TOP 10 FOODS IN OUR KITCHEN THAT WORK AS CONVENTIONAL ANTIBIOTICS

Top 10 Foods in Our Kitchen That Work As Conventional Antibiotics
By Reeta Jacob, Toptenz, 26 January 2014.

Living in a highly polluted environment exposes us to some serious health threats. This is mainly due to the multitude of microbes and bacterial agents existing in the environment. To counter these health challenges, most physicians prescribe synthetic antibiotics that cause innumerable side effects. As per a study made by the American College of Physicians, excessive doses of antibiotics prescribed each day are redundant. These antibiotics, apart from destroying friendly bacteria in the body, develop antibiotic-resistant microbes, a crucial condition needing immediate attention. Therefore, researchers all over the globe suggest some of Mother Nature’s abundant natural produce, endowed with the natural goodness of anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. These prove far more effective than the conventional antibiotics, with an added bonus of being easily available, less expensive and most of all with absolutely no alarming side effects. Let us explore a list of ten foods right from our kitchen shelves that work as well as synthetic antibiotics.

10. Sulphur and Garlic

Garlic has been for ages occupying a prime place as a curative agent. According to ancient folklore, garlic was immensely effective to treat respiratory disorders, cold, cough, and flu. This was chiefly due to their potent therapeutic benefits. In history too, garlic earns a well-deserved note. During the First World War, a poultice consisting of garlic helped prevent infections from wounds. At the time of the Second World War, garlic helped heal conditions like thymus and sepsis. In recent years too, scientists have proved garlic’s effectiveness against stroke, hypertension, specific forms of cancer, cardiac problems and skin infections. This is because the allicin (Sulphur) compounds in garlic, suggestive of anti-microbial substances, in all practical purposes, enact the role of a natural antibiotic. Besides this, they also improve body’s immunity, promoting optimal health. Apart from offering all these benefits, they help neutralize free radicals, preventing the occurrences of serious ailments.

9. Flavonoids and Onions

Onions, belonging to the same family as garlic, embraces a wealth of medicinal properties, owing to loads of sulphur and flavonoids existing in them. A diuretic with anti-inflammatory properties, onions consist of powerful antioxidant compounds. These antioxidant substances enhance circulatory health, safeguard the body from diabetes, protect from high blood cholesterol, cardiac-related disorders and promote a healthy digestive tract. Their compelling extract helps in the treatment of common cold and cough. Considering their anti-bacterial nature, they make good disinfectants curing insect and animal bites.

8. Gingerol and Ginger

For over two thousand years, ginger has been one of the main ingredients used in the alternative practice of medicine. This is because the exceptional constituents of ginger, namely shogaol, zingerone and gingerols, perform their roles of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agents to perfection. These have the innate ability to eliminate mucus, thus preventing problems related to the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract infections such as flu, cough, and cold. Regular consumption of ginger facilitates reduced fatigue, promotes circulation, stabilizes blood sugar levels, enhances cardiac health, supports immune system, combats cancer and acts as an excellent painkiller.

7. Curcumin and Turmeric

The golden-yellow spice makes an outstanding curative agent, due to curcumin’s (diferuloylmethane) presence. Turmeric, being an effective antibiotic and antiseptic possessing higher levels of anti-inflammatory substances, protects the body from invasion of specific types of bacteria. Turmeric is excellent to treat various skin disorders ranging from mild abrasions, cuts, wounds to other serious conditions like leprosy, psoriasis, eczema and scabies. Internally too, the spice is beneficial for the liver, heart and digestive tract. Due to the anticarcogenic elements, turmeric prevents development of tumours. According to scientific research, attempts made at curing MRSA infections with antibiotics have failed miserably, whereas turmeric with strong blood purifying substances alleviate resistant MRSA infections.

6. Goodness of Vitamin C

Large doses of vitamin C have a natural ability to heal antibiotic-resistant infirmities. According to research, each year 1000,000 Americans die of antibiotic-resistant microbes. This leads to higher incidences of diseases. Fruits and veggies endowed with the natural goodness of vitamin C are part of natural antibiotics. A water-soluble mineral, vitamin C plays a variety of crucial roles in the body. They attack and destroy the harmful microorganisms from the body including HIV, enabling body growth and development. Furthermore, they fortify the immune system, enabling successful production of white blood cells, and repairing skin damages. They also make a great remedy for other ailments like snake bite, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio.

5. Defensin-1 in Honey

Long before the use of manufactured synthetic antibiotics, honey was one of the major ingredients used as an effective natural antibiotic, to treat various skin abrasions and medical conditions. This was primarily due to the natural antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial enzymes, which by emitting hydrogen peroxide, prevent multiplication of certain bacterial growth. According to recent research, bees gather a protein factor known as defensin-1 to the honey.

Scientists however are considering the possibilities of using this substance in drug manufacturing to fight against antibiotic-resistant microbes. Further studies show that the protein gathering of the bees was the main substance that offered a major part of anti-bacterial activity.

4. EGCG and Green Tea

Enriched with EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate),  green tea is another natural antibiotic substance, offering innumerable health benefits. Scientists at Northwestern University opine that the polyphenol compounds that occur naturally in green tea, when dissolved in water with a pinch of salt, produce non-toxic antibiotic elements, akin to a thin sheath. However, when these meet harmful bacteria, they end up destroying them. The powerful antioxidant elements that exist in green tea fortify the immune system and fight against infection attacking the body. Green tea combats infections such as E-coli and Streptococcus in conjunction with other antibiotics. Apart from all this, the most important factor is that research indicates that the healthy constituents in green tea help overcome the pressures of synthetic antibiotics.

3. Probiotic and Bifido Acidophilus

Probiotic or fermented substances have dormant effects as natural antibiotics owing to the bifido acidophilus and lactobacillus acidophilus microbes existing in them. The chief bacteria bifido makes a natural antibiotic as they initiate the affable bacteria in the body, safeguarding from various diseases. However, doctors suggest taking probiotics along with antibiotics to enable replacement of micro flora (friendly bacteria) in the digestive tract.

2. Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extracts, globally known as Citricidal, has natural anti-viral, anti-fungal, and antiseptic elements. These in conjunction with varied antioxidant substances help scavenge free radicals and protect the occurrences of serious ailments. The extract empowers body’s resistance, restraining the growth of disease causing bacteria like Giardia and Candida, keeping the friendly floras unharmed.

1. Oregano Oil

The best of all natural antibiotics, various studies repeatedly prove oregano oil’s supremacy and effectiveness as an anti-microbial substance, boosting immunity and keeping infections at bay. For over three thousand years, this oil has enjoyed occupying a place as a natural antibiotic. Little wonder, considering their anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, anaesthetic, anti-venomous, anti-parasitic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal compounds. It is beneficial for treating a range of topical infections, such as athlete’s foot, insect stings, allergies, acne, sinusitis, gum disease, digestive disorders, sore throats, bronchitis and common cold.

Top image via Brisbane Vitality Clinic.

[Source: Toptenz. Edited. Top image added.]