It’s true, medical antibiotics perform very well when it comes to combating infections on the spot. But conventional antibiotics can become problematic if they are overused. If my patients are looking for ways to boost their immune systems or battle low-risk bacterial infections, I like to recommend natural antibiotics before bringing out the big guns. 

The following natural solutions are extremely beneficial to your overall health and are gentle on your digestion. 

5 Natural Antibiotics To Boost Immunity

#1. Garlic for Immune System

Garlic has been around for thousands of years and its beneficial nature has been revered for just as long. Garlic contains antibiotic, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties that help to fight off any foreign or threatening bacteria in your system. Garlic also destroys free radicals, boosting your immune system as a result.

The powerful component that gives garlic its potent bacteria-fighting kick is known as allicin. In order to activate allicin, garlic needs to be crushed (not doing so can leave allicin dormant and less effective in your body) and then can be enjoyed however you’d like. Studies have focused on the potency of allicin and discovered it to be particularly effective against MRSA (1). 

#2. Colloidal Silver for Immune System

Colloidal silver has been used as an effective antibiotic for centuries. It was more recently discovered by Alfred Searle (founder of Searle pharmaceuticals) that it can kill off the most deadly pathogens.

Studies are still in the works, but this substance only continues to prove its powerful combative properties, particularly against antibiotic-resistant microbes like MRSA, the bird flu, and SARS. It’s also been shown that colloidal silver has the potential to attack foreign bacteria in a way that can decrease the likelihood of antibiotic resistance (2).  

#3. Oregano Oil for the Immune System

Oregano oil has a particularly notable ability to destroy harmful bacteria while leaving beneficial bacteria completely intact. It also has powerful antiviral and antifungal properties and becomes a reinforcement in your body that gives the bacteria no reason to become antibiotic-resistant.

A component known as carvacrol is mainly responsible for oregano’s effective kick. Studies have shown that this factor of oregano can prove to be just as effective – if not more so – than traditional antibiotics. When looking for good quality oregano oil, be sure it contains at least 70% carvacrol for the best benefits (3). 

Note: Oregano oil is extremely potent and I do not recommend taking it internally. Safe ways to use it include diffusing it in the home, diluting it with a carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, etc.) and rubbing it externally on affected areas, or diluting it and using it in an oil-pulling routine (and spit out).

#4. Echinacea for Immune System

Echinacea has been used as a remedy for infections and infection prevention for hundreds of years and for good reason. It has proven to be effective in aiding wound recovery, blood poisoning, and other serious conditions where the infection is a high risk.

These days, echinacea is mainly used for colds and the flu and is praised for its ability to combat some of the most dangerous bacteria out there that have been known to cause MRSA. There are studies that have shown how taking echinacea right when symptoms of sickness appear can help combat the sickness more rapidly (4). 

#5. Manuka Honey for Immune System

When it comes to taste, manuka honey is definitely the most attractive natural antibiotic source. It has been known to kill off a number of deadly pathogens such as MRSA and other dangerous bacteria.

Manuka honey also doesn’t give bacteria any reason to develop antibiotic resistance, which makes this an even greater natural antibiotic choice. Studies have been proving its potent remedying ability for years (5). 

Partha’s Prescriptions

Here are some of my favorite recipes for incorporating these natural antibiotics into your diet:

1. Black Garlic Tomato Sauce
2. Honey Salmon Bites
3. Spicy Honey Garlic Cauliflower Bites
4. Dr. Nandi’s Roasted Garlic Squash

What has your experience been with antibiotics? Have you tried any of these natural sources? What other natural sources do you know of? Share with us in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.

References 

1. http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/archive/mdd/v05/i04/html/04news4.html
2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/silver-makes-antibiotics-thousands-of-times-more-effective/
3. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065609.htm
4. https://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/echinacea
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/