When we’re facing a bacterial infection few people give herbs a second thought. But, considering their effectiveness at treating a wide range of infections we might want to reach for herbs more often. Here are 4 of my preferred antibacterial herbs.

Garlic

Garlic is well-known for its wide-reaching antibacterial effects. In one study researchers assessed the value of a garlic broth and its ability to fight off E. coli infection. They found that the higher the dose of garlic the more effective it was at killing E. coli bacteria.

German Chamomile

A German governmental organization (Commission E) approved German chamomile

as a skin treatment to reduce swelling and fight bacteria, as well as a tea or supplement to alleviate stomach cramps. Researchers assessed the antimicrobial activity of an extract of German chamomile against the fungus Candida albicans and the bacteria Enterococcus faecalis. Candida albicans is a common fungal condition (sometimes, albeit less accurately referred to as a “yeast” infection) and E. faecalis is an antibiotic-resistant and often life-threatening infection that sometimes inhabits root-canal-treated teeth. The Indian Journal of Dentistry published an assessment of a high potency extract of chamomile against these microbes and found that it helped kill both. This study could help explain German chamomile’s reputation for healing dental abscesses and gum inflammation.

Ginger

More and more exciting research showcases ginger’s potency against bacteria and

viruses alike, sometimes even when antibiotic drugs fail. In one study published in the medical journal Nutrition, researchers found that ginger showed a strong ability to inhibit bacteria. That’s important news as we collectively cope with resistant superbugs.

Oregano

Oregano is a powerfully antiseptic plant thanks largely to its constituents known as

carvacrol and rosmarinic acid. Unlike antibiotic drugs that work only on harmful bacteria, these compounds in oregano work against bacteria, viruses, fungi and even parasites like worms, making it a well-rounded antiseptic to keep in your natural medicine cabinet.

Research in the journal Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease showcased oregano’s effectiveness against Klebsiella oxytoca and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These bacteria can colonize in your skin, wounds, throat, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and particularly in your lungs, making oregano a potentially good option in a wide range of infectious conditions. Research published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology showcased the effectiveness of oregano against antibiotic-resistant strep infections, which are most known for causing strep throat.

These herbs can be used in making a tea or broth, that we can take in a tincture (alcohol extract), or in capsule form. A typical dose of tea is one heaping teaspoon per cup of boiled water; you drink it 3 times daily. Tinctures are frequently taken in doses of 30 drops 3 times daily. Follow package directions for capsules since they vary greatly. Always check with a qualified herbalist or physician if you’re taking any medications or suffer from any health condition before taking herbal medicines or discontinuing any medications.

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I really hope you find this information as good as I do. There are so many

natural things that work as well, or better, than what the big pharmaceutical companies want to sell us, without the horrible side effects of prescription drugs. Of course, they don’t make money off these natural remedies so they really don’t want us to know about them, & it seems to me that there are doctors out there who are “brain washed” by the big pharmaceuticals…

Now, I’m not a doctor, & I’m not telling you to get rid of your prescriptions, but I do know that many of these natural remedies work.   Trying them can’t hurt, but you can always consult with a naturopathy prior to taking them…  I am 70 & I take no prescriptions on a regular basis. I use nature whenever possible.  So far, it’s been good to me! They don’t call it “Mother Nature” for nothing!