Natural Antibiotic Alternative #6—Coconut Oil
I use coconut oil as lotion. It heals dry and broken
skin and gets rid of harmful bacteria in the process.
Coconut oil (and coconut milk) is a common ingredient
in homemade toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, and other
beauty-related products.
Coconut Oil.com says: “The antiviral, antibacterial,
and antifungal properties of the medium chain fatty
acids/triglyucerides (MTCs) found in coconut oil have
been known to researchers since the 1960s.
Research has shown that microorganisms that are
activated include bacteria, yeast, fungi, and enveloped viruses.”
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which can form into monolaurin in your body. Monolaurin helps attack some of the nastiest forms of bacteria.
Oil-pulling is becoming a common practice, and for good reason. Chew up a tablespoon of coconut oil and swish in your mouth like mouthwash for a while to remove bacteria, clean and whiten your teeth, prevent gum disease, and repair cavities.
Natural Antibiotic Alternative #7—Tea Tree Oil
Natural antibiotic alternative tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a well-known acne treatment.
“Tea tree oil possesses significant antiseptic properties and is regarded by many as an ideal skin disinfectant” (The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, p 250).
But did you know it’s also good for healing skin infections, relieving itchiness from rashes, soothing sun burns, treating warts, healing insect bites, treating psoriasis, and much more.
Plus, Tea Tree oil is also good for clearing vaginal infections (vaginitis) and can help treat chronic candidiasis (see The Herbal Drugstore).
Be careful, though, using tea tree oil around house cats. Cats’ livers cannot process tea tree oil and if it comes into contact with their skin, it can have dangerous—even fatal—side effects.