Ginger has been shown to have an antibacterial effect on respiratory and periodontal infections.”
The Herbal Drugstore lists the following as treatable with ginger: angina, arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis, cervical dysplasia, colds and flu, ear infections, flatulence, headache, heart disease, hives, indigestion, intermittent claudication, intestinal parasites, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea, Raynaud’s phenomenon, sinus infections, sports injuries, and stroke.
In addition, ginger has antiviral benefits, which means it is able to treat “viral infections including colds, influenza, hepatitis, herpes, yellow fever, measles, chicken pox, and enterovirus” (Herbal Antivirals, p 172).
Natural Antibiotic Alternative #12—
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Need to treat a nasty wart? Grapefruit seed
extract (GSE) is your natural remedy.
The Herbal Drugstore lists acne, canker sores,
cuts and scrapes, diarrhea, ear infections, and
fungal skin infections as treatable by
grapefruit seed extract.
Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful
antibiotic: “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.’” (The Healthy Home Economist)
Grapefruit seed extract can also help combat fatigue.
Natural Antibiotic Alternative #13—Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has been shown effective in treating tonsillitis and other bacterial infections. Dr. Axe calls it “the ultimate natural antibiotic.”
In essential oil form, oregano oil is particularly effective: “Essential oil components are fundamentally different [from antibiotics]. Their nonselective activity makes it practically impossible for microorganisms to develop resistance. Microorganisms may be able to resist the attack on one of their targets, but this leaves all the other targets of the essential oil still vulnerable” (The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils, 47).
Oregano oil contains carvacrol and thymol, which both “have powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties” (Dr. Axe).