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Protect Yourself From Antibiotic Resistance by Using Natural Antibiotics

AHA Publisher — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 07:00:57 +0000

Michelle Marks via NaturalHealth365 – Most of us are aware that antibiotics are powerful drugs that fight bacteria-related infections with harmful side effects. Unfortunately, in today’s society of pill taking, we use too many antibiotics with the increasing danger of antibiotic resistance. The problem is further compounded with antibiotics found in factory foods like dairy and meat products. According to the CDDEP (The Center of Disease Dynamics, Economics, & Policy), the United States is one of the highest users of antibiotics – ranking fifth in the world. How the Wrong Diet Makes Antibiotics Useless Heavy prescription abuse and unintentional ingestion of antibiotic-based foods are the primary cause of resistance to antibiotics. Unfortunately, this is emerging as one of the most serious public health problems of our time. Although antibiotics can eliminate infectious conditions, their continuous use builds resistance to the antibiotic drug. The harmful bacteria in the body get accustomed to the therapeutic levels of antibiotic drugs and stop responding to the drug. In other words, an antibiotic drug, even at its highest potency, cannot stop bacterial growth and becomes incapable of treating an underlying infection. In fact, researchers suggest that almost every kind of bacterium has adapted itself to show resistance to antibiotic drug treatment. What Are the Potential Dangers of Antibiotic Resistance? Destroys healthy bacteria: The population of healthy bacteria in the gut is decreased to a smaller number creating an imbalance in the gut ecosystem resulting in frequent illness, indigestion, and poor nutrient absorption. Makes infections spread faster: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread like wildfire to others in the family or neighborhood, threatening an entire community with a new strain of infection. Complicates treatment: Because the strain is more virulent, the patient does not respond to heavy doses of drugs. As a result, the treatment becomes more difficult and expensive. Death due to infection: The underlying infection remains untreated, posing a severe threat to other organs and, in some cases, leads to death. What Actions Can We Take to Avoid Antibiotic Resistance? 1. Avoid the spread of infection in the first place by washing your hands thoroughly. 2. Consume organically grown produce, avoid consuming animal and animal-based products that are fed antibiotics. 3. Choose natural antibiotics like garlic, herbs, and vitamin C that have bactericidal properties. What Are Natural Antibiotics? Nature has an effective yet safe answer to bacterial infections through various phytochemicals from different plant parts. These have been used for many centuries in traditional medicine systems to treat a variety of conditions. Natural antibiotics act in a unique mechanism – in addition to their bactericidal action. They stimulate the immune system, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria, and scavenge them. What Are Some of My Options? Vitamin C: This water-soluble vitamin is a potent antioxidant and anti-infective agent. Abundant in all fresh fruits, especially the citrus variety, vitamin C can be consumed liberally in the diet in its natural state. If considering a vitamin C supplement, the recommended amount is 1-3 grams per day for healthy individuals. But, if you’re suffering from a troubling health issue – much more vitamin C may be required for a short period of time. Oregano oil: The oil of oregano leaves is a powerful anti-infective agent and natural antibiotic. It has been shown to be effective against harmful bacteria, yeast, and viruses. Most of the oregano oils in the market are usually a blend of other oils. The common recommendation is 2 – 3 drops 3 – 4 times daily. If consuming capsules, an amount of 100 – 150 mg per capsule per day is recommended. Olive leaves: Olive leaves are known for their anti-microbial properties and analgesic effects. The active ingredient oleuropein is responsible for its therapeutic effects. Olive leaves are low in toxicity, and the recommended safe amount for an adult is 25 mg per day twice daily for maintaining health. Ginger: The active components in ginger gingerols, zingerone, and shogaol are linked to its anti-bacterial effects. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory agent and is used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine as a pain reliever. Thus, ginger is a fantastic therapeutic food that can be included in the daily diet as part of a menu. As little as 2 – 3” of ginger added to a shredded, crushed, or cooked dish will take care of daily needs. Turmeric: This is a culinary staple in Indian cuisine and can be consumed safely at 1 to 2 teaspoons per day added to a recipe. Turmeric is known for its remarkable bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and anti-carcinogenic effects. If considering a supplement, 500 grams consumed in a fat-soluble base facilitates its absorption. Garlic: There are plenty of studies that demonstrate the powerful antibacterial effect of garlic. One study showed that natural spices of garlic exhibited a potent antibacterial effect. According to the researchers of this study, garlic showed an effect on multi-drug pathogens and can be used for treating drug-resistant microbial diseases. Garlic needs to be crushed, exposed to air for a few minutes, and consumed raw for effective antibiotic effects. If using a supplement, consume garlic extract with at least 1.3% alliin at 600 – 1,200 mg per day. What’s the bottom line? With antibiotic resistance on the rise at an alarming rate, it seems wise to turn to natural and healthier alternatives to fight bacterial infections. It is also important to remember that we need to consume organic, natural, and antibiotic-free products for improving overall health and make a conscious effort to avoid unnecessary ingestion of antibiotics – which can damage our digestive system and immune function. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH. gov To read the original article click here.

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Oregano Benefits for Inflammation, Infections & More

AHA Publisher — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 08:00:36 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Although many people think of it as the herb that’s sprinkled on top of pizza or into pasta sauces, oregano has been considered a precious plant for over 2,500 years in folk medicines around the world. It’s one of the top herbs for healing because of its antioxidant and antibacterial activity. With powerful antioxidants and components that help fight bacterial and viral infections, this common herb holds important space in both your kitchen and medicine cabinets. Although oregano oil is much more concentrated and has greater therapeutic potential, cooking with oregano has its health benefits, too. What Is Oregano? Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb that’s a member of the mint(Lamiaceae) family. It has been used for thousands of years in folk medicines to treat upset stomach, respiratory complaints and bacterial infections. Oregano leaves have a strong aroma and slightly bitter, earthy flavor. The spice was used in ancient Egypt and Greece to flavor meats, fish and vegetables. The herb got its name from the Greeks, where “oregano” means “Joy of the Mountain.” Types/Varieties There are several types of oregano offered across the globe. Common oregano is known as “origanum vulgare” and is also called “wild marjoram.” The varieties that are most popular for cooking are Greek oregano and Italian oregano. The Greek variety is more pungent, while the Italian type has a sweeter aroma. Some other varieties include: Syrian oregano Golden oregano Curan oregano Mexican oregano There are also varieties that are not consumed but used for decorative purposes. This includes pilgrim oregano, amethyst falls oregano and hop-flower oregano. These types have colorful flowers and grow easily in gardens. Benefits The leaves and dried versions are excellent sources of antioxidants and antibacterial compounds. Most studies involving the herb are done with its essential oils, which is a more concentrated form and has greater efficacy for promoting overall wellness and healthy aging. Research shows that this herb has the following benefits: 1. Antioxidant Powerhouse Oregano is jam-packed with health-promoting antioxidants, including limonene, thymol, carvacrol and terpinene. In fact, it’s one of the top antioxidant foods with an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) score of 159,277. (That’s high!) There are numerous benefits of eating foods high in antioxidants. They help slow the effects of aging by reducing free radical damage, which can contribute to many health issues and premature aging. Antioxidants positively impact your skin, eyes, heart, brain and cells as well. Studies on oregano extracts show that the herb’s antioxidant effects are likely attributed to carvacrol and thymol, two components that have therapeutic and preventative purposes in folk medicine. 2. Has Antibacterial Properties Several studies indicate that oil of oregano has antibacterial effects against a range of bacterial strains. There’s even research supporting the use of the oil as an alternative to harmful antibiotics for a number of health concerns. One study found that oil of oregano possesses the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli, suggesting that the extract can be used to promote gastrointestinal health and prevent food poisoning. What does this mean about the oregano leaves you add to your pasta sauce? They contain two important compounds, thymol and carvacrol, which help fight bacterial infections. That said, using the more concentrated essential oil is far more effective for killing bacteria. 3. Reduces Inflammation Cooking with this health-promoting herb, whether it’s dry or fresh, may help reduce inflammation. Studies on the herb’s essential oils show that it contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties. This is due to the plant’s antioxidant activity, which helps improve chronic inflammation and a long list of diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Oregano products are used to relieve inflammatory conditions including allergies and rheumatoid arthritis. Herbal extracts are also used topically to reduce issues like insect bites, psoriasis, acne and muscle pain. 4. Fights Viral Infections Carvacrol, one of the main components in oregano, has been shown to possess antiviral properties. This enables oregano oil to delay viral disease progression and improve resistance to infections. Again, these studies use the herb’s essential oil, which is far more concentrated than consuming fresh or dried leaves. However, they does highlight the beneficial compounds that are present in the plant. Nutrition One teaspoon (about a gram) of oregano leaves contains approximately: 3.1 calories 1.9 carbohydrates 0.1 grams protein 0.1 grams fat 0.4 grams fiber 6.2 micrograms vitamin K (8 percent DV) On teaspoon (about 2 grams) of dried oregano contains approximately: 5.4 calories 3.4 carbohydrates 0.2 grams protein 0.2 grams fat 0.7 grams fiber 10.9 micrograms vitamin K (14 percent DV) 0.8 milligrams iron (4 percent DV) 0.1 milligrams manganese (4 percent DV) 27.6 milligrams calcium (3 percent DV) How to Add to Diet (Recipes) It’s easy to add oregano spice and leaves into your everyday diet. It’s commonly added to Mediterranean dishes and serves as a versatile spice for sauces, stuffings, soups and salads. It can be sprinkled on homemade pizzas, soups and doughs too. Need some recipe ideas that incorporate this health-promoting herb? Try these: Homemade Chicken Marsala with ghee and Paleo flour Zesty Turkey Salad with beans, walnuts and fresh herbs Olive Tapenade Recipe with olives, fresh herbs and sun-dried tomatoes Need some tips on optimizing freshness when cooking with this herb? Chopping or crushing the leaves provides more flavor, and add it in at the end of the cooking process for the best results. Using fresh leaves gives you more flavor too. Thankfully, the herb is super easy to grow at home and even thrives in a pot on your windowsill. Risks and Side Effects Consuming dried or fresh oregano is safe in normal amounts, when added to recipes. People who are allergic to herbs within the Lamiaceae family, like mint and basil, should be cautious when eating it for the first time. The oil is much more concentrated and should only be consumed for short periods of time, at a maximum of two weeks. It should also be diluted with water or coconut oil when taken internally. The essential oil should also be diluted when applied topically to fight infections or reduce inflammation. Conclusion Oregano has been used for thousands of years for therapeutic and culinary purposes. The herb has powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the herb’s essential oils are more potent and provide greater therapeutic benefits, adding dried or fresh leaves to recipes is an excellent way to consume the plant’s antioxidants. It’s easy to cook with the herb. It goes well in any Mediterranean recipe, including sauces, fish and meat dishes, soups and salads. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Oregano Oil Benefits for Infections, Fungus & Even the Common Cold

AHA Publisher — Wed, 20 May 2020 07:00:01 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Designed specifically for fighting bacterial infections, antibiotics are one of medical doctors’ favorite tools for treating many health issues. But there’s another underutilized natural “medicine” that many doctors don’t tell their patients about: oregano oil (also called oil of oregano). Oregano oil is a powerful, plant-derived essential oil that may rival antibiotics when it comes to treating or preventing various infections. (1a) In fact, it contains properties that are antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. (1b) And oregano essential oil is unlikely to cause many of the harmful side effects that are commonly attributed to high use of antibiotics — such as increased risk for antibiotic resistance, poor gut health due to destroying beneficial probiotic bacteria, reduced vitamin absorption and leaky gut syndrome due to damage of the GI tract’s lining. Meanwhile, oregano oil benefits extend beyond just controlling infections. What else is oregano essential oil used to treat? Common examples of conditions that oregano oil can help manage include: Athlete’s foot or toenail fungus Common colds Gingivitis Earaches or toothaches Digestive problems such as heartburn and SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) What Is Oregano Oil? Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb that is a member of the mint family (Labiatae). Oregano has been considered a precious plant commodity for over 2,500 years in folk medicines that originated across the globe. It has a very long use in traditional medicine for treating colds, indigestion and upset stomachs. (2a) You might have some experience cooking with fresh or dried oregano leaves — such as oregano spice, one of the top herbs for healing — but oregano essential oil is far from what you’d put in your pizza sauce. Found in the Mediterranean, throughout many parts of Europe, and in South and Central Asia, medicinal grade oregano is distilled to extract the essential oil from the herb, which is where a high concentration of the herb’s active constituents are found. It takes over 1,000 pounds of wild oregano to produce just one pound of oregano essential oil! The oil’s active ingredients are preserved in alcohol and used in essential oil form both topically (on the skin) and internally. When made into a medicinal supplement or essential oil, oregano is often called “oil of oregano.” As mentioned above, oregano oil is a considered a natural alternative to prescription antibiotics. Oil of oregano contains two powerful compounds called carvacrol and thymol, both of which have been shown in studies to have strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Oregano’s oil is primarily made of carvacrol, while the plant’s leaves contain a variety of antioxidant compounds, such as phenols, triterpenes, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. (2b) 7 Oregano Oil Benefits + Research Studies What can you use oregano essential oil for? The predominant healing compound found in oregano oil, carvacrol, has widespread uses ranging from treating allergies to protecting the skin. According to the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Messina in Italy: Carvacrol, a monoterpenic phenol, has emerged for its wide spectrum activity extended to food spoilage or pathogenic fungi, yeast and bacteria as well as human, animal and plant pathogenic microorganisms including drug-resistant and biofilm forming microorganisms. (3) Carcavol found in oregano essential oil is so potent that it has been been the focus of over 800 studies referenced in PubMed, the world’s No. 1 database for scientific evidence-based literature. To give you a sense of how multi-functional and impressive carvacrol is, it has been shown in studies to help reverse or reduce some of these common health problems: Bacterial infections Fungal infections Parasites Viruses Inflammation Allergies Tumors Indigestion Candida Because it has antimicrobial properties, oregano is also used to preserve food quality during storage 1. Natural Alternative to Antibiotics What’s the problem with frequently using antibiotics? Broad-spectrum antibiotics can be dangerous because they don’t only kill bacteria that are responsible for infections, they also kill good bacteria that we need for optimal health. The Wall Street Journal printed a fantastic article highlighting the dangers that patients may face when they repeatedly use antibiotics. In the author’s words, “Recent studies have shown that doctors are overprescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics, sometimes called the big guns, that kill a wide swath of both good and bad bacteria in the body.” (4) Overuse of antibiotics, and prescribing broad-spectrum drugs when they aren’t needed, can cause a range of problems. It can make the drugs less effective against the bacteria they are intended to treat by fostering the growth of antibiotic-resistant infections. And it can wipe out the body’s good bacteria (probiotics), which help digest food, produce vitamins and protect from infections, among other functions. Unfortunately broad-spectrum antibiotics are very commonly prescribed, and often for conditions in which they have no use, such as viral infections. In one study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, researchers from the University of Utah and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 60 percent of the time when physicians prescribe antibiotics they choose broad-spectrum types. A similar study of children, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that when antibiotics were prescribed they were broad-spectrum 50 percent of the time, mainly for respiratory conditions. (5) In contrast, what does oil of oregano do for you that makes it so beneficial? Essentially, taking oregano oil is a “broad-spectrum approach” to protecting your health. Its active ingredients help fight multiple types of harmful pathogens, including bacteria, yeast and fungi. As a study in the Journal of Medicinal Food journal stated in 2013, oregano oils “represent an inexpensive source of natural antibacterial substances that exhibited potential for use in pathogenic systems.” (1) 2. Fights Infections & Bacterial Overgrowth Here’s the good news regarding the use of less-than-ideal antibiotics: there’s evidence that oregano essential oil can help to fight at least several strains of bacteria that cause health problems that are commonly treated with antibiotics. Dozens of studies confirm the fact that oregano oil can be used in place of harmful antibiotics for a number of health concerns. In 2011 the Journal of Medicinal Food published a study that evaluated the antibacterial activity of oregano oil against five different types of bad bacteria. After evaluating the anti-bacterial characteristics of oil of oregano it showed significant anti-bacterial properties against all five species. The highest activity was observed against E. Coli, which suggests that oregano oil could potentially be routinely used to promote gastrointestinal health and to prevent deadly food poisoning. (6) A 2013 study published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture concluded that “O. vulgare extracts and essential oil from Portuguese origin are strong candidates to replace synthetic chemicals used by the industry.” Researchers from the study found that after studying the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of oregano that Origanum vulgare inhibited the growth of seven tested strains of bacteria that other plant extracts could not. (7) One study involving mice that was published in the journal Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia also found impressive results: in addition to fighting bacteria like Listeria and E. Coli, they also found evidence that oregano oil may have the ability to help pathogenic fungi. (8) Other evidence shows that oregano oil’s active compounds (such as thymol and carvacrol) can help fight toothaches and earaches caused by bacterial infections. A 2005 study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases concluded that “Essential oils or their components placed in the ear canal can provide effective treatment of acute otitis media.” (9) 3. Helps Reduce Side Effects From Medications/Drugs In recent years many studies have found that one of the most promising oregano oil benefits is helping to reduce side effects from medications/drugs. These studies give hope to people who want to find a way to manage the horrible suffering that accompanies drugs and medical interventions, such as chemotherapy or use of drugs for chronic conditions like arthritis. A study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine showed that phenol in oil of oregano can help protect against methotrexate toxicity in mice. (10) Methotrexate (MTX) is a drug commonly used to treat a wide array of issues from cancer to rheumatoid arthritis, but it’s also well-known to have dangerous side effects. After evaluating oil of oregano’s ability to keep these factors at bay, researchers believe its due to oregano’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Oregano was shown to work better than drugs that are ineffective at providing full protection against MTX’s adverse effects. By evaluating various markers in the sciatic nerve in mice, it was observed for the first time that carvacrol decreased the pro-inflammatory response in mice being treated by MTX. Being a relatively new concept in the research world, I expect to see more studies testing these results because “groundbreaking” doesn’t even begin to describe the significance of this study. Similarly, research conducted in the Netherlands showed that oregano essential oil can also “prevent bacterial overgrowth and colonization in the large intestine during oral iron therapy.” (11) Used to treat iron deficiency anemia, oral iron therapy is known to cause a series of gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn and vomiting. It’s believed that carvacrol targets the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria and increases membrane permeability, thereby causing depletion of harmful bacteria. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, carvacrol also interferences with certain pathways for bacterial iron handling which helps to lower side effects of iron therapy. 4. Helps Treat Athlete’s Foot One study found that a combination of heat, salt and use of essential oils (including oregano) had inhibitory effects against mycelia of T. rubrum and conidia of T. mentagrophytes, bacterial strains that commonly cause the fungal infection known as athlete’s foot. The researchers concluded that “Thermotherapy combined with essential oils and salt would be promising to treat tinea pedis in a foot bath.” After testing the fungicidal activity of 11 essential oils against the bacteria known to cause athlete’s foot, oregano oil was found to be the most powerful (followed by thyme, cinnamon bark, lemongrass and clove). (12) 5. Helps Treat Digestive Issues (Including SIBO & Heartburn) Several of the active compounds found in Origanum vulgare can help to aid digestion by relaxing the muscles of the GI tract and also helping to balance the ratio of good-to-bad bacteria in the gut. Thymol, one of oregano’s active compounds, is a similar compound to menthol, which is found in peppermint oil. Like menthol, thymol may help relax the soft tissue of the throat and stomach which can help to decrease GERD, heartburn and discomfort after eating. Because it helps balance bacteria and fights yeast overgrowth, oregano essential oil is also a popular natural treatment for Candida and SIBO, or small intestine bacterial overgrowth. SIBO is a common digestive problem that causes gas, bloating and intolerances to many carbohydrate-containing foods (especially FODMAPs). Origanum vulgare hinders bacterial replication and can be used similarly to antibiotic medications such as rifaximin (Xifaxan) for treating infections that affect digestive health and nutrient absorption. A 2014 study published in Global Advances in Health & Medicine found evidence that use of herbal antimicrobials is just as effective as the antibiotic usually given for the treatment of SIBO. When 104 patients diagnosed with SIBO (via lactulose breath test) were treated either with rifaximin (1,200 milligrams) or herbal antimicrobials over the course of four weeks the results showed that 46 percent of the patients treated with herbal antimicrobials experienced symptom improvements, compared to only 34 percent treated with the antibiotic rifaximin. (13) Additionally, 14 of the 44 patients who still had SIBO after a course of rifaximin were then treated with herbal antimicrobials. Fifty-seven percent responded positively to the herbal treatment even after failing to feel better from the antibiotics! 6. Can Help Treat Parasites One study found that when adults whose stools tested positive for enteric parasites (including Blastocystis hominis which causes digestive distress) supplemented with 600 milligrams of oregano for six weeks many experienced significant gastrointestinal symptoms. There was a “complete disappearance of Entamoeba hartmanni (four cases), Endolimax nana (one case), and Blastocystis...

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