There is no doubt that antibiotics are truly a wonder of modern medicine. Beginning with the discovery of penicillin in 1928, the rapid resolution of bacterial infections from antibiotics caused many in the medical profession to become completely enamored with the drug-based approach to illness erroneously thinking that the danger to human life from infections was a thing of the past.
Not so fast.
By 1940, antibiotics had come into widespread use causing both doctors and people to gradually forget about natural antibiotics for resolving infections and the age-old remedies like cod liver oil. This change in the medical paradigm has led in recent decades to abuse of drug-based antibiotics and the worrisome rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs such as the “TDR”(totally drug-resistant) strain of tuberculosis and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, particularly in babies and children.
The over-reliance on a drug-based resolution to infections has also triggered an epidemic of children and adults with compromised gut function and autoimmune diseases of all kinds due to an imbalanced intestinal environment and the consequential scourge of leaky gut syndrome.
Beyond the problem of antibiotic resistance, however, are the long term effects of even a single round of antibiotics. The expectation in the health community that you can just fix the damage with probiotics and/or fermented foods and that gut flora magically returns to normal seems to be far from accurate.
Evidence is now emerging from multiple sources that gut flora may actually be permanently altered by drugs or, at the very least, the damage persists for several years.
The Journal Microbiology, for instance, reports that the generally acknowledged precept that the use of antibiotics only causes disruption of the gut flora for a few weeks is highly flawed.
Gut flora does not quickly return to normal after a round of antibiotics.
Even a short course of antibiotics can lead to resistant bacterial populations taking up residence in the gut that persist for up to 4 years – maybe even longer (source)
The bottom line is that drug-based antibiotics really should only be used for life-threatening situations – as a last resort if you will.
For bothersome everyday infections that are not life-threatening, however, nature provides some very powerful and effective alternatives. Here is the list of the best of these natural antibiotics which have succeeded in keeping my own family of five off all drug based antibiotics for colds, flu, skin and sinus infections for over 20 years (and counting!). This list of the best natural antibiotics on the planet is in no particular order although I make note of which one is my personal favorite.
Best Natural Antibiotics
Note that the natural antibiotics listed below frequently possess anti-viral and antifungal properties too unlike pharmaceuticals.
They also should not be confused with remedies that help with the prevention and/or easing of symptoms. The benefits of elderberry syrup for this purpose come to mind here.
Oregano Oil
There are over 40 different oregano species, but the most beneficial one to maximize the therapeutic antibiotic effect you need is the oil produced from wild oregano, called Origanum vulgare. Thymus capitatus, a variety that grows in Spain, is also very powerful.
Quality brands of oregano oil are made from these species. The oil is golden to dark yellow, with a strong spicy odor.
According to Dr. Mercola, the best uses for oregano oil as a natural antibiotic are the following:
- Foot or nail fungus. Put a few teaspoons of oregano oil in a small tub water and soak your feet. The oil can also be diluted (one drop of oil with a teaspoon of olive oil) and then apply directly to nails or skin.
- Parasites and infections: Dilute the oil as described above and place it under your tongue. Hold it there for a few minutes, and then rinse it out. Repeat at least four times a day.
- Sinus infections: Put a few drops of oregano oil in a pot of steaming water or neti pot. Then, slowly inhale the steam.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper also called capsicum is a strong spice used for thousands of years for its healing power and antibiotic effects. It’s not just an anecdotal, folklore remedy, however. Science is validating its use as a natural antibiotic as well.
Cayenne pepper is particularly effective at resolving vulvovaginitis, a common infection in women. One Czech study found capsicum essential oil works as a strong skin antifungal with additional antibiotic effect on this condition. It is important to properly use a carrier oil such as olive oil and thoroughly dilute cayenne pepper essential oil, however, as capsicum is quite burning upon initial contact with the skin.
Cayenne pepper is also very effective to use as a home remedy for strep throat.
Colloidal Silver
The remarkable antibiotic nature of silver has been known for centuries. In the early 1900′s, the founder of Searle Pharmaceuticals, Alfred Searle, wrote in his book The Complete Use of Colloids in Health and Disease:
Applying colloidal silver to human subjects has been done in a large number of cases with astonishingly successful results…it has the advantage of being rapidly fatal to microbes without toxic action on its host. It is quite stable. It protects rabbits from ten times the lethal dose of tetanus or diphtheria toxin.
In the 1970′s, Dr. Robert O. Becker at Syracuse Medical University began to intensively research colloidal silver. He discovered that silver not only kills bacteria, but it actually killed bacteria that were resistant to all known antibiotics with no undesirable side effects.
While colloidal silver is highly antibiotic in nature, I suggest only using it for external uses such as gargling, ear infections like swimmers’ ear and skin.
The reason is that the ingestion of colloidal silver does damage the delicate gut microbiome by killing beneficial bacteria though not as extensively as drug-based antibiotics. If you need the assistance of natural antibiotics to consume internally, choose another one on this list, not colloidal silver.
Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) has been reported to be a highly effective, natural antibiotic in combating a variety of common infectious agents. In one study, drops of concentrated grapefruit-seed extract were tested for antibacterial properties against a number of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. The researchers concluded that GSE was comparable to “proven topical antibacterials. Although the GSE appeared to have a somewhat greater inhibitory effect on gram-positive organisms than on gram-negative organisms, its comparative effectiveness against a wide range of bacterial biotypes is significant.”
Used full strength to combat warts, properly diluted GSE has a variety of uses to combat pathogens in your home environment. The only caveat is that commercial preparations of GSE have a chemical in them called diphenol hydroxybenzene that is of questionable safety and other chemicals like triclosan and cancer-causing parabens that are definitely to be avoided.
Therefore, if you intend to use GSE especially internally, it is best to make it yourself by grinding the grapefruit seeds and the juiceless pulp and then mixing with pharmaceutical-grade glycerin. I recommend this brand.
Garlic
Of all the natural antibiotics, garlic is my personal favorite and my family’s go-to for internal use. The reason is that it kills the pathogens, not just bacteria but also fungus and viruses too without harming beneficial gut flora.
- Garlic packs a punch with phytochemicals and healing sulfur components. These sulfur compounds even chelate toxic heavy metals (like lead & cadmium), binding with them for excretion out of the body.
- It has antibacterial, antifungal, and even anti-viral qualities.
- It promotes the growth of healthy intestinal microflora by acting as a prebiotic (food for probiotics).
- Garlic helps keep fats from oxidizing.
- Garlic acts as a strong antioxidant and guards against DNA damage.
- It protects against radiation & sunlight damage.
- Garlic fights worms and parasites.
- It benefits digestion, which is good for the whole body.
- It contains many nutrients such as vitamins (C, B1, B2, B3), minerals (calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, and phytochemicals (Allicin, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, diallyl-disulfide, ferulic acid, geraniol, kaempferol, Linalool, oleanolic acid, p-coumaric acid, phloroglucinol, phytic acid, quercetin, rutin, s-allyl-cysteine, saponin, sinapic acid, & stigmasterol).
The allicin in garlic is so powerful that it is one of the best natural antibiotics effective against MRSA.
This article on MRSA natural remedies describes how to use it appropriately for this purpose.
Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD suggests consuming a whole head of garlic a day when using for natural antibiotic purposes. She also outlines how to make garlic-infused olive oil as a remedy for ear and other external infections.
- 1 crushed clove of garlic
- 1 – 2 tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
Place the crushed garlic in the oil and let sit for 30 minutes, then strain. The oil can be warmed slightly by placing it in a cup and setting the cup in warm water (don’t overheat or this will destroy beneficial properties). Use a few drops of this oil hourly in the ears to treat an ear infection. It is a better choice than ear wax candles, although that approach could provide some temporary relief.
Garlic oil is a safe remedy for children and can also be used daily (just a couple of drops) to soften ear wax buildup.
If you are concerned about the heat and odor potential on breath and sweat from consuming raw garlic cloves, you can use this pickled garlic recipe to substitute fermented garlic cloves instead. Do not use commercial pickled garlic as it has no therapeutic value.
Ginger
Have you ever wondered why pickled, raw ginger is nearly always served with sushi? This is likely because of historical folklore concerning ginger’s natural antibiotic effects which help prevent food poisoning.
Studies have shown that fresh ginger really does have an antibiotic effect against foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, listeria, and Campylobacter. Fresh ginger also increases stomach acid production and helps calm indigestion when a meal just doesn’t agree with you.
So, if you are going to eat something that has the potential for foodborne illness such as sushi or raw oysters, always best to eat some fresh ginger (raw and pickled is most potent) too in order to make use of its natural antibiotic properties.
The Master Tonic, a powerful anti-viral and herbal antibiotic, includes plenty of fresh ginger as well as fresh cayenne pepper and garlic. This tonic is a highly effective concoction to make and take with you when traveling overseas in order to have a handy formula available that packs the punch of several natural antibiotics synergistically combined and fermented for maximum potency.
Properly made ginger tea is helpful for digestive ailments such as the inability to absorb food properly and an overabundance of pathogens in the gut. Malabsorption of food can cause nutritional deficiencies that lead to disease over time. “Everything good is found in ginger” declares an ancient Indian proverb.
Olive Leaf Extract
Most people are aware of the health benefits of pure, 100% extra virgin olive oil. However, many in the health community are still in the dark about the antibiotic effects of olive leaf extract coming from the very same trees!
According to Dr. Ronald Hoffman MD, founder and Medical Director of the Hoffman Center in New York City, olive leaf extract as a healing modality was first realized in the 1800s for malaria. Olive leaf extract may be best known for its ability to reduce fever even due to severe illness.
Early in the last century, oleuropein was isolated from olive leaf extract as this phytochemical was thought to give the olive tree its resistance to disease. Researchers from the Netherlands then learned that elenolic acid, a component of oleuropein, acted as a broad-spectrum natural antibiotic, which safely and strongly inhibits the growth of not only bacteria but also viruses and fungi.
Dr. Hoffman MD’s suggestion for use of olive leaf extract for long-standing infections or candida is two 500 mg capsules (20% oleuropein) three to four times per day, preferably with meals.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice widely used in traditional Indian cooking that has been used holistically for centuries.
Dr. Kelly Brogan MD uses turmeric holistically in her psychiatry practice. She writes,
This wonder-spice is a mainstay of my anti-inflammatory work with patients in my practice where I use liposomal preparations of curcumin, the natural phenols responsible for turmeric’s yellow color, when I suspect their symptoms stem from a challenged immune system.
In research, the curcumin in turmeric was shown to be effective against Helicobacter pylori common in gastroduodenal ulcers regardless of the genetic makeup of the strain. The administration of curcumin also resolved any gastric damage caused by the infection. Turmeric is also highly effective in providing allergy relief from the symptoms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever.
If you wish to use turmeric as a natural antibiotic, Dr. Weil suggests to look for extracts in dosages of 400 to 600 mg, and take three times daily or as directed.
Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb widely used to fight infections and has been the subject of wide scientific research. Even WebMD is positive about it concluding that:
Echinacea is widely used to fight infections, especially the common cold and other upper respiratory infections. Echinacea is also used against many other infections including the flu, urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, genital herpes, bloodstream infections (septicemia), gum disease, tonsillitis, streptococcus infections, syphilis, typhoid, malaria, and diphtheria.
German scientists have studied echinacea using double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, the gold standard for scientific research on drugs. One of these showed that echinacea users experienced less frequent and less severe virus infections by one-third to one-half with no toxic effects compared to the group that took a placebo.
According to Dr. Sears, MD, echinacea studies on adults suggest 300 mg three times a day for a total of 900 mg a day as a recommended regimen. For children, half the adult dose for ages 6-13, and one-quarter the adult dose for those under age six.
Manuka Honey
What would this list of natural antibiotics be without raw honey which has been used as an infection fighter since ancient times? Of all the honey on the planet, manuka honey from New Zealand that is UMF certified is the best when it comes to resolving infections. Just be sure it has never been heated (source)!
I began using manuka honey regularly after my first child was born to resolve a breastfeeding-related infection. It worked so well I was able to avoid using antibiotics. I have also used it to very quickly heal strep throat without antibiotics for my tween daughter.
According to Dr. Mercola, clinical trials have found that Manuka honey is effective against more than 250 strains of bacteria, including:
- MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
- MSSA (methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus)
- VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci)
- Helicobacter Pylori (which can cause stomach ulcers)
In 2007, the FDA even approved Manuka honey-based wound dressings.
The great thing about Manuka honey is that it is food. I’ve personally found it most effective for skin-based infections (just slather on as needed), but the research indicates an internal infection-fighting benefit as well even reducing the cavity-causing bacteria responsible for dental plaque.
Pau d’Arco
The overuse of drug-based antibiotics frequently leads to an overgrowth in the gut of a large family of yeasts or fungus known as Candida.
Pau d’arco is an herb that is highly anti-Candida and significantly reduces the resultant sugar cravings that come with it. Repressing Candida and ingesting plenty of probiotics in the form of fermented foods and/or supplements will over time allow beneficial gut microbes to regain control of the gut environment.
While Pau d’arco has been used as a medicine for centuries as one of the best antifungals to counteract yeast overgrowth, science is also validating these anecdotal observations. The Brazilian Journal of Biology found in 2010 found that Tabebuia avellanedae, one tree species that is the source of the Pau d’arco herb, does indeed exert an inhibitory effect on yeasts.
The form Pau d’arco is most often used is as an herbal tea, which I must admit, is an acquired taste! Even after drinking it as needed for the past 2 decades, I still don’t like it much! The good news is that the taste isn’t so terrible that you can’t drink a cup or two for a few days to a week or more. This will help you get back into the routine of healthy eating with sweets kept in moderation if Candida has gotten out of control during off the wagon eating while on vacation or due to a round of antibiotics.
Which of the natural antibiotics on this list are your favorites? What do you use them for and when? Please note that if you absolutely have to use pharmaceuticals due to a very serious infection, repairing the gut after antibiotics is a very important process that should be undertaken immediately.
Sources and More Information
The Impact of Short Course Antibiotics on the Gut Microbiome
Dr. Ronald Hoffman and Olive Leaf Extract
Antifungal Effect in Natural Compounds in the Treatment of Vulvovaginitis
Long Term Impacts of Antibiotic Exposure on Human Intestinal Microbiota
Bactericidal properties of plant essential oils
The Best Vegetables for Boosting Immunity
Why Antibiotics Today Could Threaten Your Life Tomorrow
Elderberry Syrup Benefits
Sarah, the natural antibiotics don´t kill good bacteria? If they kill the bada one´s how do they know between a bada and a good? thank you
Here’s an example … you can easily ferment raw garlic cloves which is indicative of how the powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties of garlic exist harmoniously with the probiotics necessary for fermentation. If you put a drop of colloidal silver in raw milk, though, it destroys all the probiotics which is why I don’t advocate using this particular natural antibiotic internally.
Abby, I don’t have any answers to your questions but am hoping you will post an update as to how well your regime worked?
Great article but no mention of Cats Claw! Way more effective than Echinacea. Also Oregon Grape Root. I use these along with Olive Leaf whenever I get sick and it cures me quick.
I feel “late to the party” even though I’ve been studying herbalism and natural remedies for seven years! I grow my own herbs and have an extensive apothecary including my own tinctures, teas and essential oils. In the past I have tried to fend off sinus and ear infections myself, but end up on anti-biotics.
Now I am alarmed at my promiscuous use of prescriptions and am making a concerted effort, first, to build up my immune system, and second, to scatter-shot my natural remedies. Right now I am on day two battling a sinus/ ear infection with a rigorous protocol including Master Tonic tea, elderberry syrup, cotton in my ears with heated oils (olive, oregano, garlic, thieves), inhaling steam with eucalyptus and thieves oils, a neti pot salt rinse a.m. & p.m. and lymphatic massage. A hot sock and ibuprophen help with the horrible headaches. I have undertaken this regimen because I have never yet been able to resolve my sinus/ ear infections on my own. I am thinking the reason may be that I have a compromised immune system (I am working on diet & supplements to rebuild) and in the past have not repeated small doses of remedies often enough throughout the day to fight off the infection.
I know that with a prescription I could expect relief within 24 hours but natural remedy relief will take longer. I am trying to be patient and watching carefully for fever and signs of increasing pain, congestion, or green mucus.
This is a long comment to illuminate my questions:
What can one expect regarding recuperation from illness, natural v.s. prescription? How long should one attempt to resolve an infection before seeing a doctor? What observations can be made regarding repetition of applications and the protocol I have described?
My husband thinks I’m crazy – just go to the doctor already! But at 66 years old, I could have a lot of time left here on this earth and I’m determined to make it as good as I can!
Thank you for your comments.
To the recurrent UTI person: I definitely second the person suggesting a hormone imbalance may be to blame. For me, addressing vitamin/nutrient issues with diet worked to balance things out without artificial hormones.
I usually take a spinach/raw beet juice/cold pressed cranberry juice smoothie or fortified orange/beet/cran juice mix to correct for my vitamin K, vitamin D and iron deficiencies, which seems to help with everything female hormone related for me. Even after things have started going south, the mixes usually provide some relief and seem to reverse the process.
Anyway, take with a grain of salt as it is anecdotal, but just thought I’d share what worked for me!
To Jan about recurring “UTI” infections. This happened to me around age 40. I took multiple doses of antibiotics–only to discover on my own that these “infections ” were not infections-they usually paralleled my menstral cycle–and were due to low estrogen and hormone imbalance. Once I got on bio-identical hormone replacement they stopped immediately. I then had my Dr’s office check back at all the lab test results that had come back. They said the results had showed no infection–YET NO ONE HAD BOTHERED TO READ THE RESULTS AND HELP ME SOLVE MY PUZZLE. My husband had been the first to notice that the UTI’S paralleled my monthly cycle. Hope this helps. Find an integrative medical practice or ask a compounding pharmacy to recommend one to you, if this sounds familiar!! Blessings on you!!
Hi Sarah, I’ve used Garlic and Olive Oil for ear treatment for years, also use it in my cooking haven’t eat the cloves whole. I would like to know what your feelings are about Black Garlic? Would you please tell us all what you think, It would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Matilda
for recurrent uti (urine infections) and candida , pls visit pantrypharmacy dot com or joib livestrong on facebook. Olive leaf extract, oil of oregano, activated charcoal etc are best solution.
I have had a cough for ten days now and shows no sign of going
You may have already answered this, but I am new to the forum here. What do you recommend for resistant uti’s? In the last 18 months I have been on an antibiotic over 8 times. Would the tonic help as a preventative? Two of the most recent strains are proteus and citrobacter. I am not feeling like myself anymore. I run a few times a week and try to watch what I eat, but I have felt a shift lately. My nails are splitting up the middle at times as well. The bacteria sound so creepy, making me me feel as if I am doing something wrong!! Thanks for any help!