In light of everything that is going on right now in the world it is important to have an option or two up your sleeve when it comes to your health. Now, we all get sick every once and awhile. Which is fine and part of our daily lives. But we need to know how to help our bodies heal themselves while staying as natural as possible. Most people don’t realize that most pharmaceutical antibiotics are derived from nature. Unfortunately, we as a nation rely on antibiotics more than we should and more often than not people are unaware that they may already be taking some all natural antibiotics daily. If I have learned anything over the years it is that life in excess regardless of which areas you choose can have some side effects. At the end it is all about finding a balance that works best for us.

A Little Goes A Long Way

Have you ever noticed how often you are given or take an antibiotic? Most of us don’t realize just how much of it we get. When I was really sick I met with my doctor, no joke, every two weeks! Every time I saw her I would spend at least 2-3 hours waiting to be seen after which during our appointment time she was with me for an average of 5 minutes. During which time she would ask me if I noticed any difference with the new medications. For the record, I never left her office without at least 6 different prescriptions. Out of the 6 medications I always had at least one antibiotic. I would go home and take the antibiotic for the two week period and come back worse than when I started. Looking back, I can see what my body at the time was screaming at me but I just didn’t know it at the time. 

Desperation Breeds Adaptation

When we are sick, I mean really sick, we are so desperate for help that we go into the hospital and are ready to follow whatever orders we are given. Honestly, if she had said to jump on one leg while singing I’m a little teapot I would have done it every hour. As doctors we go into this field with the sole purpose of helping others. With that said, we have the right to “practice medicine” not perform it. This means that we are going to go through all of the tools we have access to and listen to you as to whether or not they worked. What I didn’t know at the time (nor do I suspect did my doctor) was that I was actually making it even harder for my body to heal itself. As a by product my body started shutting down section by section.

Not All Bacteria Are Bad

Our body’s need a little help every now and then, this is true. Unfortunately, when we overload our system with an excess of antibiotics we can actually do more harm than good. Antibiotics in their purest form destroy and eliminate bacteria. Now while there are millions of different types of bacteria that exist there are a large majority of bacteria that benefit our bodies. Inside of our digestive tract you will find a constant Game of Thrones situation going on between different bacteria. There is always a dispute about territory lines and a never ending desire to expand their current kingdom. Bacteria helps to break down our foods and makes it easier for our nutrients to be absorbed. When we take an antibiotic it is typically because a certain bacteria has started to expand too much and needs to be put in check to improve our overall health. 

My Top 5 Antibiotic Picks

Taking an antibiotic for longer then two weeks or taking multiple antibiotics too closely together can destroy all of our bacteria. Remember, we need bacteria to help our bodies function normally and when there is an imbalance where the bad out numbers the good we tend to get sick. Unfortunately, the bad bacteria tends to be more resilient than the good bacteria and can be hard to shake. Taking a pharmaceutical antibiotic and often be targeted for one type of bacteria which can be beneficial if you identify the right bacteria. Typically, however, we don’t always get it right. That is why I tend to prefer all natural antibiotics; they are much easier on our bodies and are processed more readily. The following is a list of my top 5 favorite all natural antibiotics:

• Garlic
• Oregano
• Ginger
• Clove
• Raw Manuka Honey

Garlic

There is a reason we have already talked a little bit about the health benefits that come from consuming garlic. Some of the benefits that come with this powerful herb are improved Iron metabolism and a good source of selenium. Selenium can aid in the regulation of the number of fat cells that are formed in the body. Garlic is also great for your heart health and can help lower blood triglycerides, blood sugar, and total cholesterol. It can protect against oxidative stress and support blood pressure. Garlic is also a great source for the following: vitamin C, B6, and manganese. It is both an antibacterial and antiviral. Garlic is also known to thin the blood so make sure that you touch base with your primary doctor prior to increasing your amounts. 

Oregano

One of my personal favorite antibiotics. Oregano contains high amounts of potassium, iron, and calcium. It is great for aiding in respiratory tract issues such as coughs, asthma, croup, and bronchitis. Oregano is also a great option for improving digestive issues such as heartburn, bloating, and leaky gut. It can also be used to aid in menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis, UTI’s, headaches, and heart health. Oregano contains thymol and carvacrol which can inhibit bacteria growth. It is also a powerful antioxidant. I prefer to use it in it’s essential oil form and take it internally for 2 weeks every other month during my detox. This is a hot oil so you will want to wash your hands after contact and you will need to dilute it when applying it topically.

Ginger

Typically known for its digestive benefits ginger can aid in a number of health areas. Ginger contains magnesium, chromium, and zinc, which are all known to help improve blood flow in the body. It can also increase your body’s ability to absorb nutrients which can result in less exhaustion and improved digestion. Making it beneficial for the prevention of stomach discomfort, nausea prevention, and the strengthening of your immune system. Remember your digestive tract makes up the majority of your immune system. It can also assist in the death of cells that develop an abnormality and ensuring your optimal health remains intact. Research has shown that ginger contains compounds such as: gingerol, shogaol, paradol, and zingerone. These compounds have been shown to aid in brain health, weight management, immunity, digestion, and pain management.

Clove

Another great option is clove used historically for oral health and pain management. Clove comes with a number of additional health benefits such as improved digestion and boosting immunity. It can reduce pain experienced during headaches, protects liver, and preserves bone density. Clove contains high amounts of vitamin K, C, E, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and iron. It is also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. One of my favorite ways to use clove is as an essential oil. This is another hot oil so you will want to treat it similarly to oregano. Clove is also great as a tea and mixed in as a powder in golden milk. 

Manuka Honey

Unlike traditional honey, Manuka honey comes from the Manuka tree found in New Zealand. While the tree may only blossom 2-6 weeks each year (which is why it is crazy expensive) it comes with a number of health benefits. It can boost your immunity, prevent oral infections, soothes throat infections, repair wounds, support gut health, and even reduce MRSA. I have a client that had a few flare ups with MRSA on his arm and he swears by Manuka Honey. There are three levels of strength you can purchase the higher the level of antibacterial rating the higher the cost. NPA which is the lowest is slightly higher than raw local honey. UMF is a similar rating as NPA, however, this is a registered trademark and can only be sold by official licensees. MGO is based on the concentration of Methylglyoxal which is the most potent compound within the honey. 

Find Out What Works For You

No matter which route you choose for your all natural antibacterial needs you want to make sure you are giving your body the rest it needs to rebuild. While your body may need help from time to time to reset or restore balance it is important to remember that you can over do it. When taking any antibiotic you will always want to stick to the two weeks on and at least 4-6 weeks off rule. During that time off be sure to provide your body with the tools it needs to thrive. This is the time to increase probiotics, zinc, and L-glutamine. As always you should have an open dialogue with your primary doctor. If they are suggesting an antibiotic ask them if you can opt for something more natural. Remember they want you to be healthy and you have the biggest opinion when and where your health is concerned.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Gluten-Free Vegan Serves 24

• 1 ¼ Cup Ground Almond Meal
• 2 ½ tsp Baking Powder
• 1 ¼ Cup Coconut Flour
• ¼ tsp Baking Soda
• ½ tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla
• 2 Tbsp Lemon Zest
• 4 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
• ⅓  Cup Coconut Oil
• ¼ Cup Cashew Yogurt
• 1 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed
• 3 Tbsp Coconut Milk
• ⅓ Cup Whole Earth Stevia Monk Fruit Sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients (except stevia sugar and flax seed) making sure to mix well. Using a small dish combine flax seed and milk, stir well and let sit for 10-15 minutes. In the meantime combine all wet ingredients into a small bowl and mix well. Once the flax seed egg has begun to thicken add it into the wet ingredients and mix well. Slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry making sure the ingredients are well combined (if mixture is too dry you can always add in small amounts of coconut milk until desired texture has been reached). Roll spoon sized amounts into stevia sugar and place onto the cookie sheet. For easy removal use parchment paper or silicone sheets underneath cookies. Bake for 6-9 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. 

Need a Helping Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. Our health is something that we all have to deal with daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day then you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as just acting as a sounding board. Do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!