefit many illnesses and is seen as being safe enough for internal, as well as external use. Some people use it for its immune system boosting effects during what is known as cold and flu season.

Colloidal silver gets a bad rap among some health professionals. As always, research the benefits, as well as risks, in order to make your own informed decision.

 GARLIC

Fresh, raw, garlic in its natural form should be crushed and then left alone to sit for 10 minutes in order to allow the potency to surface. Just remember that cooking the actual garlic or heating it up to any degree, will destroy the active ingredient in garlic – allicin – which will, in turn, take away the healing properties.

For internal infection, garlic can be chewed and swallowed directly or chopped and then added to liquids, honey, or food, and then consumed. A therapeutic dose should contain at least 4 garlic cloves at a time. For serious infection, consider consuming a therapeutic dose, twice a day.

Garlic can be used for external infections as well. Once again, fresh, raw garlic should be crushed and then set aside for 10 minutes to allow the allicin to come to its maximum potency. Then the garlic can be directly added to honey, or coconut oil, and then applied to the affected area of skin. This would also work with combating fungal infections. Use this method of application twice a day until the skin clears up.

As a side note, garlic also helps stimulate cancer fighting cells. It’s truly a powerhouse of health benefits!

*Caution: To avoid an upset stomach, do not take garlic on an empty stomach. Since garlic is so strong, it’s possible that it may kill some of the healthy bacteria in the gut. Supplementing with probiotics will help insure this will not be a problem.

OREGANO OIL

This well-known remedy has been around for centuries and is just as effective, against coughs, colds, and infections as it is old. Its active ingredient, carvacrol, is what causes oregano oil to be so powerful against harmful bacteria, making it another one of nature’s antibiotics.

For internal use, add oregano oil to a carrier oil such as coconut oil or grape seed oil, before ingestion. This cuts back on potential stomach upset as well as dilutes the strong flavor that is characteristic of this oil.

Oregano oil can also be used externally for psoriasis and fungal infection. In order to stave off burning, or irritation, oregano oil ought to be diluted with a carrier oil before placing on the affected areas. Avoid placing oil on open scrapes and wounds.

Oregano oil can also be deeply inhaled, or used in a steam inhalation, to help break up congestion, mucus, and bring overall relief from sinus infections, colds, and flu.

 *Strong Warning: Pregnant women, and women who are trying to conceive, are advised against using oregano oil due to its emmenagogue properties, meaning that it may induce menstruation which can harm the fetus. The therapeutic use of oregano oil is not recommended for infants, children or nursing women. Those with a heart condition, or high blood pressure, should avoid oregano oil use or, at least, consult their physician or natural healthcare practitioner before use.

RAW HONEY

Perhaps the most delicious antibiotic that nature yields is raw honey. In order to receive its therapeutic properties, honey must be labeled “organic”, “raw” or “unpasteurized”, and preferably, “local”.

The location where the honey has been gathered determines the specific ingredients found within the honey. It can even be said that relief for seasonal allergies can be found when one consumes the raw honey that has been gathered from bees that live, locally, to the allergy sufferer.

Raw honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase. This enzyme produces a natural form of hydrogen peroxide – a substance that has antibacterial properties. This makes raw honey an excellent option in terms of cleansing skin wounds and preventing infection.

One of the benefits of using raw honey, on external skin infections and wounds, is that it won’t sting or irritate the skin.

Raw honey can be consumed to help soothe a sore throat, boost energy, aid in digestive issues and improve immune health. Raw honey also has anti-inflammatory properties and, when combined with cinnamon, may provide relief to those who suffer from painful joints.

 *Strong Warning: Raw honey should never be given to infants due to the possibility that it could induce botulism. People who are insulin resistant ought to avoid, or take caution, when consuming honey.

Our bodies respond best to things that they recognize – plants, herbs, minerals. This connects us more deeply to Creator. This type of co-creating brings about the health and healing that we need. Besides that, it is incredibly empowering to walk away from pharmaceuticals and the systems of the world!

Shalom to you,

References:

1) Salman, Mohd Tariq & Khan, Rahat & Shukla, Indu. (2008). Antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa Linn. seed oil against multi-drug resistant bacteria from clinical isolates. Nat. Prod. Radiance. 7.

2) Nicastro, H., Ross, S., and J. Milner. Garlic and onions: Their cancer prevention properties. Cancer Prevention Research. 2015. 8(3):181-189